9. Chapter 9

The bathroom is massive. There’s a giant floor-to-ceiling shower with multiple shower heads. It even has the kind that shoots out of the wall. I turn on all the faucets I can find and wait for the water to get warm. The expensive-looking tile spans over the entire bathroom, which is the size of my bedroom at home. My gaze dashes over all the surfaces. There’s a towel warmer next to the shower, and neatly in a small basket beside it is a pile of white fluffy towels. I pop one inside the warmer and turn it on, then begin to look around for soap. There’s a control panel on the wall and the floors in this room are heated. I’ve never been spoiled like this before. It’s glorious. Like my uncle spared no expense when he renovated. The dark walnut-stained exposed beams run throughout the house, creating an ambience like no other. Even in the bathroom, it adds a bit of character. Forgetting all about the warming shower, I drool over the oversized soaking tub. It’s nestled in the corner with another large window spanning the length of the area with a recessed tiled ledge to place a candle. Against the other wall is a mounted television. Holy smokes! I can’t believe there’s a bathtub TV. I’ve finally found what I’m looking for—soap, and lots of it on the countertop. The tray is full to the brim with expensive looking soaps. Are they handmade? There are several shampoo and conditioner options, a loofa, and there’s even some lotion. I grab a bar of soap, the loofa, and one each of the shampoo and conditioner, depositing them on the small shelf next to the shower. I’m in awe, shaking my head in disbelief as I continue to process the magnificence of the spa-inspired bathroom. Slowly, I undress before stepping into the shower and melting into the water, completely unprepared for the most relaxing shower imaginable.

The water washes down my body, rolling across my skin like warm fingers massaging me. It feels so good I never want it to end. Reaching for the shampoo, I lather it into my hair, enjoying the delicious smell of honey and vanilla. I take my time, letting the heat soak into my bones, and calming my nerves. Next I try the fancy soap. I work up a lather in the loofa, dragging the suds over my skin. I’ve never felt soap so soft, and the scent is delicious. This just might be the best shower I’ve ever taken. When I can’t stand the water anymore and my fingers prune, I shut everything off and step out. The tile feels warm beneath the plushy foam bath mat, and I’m looking forward to the heated towel as I retrieve it from the warmer and wrap it around myself. A moan escapes my lips as I snuggle into the plush embrace. Once the towel cools off, I dry. While I do, I stare out the window in front of the tub, watching the snow fall from the sky.

I let out a surprised yelp and jump out of the view from the window. In the light from the Christmas lights glowing on the roof, I can just barely make out the large, burly man sitting on an ATV wearing a ski mask. He’s on my property, and close enough that he is looking right at me. Or at least I assume he was staring at me. I wrap the towel around my naked body, then lean over to look out the window again. Sure enough, the man is staring back at me. He keeps me locked in his gaze as if he’s holding me hostage, daring me to move out of his sight again. I’m not sure what has come over me as I stare him down while stepping back fully into view. I swear I see him wink at me and some part of me that’s inanely reckless snaps. Fuck it. I slide the towel sensually across the round curves of my breasts and down until I’m standing there bare chested, flashing him. He licks his lips, or at least that’s what I imagine he’s doing—because I am imagining this, right? Either way, it only encourages me more. I slide the towel down my waist seductively, but just as I am about to drop it to the ground, my phone chimes. A message from the pizza place pops up, saying my driver should arrive soon. I jump, snatching the towel back around myself and hurry into the bedroom, passing a small storage shelf with a fluffy robe folded neatly on top of it. Out of sight in the bedroom, I wrap the robe around myself, close my eyes, and take a deep breath. I’m most definitely having a panic attack and there’s no way in hell a relaxing shower will calm me down from this one. What the fuck is going on? There was a man there, wasn’t there? Why the fuck did I do that? It’s practically inviting trouble to hang out. I’m too terrified to make sure he’s actually gone, but I convince myself to be brave. I flip off the lights and slink against the wall, peering out the window, searching for any shape that could be mistaken for a man on an ATV, but there’s no one outside. The doorbell rings and I damn-near jump right out of my skin. Frustrated with my imagination, I return to the entryway where I left my purse and pull out the amount I need to pay the driver. I’m extremely grateful they drove out here, and I don’t mind tipping a little extra. I pull the sash tighter, securing the robe, before my fingers brush over the metal lock, turning it slowly and pulling open the door.

Thank my lucky stars it’s an ordinary-looking pizza man with one of those creepy mustaches decorating his top lip. I yank the door open wider to accept the pizza, shoving the cash at him as I do. He hands over the pizza, garlic knots, and a bag with what I assume is my salad.

“Thank you,” I stammer, uncomfortably. I intentionally ordered a lot so they wouldn’t suspect I was alone.

“Pizza’s here.” I pretend to shout as if there are others waiting for the hot meal.

I start to close the door, “Have a good night,” the man says with a wink, as he begins descending the front path.

Oh shit! Someone shoveled the entire front sidewalk and driveway again. I slam the door and lock it behind him, then hurry to the kitchen to set the pizza down. I walk briskly back to the main bathroom to check one more time to see if the man is still there—only I’m not sure what I will do if he is. Why am I not calling the cops? The voice in my head is loud and clear as it sounds several alarms. Yet I continue my quest to see if the man waited for me to return.

In the bathroom, I look out the window. It’s only been a few minutes, but it’s so much darker than it was a few minutes ago. I squint into the shadows, looking for him, but there’s nothing there. I probably scared him off when I ran. Oh well, I think, stepping into the large tub to pull the blinds down. A thought strikes me and I find myself suddenly mortified. What if that was the caretaker, and oh gosh—I need to call tomorrow about the firewood! If he was the one who shoveled… I groan. This might be embarrassing. I’m not sure whether to feel better about the possibility that it wasn’t a creepy stranger, and might actually be the caretaker doing his job. On a positive note, it would also explain what I thought I saw last night and why someone was hanging around the cabin. I feel myself relaxing. I may as well also thank them for the muffins, then find out if there is more wood somewhere on the property. Venturing out in the snow like a kid might be fun. I smile to myself, deciding it’s a date. Tomorrow I am going to build a snowman and go in search of wood. It will be an epic day and I will not sleep away another day of my vacation. I’m living in the here and now, I remind myself. I practically have the entire day planned for tomorrow. It feels good to have something to look forward to.

As a calm settles over me, I return to the bedroom in search of my pajamas. I open a few looking for comfortable pajama pants and a T-shirt. When I locate them, I dress quickly, then make my way to the kitchen, where I can smell the greasy cheese and tomato sauce waiting for me. I grab a diet Dr. Pepper from the fridge and sit down at the island, flipping the box open. I don’t even bother with a plate, digging right in, enjoying the way the hot cheese and grease drip down my chin. Tyler would never be okay with me eating something so unhealthy. I snicker, if he could only see me now eating more than one slice and drinking soda. Thinking about him reminds me to do something about all his text messages. I’m not all that interested in reading them, but I open my phone, skimming through each one. I can’t believe what I am reading. He claims he’s going to drive up here if he doesn’t hear from me soon. I don’t want him to do that. The last thing I need is him ruining my relaxing retreat. I fire off a quick reply, telling him not to come and reminding him I don’t want to talk to him.

“We are over, Tyler. For good this time. Stop texting me and let me go.”

I block his phone number, hoping that solves my Tyler problem once and for all. In retrospect, I should have done it a long time ago. I’m ready to heal. I thought being alone would terrify me, but there’s something thrilling about the unknown. I wonder if the caretaker is hot? Maybe he can be my cheesy Christmas happily ever after. I laugh at myself before shoving a garlic knot in my mouth and devouring it.