CHAPTER FIVE

Ally

The woman standing behind the reception desk, whom I assume to be Winnie Foster based on our phone conversation, stretches her arm over the counter towards me. I take her hand graciously. I've already ruined my first impression with Mason, for what reason I'm not sure, so I'm going to do whatever I can to not ruin the rapport I've already established with his receptionist.

Mason is still standing behind her, a snarl on his otherwise very handsome face. I get a sudden urge to tell him to smile more, but that would put me in even hotter water, and his stare already makes me feel like I'm being boiled alive.

"So lovely to meet you in person, dear." Winnie's smile is warm, her eyes a deep shade of brown to match the auburn colour of her short-cropped hair. She's shorter than me, but Winnie is the type of person whose personality extends far beyond themselves. She holds the exuberance of someone who lives life to the fullest and plans to squeeze out every drop.

"Likewise, Winnie." I do my best to plaster on my warmest smile, refusing to let Mason's foul mood ruin my day. I make a point of not making eye contact with him, but out of the corner of my eye, I can almost see steam coming out of his ears.

Get a life, I think to myself. If this is the kind of thing that Mason gets butt-hurt over, he must be the most miserable person alive.

"Don't pay attention to Dr. Landry. We're both so happy you're here," Winnie says, shooting Mason a withering look over her shoulder.

Doctor Landry. Mason Landry. Of course, black coffee guy would be the doctor, the only doctor at the clinic where I now work. The realization creeps over me that not only will I be unable to avoid Mason—Dr. Landry—as much as I would like, but I will be spending every day with him in this cramped clinic that only has three rooms for me to hide in.

Mason shrugs. "I'm not going to sit here and pretend like I want her here."

"That's enough, Mason." Winnie barks. "She is here now, and you will play nice." I like Winnie already. She has spunk. An awkward silence stretches out between them as Mason backs down. What is wrong with Mason that he has two women tell him to ‘play nice' on the same day? Haven't I reached some unspoken, arrogant asshole quota for the year since leaving Nate? I don't think I have the mental or emotional stamina to face another one.

"Well, listen. I just stopped by to introduce myself and get the keys for the accommodation that was advertised," I cut in, hesitant but determined to keep some semblance of peace if this is going to work. I'm not yet convinced that it will.

Conflict with anyone is my worst nightmare, let alone with a colleague, let alone with my boss. It's the reason I came to Heartwood in the first place. To get away from Nate without having the uncomfortable conversations I've been dodging. I can't deal with confrontation. I become physically ill anytime I'm forced to speak up and say what's on my mind, especially if it goes against someone else. The sweating, the nausea, the racing heart can all be avoided by sucking it up and smoothing things over.

"Of course, I've got the keys for you," Winnie says, reaching into the top drawer of her desk and handing me a set of keys across the counter. "Mason can take you and show you where you'll be staying. It's only a block down the road, but it's a little tricky to find since it's kind of tucked in the trees."

Mason's face pales, a look of shock sweeping over his expression.

"The cabin. You're letting her stay in the cabin? You can't be serious, Winnie." Mason stammers, running his hand back through his thick waves of chestnut hair.

"That's what I said, Mason. Now show Ally where the cabin is and get her settled in. Make sure she has some firewood for tonight."

I don't know what Mason's connection to the cabin is, but I'm pretty sure that becoming the resident of it makes me enemy number one. If I wasn't already. The free accommodation was a perk that drew me to the job. The posting didn't specify what the accommodation was, so I didn't expect to walk into this. I'm trying to escape my own drama, and here I am, sticking my nose right into someone else's.

For a second, I consider leaving. I could get right back on that plane and slink back to Vancouver. This is not what I signed up for. But the only thing worse than having to work with Mason is crawling back with my tail between my legs and having to face Nate. And not just Nate, but everyone else there who watched the show and now thinks that it's well within their rights to comment on my personal life.

At least in Heartwood, there's a better chance of starting over with a clean slate. Maybe no one here even watches reality television. That's the dream. Regardless, there's at least two people here that seem happy that I'm here. I'll lean on Poppy and Winnie for now. Whatever it takes. I can't go back now.