Free Covered Bridge Charm by Dianne; Christner

corridor. Hall Patroller was working the wheels of her chair, headed to her room for her morning television shows. Television was the only thing that kept her out of the hall.
    The hall. It was a real showcase, decorated with a mishmash of welcome plaques, photos, wreaths, and nameplates that identified studio apartments. Carly removed her keys from a hook and attached them to her clothing. While some of the residents kept their doors open, others were closed and locked. She had the master key. Each room was a mini version of the resident’s former homes. And each resident had unique daily routines and interests.
    Miranda popped out of Dot’s room and approached with a glint in her eye. Carly waited for the inevitable. A Mennonite Voluntary Service worker from Goshen, Indiana, Miranda was on a one-year stint. While working at Sweet Life, she lived in a V. S. apartment in nearby Albany. Her wages went directly into the V. S. unit, and they reimbursed her a tiny salary, enough for necessities that the unit didn’t supply. Although Miranda was cheery and kind to the residents, she had a man-tracked mind. And she was younger than Carly.
    Stepping behind the counter, Miranda pulled out a chart. Her focus, however, remained on Carly. “So we never got to talk about what I saw the other day.”
    “Is Kelly room-picking again?” Klepto often invaded others’ properties, and the staff would find stolen items hidden in her drawers.
    Miranda shrugged with irritation. “I don’t know about that. I’m talking about you and Adam coming out from behind the building. Are you two seeing each other?”
    “You know he’s my brother’s best friend, right?”
    “No-o!” Miranda’s eyes lit with excitement. “I didn’t know you had a brother. Is he single? If he is, maybe he’d like to go hiking with the V. S. unit sometime.”
    Carly grinned. If anything, Miranda was consistent. She tried to imagine Jimmy hiking with Miranda. He’d probably be attracted to the stunning Spanish woman with black bobbed hair. Thin figure. Red lipstick. But when she latched onto him with those painted nails, he’d bolt and never stop running.
    Carly chuckled. “Jimmy’s a confirmed bachelor with a hunger for adventure. I don’t think he’ll ever settle down.”
    “Our V. S. group’s adventurous. Ask him if he likes hiking. Or bring him around. I’ll ask.”
    “He drives a truck and is gone most of this week.”
    Miranda closed the file she’d been using and opened a drawer, letting it drop. “Back to Adam… So you don’t care if I flirt with him?”
    Carly placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head. “You’re asking me this now?”
    Miranda’s dark expressive eyes looked repentant. “I know. I’m obvious. But I don’t want to move in on your territory, that’s all.”
    “Thanks. To answer your question”—Carly shrugged—“sure, I like Adam.” Let her stew over that one. Meanwhile she’d try to figure it out herself. “Anything I should know?”
    Frustrated, Miranda replied, “Yeah, Sherie’s in the staff room and wants to see you.”
    Dread fell over Carly. “Thanks.”
Let’s get it over with. Act nice.
She opened the door Klepto had finally abandoned. The assisted-living manager was typing at a computer.
    “You asked for me?”
    Sherie spun her chair and smiled. “I did. Please, sit down.”
    Carly took an armchair situated next to a mini refrigerator topped with a droopy artificial plant and attempted some small talk about Sherie’s extended weekend.
    Crossing long shapely legs, Sherie leaned back in her chair. “Congratulations on getting the board to pass your proposal.”
    Heat rushed up Carly’s neck and face.
She’s not my enemy.
“Thank you.”
    “You never cease to amaze me. This isn’t a job to you. It’s your life.”
    “Jah. It is.”
    “I understand.”
    Carly searched Sherie’s blue eyes and saw approval.
    “We’re alike.” The forty-something woman from Simon’s church wore a