Free Cedar Hollow by Tracey Smith

hotel in Daytona Beach. Great location, but aging. The family that owned it just didn’t have the capital to fix it up, modernize it, keep up with the competition. They were going under.
    “ Langston Holdings bought the hotel my second year there. They kept me on, along with most of the staff. But with the funds they pumped into that old place they turned it around. Redecorated, remodeled, updated. Within a year it was a brand new hotel. Transformed in front of my eyes. It was nothing short of a miracle.”
    “Is that the speech you give people when you’re trying to buy their property?” Ben asked coldly. He hadn’t been swayed by her story, if anything it had closed him off. He seemed hostile again.
    “No.” Cassidy stumbled, she hadn’t expected that reaction. “I’m just trying to explain to you that I’m not in the business of closing down hotels, I’m in the business of breathing new life into them.”
    “Nice tag line.”
    “It’s not a tag line! It’s the truth. That old hotel I worked for was on its way to shutting down. If it hadn’t been bought, the family who had owned it would have been bankrupt, instead they were paid nicely . They were happy to sell.”
    “Is everyone happy to sell?” He challenged. Cassidy thought of Mr. Belfour, but it was just an errant thought. Selling was in the best interest of these small business owners, even if they didn’t see that at first. It was Cassidy’s job to show them that, and she wasn’t going to let Ben Riley make her feel bad about that. He just didn’t understand.
    “It’s in their best interests.” Cassidy said calmly, regaining her composure. Becca had been right about one thing, no one had ever been able to get under her skin like he could.
    “It wasn’t in my father’s best interest.” Ben said gruffly standing from the table and carrying his plate to the sink. Cassidy sucked in a surprised breath, finally a scratch on the surface.
    “Your father owned a hotel?” Cassidy questioned quietly as she joined Ben at the sink with her own plate.
    “No.”
    He wasn’t going to say anymore. She didn’t push. There was something in his eyes, something painful and dark.
    “I’ve got an early morning.” Ben said and without another word he headed up the stairs leaving Cassidy alone in the kitchen again.
    “Goodnight.” She said to the empty room as she put the dishes away and headed up to bed.
     
    When Cassidy’s alarm woke her at five the next morning her plan didn’t seem so brilliant anymore, but she pulled herself out of bed and dressed in the jeans, t-shirt and work boots that she’d bought in town the day before. She didn’t bother with make-up this morning, but she did generously apply some of the sunblock Ben had given her. She first braided and then twisted her long blonde hair into an efficient bun. She was going more for functionality than fashion today. After brushing her teeth, she skipped down the steps feeling rather proud of herself and her little plan.
    Mrs. Owens was in the kitchen when Cassidy entered, she was mixing something in a bowl and humming to herself cheerfully.
    “Good morning , Mrs. Owens.” Cassidy said pleasantly. The startled woman spun around to face her looking more offset than Cassidy had ever seen her before, she took in Cassidy’s appearance and her look of shock changed to confusion and then quickly settled into an amused smile.
    “Well Cassidy don’t you look…” She hesitated at a loss for words.
    “I know.” Cassidy laughed. “I planned to help Ben in the gardens again today so I figured I better dress the part.”
    “Oh.” Mrs. Owens looked frustrated and a little disappointed.
    “Unless you needed help around the house.” Cassidy added quickly. She’d never seen so much range of emotion from Mrs. Owens, she normally seemed so tranquil.
    “No , dear, of course not, I’m sure Ben would appreciate the help.” Mrs. Owens smiled reassuringly. “Would you like some breakfast