Page 12 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

I open my mouth, then close it again, suddenly at a loss for words. A job. An actual paying gig in this little town that seems determined to reject me at every turn. It's more than I could've hoped for.

"Miss Steph, I... I don't know what to say," I manage finally, my voice thick with emotion. "That would be amazing."

She waves a dismissive hand, but I can see the pleased glint in her eyes. "It's the least we can do after you landed in the middle of this mess."

I wince at her words, the sting of that first night still fresh. But there's no accusation in Steph's tone, only warmth and understanding.

"Speaking of..." I venture cautiously. "Does this mean... I can stay? Here, I mean. At the shelter."

Steph's face softens, and she places a comforting hand on my arm. "Honey, you can stay as long as you need. This place is for folks lookin' to get back on their feet and find their way again. And from where I'm standin', you could use a little help with that."

I blink rapidly, willing the tears not to fall. I’m not about to start blubbering like a baby after I've worked so hard to keep it together this past week.

"Thank you," I whisper, my voice barely audible. "I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

"Aw, sugar." Steph pulls me into a fierce hug, and I can't stop the tears from spilling over this time. "You just focus on taking care of yourself, you hear? The rest'll work itself out."

I nod against her shoulder, letting her comforting scent of laundry detergent and something vaguely floral wash over me.

“I’ll get with Mel to see when she can get you set up.”

The door bangs open again and slams close. "Mamma? You in here?"

I pull back, swiping at my damp cheeks as Mel strides in, her usual sunny grin firmly in place.

"There you two are!" she exclaims, taking in the scene with a raised eyebrow. "Everything okay?"

"Just fine, Melanie," Steph says, her tone gently chiding as she uses Mel's full name. "I was just offering our girl Kenzie here a job at the shop."

Mel's eyes light up, and she turns that megawatt smile on me. "No kidding? Kenz, that's amazing!"

I can't help but return her infectious enthusiasm, even as a tiny voice in the back of my mind whispers that it's too good to be true.

“Ain't nothing in life free,” Meme used to say. “Not even kindness.”

"I'll start as soon as I'm done here," I confirm, gesturing to the laundry baskets. "Miss Steph said you could show me the ropes?"

"You know it, girl!" Mel crows, already bouncing on the balls of her feet. "We're gonna have a blast."

I laugh at her exuberance, feeling lighter than I have in days. "I'll hold you to that."

Steph shakes her head with a fond chuckle. "All right, you two. I'm gonna leave you to it. Mel, Kenzie's all yours once she's finished up."

"You got it, boss lady," Mel says with a wink and a sassy salute.

As Steph heads out, I can't resist calling after her. "Hey, Miss Steph?"

She pauses in the doorway, eyebrows raised in question.

"Thank you," I say again, pouring every ounce of sincerity into those two small words. "For everything."

Her face softens into that warm, motherly smile that makes me ache for Meme. "Anytime, sugar. Now get to work—can't have you slackin' off on your first day!"

I laugh, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep inside me. As the door swings shut behind her, I turn to find Mel watching me with an unreadable expression.

"What?" I ask self-consciously, suddenly aware of the tear tracks on my cheeks.

She shakes her head, that brilliant grin stretching across her face again. "Nothing. I'm just really glad you're here, Kenz."

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