Read Online Choice of Love by Norma Gibson - Free Book Online

was what seemed like a booking area. She guessed right.
        At the same time Devin told her “Over here is the booking/customer service area. I’ll just go and enter your information into our system. All the details were already given to me by my business partner.” He put her suitcase down and made his way to the desk and computer. While Devin typed, Mary Lou decided to explore a little. She walked off to her left and passed through a sitting area, set up like a comfy living room. The dim soft glows of the light made her want to lay down on one of the sofas and relax. Beyond the sitting area, through double glass doors was a dining area, with ceiling to floor windows, where guest could enjoy their meals as well as the picturesque outdoors. This place is marvellous.
        Devin found Mary in the dining room; once again he was sporting a frown.
    “What’s the sour look for this time? Tired of me already Mr. Cooper?” Mary Lou teased.
    Devin raised an eyebrow at her and answered “I’m just wondering where everyone is.”
        Mary had been too busy admiring the scenery to realize that the place was completely deserted. It just hit her that she was out in the middle of nowhere with a complete stranger who didn’t seem to like her much. “Yea, where are all the other guests.”
    “Actually I was talking about the my emloyees, you are the only guest here.”
    “What? Why? What kind of guest ranch has only one guest?” Mary inquired, starting to panic a bit.
        Devin must have seen the apprehension in her eyes as he quickly reassured her, “No need to worry darlin’ he drawled, his western accent more pronounced than ever. You’re completely safe here; you’re the only guest here because we don’t official open until five days from now, Friday. The Vice President of the company, Abe thought it would be a brilliant idea to sponsor a raffle ticket draw all the way in Detroit, making this ranch the destination prize. So you will have the accommodations all to yourself for the next five days, and when we open this weekend and invite the press, we will have a raving testimonial, from guess who, you Mary Lou Carpenter.” Devin rolled his eyes and continued “I really don’t know what inspired this harebrained scheme of his. We simple could have had the press come in a few days after we opened started receiving guests.” 
    “Yea, that sounds like it would have been a simpler, rational thing to do” Mary agreed.
    “Well, Abe is neither a simple nor rational man darlin’. He also has high hopes that you will return to Detroit and rave about out little place here. I still can’t figure out how the hell he found about a school fundraiser, all the way in Michigan”, Devin shook his head still confused about that little detail.
        Mary considered it for a moment and shrugged well “I’m already here, might as well make the most of it, right? So... you don’t know where your employers are?” Mary asked, finding that more than a little strange.
        Devin looked floored. He shrugged “There is suppose to be a skeleton staff in place for the next two days to take care of all your needs, but it’s like every single one of them has been abducted by aliens or something.”
        Devin led Mary Lou back to the waiting area. “Just have a seat” he pointed to a chair “and give me a few minutes to find out what the hell is going on.” He fetched his phone from his pocket and dialled while making his way outside.
        Mary watched him through the glass door, while he talked he angry hand gestures and she could tell the person on the other end of the line was getting an ear full. Mary took the moment alone to make a couple of calls as well. She called her mother to let her know she had reached her destination safely. Before hanging up her mom warned “You be careful now baby girl, behave yourself and watch out for those cowboy types, they’ll charm the panties right off you, take what