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She starts toward the stairs, unsurprisingly determined to try them rather than use the elevator, but squeals when Micah surprises her by swooping her up into his arms again. We all laugh at her girly noises, and it strikes me how natural it feels to have us all centered around her. I do notice that Lukas is subdued, observing them interact. He doesn’t look upset or bothered, more curious if anything, and I am absolutely dying to know what is going on between those two.
The rest of us grab the bags and walk up the right side of the circular staircase that surrounds the foyer. We drop the luggage on the landing at the top of the stairs so I can show off the rooms.
There are five large rooms, which works out perfectly since I plan to stay in the cabin. The largest room, which we call the Lakefront Suite, is at the center of the hall and is where our guest of honor will be staying.
I open the double doors to the room, ushering everyone in and showing them around. The room is quite large, painted dark grey with white trim. An enormous dark grey wood four-poster California King bed is set into a cutout space, surrounded by huge floor-to-ceiling windows covered in gauzy white curtains. The bed is covered in a plush duvet that is so light grey it could be white, pillows in various shades of blue and grey arranged on top. The windows on either side of the bed offer views of the serene, wooded grounds behind the estate. To the left, you can see the sprawling grounds, lush with wildflowers, leading down to the shining surface of Lake Barnaby. My little cabin can be seen out the right side.
The luxurious bed is the focal point of the room, but there is so much more. I show them the closet, which is already filled with the clothes Bennet ordered, a small kitchenette, and a small table to take tea. At the center of the room is a sitting area with a plush white sofa with blue pillows, a dark grey coffee table, and two matching plush chairs. To the right is a door that leads to an ensuite bathroom that rivals a spa.
Luis lets out a low whistle and even Bennet looks impressed, which I count as a major win because I imagine he’s seen some ritzy places. Micah opens the door to the ensuite bathroom and calls out “Holy Shit!”
The bathroom is big enough for all of us to walk into without feeling cramped. The walls are painted to look like a forest of white birch trees on a black background, soft recessed lighting giving the trees a 3D effect. At the center of the room is a stone half wall with a control panel, part of the waterfall-style open shower. To the left of the shower is a large stone-rimmed Jacuzzi tub built into the floor. On the right is a water closet and a long stone countertop with two cutout sinks. Underneath the counter are open shelves stocked with various sizes of fluffy white towels and various bath and body products.
I always felt like the whole thing was excessive, but the spa bathrooms were hugely popular. My mother spent years on these upgrades, and it paid off. I’ve never even used any of these features, but I feel proud as everyone looks obviously impressed.
Our girl is over near the shower wall, looking at the control panel with longing.
“We’ll get you cleaned up soon, I promise,” Micah says to her, and she immediately perks up, but then her face transforms into an odd look of concern.
“You alright?” I ask.
“Yeah,” she says, a blush spreading over her face. “I… um… can’t even get myself dressed, so I was wondering how a shower is going to possibly work.”
Her eyes dart between Luis and Bennet with an expression that I can’t quite read, but the atmosphere in the room turns heavy. She lowers her eyes and walks towards the door, clearly flustered. Both Luis and Bennet take a step back, creating a path to the door, but as she passes I overhear Bennet’s low voice say something about taking care of her.
Okay, I might need a cold shower now. Damn.
My eyebrows lift and I glance over at Micah and Lukas, but both of them look as lost and curious as me.
We head back into the hallway to continue the tour. The two rooms on either side of the suite are our second largest rooms, and at the end of each hall is another, slightly smaller room. All of the rooms are decorated in soft blues and greys, with large comfortable king-sized beds and plush sitting areas. Although none of the other rooms can quite touch the Lakefront Suite in terms of size and luxury, they are all elegant and comfortable. I show them how the entertainment systems work and point out other features, like the pullout couches and trundles under each bed, to accommodate guests who have kids.
The boxes that were delivered for Bennet are already in the room to the right of the suite, so he’ll be in that room. We decide that Micah should take the room on the left of the suite so he can be close for any medical needs. Lukas takes the room next to Micah’s, which leaves Luis on the opposite end next to Bennet.
“You won’t be staying here?” She asks me, a little sadly.
“Of course I am darlin’,” I assure her. “I’m right in that little cabin that I showed you through the window. You’ll be able to see my room from yours.” I give her a smile and a wink, pleased that she clearly cares.
While the guys each head into their rooms to get settled, I head back into the big room with her so she can look around a bit more.
“Think this is going to be okay?” I ask her as she sinks into the comfortable sofa.
“Are you kidding me? I can’t be sure, of course. But this has to be the nicest place I’ve ever been to. I can’t believe you’re letting us all stay here, what about your real customers?”
“This place hasn’t been up and running for about five years now. After my mother died, I tried to keep it going, but the bookings slowed over time. I think the place just didn’t have the same charm without her. Maybe I wasn’t trying hard enough, being here was difficult for a long time.”
“I’m sorry,” she says, reaching for me to sit next to her and then leaning into my shoulder. I take the opportunity to wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her into my chest, using my other hand to playfully tug on her beanie.
“Thank you, but it’s okay. Honestly, I think having you all come here has been good for me. Giving this place purpose is healing in a way. I’m truly happy to have people here that mean something to me.”
I consider my words, wondering if I’m oversharing, but the truth just kind of poured out. “Sorry if that’s weird,” I say to her. “I’m not really one for keeping things inside.”
“No, I’m glad that you’re happy. And I feel the same way about you and the other guys.” She lets out a sarcastic chuckle. “If you want to talk about weird… how about being such a pathetic headcase that you attach yourself to the first five random strangers that show you any sort of kindness. And then move in with them after knowing them for barely a day… I think I’ve got your weird beat.” She gives me a kind of sad smile.
I squeeze her shoulders and then use my free hand to tip her chin up so her eyes meet mine. “I don’t think you’re pathetic,” I say, dropping a kiss on her forehead. “Maybe a little bit of a headcase though.”
Rolling her eyes at my joke, she settles back into the couch and is silent for a while.
“What are you thinking right now?” I ask her. She hesitates, so I nudge her, encouraging her to share. “I promise I won’t judge you. Like I said, I’m not one for keeping things inside. It rots you from inside out. Spill it, darlin’.”
