to my mother’s and my Gram knew that. I didn’t just up and leave the life I craved, only to be compared to my drug abusing mother.
“Oh, you know what I mean—it’s just nice to know I can actually depend on someone for once.”
“Well, you can definitely count on me, Grams.”
“Wonderful! Now, I won’t keep you long but I just wanted to bring up a couple of things.” There was no point continuing my notes on the areas I did get around to viewing. Every time my Gram brought up ‘just a couple of things,’ I knew I was in for a long chat.
“And that would be?”
“First things first—I know the Inn is still mine but I want you to feel in charge. You are a very hard worker and I trust your instincts; so unless I feel you are making a terrible mistake with something, I will stay back.”
“Mhmm.” Providing enough of a response for her to continue on was all she required. Besides, I would have been more interested in our conversation, if we hadn’t already had the same one a dozen times before.
“Also, at the end of every month I would like updates on how things are running. Where our financial situation lies and how our customer ratings are going.”
“Of course.”
“There may also be times that I’ll just pop in to make sure things are running smoothly. You can understand that I’m sure, right?”
“Yes, I understand.”
As she droned on about something, a piece of paper at the corner of the desk caught my attention. Black writing was scribbled on it, next to my perfectly scripted notes. It was clearly out of place. I tuned into my Grandma’s babbling for a second to make sure I wasn’t missing anything important—like maybe the code to some secret panic room. When I was able to reassure myself, that I could continue zoning out, I grabbed the note.
Guess this time it’s my turn to leave my number. I still have that receipt by the way. See you soon Danielle 25. ; )
-Corey 27
A smile spread over my face before I could stop it. On the back of the note was his number and without hesitation, I added it into my contacts list.
“Now Danielle, we do have a night shift and I’m not saying you need to stay with them every night but just now and then. They enjoy when you take the time to check in on them—makes them feel a part of our Hamilton family.” I caught my Gram’s words and agreed mindlessly with her.
While she continued on, I created a new text message to Corey in my phone.
So when you communicated with my Gram about work, did she repeat everything to you, over-and-over again?
It wasn’t likely Corey was going to read my text and get confused about who the sender was, so I decided to forgo adding my name.
“So how do you like things so far?” At least I picked the right time to tune back into the conversation.
“Things so far have been…great.” If only my grandmother knew what made it so great; I’m sure she’d fire my ass and send me back to New York in a heartbeat.
“Wonderful, oh Danielle, I really do think you are going to love this place the way I do. Hamilton Inn truly is home to me.”
My phone buzzed in my hand, signaling a new text message—from Corey.
Only about a million and a half times a week—why? U getting an earful about something?
“I’m sure this place will never mean as much to me as it does to you though, Grams,” I answered after she repeated the question; then reverted my attention back to the text.
Oh, just everything—nothing I’m not used to.
“We’ll see, Dolly. Now your Gramps and I want you to come over for dinner on Sunday night; could you do that?”
“Yeah, I’ll be there.”
“Wonderful—well take care, Dolly. See you Sunday.” Another text message came in, just as I hung up the phone.
You’re so lucky, Dani ;)
As much as I enjoyed texting Corey, I knew if I didn’t stop then I’d easily spend the rest of the day talking to him. Not that it would be a bad thing—just wouldn’t be able to get anything else done. To be on the safe side, I placed my phone in my purse—to resist all temptations.
Then I poured myself back into my work and before I knew it, Bailey was knocking on the office door, poking her head in.