Chapter 4

4

Chloe

The scent of lavender and eucalyptus wafted through the air as I arranged fresh towels on the massage table. Soft instrumental music played in the background, creating a soothing ambiance in the treatment room.

“Chloe, can you help me with something?” Lisa, one of the massage therapists, poked her head in.

“Sure, what’s up?” I kept my voice low, not wanting to disrupt the tranquil atmosphere.

Lisa grimaced. “Mrs. Baker is asking for extra-firm pressure again. My hands are killing me after yesterday’s deep tissue marathon. Can you grab me some of the CBD lotion for my hands?”

I suppressed a smile. I’d already learned Mrs. Baker was notorious for being a bit demanding. “Of course. I’ll be right back.”

“You’re a lifesaver.” Lisa’s relief was palpable. “I owe you one.”

I scurried off to grab the lotion I knew the therapists loved for their hands. As I looked for it on the shelf in the break room, I noticed the collection sheet the therapists used to track their tips. My mind drifted to my dwindling bank account. The rent at the motel was due tomorrow, and I was running dangerously low on funds.

I bit my lip, anxiety creeping in. Payday wasn’t until next Friday. How was I going to make it through the week?

A knock at the door startled me. Eryn Blake’s head popped in, her amber eyes sparkling.

“Hey Chloe, got a sec?” she whispered.

My stomach did a little flip. The owner wanting to talk? That can’t be good. “Um, sure,” I murmured, trying to keep my voice steady. I held up the lotion. “I just have to get this to Lisa, but I’ll be right back.” She nodded and moved out of the doorway so I could scoot by her.

Back in the break room a moment later, Eryn’s brow furrowed. “I just wanted to check in. How are you settling in here?”

“Oh, great.” I tried to smile, but felt my cheek twitch and was sure it came out as more of a grimace.

“Is everything okay? You seemed a bit . . . off earlier.”

She’s referring to this morning when was stuck in my head, counting my bills piling up. I forced a broad smile this time. “Oh, I’m fine. Just, you know, Monday blues.”

Eryn wasn’t buying it. She leaned in, her voice gentle. “Chloe, honey, I can tell something’s up. What’s going on?”

My resolve crumbled.”It’s . . . it’s nothing, really. I’m just a little worried about money. And, well, I need to find a new place to stay soon.”

“Oh no,” Eryn’s eyes widened. “Are you having trouble with rent?”

I nodded, shame burning my cheeks. “The motel’s getting expensive. I thought it would be okay with my savings, but they raised the rent for my second week.” The shame I felt radiated out of my pores and my eyes welled up. Here I was, complaining to my boss. And not only that, but a rich heiress who probably never had a moment’s worry about money.

“Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Eryn asked, her tone more concerned than accusatory.

I shrugged, fighting the urge to curl into myself. “I didn’t want to be a bother. I’m still new here and I didn’t think anyone could help, besides, it’s my issue to deal with?—“

“Nonsense,” Eryn cut me off, her hand on my arm. “We take care of our own in Whittier Falls. Let me see what I can do to help, okay?”

“Oh no, you don’t have to. You’ve done so much already by giving me a job. I’ll be fine once I get my first paycheck.”

“Well, first I’ll get you an advance.”

Relief and gratitude washed over me. “Really? Thank you,” I whisper, blinking back tears.

Eryn’s amber eyes widen in shock as if she’d just processed something. “Wait, you said motel? Tell me you’re not staying at that old motel on Route 9? Oh honey, no wonder you’re worried about money.”

I bit my lip, embarrassment flooding through me. “It’s not so bad,” I mumble, but even I didn’t believe it.

“Chloe,” Eryn said softly, her hand on my shoulder. “That place is a dump. It’s not safe. You can’t stay there.”

I shrugged again, forcing a weak smile. “It’s all I can afford right now.”

Eryn’s brow furrowed, determination sparking in her eyes. “Not anymore. I think I know someone who might be able to help.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Wait. Really? Who?”

“A friend,” she said, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Come on, let’s go. ”

I hesitated. “But my shift?—“

“Consider yourself on a break,” Eryn winked. “This is important.”

As we headed towards the door, my mind raced. Who could this mystery person be? And why would they want to help me? The idea of being a burden on someone slashed into my gut like barbed wire.

“Eryn,” I started, my voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know if I can?—“

She turned, her smile warm and reassuring. “Trust me, Chloe. Sometimes the universe has a way of providing exactly what we need, when we need it most.”

I took a deep breath, trying to quell the anxiety bubbling in my chest. “Okay.” I nodded, following her down the hall and out into the sunshine. “Lead the way.”

The warmth of the afternoon sun enveloped us as Eryn and I strolled down Main Street. Whittier Falls was picture-perfect, with quaint storefronts and flower boxes bursting with color. It was a stark contrast from the city I had left behind.

“So, Chloe,” Eryn said, her voice light. “What brought you to our little slice of heaven?”

I tensed, my fingers twisting the hem of my shirt. “Oh, you know . . . just needed a change of scenery.”

Eryn’s sideways glance told me she wasn’t buying it. “Mhmm. And you picked Whittier Falls because . . . ?”

“I, uh, followed Sunshine Acres on Instagram. And you, of course,” I admitted. “It sounded peaceful. I thought maybe . . .”

“Maybe what?” Eryn prodded gently .

