by Liz McMullen
Once the store was in the best shape she could manage, Desiree would count out the cash drawer and prepare deposits for the next morning. One of the things she loved about closing—rather than opening—was that she got to set her own pace. She started by printing out the register receipt for the day and sorting the signed credit card slips. She preferred the noisy calculator that printed out each number as you added up receipts to the quieter digital version the other cashiers used, mostly because she could check her work and make sure she hadn’t missed anything.
She’d just finished counting out the cash when the phone rang. As the sound broke the utter silence of the store, she sent receipts and bills flying. “Merde.” She took a deep breath, answering the phone moments before the machine picked up. “Turning Leaves, Desiree speaking.”
“What did I tell you about answering the phone after hours?” Kat Bridges’s deep melodic voice wasn’t capable of out-and-out censure, which made Desiree smile. She loved her boss.
“I was hoping it was the heavy breather who has been calling all day.”
Kat chuckled.
“Actually, it’s a good thing you called. The heavy breather wanted your home phone number, but I told them I would have to ask you first. Giving out personal information is against policy, you see.” Desiree put the phone in the crook of her shoulder so she could gather the scattered slips and bills.
“You’ve made a mess again, haven’t you?” Kat teased her.
“You did! You interrupted my quiet time…”
“Aha! I knew you were having an affair with the paperwork.”
Desiree had everything in a pile again, but her giggles gave some scraps the freedom they’d been hoping for. She walked away from the counter and decided to go to the second floor to organize the books scattered in the children’s section. Which was like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, but she couldn’t wreak any more laughter-related havoc than she already had.
“I know you must have a reason for calling since I thought you were on a coffee date.” Desiree unceremoniously plopped to the floor and started straightening the picture books.
“As a matter of fact, I do.”
Kat was up to something. Desiree could hear it in her voice. So instead of taking the bait, she focused on straightening the cover on Little Quack. She examined it more closely to see if there were any dents or tears that would render it too worn to sell and found it was in good shape. Kat had an interesting policy regarding books too damaged to sell. As long as they were still in readable shape, she donated them to schools and day care centers that didn’t have the money to add new titles to their classroom libraries.
“Are you still there?” Kat asked, although Desiree wasn’t sure why. Shelving books in the children’s section was noisy business.
“Uh-huh.” Desiree looked over the section, and once she was confident it was as settled as it could be, she hoisted herself to her feet as she waited for Kat to lose patience.
“Are you still looking for something to do for J-Term?”
Desiree paused at the top of the stairs. “Yes.”
Kat sucked in a deep breath. Obviously not the enthusiasm she was hoping for, but she continued. “I’m here having coffee with Mason Archer from the Orchard Inn. You know, the one on the road from South Hadley to Northampton?”
“Oh yes, it’s a beautiful place. Though I’ve never been inside.” Desiree grew wistful. The old Victorian was breathtaking, from its lavender gingerbread trim to the generous wraparound porch, which in good weather sported rocking chairs for the guests. She could picture Olivia Newton-John singing “Hopelessly Devoted to You” while clinging to a front porch column. “He’s looking for someone to mentor, and he also needs help updating their computer filing system.”
What kind of filing system would a privately owned inn need? The prospect of data entry didn’t exactly fill her heart with song.
As if she heard the question, Kat continued. “One of the ways Mason connects with his guests is by keeping records of their visits. Like which breakfast they enjoyed most or what comments they left in the room journal. It helps him to be sure they’ll feel most at home when they return.”
“How thoughtful.” Desiree was warming up to the idea of working with him.
“The Archer family has been keeping these records for over a hundred years, a historical society’s fondest dream! Also, he needs someone to help him inventory the attic and basement. It’s a treasure trove, albeit a dusty, cluttered mess.”
Desiree thought she heard some form of objection on the other end of the line. Though her brain was too full of sugar plums and tangerine dreams to register it. That would be so cool! “I’ll take it.”
“That’s the spirit! He also offered to hire you part-time during the semester.”
Desiree’s eyes opened wider. And money too? I wonder if he would let me do an independent study on the history of the Orchard Inn. Don’t get ahead of yourself, girl. One thing at a time.
“I’d love to, but I’m not sure how I can work for you both and keep up with my classes.” Desiree’s heart sank. Her first instinct was to take it all on, but Mount Holyoke wasn’t the kind of college you could coast through.
“I’m way ahead of you. I know how hard it is for you to work a shift more than four hours during the week because of the way your classes are scheduled. He said you can work as few or as many hours as you like. Since you wouldn’t be working directly with guests, he can be more flexible.” Kat barely paused to catch her breath. “As for the store, you can stick to a few hours before closing.”
Desiree wondered how Mason liked having Kat talk on his behalf in his presence. They had grown up together, so he must have been used to it. Besides, when Kat was on a mission, there was no stopping her. Her determination and drive were the things she admired most about her boss. “That sounds wonderful, but how will you cover the hours I normally work?”
“Didn’t you say Suzie Tyler was looking for some pocket change?”
Her bubbly roommate was terrible with money. It was like Suzie was convinced it would burn a hole in her pocket if she didn’t spend it right away. “I’m sure she’d love that. Besides, who can beat the commute?”
