Did I want clear bins?
Or inventory straight on the racks?
How much inventory did I need?
That depended entirely on the amount of customers I managed to bring in.
My thumb tapped against the surface of the desk and I struggled to breathe through the press of panic on my chest.
“This wasn’t a mistake,” I said for the hundredth time that week. “This is a good idea.”
It was a good idea that could become great. Incredible. The kind of idea I’d always dreamed of.
My aunt said she’d put out the word that I needed some help in the office, and then I could focus on the big picture things that needed to happen for this to make the shift from good to great. And from great to incredible.
And the Green Valley information network, which put the dark net to friggin shame, worked quickly.
My phone rang, and when I saw it was a local number, I hit the button to connect the call.
“This is Grady.”
There was silence on the other end and I pulled the phone away from my face to make sure I’d answered.
“Hello?” I said.
“Hi, I’m here, sorry.”
My head tilted to the side when I heard her voice. It was soft and low, with the curling accent that I’d gotten used to in the last month and a half. But it … I shook my head … it made the hairs lift slightly on my arms.
“What can I do for you, miss?”
Inexplicably, I found myself holding my breath waiting for her to answer.
“I heard you’re looking for help. Administrative help,” she clarified.
“I am.”
“I’ve spent the last five years as an office manager for my,” she paused, “for a local business, and I’m looking to change things up. Fresh start.”
I sat up slowly. “I can understand wanting a fresh start. That’s why I’m here.”
“I know. I, um, I heard that. In town.” She stumbled slightly over her words, and I smiled. “I’m not very outdoorsy, and I know that’s what you’ll be doing. But I’m the most organized person you’ll ever meet. My label maker is my favorite accessory, and I’ve got lists for my to-do lists. And I know every single business owner from here to Maryville.”
I laughed. “You sound like you’re already in your interview.”
She laughed too, and I grimaced when my chest tightened. It caused a strong enough physical sensation that I glanced down at my body, like it was separate from me somehow.
“I can come in and fill out an application, if you’d like,” she said.
“If I had applications, I’d say yes.” I glanced around the mess surrounding me. “But … I’m not quite that prepared yet.”
“That’s also why you need someone who knows how to get an office up and running.”
“That’s true,” I agreed. “Can you come in tomorrow so we can talk a bit about your background? Since I don’t have an application.”
“That would be great,” she said firmly. The stumbling was gone. I found myself wondering how old she was. What she looked like.
“How does nine sound?”
“Sounds perfect,” she answered.
“Then I’ll see you at nine tomorrow,” my voice trailed off. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name. I’m still working on my southern manners.”
She laughed. My chest did that thing again. It wasn’t the heavy press of panic. It was a lightening. A lifting of whatever pressure I’d been feeling before she called.
She spoke slowly, like she was thinking carefully about her answer. “You can call me Lia.”
“Lia,” I repeated. “I look forward to meeting you.”
As I set my phone down on the desk and scribbled the appointment down on a stray Post-it note, I got the strangest feeling that that nine am meeting was going to change everything.
* * *
On the other side of Green Valley, in a small, quiet apartment, Magnolia MacIntyre carefully set her phone down, picked up her pink pen, and wrote the appointment down in her planner with precise, clean handwriting.
“This wasn’t a mistake,” she whispered to herself. Then she took a fortifying breath. “This is a good idea.”
The End
* * *
Don't fall for your new boss, everyone told her.
Stay away from your employee, everyone told him.
One touch, one kiss, and Grady Buchanan and Magnolia MacIntyre are ready to ignore every single warning. But defiance comes with a hefty price tag, and they're about to learn that lesson the hard way.
Pre-Order Steal My Magnolia by Karla Sorensen Coming February 9th, 2021!
Acknowledgments
Even though it was strongly suggested to me that I only acknowledge one person in this section, I decided to ignore Fiona Fischer’s request (although if ANYONE in this whole Smartypants process deserves such an honor, it would be her).
SORRY, FIONA, I HAVE TO THANK OTHER PEOPLE TOO.
Writing and releasing my first Smartypants book, Baking Me Crazy, was one of the craziest, most rewarding experiences that I’ve had since my first came out. I’m so grateful that Penny allowed me to write in this world of hers, and what’s come from it because of that. So, thank you to Penny, and all the other incredible Smartypants authors, whom I love dearly.
To Kathryn Andrews, for listening to SO. MANY. voice messages about this freaking book when it wasn’t coming very easily to me. Grace and Tucker, and their love story, wouldn’t be half of what it was without you!
To Fiona Cole because #dreamteam.
To Janice Owens for her wonderful proofreading.
To my readers!!! You’re the best of the best, and I adore you to the ends of the earth.
To my Lord and Savior. For everything.
About the Author
Karla Sorensen has been an avid reader her entire life, preferring stories with a happily-ever-after over just about any other kind. And considering she has an entire line item in her budget for books, she realized it might just be cheaper to write her own stories. She still keeps her toes in the world of health care marketing, where she made her living pre-babies. Now she stays home, writing and mommy-ing full time (this translates to almost every
