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“Looks like it,” she says.
“And I’m on the other side of this one,” Joanna says, throwing her thumb in Scooter’s direction.
“Clay and I are gonna throw some patties on the portable grill in a bit if you ladies want to join us for burgers and beers this evening,” Scooter invites.
Zoey looks over at Joanna and shrugs. “I could eat a burger.”
“Me too,” Joanna agrees.
Scooter claps his hands together. “Excellent. See you guys on our slice of the porch at six. Bring your own rockers.”
Zoey
Iget settled into my new accommodations.
Langford and his investors went all out to make sure the people they hired are comfortable. These cabanas are adorable and stocked with all-new, high-quality linens, towels, hairdryers, dishes, and utensils as well as trash bags, paper towels, toilet paper, soaps, lotions, shampoos, and conditioners from the resort’s spa.
I open the closet beside the bathroom door in the hallway that leads to the bedroom. A compact, stacked washer and dryer are tucked inside. On the shelf above are laundry detergent and fabric softener.
They thought of everything.
I unzip the suitcase that’s waiting for me on the bed and begin to unpack.
I set my laptop on the nightstand beside the pink salt lamp and plug the charger into the outlet.
The large, worn, well-loved teddy bear that my grandfather bought for me the day I was born is placed on the bed. It goes everywhere with me. I can’t sleep without it.
I place my makeup bag and hair products on the shelf above the towel rack in the bathroom, my robe on the hook beside the shower, and my cozy UGG slippers beside the door.
The small paperback collection I sent is stacked neatly on the slender coffee table in front of the television, and a framed photo of my parents, brother, and me is set atop the wardrobe, where I place the clothing that didn’t fit into the bedroom closet.
I look out the window of the back door beside the bathroom that has a sliding chain lock.
The sight is breathtaking. There is a steep drop-off to a rumbling creek with the majestic Smoky Mountains dotting the horizon. It’s the same view from the large picture window that takes up most of the back wall in the bedroom. The bed is positioned so that we can wake up to a beautiful sunrise every morning.
Yes, they indeed thought of everything.
I walk back to the front room and notice a basket with a bottle of wine and some wrapped baked goodies on the granite island.
The attached note reads:Welcome to our valley. We are so happy to have you here.It’s signed by Sara-Beth Tuttle, Langford’s mother.
How sweet.
I pick up the bottle, and it’s a chardonnay from a local winery called Shining Rock. I open the drawer in the island and find a wine opener and remove the cork. I pour myself a glass and take it to the living space, and I click on the fireplace. I take a seat on the comfortable sofa and look around. I think I’m going to enjoy my time in Balsam Ridge.
Home sweet temporary home.
I set the glass on a coaster and snatch one of the books from the table, curl my legs under me, and settle in for a bit of relaxation before joining the others for dinner.
“All right, who wants cheese on their burger?” Clay asks as he flips the meat on the George Foreman patio grill.
Joanna’s hand shoots up. “I do!”
Clay beams at her. He’s six feet of lanky limbs, long brown hair that peeks from beneath a gray wool beanie, and a bright smile. Joanna has been nursing a serious crush on him since meeting him last fall.
“I’ll take cheese too, please,” I say.
“Two of my famous ooey-gooey, cheesy burgers coming right up for the pretty ladies,” he says.
