“You’re welcome.” Alvin handed over two plastic cards. “You and your guest have rooms 205 and 207. If you park on the left side of the building, you’ll see a single door that leads to a stairwell. Your card will unlock it and the stairwell will take your almost directly to your rooms. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thanks again.” Jack gripped the plastic room keys and grabbed several menus on his way out. He was starving, and he assumed Anna would be as well. All they’d eaten that day was their breakfast on the way.
“Did they have any rooms?” Anna looked at him through eyes full of hope.
“Yes. I got us two of the last three. Do you want 205 or 207?”
“Hmm.” She tapped her chin as if deliberating an important decision. “I’ll take 205.”
“Here you go.” He handed her that room key. “The clerk said there is a small store behind the hotel where we can buy dry clothes. He said they won’t be anything fancy, but at least they’ll be dry.”
“I’d wear a potato sack right now if it were dry.”
They both laughed.
“Would you like to stop there first before going to our rooms? I grabbed several menus from the rack. I’m sure there’s at least one place delivering tonight.”
With exaggerated motions, she threw her head backward. “I’m so hungry.”
Watching her humor return improved Jack’s mood, although he still harbored a bit of guilt. He drove to the back and spotted the store, found a parking spot by the entrance. Anna slid the blanket from around her and ran inside.
He followed at a slower pace and met her inside, looked around bleakly. “Alvin wasn’t kidding when he said they didn’t have much.”
“Alvin?”
“The hotel clerk.”
Anna swept a gaze over the store. “I see sweatpants and t-shirts. That’s all I need.”
“Any other girl would have a fit in this situation,” he commented casually though his heart didn’t feel so laidback. It took notice of all Anna did.
“What’s the point?” she asked, echoing his sentiment from the fast-food restaurant earlier. “We’re having an adventure.”
“An unplanned one, but yes.” He grinned. “Better than Niagara Falls?”
She scrunched her face yet let out a laugh. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Fair enough.” He chuckled, then a gust of wind when the door opened reminded him of the soaking clothes he wore. “Find what we need and meet upfront in ten minutes?”
She agreed with a nod. They parted ways, and he walked to the men’s department. To his surprise, there was a singular shelf of jeans mixed in with the sleepwear and loungewear. The denim was rough to the touch and stiff, so he passed in favor of a pair of sweatpants and a Weston Island t-shirt. He grabbed a pack of boxers and slipped them between the sweatpants and t-shirt.
He might be a grown adult who didn’t embarrass easily, but buying undergarments in front of Anna pushed that limit. To his relief, she wasn’t at the front yet. He hurriedly paid for his items and waited by the door.
Five minutes later, she approached the register. In case she shared any of the discomfort he felt, he turned his head and pretended to focus on a magazine cover boasting the top ten comfort food recipes using chicken that won’t dry out.
“Find everything you needed?”
Turning at the sound of her voice, he held up his bag. “I won’t win a fashion show, but I can use them again at the gym.”
She snorted.
“What was that for?”
“I’m picturing you in a fashion show with your trademark flannel.” She glanced at him with a sheepish grin. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
“So, fashion’s not my thing, as Owen loves to remind me.” He dropped his gaze to the bag she carried. “Were you able to find everything?”
“Yes, and for the love of everything warm and dry, let’s get to the hotel and change.”
