Mending Places

H anna settled into her desk chair and starteda to-do list: help with dinner cleanup, get groceries, cancel the help-wantedad for the trekker. Satisfaction flowed through her as she mentally checked off the task of findinga guide. That was one big burden off her mind. And the phone calls she'dmade this afternoon totally relieved her of all skepticism about Micah Gallagher. Thepastor had great things to say about the man. Words like integrityand hardworking had been used to describe him. And the fact that heattended church every weekfurther convinced her that he wasn't a thief or mass murderer. She had almost decided against calling the foster father, but her inner senseof security demanded she be extradiligent about screening her new climber. Thefoster father had reiterated everything the pastor had said and had added independentand loyal to the list of adjectives describing him. Micah's climber friendswere both away on trips of their own, but the receptionist confirmed that Micahhad been lead trekker for the past few years.She would offer Micah the job this afternoon if she saw him again. He obviouslyneeded a place to stay, so she'd just need to subtract the cost of lodgingfrom the figure she'd planned to pay. Having him right on site was a positive,anyway. If guests decided on a spur-of-the-moment trip, he'd be available.He might not even want the job when he heard what she paid. His salary was probablyhigher at the Majestic than she could afford.Part of her almost wished he would turn down the jobthe part of her thatwas drawn to him. It had been a long time since she'd been drawn to anyman, and her one and only experience with a relationship made her even more timidabout having Micah around all the time. In many ways, it had been a typical collegeromance, but Hanna had only been able to open her heart to a point. Jess hadbeen patient, but even after a year's time, she'd not been able toendure his touch. Understandably, Jess grew weary of feeling rejected.The relationship likely would have ended on its own, but when Gram needed helpwith the lodge, she'd taken the opportunity to escape, putting collegeon hold indefinitely. Jess had seemed almost relieved, but not nearly as relievedas she had been. It had been too soon, she told herself. She just needed time.Avoiding relationships had been easy these past few years at the lodge. Thereweren't many young, single men around, and those who did come stayed briefly.Even her church lacked eligible bachelors and was filled with seniors and middle-agedmarried couples. No, there hadn't been much opportunity for dating, andHanna was glad.But now that would change. At least, it would if Micah took the job. He'dbe living on the grounds, eating meals with them when he wasn't on a climb.What worried her the most was this attraction she felt.She breathed a laugh. She'd just been without a male companion for toolong. Maybe she'd forgotten what it was like to be around a man. But sheknew it was more than that. Micah had a certain presence. A strength. And thatstrength drew her and repelled her at the same time.You're thinking too hard, girl. She suddenly remembered her intentionsto work on the van and added it to the list. She had to get the thing runningbefore next week when she started shuttling guests to and from the airport. Almostevery registrant had requested the service when she offered it. And she'dgotten the used van for a bargain, knowing she could fix the problem.After dinner, Hanna gathered herHunter, Denise is the author of 'Mending Places', published 2004 under ISBN 9781582293585 and ISBN 1582293589.