Kat chuckled. “Precisely, though she must concede to look presentable when she’s here. No ‘I just tumbled out of bed’ couture.”
Desiree giggled. “It will be a challenge, but I think she’ll manage.”
“Then consider it a done deal. I gotta go. Mason promised fresh-baked brownies, and if my sense of smell judges correctly, they’re ready for consumption.”
“Don’t burn your mouth.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
Desiree could picture Kat’s chocolate-smeared lips…of course, she wouldn’t wait for them to cool. “Hey, Kat?”
“Mmmyes?” She mumbled around a mouth full of brownies.
“Thank you. It means a lot to me. I won’t let you down.”
“Of course not, dear. You’re a good egg and I trust you.”
The sentiment gave Desiree a rush of pride. It felt good to have someone believe in her as her own mother never did. The thought constricted her heart briefly, but excitement buoyed her from the brief dip into melancholy. “Thank you,” she repeated quietly.
“My pleasure. Now go clean up that receipt nest downstairs so you can go out and have some fun.”
“It’s a Tuesday night and I have an exam tomorrow.”
“Exams already?”
“Yeah.” Desiree huffed out a breath, disturbing the wisps beside her mouth.
“I see.” Her boss was only temporarily deterred. “Open your wallet and look at your license.”
Desiree reached into her back pocket and pulled it out. “What am I looking for?”
“Your birthdate.” Kat deadpanned. “You’re a young woman, Desiree. Go have some fun.”
Desiree wasn’t usually gullible, but her boss was always taking her by surprise. “Maybe I’ll get coffee
with Suzie.”
“Don’t go swinging from the chandeliers on my account.”
Desiree snorted—she honest-to-God snorted over that one. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Goodnight, Desiree.”
“’Night.” She hung up the phone, did a little twirl of happiness. She reveled for a moment before returning to the wreckage created by tornado Kat Bridges. She re-sorted the cash in piles of singles, fives, tens, and twenties. Once Desiree finished counting out the change, she prepared the deposit for the next day. She closed the deposit pouch with a satisfying zip. “A treasure hunt in a Victorian attic. I could just pinch myself.”
Chapter Four
Porter Hall, Second Floor
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA
Desiree could smell fresh Starbucks coffee as she scaled the stairs to the dorm room she shared with Suzie Tyler. “I guess we’re entertaining.” They’d become quite popular when Desiree’s first shipment came in. The second scent in the air, CK One, confirmed her suspicions. Suzie’s guest was the resident sex-on-tap butch, Jodeci MacIntyre, who she insisted she was not dating. She knocked before entering to be sure.
“We’re decent!” Suzie shouted through the door.
“I doubt it,” Desiree replied, then opened the door with more confidence. Suzie hadn’t lied—they were not only dressed, they were studying. For some reason, she had a hard time believing Jodeci was a study buddy, especially since she seemed more likely to be a different type of buddy altogether, with an adjective that started with the letter F.
“Hey, Des, sorry to crash your room, but Suzie’s brain was misfiring so I swooped in to rescue her.” You’d expect her voice to be more growl than her subtle Irish burr. It was her subtlety that intrigued Desiree, but her black Irish good looks made her keep her distance. Jodeci knew how hot she was and used it to her advantage. Maybe I’m being unfair. She’s polite and considerate of Suzie.
“Not a problem, there’s plenty of room.” This was especially true since the double was one of the largest rooms in Porter Hall. It was long enough for their beds to face the bay window, and their desks and dressers blocked off a small sitting area.
Jodeci reclined on the window seat, her long legs fully extended. Suzie was nearly swallowed up by her beanbag chair. They looked quite comfortable and, as always, in a calm harmony, which was at odds with their strong personalities. Something about Suzie grounded the usually bubbly butch. Maybe, at some point, they would figure out the stronger feelings they shared.
Desiree never dated, ever. Not for lack of suitors, but she could never relax enough to trust someone with something as fragile as her happiness.
She unpacked her bag, tucking her notebooks and texts on the small shelf the school provided. Her orderly nature was in stark contrast with the explosion of clothes, books, papers, and knickknacks that peppered her roommate’s side of the room.
One of the things she did appreciate about Suzie was that she kept her mess confined to her own personal area. Desiree was grateful not to have to trip over a pair of strappy heels on her way to class at the crack of dawn.
She went to the bathroom to wash her face, brush her teeth, and change into her blue plaid flannel pajamas. She trusted Jodeci to keep her eyes to herself but was not comfortable dressing in front of her. She was barely comfortable doing so in front of her roommate.
When Desiree returned to the room, she smiled softly at the sight. Suzie and Jodeci were holding hands, and even though they startled a bit when she closed the door, they didn’t relinquish the connection.
“I have good news, Suzie. Good for both of us actually.”
Suzie immediately perked up, unconsciously dropping Jodeci’s hand as she gave Desiree her full attention. Jodeci’s energy shifted slightly like a pebble had been dropped in her lake the moment Suzie let go. It was a ripple that soon blended into calm waters. Desiree marveled at how mellow Jodeci was around Suzie.
