Pulling in beside a bright red pickup truck, the only other vehicle parked in front of the barn, Thandie got out of her car and checked herself in the driver’s side window. She smoothed her frizzy ends into a fresh ponytail and shoved it all into her baseball cap. “That’ll have to do,” she said out loud with a nod to her reflection.
The huge barn loomed beside her. At the front, she was greeted by a wide glass and steel door that mimicked the lines of a common barn door. Raised cedar planters framed the door and overflowed with orange and yellow marigolds. The blackened wood siding gave off a sweet and smoky scent that reminded her of growing up on the farm.
As she reached for the long brass door handle, a man appeared through the other side of the glass with a friendly smile. She stepped back, and he swung the heavy door open for her. He was taller than he first appeared to be, and she found herself looking up at him when he spoke.
“You must be Thandeka Nkosi?” he said and shook her hand. “I’ve been expecting you. Was the drive in easy enough?”
“It was sticky,” she said and pointed at the strawberry bits splattered across the hood and grill of her car. “I had a run-in with some escaped produce.”
“Sounds eventful. Hopefully the rest of the week won’t be so messy,” the man said as they walked inside.
“Let’s hope,” she said and laughed nervously. “You can call me Thandie. And you must be Mr. Thorpe.”
“Everyone calls me Leo, if that’s alright with you.” He showed her in past the service desk. “This is our meeting house.” Leo swept his hand through the air quickly, but her eyes fixed on the massive chandelier hanging from the rafters twenty feet above them. “Meals are all served in here and snacks are provided throughout the day. That over there is the kitchen space.” Leo pointed to a section of wall with a brass sign that read Cucina. Kitchen, in Italian.
Thandie nodded politely but she was unsure why she was being led on a tour instead of filling out employment paperwork or interviewing with the management team. Unsure of what else to do, she followed him towards the rear of the barn and listened.
“This area over here is our wellness and fitness center. There’s a storage closet with all kinds of equipment. Most of the stuff can be used inside or outdoors if the weather cooperates. You’ll have access to the entire grounds, and if there’s anything you need, just let me or America know.” Leo snapped his fingers and looked back at the front door. “She should be here by now.”
Thandie turned and looked at whatever he was searching the space for. “Who?”
“Oh. America, my fiancée. If it weren’t for her, I don’t know if I would have been able to get this place going. Anyway, I came in early today to get some things sorted out and she was supposed to meet us here around lunchtime.”
“You have a fiancée?” Thandie said. Just saying the word caused a shiver to vibrate down her spine, but she couldn’t just let the question linger. “Congratulations. When’s the big day? Sorry. You don’t have to answer that.”
“Don’t apologize. You’ll find out pretty quick that when you live in a small town, everyone knows your business.”
Thandie knew all about that. Her hometown in Iowa was too small for just that reason. At least she believed that the town was too small following the wedding incident. It took about three and a half minutes for everyone in town to know what happened the night before her wedding. Despite the gossip mills, living in a small place wasn’t all bad. There was always someone ready and willing to offer a helping hand, a cup of sugar, or some sage advice.
“Here she is now,” Leo said and caught a running America in his arms. Their lips met, and he swung her around one time. Her dark hair came loose from the pile on top of her head and cascaded around her shoulder. Her feet hit the floor, one and then the other, like a dancer. The scene was straight off the set of a Hollywood rom-com.
Thandie giggled at the two lovebirds and hid her smile behind the back of her fingers. She couldn’t help but note how good-looking the couple was together. He looked much like all the boys she had gone to school with in Iowa. Someone with northern European heritage and a ruggedness that came from knowing hard work. America was beautiful, with olive skin and a smile as wide as the sea. She looked as though she’d be home among the grapevines and Roman ruins of Italy. The couple reminded her of her own parents, the way they just looked like they were supposed to be together.
Hand in hand, the pair joined Thandie beside the cucina.
“I see you found our little kitchen,” America said and pointed with her thumb. “Thandeka? I’m America.”
“Nice to meet you. You can call me Thandie,” she said as America hugged her. “Why is it called the cucina?”
“It was my mother’s idea, the kitchen. The cucina. She’s sort of obsessed with all things Italian after her trip to Tuscany a few months ago. Family history and all.”
