Page 11 of Dandelion Sighs

“Oh. Yeah, I’ll run to town, but if you’d like to take this over, we can talk about it. Is there anything else you can think of that we need?”

She blinked. “Your mom always decided.”

On office supplies? After Dad died, Mom put all her extra time into the resort. Was it her way of hanging on without him? “Was she a micromanager?”

“A little bit.” Maria’s smile was sympathetic, surprising me. “I quit asking for different things.”

Was that some of the resentment thrown my way by staff like Constance? “If you don’t mind, send me your ideas, and I’ll see what works.”

She considered me a moment before nodding and returning to the front desk. Had I made headway with one person here?

I bit back a wide smile. Maybe this would be smoother than I thought. I would get further if I purchased paper, and there was someone running to town on the resort’s behalf. I pushed away from my desk and went right for the front door.

“I’ll be back,” I called to Maria.

“A stool and a rubber mat,” she called. When I stopped, she tucked a graying curl behind her ear. “These knees aren’t as young as they used to be.”

Those were simple enough items to provide. Mom had turned her requests down? Was it the cost? I’d buy them out of my own pocket. Which wasn’t much fuller than the coffers of this place.

Outside, Jasper was climbing into his vehicle. Delight coursed through me. Emboldened by the positive interaction with Maria, I hurried my steps. “Jasper?”

He got back out, grin in place. “Got anything else you need me to pick up? I was thinking of taking some pictures of the busted faucet in the Sakakawea room so you can decide what to order.”

“Do you mind if I come with?”

His smile grew. “You’re the boss.”

Jasper

Sheridan was in the cab of my pickup, her bare legs a temptation to look at. She looked like she worked at a resort in her shorts and polo with her silky hair in a ponytail. So damn young and full of drive. I’d had that once.

“How long have you been back?” I asked.

“Less than two weeks. Mom died a month ago, but she had everything arranged.” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Constance kept everything going, and the funeral home dealt with the cremation. Mom didn’t want a big celebration. I think she was worried about what would happen with the resort and wanted that cared for.”

“That was nice that you didn’t have to worry about that part.”

“No, after Dad, she didn’t want to leave that mess to any of us, and my brothers decided to sell my grandparents’ ranch she was leasing out. I guess it was just land by now.”

“And they have their own operations?”

She nodded. “Both moved to Nebraska. They never liked…” She wiggled her fingers around. “All this.”

We were just leaving resort property. I rolled up my windows before we hit the highway. “Does it look different? Coal Haven?”

“So much.” Her eyes sparkled, and if I didn’t have to pay attention to the road, I’d stare. “It’s really grown. I didn’t get a lot of vacation time, and my ex didn’t think this kind of travel qualified.”

“It’s a resort,” I said lightly.

“Exactly. Perfect, right?” She laughed and rested her elbow by the window. “I wish I’d come back more, and here I am. It’s grown.”

“The coffee shop for one.”

“Most definitely.” She nodded. “I’m glad to see the furniture store is still there.”

“One hundred percent. There’s also Rattler’s.”

“Mmm.” Her groan punched right below my navel. “It smells amazing every time I drive by.”