-COURTNEY-

I’m just so exhausted—always living on the edge of desperation, one paycheck away from ruin.

But this new job…

It could be the fresh start I need.

It could change everything.

The contract is only for three months, but if I keep my head down, work hard, and prove myself, maybe I could stay longer.

Maybe I could make Black Mountain Lodge my home.

As I pull down the gravel drive, surrounded by the forest and mountains and bright blue skies, I feel something I haven’t felt in a while.

I feel hope.

-STERLING-

My new employee is late.

I’m already in a bad mood about having to train him, still salty about my old guy retiring on me.

But while I’m waiting, a woman pulls up my drive.

A woman straight from my damn dreams.

Curvy and pretty, looking at me with wide eyes framed with sooty lashes.

And suddenly, I’m no longer thinking about my late employee.

But then she opens her mouth and asks for me, introducing herself as Courtney, my new hire.

Courtney. Not Court, like the application said.

And I realize there’s been a mistake.

I can’t have this woman working here. Living on my property. Distracting me. I mean, my staff.

No. She can’t work for me. End of story.

Except she won’t leave. She even threatens to sue me.

Fine. If she won’t let me fire her before she even starts, then I’ll just have to make her leave on her own.