That was Layla’s idea – she despaired at all of the plastic that was wasted with tiny bottles in each room.

“I think we can do that,” said Claire, writing their suggestions in her notebook.

The one request that would be harder to accommodate was a new hire. They explained to Claire how helpful it would be to have a part-time housekeeper to help pick up shifts during the busy season, or to cover when someone was off.

Claire thought this was reasonable, too, but was honest with them about needing to meet with Chip and seeing what the budget would allow.

They were satisfied with her response, and she set an appointment on her calendar to meet with them again in a month to make sure their suggestions were implemented to their liking.

The week went well, but by Friday, Claire was ready for a break. Housekeeping was hard work! She admired her staff – they didn’t cut corners, and really, they weren’t asking for much. Even so, she was nervous about bringing up the improvements to Chip. The man was intimidating.

Claire tried to remind herself that she was the boss, not him, but it was no use. Whenever she saw him, even just passing by, her stomach tightened.

It didn’t help that he was so handsome. Maybe that was most of it? He was tall and had those broad shoulders, and he didn’t dress like a manager, in suits and ties and things. He wore sweaters, usually, which somehow added to his ever-present confidence. Also, he had this great head of hair – jet black, with grays peppered in.

Her last boyfriend was bald, not that there was anything wrong with bald men. He had been cute, too. The only thing wrong with him was that he didn’t want to be with someone who had kids. It took him almost two years to figure that out, though, and to break up with Claire.

When she finished for the day, Chip was nowhere to be seen. She decided to wait until their evening out to discuss the changes. She took a quick shower in the employee locker room before returning to the cabin.

Marty, bless his heart, had made dinner for them both – pan-fried salmon with asparagus.

“This is so nice!” she said as she walked in. He was too much. He’d spent the week cleaning the cabin, too, giving it the deep scrub it desperately needed.

“I feel guilty sitting around all day and eating your food,” he said, setting the plates onto the little table. “I have to earn my keep somehow.”