Kaitlyn glanced at the clock. Determining it was almost time to call Mackenzie, she began to reach for the phone. Hesitating, she pulled back and went to the kitchen for a glass of wine instead.

Glass in hand, she grabbed the handset and continued walking to the living room. Settling into her favorite spot on the couch, she took a sip of wine before placing it down on the coaster resting on the nearby side table.

Studying the keypad for a moment, she took a deep breath and began to punch in Mackenzie’s number.

“Hello,” a voice answered from many miles away.

“Hi, Mackenzie. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“Kaitlyn! It’s wonderful to hear from you. I was just thinking about you earlier. And is there any such thing as a bad time between best friends?”

“I guess not,” Kaitlyn replied. Smiling, she sank back into the couch cushions and picked up her wine glass.

“So, how are you? It’s been ages,” Mackenzie asked.

“Life has been hectic around here lately.”

“I know how you feel. I’ve been stuck in paperwork hell since my last project ended.”

“Are you ready to get out of there for awhile and tackle a new project?”

“Always. Luckily, Mrs. Bergman’s house is next on the list. I’m looking forward to it.”

Kaitlyn fiddled with the fringe on the edge of a nearby blanket. “What if I told you there was a different project you could work on?”

“Um. What would that be? I don’t know of any other projects available right now.”

“It would have come available today.”

“Spill it, Kaitlyn. You’re being cryptic.”

“Erik bought an old inn up in the mountains. It’s rundown and needs some work.”

“Okay,” Mackenzie said slowly. “Erik realizes I don’t make old things modern right? Though I know some great people who do just that.”

“We realize that. Outside of the kitchen, we want it returned to it’s previous state.”

“I’ll admit tackling something as large as an inn has always been a dream of mine.”

“It’s not a huge inn, but it is a decent size.”

“But I have that other house to do first. Dang it. There’s no way I could run a remodel in the Colorado mountains in winter. I’m assuming that’s where Erik bought it.”

“It is. It’s up outside of Manitou Springs. And we had that thought as well. Besides, Erik wants it open by Thanksgiving.”

“That’s only a few months away, Kaitlyn,” Mackenzie exclaimed. “I can’t finish Mrs Bergman’s house in time to work on that inn.”

“I know. That’s why Erik got it assigned to someone else.”

“Wow. He has some serious power then.”

“More like deep pockets,” Kaitlyn replied.

“That would do it. That explains why my boss kept grinning all day. Since Erik got that settled, when am I coming out?”

“So you’ll do it then?”

“What a silly question. My best friend just handed me my dream job on a silver platter. Of course I’ll do it.”

“I’ll email you the particulars on your flight, but you fly out day after tomorrow.”

Kaitlyn heard a sharp intake of breath.

“Erik doesn’t mess around, does he?”

“I don’t think it’s in his nature. Think you can make it?”

“It will be tight, but sure.”

“Good. I’ll see you soon then.”

“I’m looking forward to it, Kaitlyn. Take care of yourself.”

“Same to you. Bye.”

Kaitlyn hit the off button and took a sip of wine. Rubbing her temple, she said, “I hope this isn’t a mistake.”

*     *     *     *     *

Mackenzie hung up the phone and frowned. Usually Kaitlyn was more bubbly on the phone and they would talk a lot longer.

Worried about her friend, she hurried to her room and began packing for an extended trip, making a mental list of things she needed to take care of as she went.