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Ivy shudders, probably recalling the multi-colored drawings of dinosaurs, flying saucers, and a collection of (hopefully imaginary) creatures splattered across the walls. They weren’t even bad drawings—the kid could have a future in art. But stick-figure depictions of smiling giraffe-fish are not what you want in a cozy mountain inn.
“You’re a lifesaver.” Ivy shakes her head. “Today’s been crazy. The lady in Room 5 put birdseed on her window sill to—and I quote—‘bring nature to her’ and now… well, let’s just say that there’s a little too much nature happening. Specifically involving hungry chipmunks.”
My eyes widen. “Eek.”
“Eek is right. I haven’t had a chance to take a breath this morning, let alone get on top of everything.” She clasps her hands, anxious.
I place a hand on her arm, smile reassuringly. “That’s what I’m here for.”
She nods at me gratefully. At that moment, the front door opens and a guy wearing what looks like a Ghostbuster costume strolls into reception.
“You!” Ivy calls, pointing at the Ghostbuster. “So glad you’re here. We are in desperate need of a power vacuum. And thanks for driving in from Summer Lakes; our usual housekeeping company said this is above their pay grade, which I do understand, but it’s rather inconvenient, as you can imagine. If you’ll follow me…”
Ivy stalks off with the guy in tow, leaving me to return to my work.
Not my thoughts about Ethan. Nope.
When we got back from the road trip late last night, Ethan dropped me off. Miraculously, my mom and dad must not have heard the truck as I managed to make it into the house before they could come outside. It’s not that I don’t want them to see Ethan or know what’s going on with us (my mom would be our biggest cheerleader, pompoms and all). The problem is that I’m having a hard time not reliving the last time we finished a treasure hunt together…
Specifically, when he decided to break things off and move to Montana.
It was a complicated situation, I know. I could never fault Ethan for moving with his mom. But what hurt the most was the way he gave up on us. Now, he has this wonderful opportunity back in Montana, and I couldn’t be happier for him. But it’s hard not to wonder if history’s going to repeat itself.
My mind wants to say it won’t. Ethan told me that he wants to be with me, but my heart is having a hard time forgetting its scars.
The French doors open and Ivy walks back into reception. Scratch that, she’s skipping into reception. And talking to a man I don’t recognize. He’s tall and lanky and has what I can only describe as a baby face.
“HAHAHAHA, Cam, you crack me up,” Ivy’s saying, her voice tinkling and light.
Cam frowns. “I don’t get it.”
“What you said about the power vacuum guy looking like an action movie character? I was thinking Ghostbusters? No?”
Crickets.
“Uh, anyway,” Ivy says quickly, her cheeks reddening. “What can I do for you today?”
“Are your grandparents here? I’d like to talk to them about my business and what we can do for them.” Cam smiles this white, flashy smile, nods back towards the French doors. “Seems I came at the perfect time.”
“Oh, yeah. You have a cleaning company, right? Clean Reflections?”
“It’s Clear Reflections, actually. Don’t worry, it’s an easy mistake to make.”
Ivy’s smile tightens slightly. “Right. Well, they should be back later so I’ll tell them to call you.”
“Perfect. I’ll leave my business card so they won’t forget.”
Cam rifles in the pocket of his fancy blazer for a moment, then produces a stack of white cards. He takes a couple and hands them to Ivy. “In case one gets lost,” he adds as an explanation for the second card, but his gaze lingers. “Or, you know, in case you’d like one.”
That seems to perk Ivy up a little. “Awesome.”
What happens next rivals any streak of bad luck I could ever have…
Ivy shoots out a hand to collect the two cards, but instead, her fingers collide with the stack. The cards go flying, a veritable shower of white confetti flying through the air and scattering across the desk and the floor of the lobby.
“Oh, no!” Ivy squeaks, bustling around to collect the cards. “I’m so sorry!”
“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Cam says, but his tone is short. He scrambles around with her. “Totally understandable.”
