Chapter 2 I need to escape please.

Shit. And there it is. I've never been a good liar.

_ There was just one, actually. It's called the Inn. It's... a luxury bed and breakfast. Three rooms in an old Victorian house, run by Perry and Wendy Rhodes. I hear one of the rooms is decorated with a cat theme. Cat wallpaper, cat pillows. Cats, everywhere.

From the way the woman's red-painted lips are pursed, I'm pretty sure my answer isn't the one she was looking for.

_Okay. Thanks. I also see here that you worked weekends serving customers at a place called La Perla for several years.

_Yes. That's my aunt's restaurant. I helped her out during the peak season. _ I was hesitant to use Aunt May as a reference. I can't be sure she'd give me a glowing recommendation if it means I won't be returning to Greenbank during the summer. Mom would kick her butt if she ever found out she helped make that happen.

_ What type of establishment is it?

_ A family restaurant.

_ So it's not a good reference, it's not a hotel?

I sigh.

_No. I wouldn't call it that. Putting together hot turkey sandwiches and pouring Coca-Cola from a fountain isn't a good reference.

"And have you ever cleaned houses professionally?" "No," she says, watching me shake my head fervently, my face twisting in disdain at even the suggestion. "That means dealing with fitted sheets all day, and that seems like torture to me." "I see you've done receptionist work, too."

Finally, something I can answer truthfully and positively.

_ Yes. I have worked part-time at my church office for years. I still do, when I go home for the summer.

_ What exactly did you do for them?

_ I answered phones and made appointments for the Reverend. I also balanced the church books and organized the annual Corn Roast weekend for our parish.

Something I don't dare do again this summer, but my mother and the Reverend will force me to do it if I return to Greenbank.

She scans my application _I see you're in school right now_ She pauses and I realize I'm supposed to reply to her.

_ Yes. I have one more year in a bachelor of arts degree.

The right side of my face is burning from the heat of the lamp. I imagine this is what an interrogation feels like. How much longer is this going to take?

_ Can you commit to the four-month contract, from May to August?

_ North Gate College starts in September and exams end at the end of this month, so that won't be a problem.

She smiles.

"Okay. So what are your plans for after college, Prue?" My face falls before I can control my expression. That question catches me off guard. She's talking about next summer, and all I can focus on is spending today, tomorrow, and this summer. Ideally in Alaska. Is this where I'm supposed to lie and say I aspire to a career at Star Hotel? I debate my answer for a few seconds and finally settle on the truth.

"Honestly, I'm not sure anymore. I was supposed to get married and help run the family farm, but my fiancé and I are..." I pause with a deep breath and then an embarrassed little smile. So inappropriate for an interview. "My personal situation is in limbo," I say instead, my voice growing hoarse, my eyes burning with the threat of tears. It's all still too fresh, too raw. "I'll probably go back home. My family is there."

"And help run the farm?" Her eyes flick over me, over my thick braid that I can't help but play with when I'm nervous, over my favorite royal blue blouse that's probably been washed one too many times, over my generic jeans and down to my Converse, and I know she's judging me. I sit up straighter, feeling more self-conscious than I already do in front of a camera. I look nothing like her or any of the other recruiters here. They're all together, with soft, richly colored hair and perfectly painted faces. I don't wear much makeup; just a little lip gloss and occasionally a bright pink nail polish. I don't use hairspray and have never touched a drop of dye for fear of making the color worse than it already is.

_Yes. _That's always been the plan. But now I feel like I need to stand up for myself. I'm not just another farm girl, getting ready to bake cakes and pop little farm babies. _I started a side business making soaps, moisturizers, and essential oils a few years ago. It's called Sage Oils. I'm going to focus on expanding that. _Sage is my favorite herb, though my products include everything from peppermint to lavender to lemon. Up to this point, the bulk of my sales have been thanks to the annual Christmas bazaar and summer fair. I can't complain, though; that money will pay for my flight to Alaska, should Star hire me.

_Wow, you are quite the enterprising young lady. And so busy. Landscaping and soap making businesses, college, farming..._ I can't read the woman's tone to tell if she's actually impressed. _And what do you do for fun, Prue?_ I bite my bottom lip to keep from saying "Umm" as I think. Star Hotel is one of the most elegant hotel lines in the world. I need to sound smart if I have any hope of landing this job.

_ As you may have noticed, I'm pretty busy with work and school. When I have free time, I spend it with my family and with my church, strengthening my faith _ Which is in a bit of risky water as of late. _ I also volunteer at the local animal shelter, both here in Chicago and at home.

_ So you like animals?

_Yes!_ I nod emphatically. _I'm excited to see the wild nature of Alaska.

She gives me a tight smile.

_ Right. Last question. Why should we hire you to work at Star Cove in Alaska? I look at the brochure in my hand: pictures of white-capped mountains and vast wilderness, glacial valleys and volcanoes. Thousands of miles of serenity, of nothing. Thousands of miles from my current life. They don't want to hear my sob story, and they sure as hell won't get me hired. I fight a smile as I stare into the camera, silently pleading with my eyes to whoever is making the hiring decisions.

_ Because I am smart, hard-working, diligent, and ethical. I respect people and love a challenge. Plus, I've always wanted to visit Alaska, and this seems like an amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. _ I clear my throat. _ I have nothing to distract my attention. I'll give Star Cove everything I have to offer this summer.

She presses a button and steps around.

_ Excellent. Thank you. We will be in touch.

_ When are you going to make your decisions? _ It's the beginning of April; I'd be flying out in four weeks if I get hired.

_ Soon. We have already filled many of the positions from our current Star employee pool who are interested in the Alaska location. We are just plugging some last minute holes with outside recruiting.

Put my application in a red folder. Is that the rejection file?

_ Do I have a chance? Honestly.

I can't believe I asked that, but I have nothing to lose.

_ We tend to hire people who already have experience in luxury hotel chains. But we will stay in touch.

She stands there with her arm leading the way to the exit. My shoulders slump. I force myself to leave before I beg her to put in a good word for me. There's no way I'm getting this job.