Page 5 of Auctioned to the Devil

“He loved you.”

“I know.”

The silence settles comfortably before Sally asks, “Teacher?”

I nod. “Third grade.”

“You like it?”

“I love it.”

“Why?”

Because somebody had believed in me. Because one adult had changed everything.

“Kids deserve someone who doesn’t give up on them.”

Sally’s smile grows warmer. “That’s why you’re turning the lodge into a retreat.”

I nod. “I want foster kids to have what I did.”

“A place that felt safe.”

“Exactly.”

She reaches over and squeezes my shoulder. “That’s a beautiful dream.”

I look back toward the mountains. “I just have to survive the renovations first.”

“You’ll need help.”

“I’ll hire local contractors.”

“You’ll need more than contractors.”

“What do you mean?”

She hesitates. Then lowers her voice. “The mountain’s different.”

“So everyone keeps telling me.”

“I’m serious. You respect it.”

“I will.”

“And you listen.”

“I usually do.”

She glances toward the window. “Especially if Caleb Mercer tells you something.”

I follow her gaze. “The giant who almost knocked me over?”

A grin spreads across her face. “He knocked you over?”

“I walked into him.”

“Sounds more likely.”