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ONE
Fisher
Wolf Valley seems like every other small town in America, and as I drive through it, I wonder why I thought opening my next resort here was such a good idea.
There’s no traffic as I cruise down Main Street and turn into the parking lot of the Wolf Valley Lodge. It’s the only motel in town, and I frown as I look around.
The motel is like most small town places I’ve seen over the years, and I smile. I know that having another option in town will be good for this place and for my business.
The motel building is a bit run down and not much to look at, but it will do for this trip. If I have to spend more time in this town, then maybe I’ll look at renting a house or buying a place.
I grab my duffle bag out of the backseat and head into the office to check in. I’m only supposed to be in town for the weekend, just long enough to check out a few locations before I head back to Miami.
I’m from a tiny town just half an hour from Wolf Valley, but I got out as soon as I could. I hated it there, where everyone knew me and saw me as a loser, just like my parents. My mom and dad were both lazy drunks. They tried to hide it, but in a small town, there weren’t really any secrets. I wanted to get out and make something of myself.
There wasn’t much there for me in Clearwater, besides my friend, Bishop, so I left. I stayed in touch with my friend and worked, scrimped, and saved for years to open my first hotel. It was a resort in Miami, and it took off. We were on a few best hotel lists, and I used the success and momentum from that hotel to open my next and then my next. A hotel in Los Angeles, one in New York, then a resort in Mexico, and another in Hawaii.
I’ve been all over the world in the last eight years, but I still haven’t found anywhere to settle down and call home.
I should go back to Clearwater and see Bishop while I’m in town. Who knows when the next time is that I’ll be so close, I think as I head into the motel office.
“Hi there! Welcome to Wolf Valley!” Says the chipper front desk clerk as soon as I walk in the door.
She’d be a good hire for the new resort, I think as I force myself to smile back at her.
“Hi. Checking in.”
“Awesome! You must be Mr. Collins.”
“Yep.”
She grabs some paperwork and a key from the counter, and I step forward to sign.
“You’ll be in room two hundred. It’s right down the walkway there and up the stairs. First door on the left.”
“Thanks.”
“Of course! Let me know if I can do anything else for you.”
She gives me a flirty smile, but I ignore the look and just nod before I grab my bag and head outside.
I take the stairs to the second floor and over to my room. I unlock the door and take a cursory glance around the small room as I walk in and kick the door shut behind me.
The place is sparsely furnished with just a queen size bed, end table, and a dresser with a TV on top of it. The closet and bathroom are on the left side of the room and I peek in, noting that it at least looks clean.
I wonder how many people have stayed here. I get the feeling that not many tourists have been here, or at least not many are checking in today. I mean, the girl downstairs knew who I was before I could even say much. It’s possible that she’s looked me up. I’ve been on a few most eligible bachelor or billionaire lists, but I didn’t get that feeling from her. I think I’m just the only guest staying here right now.
My phone rings and I smile as I see Bishop’s name on the screen.
“Hey, man. How’s it going?” I ask as I answer.
“Good, busy,” he grunts. “I was calling to see if you had a timeframe for when you’d need us.”
Bishop is a contractor. He owns his own company up in Clearwater and I had called him a few days ago about helping me open the resort here in town since it’s so close.
“Not yet. I’m here in Wolf Valley now to look at some locations. I should know more in a few days.”
“Got it. Why don’t you come up here soon? We can grab dinner and a beer.”