“I get that,” Thandie said, though she didn’t. She had little idea of her family history.
“Where are you from, Thandie?” America asked.
“Iowa,” Thandie said. “But my parents are from South Africa and moved to the States before I was born.”
“Do you ever want to go there?” America asked, but continued her own story before Thandie could answer. “I’ve never been to Italy, even though that’s where my family comes from. Maybe someday I’ll go check it out.”
“Maybe you could go for your honeymoon. Mr. Thorpe tells me you’re engaged,” Thandie said. “Congratulations, by the way.”
“It’s Leo, please. And,” he looked at America adoringly, “that’s not a bad idea.”
“I’ll think about it,” she said. “So, Thandie, what part of Iowa do you call home?”
“I’m from a tiny town—”
Leo squinted his eyes. “So, you do know about small towns?”
“Well versed.”
“I think you’ll fit in quite well here, and we’re glad you could come help us out on short notice,” Leo said. “I had mentioned the job to Jenny when I bumped into her a couple weeks ago and she said she knew just the person. And here you are.”
“It’s so funny to hear you call her Jenny. I’ve always called her JB,” Thandie said. “We met during college, in North Carolina. She’s the best. We keep in touch here and there, but I’ll tell you, I was surprised when I got her call about this job out of the blue. It’s as if she knew I needed it. I’m really looking forward to seeing her again.”
America and Leo looked back and forth at each other and to Thandie with goofy grins and mischievous eyes. “Well . . .” America drew out the word like a drumroll.
“We have a surprise for you.” Leo pointed over Thandie’s shoulder, and she turned to see.
JB was a sight for Thandie’s weary eyes, and she ran to meet her old friend at the door. “Jenny Bailey Townsend. It’s been too long,” Thandie said and wrapped her arms around her, patting something squishy on JB’s back. “What happened?”
JB stifled a giggle in her throat as she unstrapped a long band at her waist and shoulders. Swinging her arms around like a trapeze artist, she retrieved the lump from her back and presented a baby. “This is what happened. Meet Charlotte Victoria Townsend.”
Thandie loved babies. Perhaps it was part of getting older, not like twenty-seven years old was old, but she was old enough to know that she wanted to be a mother sooner rather than later. Perhaps there was still a wound left behind by her failed wedding to the man whom she had seen as a possible father to her future children. Or maybe she just knew that she was destined to be a great mom.
“May I?” Thandie asked. JB handed the baby over like she was passing off a ticking bomb, but Thandie was thrilled to take the baby. “She’s precious. How old?” Thandie cooed.
“Six months next week. She was born right before Christmas, and not a day too soon.” JB sniggered. “With how swollen my feet were and how much my back ached morning and night, I was ready for her to come into the world, you know what I mean?”
It was Thandie’s turn to laugh. “I’m afraid I don’t, but I can imagine all the same.” Thandie handed Charlotte back to JB.
“How did I not know you were having a baby?”
JB recoiled from the question before answering in a hushed tone. “We didn’t tell anyone this time around. It’s too hard to have to call everyone back with bad news when it . . . you know?”
Thandie held her friend’s hand. “Is that why you said you couldn’t come to my . . . wedding,” she whispered.
“A giant baby bump would give it away.” JB looked at her baby with a kind of dreaminess in her eyes that Thandie guessed could only come with motherhood.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you more.”
“Don’t even worry about it. It’s hard to keep up when we’re thousands of miles away. But now you’re here and we can catch up properly.”
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to see you this week. Thank you so much for getting me this job,” Thandie said.
“I didn’t get you this job. I only suggested it. You got the job and I’m sure you’re going to be a big help. America and Leo are seriously the best, and they need a partner to help get this place off the ground.” JB placed her free hand on Thandie’s forearm. “Let’s get together sometime next week, after you settle in around here.”
Thandie’s heart was full. Her mom had always professed that certain people would come in and out of her life at exactly the right time, and this was no exception. “Thank you, more than you know,” Thandie said.
“Don’t mention it. I have to get to the grocery store and back before this one’s nap time,” JB said as she opened the door with her free hand. “Good luck this week!”
Thandie waved goodbye to her friend, who she was glad was only a phone call away. Even though they didn’t talk often, having a familiar face in a new town or at a new job counted for a lot. She waited for JB to pull out of the drive and turned back around. America and Leo were out of view.
