“Production has taken good care of me. Save that and treat yourself to something fun in our city. It’s been my pleasure.” He started to get back in the car, then popped back up. “And good luck.”

“Thank you.” She hovered close to the bellman.

“You can check in over there.” He handed her a tag. “Just give this to the desk clerk, and we’ll be sure to get your luggage right up to you.”

At the counter, suddenly everything seemed very real. She was in New York City! “Hi, I’m Kelly McIntyre. I’m checking in.”

The woman tapped on the keyboard of her computer. “Yes. We have you right here. Your room is ready, and you have a message. Let me get that for you.”

This is really happening. She swallowed back the emotion, hoping to keep her cool.

She came back with a folder and her room key. “You’re all set. Elevators are to your right just past the columns.”

Kelly couldn’t believe how beautiful the massive lobby was. It was hard to take it all in. She imagined something in France or Italy looking like this. Has Andrew ever seen anything like this in his travels? Probably all the time.

The elevator doors were gold too. She fixed her hair in the reflection.

Her room was at the far end of the hall. She hiked down the long hall, glad she didn’t have to lug her heavy suitcase all the way here. She waved the key in front of the door, and it unlocked. Inside the room was even grander than the lobby.

She took out her phone and started taking pictures of the room. “Mom and Sara are never going to believe this.” It was so luxurious she imagined this could be a room at the palace. “I’m not in Bailey’s Fork anymore.” She looked out the window. Cars filled the streets, honking but barely moving, and people moved like little ants below. Across the way there were lights and a big electronic billboard advertising something new every few seconds. Suddenly, Martin Schlipshel popped up on that screen, arms folded with the Four Square Cooking Show logo. She snapped a picture of that too. Not that she could share them with anyone until after the show, but she sure didn’t want to forget this.

The room was fancier than anything she’d ever seen even in a magazine. There were two king-size beds with headboards that reached almost to the ceiling. Why did anyone need two king-size beds in one room?

The comforters were a shimmery gold, and the way the fabric was ruched in alternating panels it looked like cake frosting. She ran her hand across the cool fabric, then climbed right into the center of the bed.