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Just what I needed.
Comfort.
“Come on in…” I dropped my bag at my feet and motioned Jenna quickly in so I could close the door. and
She crossed the threshold with hurried steps, and I closed the door behind her to keep that incredibly freezing air from penetrating the house more than it absolutely had to.as she stomped the thick snow off her boots onto the entryway mat. The short walk from the SUV had pinkened her cheeks, and she smiled shyly as our eyes met, pulling her gloves off as she shivered. “I was going to ask to come in anyway because I have to tinkle.”
I almost laughed. “Tinkle?”
“Yes, it’s like peeing, only done by girls. I’m a delicate flower.” She smiled at me, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
“Obviously.” I couldn’t help my smile. I’d only been able to catch glimpses of her dark eyes in the rear-view mirror and of her profile, her honey-colored hair had been hidden for the most part under the bright red beanie on her head. Her black ski jacket had run down to her black gloves.
But looking at her now, in front of me, she was beautiful.
She stood, peeling her hat off and setting it on a nearby hook, then slipped off her boots revealing dancing Santa Claus socks. I chuckled, sensing a theme, the dancing Santa in her SUV, the socks…the girl liked Christmas.
She looked down at her feet with a grin and wiggled her toes. “Early Christmas present from my brother’s soon to be fiancée.”
I slipped out of my jacket, hung it on the coat rack, then took off my motorcycle boots. I caught her glance at me out of the corner of her eye, and I hesitated a moment, waiting for that moment of recognition to hit…but it didn’t.
I breathed a silent sigh of relief. I’d shaved when we’d gotten back from the latest tour, and my hair had grown out a bit. I’d kinda liked the look of it so I hadn’t really done much with it. Besides, it clearly helped the incognito effect.
“They’re cute.”
She shrugged out of her parka, revealing a bright blue V-neck sweater that hugged her curves over dark navy jeans and set it on the nearby coat rack. “Bathroom?”
“Unfortunately, the website neglected to provide a map.” I wiggled my phone in my hand. “But I’m sure we can find one. Follow me, let’s figure this place out together.”
We walked out of the foyer area and into a wide hallway. The left hosted a large living room area. One stone wall held the fireplace with a floor to ceiling view of the tall pine trees out the side through large picturesque windows. Above the fireplace hung another pine wreath with a plaid red and green bow and pine garland on the mantle. To the right sat a massive curving staircase that went up and down, and a hallway continued behind it. In the circle stood a tall, narrow Christmas tree that had to be real, with what seemed like a hundred little twinkle lights and small metallic ornaments everywhere.
No time to stop and appreciate the holiday décor, I kept moving ahead. A large kitchen with a built-in booth to the far side with more floor to ceiling windows. A smaller hallway disappeared to the side. She peeked in one door and kept walking. I followed. Butler’s pantry. Full pantry. The hall caught up with the one that must have wrapped around the staircase. Another sitting room with bookshelves full of books—she stopped in there for a moment. I kept going farther down the hall. Bedroom. Another bedroom. And finally… “Found a full bath.”
I turned to see her walking towards me, phone in hand.
“Perfect, thanks.”
I headed back to the oversized kitchen going the longer route—more Christmas decorations here and there. Fresh pine garlands along a ledge with cheerful bright red bows. Twinkling Christmas lights adorned the stairs going up and down.
The kitchen was surprisingly modern for the rustic feel place. I carefully opened a few of the cupboards, finding dishware and cups and glasses of all types and then finally…mugs. I took two down and set about finding the coffee machine, checking the immaculate counter space and finding not a single appliance.
This placehadto have a coffee machine. I turned the corner and found myself in the ‘small’ butler’s pantry, and a shiny silver appliance caught my eye. I smiled. It was tucked away in the butler’s kitchen because…obviously.
I scratched the back of my neck and looked at the laminated instructions beside it. Thankful they’d thought ahead, I followed them closely, and a moment later after hitting a few switches and adding the water from the mini-fridge under the counter, the machine started up, and the wonderful percolating sound filled the space.
I heard footsteps and peeked out to see Jenna looking around, trying to see where I’d gone.
“In here. I found the coffee machine.”
A slow smile crossed her lips, and she gave me a thumbs up.
“This place is huge.” She walked towards me in awe. “I peeked over the rail, and there’s what, another two levels?”
“Seven beds, seven bathrooms, and a ton of other stuff.”
She stopped in the doorway. “What kind of other stuff?”
“Pool.”