“Hello?” she called out.
“We’re in the cucina,” America called back.
Thandie made her way around the wall and entered through a saloon-style door that swung both ways. America sat on a shiny silver workstation that ran down the center of the kitchen. From the stove to the wide refrigerator with glass doors, everything glistened and smelled of lemon-scented cleaning products. She doubted the kitchen had ever been used.
“She told me to keep her visit a secret,” Leo said. “Probably in case something happened, and she wasn’t able to make it over here. I’m glad it worked out for you.”
“I appreciate it more than you know.”
“So, where do you want to start?” America said while Leo busied himself making a plate of sandwiches.
“Honestly? I don’t even know fully what the job is and what you expect. Maybe we should begin there?” Thandie said shyly. “All I know is I’ll be the events coordinator for a wellness week retreat.”
“You didn’t tell her, Leo?”
“No, I thought you did,” Leo said back with a playful tone.
“Tell me what?”
“You’re in charge of the whole thing. The entire guest experience from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave,” Leo said. “It’ll be fun.”
“Is that all? I could have used a few more days to prepare. Do I have any staff?”
“You’re looking at it,” Leo said.
Thandie had it in mind to bolt right then. But whatever the job required, she needed the paycheck. “So, what exactly do you need me to do?”
Leo took a platter filled with sandwiches out through the swinging door. “Come on,” America said and led the way out to the dining area situated below the cucina sign. She handed Thandie a paper napkin. “I’m sure you’re hungry after the drive. Grab one of these things and I’ll take you to the office.”
Thandie eyeballed the delicious-looking sandwiches. Multigrain bread was piled high with Vermont white cheddar, thin shaved turkey, tomatoes, and lettuce. Her mouth watered as she imagined biting into the best lunch she’d seen in days. “I’m so sorry. I can’t eat this. I have celiac disease and can’t have any gluten products.” Thandie turned her eyes from the platter.
“Oh, don’t worry. These are all gluten-free,” Leo said with a smile about to break from the confines of his face.
“How . . . ?” she said and spied the sandwich she wanted.
“Jenny told us,” Leo said. “And our chef has celiac disease too.”
“So, the whole cucina is gluten-free. Isn’t that great?” America clapped her hands with excitement.
Thandie picked up the sandwich she was sure she was drooling over and took a huge bite. Her eyes closed, and she savored the soft bread and fresh ingredients. Eating on a budget meant she usually didn’t get to enjoy gluten-free bread. She took two more bites before finally coming up for air. “I don’t know what to say. This is a fantastic surprise.”
America threaded her arm through the crook of Thandie’s. “That’s what the chef said would happen. Now let’s get to the office. I assume Leo showed you around a little before I got here?”
“He tried—”
America laughed. “That tracks.”
“No.” Embarrassment dripped from her lips. “I mean, we started to, then you came in. We didn’t really have time for the whole tour.”
“Relax. I’m only teasing you. And him. He likes it.” America steered them to a narrow staircase that led to a loft area. “Here we are. The office. We just added this. Well, there was a loft here before, but I wouldn’t say it was safe to walk on, let alone hold furniture and all these storage shelves. The whole barn has had an overhaul in the last eight weeks.”
The loft was a wide-open space that covered about half of the barn’s footprint. Rows of black metal storage shelves, like something one might see in a big-box store, held dozens of crates and bins. “What is all this?”
“You’ve got your different holiday decorations over there.” America pointed to a grouping on one side. “And these are filled with things from binoculars to water slides, and ice skates and camping stoves. Pretty much anything you might need to put on any activity you can think of. You have access to anything in there.”
“That’s . . . thorough.” Thandie said, suddenly seeing the scope of what they expected. “So, this week we have a wellness retreat?”
America flopped a large binder on the desktop.
“What is that?”
“This has everything you need to know for the week. All the guests’ profiles, their preference sheets that include any limitations they have, and a sample schedule for you to start with. Of course, you should use it as a template and change it to whatever you think is best. Any questions?”
About a million, Thandie thought. “I think I can get something put together.”
“The guests arrive tomorrow, and the retreat runs through Saturday,” America said. “And then we’ll figure out the next week.”
