“Yourreservation?” I ask as I stomp into the cabin. I’m over the snow. He follows me, softly closing the door behind him.
I throw my soggy coat on a hook by the door and kick my shoes off. There’s not much I can do about the pants at this moment.
James’s eyebrows pinch in confusion. “Yes,” he drags out. “I own this cabin. I got behind with my other obligations and lost track of time. By the time I got out here to set everything up the plows had been removed and they were announcing everyone needed to stay indoors. I knew you already left from your messages, so I figured I would stay to ensure you made it safely.”
“What if I didn’t make it here?”
James shrugs. “I would have called in the name youregistered with, but I guess that wouldn’t have helped since it didn’t say Alexandra.” He gives me a pointed stare. “Where the hell does Janise come from?”
I groan, feeling like an idiot, and also what in the actual fuck is happening? I hide my face in my hands. “I use my middle name when booking things because I watch too many documentaries about serial killers, okay? Sue me! How is this your rental? How many fucking jobs do you have!” I literally just quit mine and have no clue what I’m going to do and this guy has like twenty jobs going at the same time.
I watch his face as he processes my reaction. He blinks a few times then shrugs. “I like to stay busy. I’m going to grab your bag and bring it in.” He slides out the front door and is back within a minute with my snow covered suitcase by his side.Shit.
James reaches into the entryway closet, grabs a towel, and lays it on the floor before placing my wet bag on top. I watch him glimpse at me huddled by the fire before he makes his way to the kitchen in the corner. “I made some coffee and hot chocolate. I wasn’t sure which you would prefer after your drive.”
I almost melt, thinking about the warm drinks, my irritationmostlyforgotten. “Half of each, together, actually sounds amazing. Thank you.”
“Odd, but I’ll allow it.”
He gets to work filling a mug while I stare into the flames and slowly defrost.
When he hands me the mug, I smile. The giant pile ofwhipped cream on top makes me giddy and the chocolatey aroma lights me up from the inside.
James sits on the two-seater sofa across from me before continuing, “This cabin has been in the family for generations. I don’t like the idea of letting it sit empty over the winter, so I rent it out occasionally. Although not a lot of people like to book a cabin in the woods with no Wi-Fi, so it’s not very busy.” He crosses his arms and leans back. “Whydidyou book a cabin in the woods with no Wi-Fi?”
I tentatively take a sip of my warm concoction and let out a light moan. “Sooo good.” I lick the layer of cream off my top lip and I peer through my lashes at him. His eyebrows are raised as he zones in on my mouth. “Oops.” I look back at the fire as I feel my cheeks flush from my inappropriate mouth. “Anywho. I needed some space to think, to paint, to just breathe without anything interrupting me. I need to figure out what I’m doing next, since I quit my job last wee?—.”
Fuck.I wasn’t going to tell him that. Why did I tell him that? Fucking fireplace and amazing coffee-cocoa. I blame you.
He nods as if I’m not a total nut-case. “Well, the place is yours. I’m going to try to get out of here before I’m stuck for good. There’s a master bedroom down the hall with a large claw foot tub that I’m sure you will enjoy after the cold.” He stands and goes to the door, putting on his coat and boots, since he was apparently smart enough to dress for the weather, unlike me.
I fumble to stand, my legs groaning in my wet pants. I collect myself before he can notice my wince and make my way over. “Thank you for everything, really. I can’t believe you own this place, but I’m glad it’s you and not some creep.” He smirks, making me blush again as I mumble. “Be safe out there, it wasn’t great on my way in.”
“I’ll be fine. I grew up here, so I’m used to it.” He flashes a full smile at me before heading out the door.
I deflate my body. Everything is aching as I make my way to the end of the hall with my suitcase. I open the door and let out a quiet squeal. The king-size bed in the center of the room with a cream-colored comforter and enough pillows to swim in looks like heaven. There’s a long bench seat against windows that climb the entire length of the wall to the ceiling, showcasing the woods out back with its fresh snowfall. It’s beautiful. I wheel my bag by the closet and make my way to the master bathroom. Opening the door, a gasp leaves my lips.He wasn’t kidding.The bathtub is huge. It could easily fit two or even three people inside.
The smell of freshly washed towels slaps me in the face, but I love the lavender smell mixed with pine in the air. I take in the fluffy robes and folded towels draped next to the large claw foot tub with a tray off to the side to hold whatever I would want with me.
My fingers brush over the buttery soft material as my eyes catch on a plate of products. “What’s this?” I reach over and pick up a few. Winter scent bubble bath, Vanillascent bubble bath, soaps, shampoos, conditioner, oils… the list goes on with more next to the sink that I will have to investigate later.
I open the winter scent and bring it to my nose, the light aroma of pine trees in the chilly fall air when snow is just about to fall surrounds me. My favorite. I reach over and turn the hot water knob on the tub and put a few scoops of bubble bath in. While I wait for that to fill, I go into the bedroom to unpack my limited clothing.
I hang my inappropriate clothing that’s not suited for the current weather raging outside and stuff my bag in the bottom of the closet. I grab my phone off the bed and start my soothing playlist. A notification from Mom lights up my screen. I peek in at the tub and rush to turn it off before reading my latest message.
Mom: Be safe. Try to meet someone! I’m not getting any younger and neither are you. Love you.
“Great.” I swipe the messages closed and notice the corner of my phone flashing. “Oh, look, one bar,barely.”
I set my phone to airplane mode. I don’t need it to die mid bath while it searches for more bars, plus I need a full break. No more messages from mom. I need my music to float around me while I blissfully ignore all my life choices.
Twisting my hair on top of my head, I strip and slide under the scalding water. “This is already the best trip I’ve been on. A whole week of this is just what I need.”
I don’t turn off the nozzle until the water is above my shoulders. My body is completely covered in warmth, the scent of trees wrapping around me. I hear a dull thud from far away, but I’m sure it’s just the logs from the fireplace settling. I brush it off as I relax into the heat and close my eyes.
After being in the tub for an hour and refilling it twice, I slip from the water and slide the fluffy robe over my body. Next step, find my cozy socks, get a bottle of wine, and relax by the fire. I was able to stuff every pair of fluffy socks I own in my bag without Ashlyn noticing. I hate having cold feet. Sweat drips down my back and chest from staying in water so hot it turned my skin pink. I slide the sides of my robe open to let in a little breeze, the tie barely holding it all together.That’s better.
The listing said the cabin came stocked with limited wine and beer, so I leave the few bottles I packed on the dresser and open the bedroom door. The warm scent of blueberry muffins and coffee wafts through the air. “Mmmm, I could definitely get used to this.” Closing myeyes, I take a deep breath, letting the aroma lift me up. A memory rushes to the surface.
