Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
Jack gets their bags out of the back of the car, and Lizzie retrieves her purse and Jack’s backpack from the back seat.
They carefully make their way up the porch stairs which haven’t been shoveled yet. There's only an inch or so, but it is really starting to come down. When they get to the top a guy comes out, shovel and bucket of salt in his hands.
“Oh my gosh, sorry, I was just going to do this, hope it wasn’t too slippery,” he says apologetically.
“Nah, not bad at all,” Jack says. “We’re all good, thank you.”
Jack holds the stained glass door for Lizzie and they enter. Almost immediately Lizzie feels herself relax. She can smell the fireplace in the other room, it’s cozy, warm, and welcoming.
As soon as Rusty, who’s working behind the desk spies them he jumps up and comes around to hug them both. They’ve been friends for years, and through those years he has helped them both many times –Lizzie with stories, and working briefly for Jack at his start-up.
“Oh my god, it’s so good to see you both!” Rusty hugs them again. “It’s been way, way too long.”
“It sure has,” Lizzie says, putting down her things to be able to hug him back. “I hope you’re good.”
“Very good! I’m now the manager here, which brought a lot more security, benefits, and heck, more money which is always good. And we all know how crazy house prices are out here, so it was a fantastic bonus that it also came with the cottage-”
“Oh my gosh, that amazing cottage on the other side of the property here? The fairy tale cottage?!” Lizzie exclaims.
Rusty smiles and nods. “Yup! Stewart and I moved in two months ago, and he’s able to write from home, and I work here. The job is so demanding it’s nice to be able to take small breaks and go home for a little breather.” He goes back behind the desk. “So, you two are all set in the Tower Room. It’s all ready, so you can go right up.”
“Have you heard anything about the snow?” Jack asks, a little concerned. “We were going to go out to dinner later, so I wondered if it’s supposed to get worse.”
“Yeah, a few people called and canceled, they were all coming from off-Cape. This seems to be a Cape-only storm, and last I heard they were talking six to eight inches and high winds. I’m not so sure you’re going to want to go out tonight. I’m so sorry.”
“Damn, I made reservations, I wonder if I should cancel? What do you want to do, honey?” he asks Lizzie.
“I’m good staying in, though we could get a little hungry later,” she says.
“Oh, don’t worry, if you’re good with a tapas-type of situation we could make it work, you won’t go hungry, I promise,” Rusty says.
Lizzie pauses and looks around. This inn is always on all the top 10 lists not just for the Cape, but the East Coast. It’s filled with so many unique antiques, Tiffany-style lamps, and beautiful furniture. No matter how many times she’s been there, she always finds something new to admire.
While Rusty is giving Jack the keys to their room she wanders into the communal living room area and is immediately entranced by the crackling fire in the big, fieldstone fireplace. All she wants to do is curl up in front of it in some comfy clothes and relax.
Jack wanders in, bags and keys in hand. “Wow, this is not too shabby, huh?” he says, beaming at her.
“Yeah, I think staying here, eating cheese and crackers, drinking some wine… this could be the perfect evening, don’t you think?” she says.
“Yeah, and it’s looking like we may be the only people here, two more couples canceled while I was talking to Rusty, and he said the other two couples who were here left already because they have early flights out of Boston in the morning. I’m pretty psyched about that,” he says.
“Wow!” She turns and looks at him, smiling slyly. “Are you sure you didn’t just buy the place out for us,” she says.
“Ha! Yeah, I wish! Maybe someday, but not on this entrepreneur’s salary!” He picks up the bags. “Shall we?”
“Yes! I cannot wait to see that room again!” Lizzie says, following Jack to the stairs.
They quickly ascend the stairs, Jack takes out the key, and Lizzie finds herself holding her breath as he unlocks and opens the door.
It’s even more beautiful than she remembers. The windows give a 360-degree panoramic view of the east end of Commercial Street, all the way out to the ocean. The sun is still up, though it’s gray and snowy, causing the room to be a bit dark. Jack goes to turn some lights on, but Lizzie stops him. “Wait, I just want to look out for another couple of minutes. We won’t be able to see as well once the lights are on.”
She walks around the room, looking out from all the angles. It’s just as spectacular as she imagined from the photos she’s seen, which hardly do the space justice.
“Okay, you can turn on some lights now,” she says, smiling. “I just wanted to take it all in.” She walks over and gives Jack a hug. “Thank you for arranging all this. I cannot imagine anything more lovely and wonderful.” They kiss, and Jack yawns. “Oh, am I boring you?” she laughs.
“I’m so sorry! I just hardly got any sleep last night, it’s not you,” he says, embarrassed.
