A tinny voice crackles from the phone in response. Sierra’s lips curl, and she tilts her head back and forth indecisively. “I appreciate the offer, it’s more than fair. But it’s my home too. Do you have any payment plans? Oh, I see.” Sierra sighs. “Let me get back to you. Thanks.”
“Bad news?” I feel a little guilty that I hope that it is.
“Oh, Logan, hi. You off to work?”
“I don’t have a tour today, so I’m working from home.” I tap my fingertips together nervously. “You got an update onClunker?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“How much?”
She hesitates, and I beg silently for her to trust me. Her shoulders slump. “He has to replace the whole engine. Four grand.”
“Ah, man. Sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah,” she says sadly. “But I appreciate all that you’ve done for me. It was really cool letting me stay with you.” She stands up.
“Hold up a minute,” I say, pushing down the panic at seeing her already trying to leave. “I think there’s a way we can help each other.”
Sierra eyes me warily. “What do you mean?”
Before I can stop myself, I launch into my whole pitch about Compass Mountain Events.
The longer I talk, the deeper her frown gets, so I rush to the point.
“It could transform Sagebrush,” I say. “Not that it hasn’t already, but it could bring some lasting tourism power once the excitement around the Billy Blackstone treasure fades. My first event is in two weeks, and I got the green light for another event in seven. It’s a lot. I’m essentially doing two jobs at once, with the cave tours.”
Sierra’s mouth opens and shuts, her eyes clouded with wariness and confusion. “Logan, you still talk in circles. You need what, precisely?”
Ah, yes. “An assistant. I need boots on the ground, someone to drive around and pick stuff up, pass out flyers, call and coordinate with vendors, all the things that need to be done to get this whole thing worked out smoothly, so I don’t haveto cancel my cave tours and lose out on money during our busy season.”
I spent all night figuring out how to have her spend time with me. Because I need time. I need to ask her why.
“Oh,” Sierra says, her face clearing. “Shouldn’t you hire someone who will stay long-term? I’m leaving as soon as my van is fixed.”
“My family keeps saying I need help. A temp is fine. You’re a temp who can start right away, right?”
“But my qualifications?”
I wave this concern away. “You said you were working two jobs before, as a receptionist and waitress. That should be enough work experience to cover everything I need. You can pick up things, drive, and use a phone. You’re qualified.”
Still Sierra hesitates.
“I’ll pay you five thousand for the next seven weeks. Whatever that comes out to post-tax.”
Sierra holds up a hand. “Give me a second, Logan.”
“This is really important to me,” I say. “Getting this event off the ground. And you can stay with Seth and me. Included in your salary.”
She stands up and walks away. I may have gone too far with that. I shove down my gut reaction to take it back, and I wait.
She studies my face. “It sounds like you want me to act on your behalf at times. You’re asking me to represent you and your company.”
“Yes, at times.”
“Are all these vendors local? Would they know who I am?”
“Most of them are out of Sedona or Prescott Valley. A few local,” I explain. She frowns, and for a moment, I worry she’ll reject my offer. “I’ll handle the local ones,” I add softly.
