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“I was hoping whatever it was wouldn’t involve much clothing,” I said, putting my empty plate aside.
“Oh, I can definitely change my plans for that,” she said with a laugh.
* * *
After we got ourselves out of bed, we headed to the bathroom and took a bath together with one of my bath bombs.
“I’ve never used a bath bomb before,” she said, looking skeptically at the water as the bath bomb fizzled, turning the water various shades of pink and purple and filling the air with the scent of cotton candy.
“Then you’re in for a treat,” I said, getting into the tub and then holding out my hand to help her in.
The water sloshed a little and I knew I was going to have a mess to clean up on the floor, but it didn’t matter. Alivia arranged her legs around mine and sank further into the water with a sigh.
“Okay, this is nice,” she said, closing her eyes. Her skin was flushed, and I couldn’t stop staring at her.
“I told you,” I said, swirling the water around a little. She opened her eyes and smiled.
“You’re introducing me to all kinds of things.”
“I’m happy to be of service,” I said, pretending to take a little bow.
We soaked in the tub until the water started to get colder and then we rinsed off and got out. I had an extra robe that Alivia used.
We headed back to the couch to finish the episodes of the show we’d watched last night.
“If you need to go shopping, I’ll go with you,” I said. I had to admit, I loved running errands.
“Sure. We can stop and get lunch,” she said.
Once we finished the last episode of the show, we both got dressed and headed to the Castleton Cafe for a lunch of bagel sandwiches, and then to the grocery store. Butch was stocking the shelves and drew me into a conversation while Alivia filled up a basket with whatever she needed. Somehow, I was able to pry myself away from Butch and head with Alivia to the checkout, and then I helped carry her stuff to the car.
“Butch is the biggest chatterbox I have ever met,” I said as we drove back to the inn so Alivia could drop off her stuff.
“I got in a fifteen-minute conversation with him once about the different kinds of oats. I mean, it was interesting, but he gave me way too much information,” Alivia said. “This is a strange little town.”
“It is. But that’s why I like it.”
* * *
I asked Alivia what she wanted to do when we got back and she said she wanted to take a walk, so we headed for the trail into the woods.
“You can run if you want,” I said. I knew she was craving it.
“I’m happy to just walk with you. I’ll run on the beach later,” she said.
I wrapped our fingers together and we walked side by side, enjoying the sun filtering in through the trees and the pure quiet.
“See? How could you not love this?” I said, waving my hand around.
“It is peaceful,” she said.
We walked in companionable silence, one of us making a comment every now and then, but mostly just enjoying our time together.
“How are your parents?” I asked.
I expected her to shut down, but she didn’t.
“They’re good. Mom was up and about and able to do some of her art today. She loves watercolors.” I’d noticed some watercolor prints hung in the inn, and I wondered if she had done them.