“Is this like a trial run or something?” Thandie asked.
“Let’s hope not. We already have bookings for the next few weeks,” America said. “The one next week is another wellness retreat, so that should be easy to figure out. Then we have a writing retreat planned for the first of next month.”
Thandie walked to the shelves and began taking stock of the items labeled on the bins. Some of the storage containers were made of clear plastic, and she could easily see the contents, while others were opaque and had detailed descriptions of what was stored inside. More than taking stock of the items, she was taking stock of the reasons for her staying there and managing such a massive job.
Her reason boiled down to necessity. She needed the money if she had any hope of moving on to the next place. Though she had only been there for an hour, she liked The Foundry so far. The thought of having to leave after only one week didn’t seem as appealing as it had a few hours before. Thandie realized just how tired she was of running from one place to the next.
“Is everything alright?” America said from behind the desk where she was filing some papers.
“America, what’s your story? I can tell you’re not a small-town girl like me.”
“What gave me away?” she joked and flicked her hair over her shoulder. “I was born and raised in the city until I came here last Christmas. I’m a writer and came here on assignment to write a piece about the town’s amazing holiday celebration. But when I got here, the whole town was basically dead. There wasn’t any Christmas for me to write about.”
America’s story got Thandie’s attention. “What did you do?” Intrigued, she sat in a light-blue tufted armchair across the desk from America.
“I roped Leo into helping me bring back all the Christmas traditions so I could write my article. But instead of just finding a good story, I found my own Christmas in his kind heart and in the way we laughed together.” America’s eyes were distant and dreamy.
“So, you fell in love and decided to stay?”
“That’s right. I knew this place was special, and I felt free here. Not like living in the city where the walls always seem to be closing in around you.” America looked out of the floor-to-ceiling windows visible from the loft space, though she wasn’t looking at anything in particular. “Enough about me. What’s your story?” she finally said and looked at Thandie again.
“I’m just trying to move on from . . . from some bad stuff,” Thandie said as she considered America’s words.
“You know, sometimes starting over starts within,” America said with no hint of judgment, only compassion. “I don’t know what you’re running from, but you have safe harbor here.”
“Thanks for not pushing for more.”
“You know what they say about small towns,” America said and raised her brows in three rapid bursts.
“I’m aware.” Thandie appreciated America’s lightheartedness. Though they had only just met, Thandie didn’t rule out the possibility that she could become good friends with America.
America closed the binder and folded her hands on the desk’s worn wood surface. “Alright. Let’s get down to it. What’s your expertise and how can we use it this week?”
Thandie paused at that giant question. Her expertise? “I have a degree in botany.”
“Hmm.” America thought for a moment. “That could be useful if you take the guests out on the trails. What else?”
“Um, I don’t have a fancy, over-priced piece of paper to back up this claim, but I’m stubborn and focused, and I don’t like leaving a task undone. That’s something, right?”
“That’s a lot,” America said.
“Not to sound rude, but it looks like you’ve already planned so much for the week. Why didn’t you just handle this all by yourself?” Thandie asked, though she wished she had asked her question with a bit more tact.
“I’m a full-time writer, and honestly, I thought I could find the time and energy to take on helping Leo this week. But the truth is, a couple weeks ago, I realized that I couldn’t do the job the way it needs to be done. Leo needed help, and he needed more focus than I could give him. It was my pride stopping me from asking for help earlier. Now I know better.”
Thandie nodded in agreement, though a pang of guilt twisted in her. Pride was the reason she had been on the run for seven months. Pride had stopped her from leaning on her friends and family when she had really needed someone to lean on. Now, pride was pushing her down a path of endless random jobs and half-acquaintances.
“Well, I’m glad to be here for now. I’m grateful to you and Leo for giving me the chance,” Thandie said. “You two seem really great together.”
“He’s pretty lucky to have me.” America giggled. “All kidding aside, I’m happy you’re taking this job on. And honestly, anything you can do to keep this week on track will be better than nothing. You’ll be just fine. Now that we have all our pleasantries out of the way, how about I show you to your cabin?”
“I get my own cabin?” Thandie said.
“Of course. You’re the employee of the month, didn’t you hear?”
“I’m your only employee.”
“Never mind the details. We’re just glad you’re here.”