Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
I make my way into the bathroom and stare briefly at my claw-foot soaking tub. Yep, for all the issues with the heat, the tub more than makes up for it. After relieving myself, I wash up, brush my teeth, and then head to my kitchen, where my already brewed coffee waits for me. Thank the engineers who invented coffee machines with timers. I’d be really cranky if my coffee wasn’t ready when I woke up.
It takes about a half cup until I feel like I can tackle the radiator. I’m hoping the line is just clogged and needs to be drained. If not, I’ll have to call for someone to come look at it. With my mug still in my hand, I walk toward the floor-to-ceiling window that looks out over town. Honestly, this was a selling point. When they did the renovations, they kept the original size of the windows.
A light snow falls, adding to the already covered sidewalk and streets. Across from me, Auggie’s Hardware’s OPEN sign flickers on and the young men who work there start shoveling the snow away from the door. Down the street, Mr. Whitaker is doing the same thing. I frown, watching him. I’m afraid he’s going to hurt himself by lifting the snow. Regardless of how light it seems, it can induce a heart attack. He really needs some help. I make a mental note to stop in at the town office later, hoping they know someone who can help. As a community, we should come together and give the people of Deer Ridge aid, especially during the winter.
As much as I want to stand here and watch the snowfall, getting lost in the majestic beauty of it all, there are things to do. Life calls, starting with a strong need for heat. I take a drink of my coffee and set my mug down even though I’m not a fully functioning caffeinated adult yet.
If I don’t have heat upstairs, then it’s likely the entire building is out. Thankfully, it’s just me working in my office, until my office assistant, Noelle, comes in. I bundle up like a snowman and take the back staircase down to my office where all the important stuff is, like the boiler, electrical box, and whatever else is needed to run this place.
I’m halfway down the stairs when I feel a burst of heat. Part of me sighs in relief, while the rest of me groans because this isn’t as easy as me banging on a few pipes or hitting some reset button.
“Crap on a cracker.” I head back upstairs to check to see if I have hot water and, after holding my hand under the running tap for I don’t know how long, I bring my finger to the brink of hypothermia before giving up and getting dressed. I can take a shower at my parents’ or wait until I’m done working on the farm for the day. It’s not like I’ll meet the man of my dreams today, and if I do, he’ll see me at my worst.
After getting dressed for the day and running a brush through my hair, I pack some extra clothes just in case I don’t come back tonight. It’s one thing to keep your bedroom at a cooler temperature while you sleep. It’s a whole other thing when you don’t have heat in the dead of fall, even if the calendar states that it’s not quite winter yet. Mother nature has other thoughts.
On my way out the door, I pull my phone out and text Noelle.
You don’t have to come in today. We don’t have heat. Take the day and relax or come by the farm and help out.
I get into my car and turn it on, blasting the heat to defrost my frozen fingers. I didn’t realize how cold I was until now. A shiver runs down my spine, giving me a slight ache.
Noelle
I’ll be by this morning after I put in the service call.
As I stare at my phone, a smile forms. I hit the jackpot when Noelle applied to be my assistant. She’s a go-getter, community oriented, and I never have to tell her to do things. She just does them.
You’re the best!
After setting my phone on the passenger seat, I pull out of my driveway, which also doubles as my parking lot. I head right to the Evergreen Café for my daily peppermint mocha with a shot of espresso, which I only have during the holidays. My mom will have food and coffee at the house, but my parents can’t make a good cup of coffee to save their lives. Plus, driving to the café will give me an opportunity to stop at the bakery for cinnamon rolls and check on Whitaker’s. Maybe I can get Noelle to go over there for the day to help, or I will if my parents don’t need my help. Either way, Mr. Whitaker will have someone else in the store today, making sure he’s getting the help he needs.