“Kat managed to get me a job at the Orchard Inn.”
“That’s wonderful.” Suzie sprang to her feet and gave Desiree a hearty hug, swinging her side to side a few times before another thought struck her. “Are you going to clone yourself? How on earth are you going to find time to study and work both gigs?”
“Well, that’s where the good news for you begins. Kat thought you might be interested in taking over my hours during the week.”
Suzie’s face clouded over briefly as if she were traveling into the different rooms in her mind to determine if she could work and keep up with her studies. The buxom blonde was not flaky as people presumed. She wouldn’t have been accepted to Mount Holyoke if she was.
Suzie had a very crisp analytical mind, hidden under layers of silk and leather. “It might be doable. Would I have to take on your exact hours or can Kat tailor my schedule to accommodate my class schedule”—she bit her lower lip—“and rugby practice?”
Desiree smiled inside. She loved how dedicated Suzie was. “I’m sure she will work with you. Or we can try to figure something out between us. As long as the store is covered, I don’t think she’ll mind us cobbling together our hours.”
“That’ll work. Plus, I could use the cash.”
Suzie was lucky. Her parents gave her a modest monthly stipend, though more often than not it was blown the second it hit her bank account or even beforehand in the form of credit at Blanchard Campus Center, her unreasonably expensive go-to place for snacks and supplies. “I thought you might feel that way.”
“So, what will you be doing at the inn?” Suzie flopped down on her messy bed, leaned against the wall, and held her knees to her chest as she hunkered down to listen to the whole story.
Excitement lit Desiree up, and her usual reserve faded somewhat. “Well, first Kat told me it was going to be something to do during J-Term, but it turns out he could use some help now and doesn’t care if I can only give a few hours here and there. Best of all, I get to go on a treasure hunt.”
Suzie’s eyes widened in awe. “Sweet.” The ding of an incoming text made her hands restless. Not answering immediately was a sign of how much she cared, although she was practically vibrating with the desire to check. “Treasure hunt?”
“There’s decades’ worth of stuff in the attic and basement, and he wants me to help him catalog the contents.” Desiree’s mind went a little wild, wondering if she would find love letters or pictures of soldiers sent off to war. She knew there would be heirlooms. She would be hard-pressed not to dust and polish everything. Desiree could get lost in there for days. The thought thrilled and disturbed her in equal parts. There were already one hundred and one ways to fall down the rabbit hole of procrastination on campus. She couldn’t afford to have her grades suffer.
Suzie reached out and gently tugged her onto the bed. “Smooth out those worry lines, sister. Your face flashed through so many emotions, you were making me dizzy.”
Desiree leaned her head on her friend’s shoulder. “I’m excited, maybe a little too excited.”
“Huh?”
“I could get so wrapped up in it all, I’d lose hours. It would be a bigger time suck than dinner.”
Suzie gave her friend another squeeze. “Spending time with friends isn’t always procrastination…it’s living. You keep pushing yourself so hard and you’ll end up thirty with no idea how time got away from you.”
Desiree sighed. Her single-minded drive was a nasty habit she’d inherited from her mother. Anytime she caught herself acting like Rosalie, it made her blood run cold. She did not want to end up like her.
As if sensing Desiree’s deepening melancholy, Suzie sat up and bounced a bit on the edge of her bed. “Any chance I can get in on the attic adventure? It sounds like a blast.”
Desiree bit her lower lip. “I’m not sure about that. I don’t want to push it.” She grew more tense as she tried to figure out a way not to offend or disappoint her friend.
Suzie jiggled their joined hands. “I’m not going to jump
on your train. This is special to you, I get that.” She rested her head against Desiree’s. “It just sounds magical. Like exploring the house in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”
“I always wanted to do that. My house should have been the perfect place, but Rosalie didn’t think it was proper for me to be wandering around in abandoned hallways or dusty anything.” She resented her mother, a snob of the highest order.
“Damn, what a party pooper.”
Desiree laughed out loud at the expression that would be on her mother’s face if someone had dared call her something so vulgar. “I’m kind of looking forward to ruffling her feathers with my new job.”
Suzie’s light blue eyes gleamed with mischief. “Ooh, you could tell her you’ll be working as a chambermaid.”
“Oh my God, could you imagine? I think her head would pop clear off her narrow shoulders.”
“Now that would be something worth seeing,” Jodeci remarked from the peanut gallery. Desiree had forgotten she was there.
“Though more likely she would hop into the corporate helicopter and put a stop to this ‘nonsense.’ I can hear her now.” Desiree put on a thick French accent, the perfect mimic of her mother. “I will not have you sully the Chevalier name with such foolishness. You are not a servant, and I refuse to allow a daughter of mine to behave in such a manner.”
“Do you really think she would do that?”
“Not really. She’s too busy eating corporations for lunch. Thank goodness for small blessings.” Her mother was a corporate raider, and she acquired businesses in distress and sold them off piece by piece. The last company she bought had been family owned for over a hundred years. Nothing was sacred. The woman didn’t have one sentimental bone in her body. She watched grown men cry as she stole their livelihoods and crushed their treasured family memories.