Mending Places Read Online Free PDF Page B

when she offered it. And she’d gotten the used van for a bargain, knowing she could fix the problem.
    After dinner Hanna gathered her tools and went to work.

    Micah slowed to a walk and took his heart rate. He was within his zone. His body had long ago acclimated to the high altitude, and now he could easily run five miles a day. Except for days when he climbed. That was a workout in itself.
    He liked the Higher Grounds property. The still lake and lack of people gave an ambience of solitude and peace. Birch, willow, and oak trees dotted the area, and a fresh cushion of pine needles layered the ground. It was a refreshing change from the bustling Majestic property. He wondered if this would be his last day here or if it would be the first of many. He didn’t like having his future up in the air and was anxious to know what Hanna had decided. He’d checked the office before his run, but she wasn’t there.
    When he came to the drive, he turned and slowed his pace a bit, allowing his heart rate to come down gradually. The gravel crunched under his running shoes, joining the orchestra of warbling bird calls.
    Rounding a bend, he saw a pair of denim-clad legs protruding from beneath a Chevy van. Maybe he would know where Micah could find the manager. “Excuse me.” The body inched from under the vehicle. “Could you tell me where I can find—” The body had a head, and it was a woman’s. Hanna’s. “Oh. It’s you.”
    She smiled, and the streak of grease settled into the crease on one side of her mouth. “Hi.” She sat up, wiped her hands on a rag, and took the hand up he offered. “I’m glad I caught you. I wanted to talk to you about the job.”
    Her face was devoid of makeup, a fact he’d missed earlier. But her dark complexion and wide eyes didn’t need it. “Yeah, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
    “I called your references, and you come highly recommended.”
    She sounded like there was a
but
coming, so he said nothing as her lashes swept down over golden green eyes.
    “But I’m afraid I won’t be able to pay you what you’re worth.” She met his gaze firmly. “I can offer room and board, of course, but the additional income won’t be what you’re used to.” She quoted a figure, and Micah noted the way she crossed her arms defensively. She was expecting him to turn down her offer or perhaps dicker with her over his salary.
    “Actually, I don’t need much. A roof over my head, food to eat, and very little else. I accept your offer.”
    Surprise was evident in the way her finely arched brows inched upward. “Oh.” Then a grin tugged at her lips. “Well, let’s get you settled then.”
    He followed her to the lodge, his eyes skimming her trim figure from the ponytail to her Levi’s. Long legs for her petite stature.
    He forced himself to look away. At the big oak, at the rustic lodge, at anything but the alluring sight in front of him. Maybe taking this job wasn’t such a good idea. The last thing he wanted was an attachment. When they reached the office, he took a seat across from the desk and watched while she opened her reservations book.
    “Your first trip will be next week. I have a family who wants to hike up Grand Teton.”
    He nodded. He could do that trip blindfolded. “Did you want to have a regular weekly schedule or just go with reservations?”
    She asked how they worked it at the Majestic, and he explained their regular schedules.
    “That sounds fine. Why don’t you work up a tentative schedule with both day trips and overnighters, the most popular treks, and I’ll take a look at it. How did you schedule days off?”
    “I have a standing appointment on Thursday nights, so I always had Thursdays off. Sundays too.”
    “Why don’t you work the schedule around those two days, then, if that’s all right with you.” She handed him employee papers to fill out.
    “Fine.” He began filling out the forms.
    The phone rang, and she grabbed the cordless.