he was searching for something in my face. After a prolonged silence, which felt like an inspection, he nodded. “Okay. Let’s get you two settled in.”
A bell chimed lightly as we entered the pristine foyer. The interior was as warm as the exterior, the walls painted in soft hues that looked professionally designed to give it a modern farmhouse look.
Yeah, I’d seen way too much HGTV in the last month. Stupid waiting rooms.
“Oh! You must be Mr. Gentry!” a chipper voice called from behind the long reception desk. The girl looked to be in her early twenties, with a wide smile, brown eyes, and hair to match. High-maintenance but pretty. Hailey.
“How would you know that?” I took out my wallet, careful not to dislodge the letter in my back pocket.
She blinked at me rapidly before dropping her eyes.
Shit. I was going to have to work on softening my tone now that I was a civilian—well, almost a civilian. Whatever.
“You’re our only check-in today.” She clicked through her computer.
I’d be checking out if Ella realized who I was. Then I’d have to find another way to help without her filing stalking charges. Although I’m sure Ryan would have gotten a kick out of that one, he wouldn’t be laughing if I couldn’t help her.
“Any preference for your cabin? We’ve got quite a few open now that the season is finally closed.”
“Whatever you have will be fine.”
“Are you sure? You’re booked for—wow! Seven months? Is that right?” She clicked quickly, like she’d found a mistake.
“That’s right.” I’d never stayed in one place for seven months in my life. But seven months took me to the anniversary of Maisie’s diagnosis, so it seemed prudent to book out a cabin. It wasn’t like I was buying a house here or anything.
She looked at me like I owed her an explanation.
Well, this was awkward.
“So if I could get a map?” I suggested.
“Of course. I’m sorry. We’ve just never had a guest stay that long. It caught me off guard.”
“No problem.”
“Wouldn’t it be cheaper to get an apartment?” she asked quietly. “Not that I’m implying that you can’t pay. Shit, Ella’s going to kill me if I keep offending guests.” She mumbled that last part.
I put my debit card on the counter in hopes that it would expedite the process.
“Run the entire amount. I’ll cover incidentals as I go. And yeah, it probably would.” That was as much of an explanation as she was going to get.
A ridiculous transaction amount later, I put my wallet away and thanked my younger self for saving like a poor kid determined to never go hungry again. I wasn’t poor anymore, or a kid, but I would never wonder where my next meal was coming from ever again.
“Is that…a dog?” an older woman asked, her tone soft but incredulous.
“Yes, ma’am.” The woman seemed to be the same age as Larry, and by the look of her, had to be Ada. I had the weirdest feeling of stepping into a reality show that I’d only ever watched. I knew who each of them were from Ella’s letters, but to them I was a complete stranger.
“Well, we don’t have dogs here.” Her gaze locked onto Havoc like she might immediately grow fleas and infest the place.
Shit. If Havoc went, so did I.
“She goes where I go.” My standard answer flew out of my mouth before I censored myself.
Ada gave me a look I’m sure must have sent Ella running when she was younger. I gritted my teeth and tried again.
“I wasn’t aware of that policy when I made the reservation. My apologies.”
“He’s paid up through November!” Hailey said from behind the desk.
“November?” Ada’s mouth dropped open.
“Don’t worry, love.” Larry walked over to his wife and put his arm around her waist. “She’s a military working dog. She’s not going to ruin the carpet or anything.”
“Retired,” I corrected him as Havoc sat perfectly still, reading the atmosphere.
“Why was she retired? Is she aggressive? We have small children here, and we can’t have anyone bitten.” Ada wrung her hands—actually twisted them. It was plain to see her conflict. I was paid through seven months, most of which were in their off-season. I was guaranteed income.
“She retired because I did, and she wouldn’t listen to anyone else.” I’d been her handler for six years and couldn’t imagine my life without her, so it worked out. “She’ll only bite on my command or in my defense. She’s never peed on the carpet or attacked a child.