I swallowed hard. “Maybe I could start over. Leave the past behind.”

She nodded, understanding in her eyes. “We all have our reasons for seeking a fresh start.”

As we rounded a corner, Eryn’s face lit up. “Oh! Here we are!”

I followed her gaze to a large Victorian home in the heart of downtown. She pointed to the back, and the corner of a charming little guest house could be seen nestled against the treeline. It was all weathered wood and climbing roses, like something out of a storybook.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed.

Eryn beamed. “Isn’t it? It belongs to Mason Bridges, the manager over at my husband’s ranch, Red Downs.”

My stomach did a little flip. A ranch manager? I pictured a grizzled old cowboy and tried not to grimace. I knew Eryn had married a cowboy who owned a large horse ranch, but I hadn’t given it much thought until now.

“Don’t worry,” Eryn said, reading my expression. “Mason’s a sweetheart. And he’s been looking for someone to rent this place. Normally, he’d be working right now, but he took the afternoon off to deal with some stuff with his daughter.”

As we approached the gate, I couldn’t help but wonder what I was getting myself into. But the alternative was that rundown motel, and suddenly, taking a chance didn’t seem so scary after all.

I hung back as Eryn strode confidently up to the front door, giving it a rhythmic knock. My heart pounded so hard I was sure she could hear it.

The door swung open, and I forgot how to breathe.

This was not the grizzled old cowboy I had been expecting. Mason Bridges was tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome . . .

My face grew hot as his piercing gray eyes met mine. I quickly looked away as a flush spread across my cheeks. What was I thinking ogling my potential new landlord like that?

“Eryn! What a nice surprise.” His voice was deep and smooth, with a hint of a drawl.

Eryn gave him a quick hug. “Mason, I’m so glad I caught you. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

She turned and beckoned for me to join them on the porch. I tried to discreetly smooth my windswept hair as I approached.

“This is Chloe, she just started working at the retreat,” Eryn explained.

Mason’s gaze shifted to me, and one corner of his mouth ticked up in a crooked smile. “Well hey there, Chloe. I’m Mason.”

He reached out to shake my hand. His palm was rough and calloused against mine. I hoped he didn’t notice my hands trembling.

“N-nice to meet you, Mason.”

His smile widened, putting me a little more at ease. “Likewise. Any friend of Eryn’s is a friend of mine.”

Eryn gave me an encouraging nod. “I was hoping you might still have that cottage available to rent? Chloe’s new in town and needs a place.”

Mason stroked his chin thoughtfully. “As a matter of fact, it is available. Just finished some renovations on it last month.” He glanced at me. “What do you think? Want to take a look?”

My heart leapt. This was really happening. “Yes, I’d love to see it.”

“Alright, follow me.”

Mason led us around the side of the house to the charming little guest cottage nestled against the trees. Ivy crawled up the weathered siding and roses bloomed in the flower boxes under the windows. It looked like something straight out of a fairy tale.

“Here we are,” Mason said, unlocking the front door. “It’s just a studio, but it’s got everything you need.”

We stepped inside and I gasped. It was perfect—small but cozy, with a living area, kitchenette, and bed tucked into the corner. The space was filled with natural light and had a rustic, homey feel.

“This is amazing,” I breathed, taking it all in. And it was. After a week in that dingy motel room, this felt like a palace.

Mason rubbed the back of his neck, looking pleased. “Glad you like it. Renovated it myself. Rent includes utilities, and you’d have access to the main house laundry if you need it.”

“What do you think, Chloe?” Eryn asked, nudging me forward.

“I’d very much love to rent it.”

“Perfect. So, I’d just need to run your credit, and one month’s security deposit.”

My face fell and I could sense the tears building up again. My credit didn’t exist, because Chloe Beecham didn’t exist. Not to mention the funds for a security deposit were non-existant.

Eryn stepped forward. “I’ll vouch for her and pay the deposit.”

“No. No, you can’t do that.”

“Yes I can. Consider it a welcome gift.”

“That’s far too generous a gift.”

“Well we can take installments out of your future paychecks if you want, but I really don’t see the need. I have the money. You must find a safe place to stay. I want to do this for you, Chloe.”

Mason looked at me, then at Eryn, and back again.

“Seems good to me,” he said, and at that point I knew he would not argue with her about this or anything. Eryn had a way of taking over but being so darn serene and kind about it, you barely felt it coming.

I put the feelings of shame and inadequacy aside so that I didn’t break down in front of Mason. We discussed details as I tried not to stare at him too much. The way his shirt pulled across his broad shoulders, or how his eyes crinkled at the corners. I needed to focus, but his striking looks were making it hard.

I took a deep breath to steady myself as we finalized the details. This was really happening—I was getting a fresh start in this idyllic little town.

Mason fetched the rental agreement for me to sign. As I scrawled my new identity onto the page, he gave me a searching look.

“So where are you from originally, Chloe?”

My pulse quickened. I hated lying, but the truth was too dangerous right now.

“Oh, just a small town a few states over,” I said evasively. “You wouldn’t know it.”

He nodded, though his intense gaze told me he wasn’t fully convinced. I hoped he wouldn’t press the issue.

To my relief, he simply handed me a set of keys with a crooked smile. “Well, welcome to Whittier Falls. It’s a quiet place, but I think you’ll like it just fine.”

“I think I will, too,” I said. And I meant it.