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Eliana
The minutemy car crosses out of the city limits I can finally breathe. Adíos cramped apartment. Adíos crowded grocery stores. Hello Mother Nature! The scenery shifts from concrete gray to a palette of blues, greens, and chocolate brown. I make a mental note to use that in my color scheme presentation for Strong Lodge. When my best friend from college told me that her family’s lodge needed a makeover and was looking for a designer, I jumped at the chance. Not only will I get out of the city for a while, but I’ll be able to reconnect with my best friend, Phoebe, and meet her gigantic family.
Six hours and two large diet sodas later, I cross into mountain territory, and I’ll tell you, Burly Creek lives up to its name. For a small mountain town, everything here seems oversized, the towering trees, the houses I pass alongside the river, even the cute downtown district rivals that of a mid-sized city. A smile crawls across my lips as I take it all in. I don’t normally believe in ju-ju, but I can’t shake the feeling that this is all supposed to happen.
Granted, I don’t have the job yet, but I’m only pitching my designs to Phoebe’s brother, Salem. I don’t know much about him, or at least anything that I can remember. Phoebe has five brothers. Without knowing them personally, they all seem to blend together.
My GPS tells me I have arrived at my destination. I turn right onto a well-manicured road. A sign for Strong Lodge in Mid-Century Modern font greets me. I’m so excited, I nearly jump from my seat. While the wood may be warped, the style couldn’t be more in line with my own. Phoebe said the place needed a facelift, but maybe her family’s just not the kind of folks who dig a retro vibe?
The gigantic lodge comes into view, picturesque and surrounded on one side by mature trees. On the other lies an open field. This place reminds me of Dirty Dancing.
Maybe my Johnny Castle awaits?
I laugh at my own silly thoughts, and start to hum about having the time of my life, when a familiar face greets me from afar. Phoebe comes rushing to my car, her long blonde hair swinging with each step. She gestures to her right and I park near the side entrance of the place. I turn off the car, ready to stretch my legs. I’ve barely stood up straight when Phoebe nearly knocks me off my feet with a big ole bear hug.
“Eliana!”
“Oh my God, Pheebs.” I squeeze my bestie tight. Seeing her now, after nearly two years without being in the same house, almost makes me tear up. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“Me too.” Phoebe pulls away and holds me by my arms. “Look at you, city girl.” Her eyes flicker down to my high-heeled booties. “I hope you brought other shoe options.” The smile never leaves her lips. That’s my girl.
“Of course I did.” I close the car door and wrap my arm around Phoebe’s shoulders. “I was just hoping I didn’t have to use them.”
“Oh, girl.” Phoebe laughs as we head around to the main entrance of the lodge. “You definitely will.”
The lodge seems much bigger now that I’m on foot. My brain swims with possibility. Right now, with its chipped white paint and maroon awning, it looks like something out of the nineties, back when there were decorative ducks in Grandma’s kitchen. That’s fine, nostalgic even, but I’m going to show them that this lodge can be a showplace. I’m going to win this job so that I can stay here with Phoebe and spend more time away from the city.
We head inside and I nearly choke. Wood paneling lines the walls. Well-worn kelly green carpet stretches from wall to wall. The fireplace doors are shiny gold. The front desk looks like something straight out of the movie Fargo.
“What do you think?” Phoebe whispers before fake gagging herself with her finger.
You have to choose your words carefully in my business. One person’s trash is another’s treasure. “It’s…lived in.”
“Been around for nearly a hundred years.” A deep voice from behind me turns my head. My gaze falls into the warmest, honey brown eyes I’ve ever seen. His dark hair is carelessly styled. His perfectly trimmed beard shows off a strong, square jaw. As he walks toward me, it feels like I’m sinking. I have to lift my chin to keep eye contact. “And it’ll be here for a hundred more.” The man extends his oversized hand. “I’m Salem Strong.” Tingles erupt up through my entire body the minute I slip my hand into his.
“Eliana Ritter.” My voice falters. Heat rushes to my cheeks. Never in my life have I felt as helpless and vulnerable as I do around Salem. His bold, confident energy matches his hulking stature. With shoulders bigger than a linebacker, and a set of massive, sinewy arms, it’s enough to make a girl fan herself.
But I won’t go that far. I’m here for a job. Not to be lovestruck silly by my best friend’s brother. Sheesh.
“Let me show you around.” Salem nods, and out of habit I turn to Phoebe and shoot her that ‘holy-cow-this-guy-is-smoking-hot’ look. In return, she rolls her eyes, and follows behind me with her hand on my shoulder. Of course she’s used to people thinking her brother is hot. There’s no way around it.
The three of us explore the place. From the guest rooms, to the ballroom, this place needs a facelift pronto. It’s clear the bones are solid and the view of the creek out back is out of this world, but there’s no way someone would choose this over a comfy, modern, updated style. Although there’s no denying that there’s a vibe to this place. It screams warm, cozy, comfortable, but you can’t experience that from online pictures, andthatis how you drive new business.
Once we’re back in Salem’s office, Phoebe breaks off from us. “I’ve got to go. My brother, Quinn, just texted. There’s a leak at the coffee shop.”
I have no idea what this means. I don’t ask. Instead I kiss Phoebe on the cheek and promise we’ll chat tonight. With a deep breath, I turn my attention back to Salem.
“Well,” His oversized leather chair creaks under his weight. The same chair barely makes a sound when I settle into it. “What are your thoughts?”
“Oh, I have so many ideas.” My brain swims with inspiration, and my mouth works to keep up with all of the images rushing to my head. “The wood paneling just needs a coat of paint, making it a little more farmhouse style. The guest rooms are a bit old, but with some curated retro-inspired furniture they’ll feel fresh and new. And the carpet can be ripped up. Do you know if there’s original hardwood beneath?” Salem’s brow furrows. His silence perplexes me. “That would make it easier—”
“I think you’re mistaken.” He tents his fingers in front of his face.
“Come again?”
“We aren’t straying from the original decor.”
