Page 1 of Home Team Advantage
Chapter One
ANNA
“I’m sorry, that position is no longer available.”
Anna blinked at the director, certain she’d heard wrong. The position couldn’t not be available because she’d driven over six hundred miles to get here.
She took a calming breath, offered a small smile, and said evenly, “There must be some mistake. Mrs. Kline said I had the job. Perhaps if you talk to her, we could sort this out.”
Cold eyes stared back at her from an equally cold, stern expression. The woman made the Wicked Witch of the West look downright motherly.
“Mrs. Kline had a family emergency and is out indefinitely. I am the acting director in her absence. Perhaps if you’d arrived on your actual starting date …”
“As I explained,” Anna said tightly, “I was delayed because my car was stolen en route.”
“Yes, well, that is unfortunate, but we needed to fill the position immediately. I’m sure you understand.” The woman’s attempt at a smile did nothing to soften her expression. A sandblaster wouldn’t soften that expression.
And no, Anna didn’t understand. Mrs. Kline had assured her a few days’ delay was acceptable under the circumstances. She’d lost nearly everything when her car was stolen at that rest stop. It wasn’t even a particularly nice car, and besides her stash of cash, it hadn’t contained anything valuable to anyone but her. Clothes, comfortable shoes, personal products.
All of that would have to be replaced now. That wasn’t going to be easy without a salary.
She needed money. Desperately. She could go without eating for a few days, but March in Pennsylvania was too cold to go homeless. Without that signing bonus, her plan of staying at a budget motel until she found an affordable apartment was no longer an option.
Anna changed tactics. “I’m willing to work per diem relief, in case someone calls in sick or has an unexpected emergency.”
The acting director sniffed. “We have a vetted list for that.”
“Since I was hired for this position, haven’t I already been vetted?”
“We need people we can count on, Miss Black. In other words, employees who will show up on time and without excuses.”
Anna bit her tongue. There was no use begging. The woman wasn’t going to change her mind. Nothing about her severe bun, pinched features, and frigid eyes suggested even a hint of compassion. Which begged the question, how did someone like her get a job in an assisted living facility, where, according to their website, empathy and kindness were the cornerstones of their institution? It was in their mission statement, for God’s sake.
Then again, so much of the health care system had been taken over by private businesses. It was more about making a profit than providing decent care these days, no matter what taglines they put on their letterhead.
She tossed out her final hope. “Will you keep my application on file in case something else becomes available?”
“You’ll need to speak with HR about that. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m very busy.”
“Of course,” Anna muttered, gathering her things. She didn’t bother saying any of the usual polite things people said when leaving. It hadn’t been nice to meet her. And she sure as hell wasn’t thankful for the acting director’s time.
Everything happens for a reason, she reminded herself. If I didn’t get this job, then it means something better is on the way.
Yeah. That line of positive thinking was wearing pretty thin.
Anna didn’t bother searching out the HR department. She’d rather flip burgers than have to face that woman again. If speaking with her for five minutes was aggravating, Anna couldn’t imagine what it would be like to report to her on a regular basis.
She stepped out into the cold gray day. Shivering, she pulled her coat tighter—at least she still had that—and tucked her hands into her pockets. She wasn’t a quitter. She’d survived far worse, she reminded herself.
Time to make a new plan.
First order of business, find a job. Any job. Her cash was running dangerously low. Even if she was careful, it wouldn’t last more than a week.
She walked up and down the streets of Pine Ridge, considering the possibilities. There was a nice-looking Irish pub. An IHOP a little farther down. An upscale burger place beyond that, with a classy hotel across the street. She’d waitressed before, as well as worked for a cleaning service, so she had several options. All things considered, there were worse towns to be jobless and essentially homeless in.
The IHOP was a good place to start. Bonus: she could warm up with a hot cup of coffee and a budget-friendly meal while she inquired about open positions.
“Do you happen to know if you’re hiring?” Anna asked the older waitress when she came by to drop off a menu.
