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1
The late May sun beat down on Laura Metcalf as she sprayed cleaner on the windows in the lodge of Crossroads Mountain Retreat. The panes acted like a magnifying glass, intensifying the heat and causing sweat to bead at her hairline.
But she couldn’t be more content.
Staring out at the Smoky Mountains with her muscles straining from hard work, all she could think was how far she’d come in the last few months. She’d finally left her abusive boyfriend, moved into her own place, and was learning to stand on her own two feet.
She cradled her growing baby bump. Pregnancy wasn’t something she’d anticipated, but the fierce desire to keep her child safe had pushed her into finally walking away from the man who’d caged her in for so long. Now, at six months pregnant, all she needed to do was figure out what her future looked like for her and her baby.
No pressure.
“Windows look great!”
Laura spun around and grinned at her friend and boss, Brooke Mather.
Okay, so boss might be a bit of an overstatement. Brooke was the owner of Crossroads Mountain Retreat, a place of physical and emotional healing for veterans and law enforcement. Most of the staff were from the same world as the people they assisted.
Laura wasn’t, but Brooke had made an exception with her. Giving her odd jobs whenever she could while she figured out the mess she’d made of her life. A gesture that wasn’t at all surprising from a citizen of Pine Valley, Tennessee. Here, neighbors were family, always willing to go the extra mile.
Something Laura desperately needed while still trying to navigate her own complex family dynamics.
“Thanks,” she said, wiping away the stream of spray as it dripped toward the floor. “I think I'm done with everything on your list for the day. If there’s nothing else you need, I’ll get going. I’m working a shift at the Chill N’ Grill tonight.”
Another neighbor, another job, another small paycheck to go toward her pile of unpaid bills.
Brooke brushed a wisp of brown hair behind her ear and took a step forward.
Laura struggled not to flinch. Brooke wasn’t trying to invade her personal space. She wasn’t here to reprimand or punish her. But years of dealing with an abuser—a lifetime really—made some habits hard to break.
“Before you go, I wanted to let you know I spoke with your brother today.”
“Oh yeah? What about?” She swiped her palms on the thighs of her worn jeans.
“I talked to him about taking on the construction job for expanding the food pantry in town.”
“I’m sure Matthew would love the job. His company is amazing.” She might not know that for sure but didn’t see whyher brother’s construction company wouldn’t be a top contender for the work. He and his business partner were responsible for a lot of the growth in the community, as well as the surrounding areas.
“He said he planned to be out of town for a chunk of time. Then he directed me to your father, who’s utilizing the Community Outreach Fund for the pantry’s expansion, to discuss a bid. I’m hoping it works out.”
She forced a tight smile at the mention of her father, the mayor of Pine Valley. He might not have left visible bruises throughout her childhood, but he’d left plenty of scars. Scars that ran so deep she doubted she’d ever be able to outrun them.
“I wonder where Matthew’s going? He never mentioned anything.”
Brooke shrugged. “He didn’t say. Just that Cade would be the point person, and he hoped to talk to you about helping while he’s away.”
Her cheeks warmed at the mention of her brother’s best friend. Being alone for hours on end with Cade Sulley might have been something she’d fantasized about as a teenager, but that was a lifetime ago. These days she couldn’t even look Cade in the eyes, not that she saw much of him. “Me? I have no experience working for a construction company.”
“Did you ever have experience at a bar or around a retreat prior to a few months ago?” Brooke’s small smile told Laura she already knew the answer.
“No.”
“Then there’s no telling what other things are out there waiting for you to discover. All you have to do is try.”
Laura sighed, allowing herself one quick second of self-pity. If only life was that easy—that things were really so simple. The reality was she had no work experience, no education beyond a high school diploma she’d barely earned, and a truckloadof trauma to unpack. The only thing she could focus on was survival.
Brooke frowned. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to simplify your situation. You’ve been through hell. You know everyone in this town is behind you, cheering for you.”
“Thanks,” she said, meaning it to her core. “Taking the first step is sometimes the hardest, but that doesn’t mean it gets any easier. I just need to keep moving—pushing forward—grateful for where I am. The rest will fall into place.”