“Stop, I’m tired too. I vote for a nap on this dreamy big bed, what do you say?”
Jack puts the suitcases out of the way, takes his shoes off, and jumps onto the giant king-sized bed. “Oh, thank you for suggesting that, I was going to try to power through with some more coffee, but this is much better.”
Lizzie crawls onto the bed too, and they pull the thick down comforter folded at the bottom of the bed over them. Jack yawns again and closes his eyes. He’s asleep in just a couple of minutes, but Lizzie is too excited to fall asleep.
She props herself up on her elbows, looking around at the gorgeous antique dressers, the stained glass lamps, and amazing art on the walls. Every room at the Cape’s End is completely unique unto itself, and like little jewel-filled boxes is full of beautiful treasures. One of the paintings, on the far end of the room, is of some storefronts on Commercial Street on a day just like this. You can practically hear the silence looking at the empty, snow-covered street.
Laying back and looking up, she hadn’t even noticed the actual tower that is right over the bed. She lies back and gazes up at the inside of the tower. It’s only about six, maybe eight feet tall, but it’s incredible to look at. As she lies there she begins to feel sleepy too. Thoughts about work, her parents, and their project run through her head, but before long she drifts off.
When Lizzie wakes up Jack is propped up on his elbow looking at her, smiling. She feels groggy, naps always do that to her, and she’s not quite ready to interact with anyone else.
“Hey there, you really conked out,” he says.
“What, what time is it?” she groggily asks.
“It’s 6:15,” he says, looking at his phone.
“What?” She sits up with a start. “I slept for almost three hours? I never nap, that’s crazy!”
She starts to get up, “We need to unpack, figure out dinner, We need to…”
“Shhhh,” he says. “We don’t need to do anything. It’s still snowing, we’re not going anywhere. It’s all good.”
“What about our reservations?”
“I snuck downstairs and called to cancel,” Jack says. “And Rusty showed me where everything is in the kitchen. He was so nice, he made up an amazing platter for us of all sorts of things. Cheeses, a fresh baguette, some fruit, and an antipasto plate he was going to serve tonight during the wine and appetizer hour, but since we’re now the only ones here, we get to have it!”
“Wow,” Lizzie says, still trying to rouse herself. Apparently, she was much more tired than she had realized. “That sounds wonderful.”
“I was thinking since there’s no one to dress up for, how about you take a nice hot bath, soak for a bit, and then we just put on our most comfortable clothes and go have that feast by the fire? Rusty even showed me how to connect to the Bluetooth so we can have music too.”
“That sounds perfect,” she says, kissing Jack. “You know how I love a nice bath.”
“I noticed there’s even a really cool clawfoot tub in the bathroom, you need to take advantage of that while you can,” he says.
Lizzie gets up and walks over to her suitcase which she puts on the end of the bed and zips it open. “I did bring some cozy yoga pants and a sweatshirt, you’re sure you’re all in for comfort, not glamor? Because I also have a nice dress?”
“I’m sure. Why dress up? Let’s be ourselves and be comfortable.” He gets up and gets his suitcase as well. “I brought some sweats I’m going to put on and get comfortable too.” He opens his suitcases and takes out his sweatpants and zip-up hoodie. “Want me to draw your bath, madam?” He says, grandly.
Lizzie laughs. “Uh, I think I’m good, but thanks for the offer.” She heads into the bathroom and before closing the door she calls to him, “I won’t be too long, promise.”
“Take your time. While you soak I am going to get things set up downstairs,” he says.
There’s an assortment of bath bombs and lotions in a basket next to the tub on a little wicker stool. Lizzie leans over, starts the water running, and when it feels just right, closes the drain. She chooses a chamomile and lavender bath bomb and drops it in. The scent fills the air immediately. Lizzie undresses and carefully gets into the tub, wincing for a moment at the heat.
Within minutes she is completely comfortable and relaxed. She’s so relaxed that it isn’t until the water starts to get cold, about a half hour later, that she rouses herself out of the tub.
She dries herself with the fluffiest towel she’s ever used, applies some of the rich, creamy lotion in the basket of toiletries, and slips on a plush terry robe that’s hanging on the door.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m getting hungry…” she says as she enters the room, but Jack is gone. She picks up a note he left on top of the comfortable clothes she’d left out to wear.
I’m downstairs by the fire, get dressed and come meet me.
Lizzie smiles, she quickly puts on her yoga pants and tank top, then runs a brush through her hair and applies a swipe of lip balm. She puts on the slippers she brought and slips on a slouchy sweater. She gives herself a cursory glance in the mirror, and smiles, “This is so much more fun than going out,” she says out loud, and then happily heads down to meet Jack.