Chapter 8 #4
“Erica?” And now her mind was working, sifting through the options. To the best of her knowledge, Erica had never been to Vermont before. She’d definitely never stayed in the Maple Sugar Inn. Had she worked with them in a professional capacity? No, that seemed unlikely.
She looked at Anna, who caught her eye and gave a tiny shrug.
“I don’t think we’re supposed to park here,” she said. “We should probably drive around to the parking lot at the back. That’s what the instructions said.”
Mention of the parking lot seemed to rouse Erica. “Yes. Right. Parking lot.” She cleared her throat. “Good plan. So everyone is happy with it, yes?”
“Yes, of course. How couldn’t we be? But are you—”
“I’m looking forward to seeing our rooms and talking about books.” Erica checked her mirrors and headed to the parking lot. The road had been cleared but snow lay banked at the sides.
They pulled into an empty space. In the space opposite them a man was unloading logs from the back of a truck marked with a logo.
Claudia squinted. “Peterson’s Christmas Trees. Mmm. I’d buy a Christmas tree from him any day.”
“I’m guessing he’s around thirty.” Anna picked up her bag and got ready to pull on her coat. “Isn’t that a little young for you?”
“Not according to Erica. And he’s older than John’s current girlfriend.”
Claudia didn’t want to think about that, so she allowed herself a moment to sit back and simply admire. Distraction could be a good thing.
The man wore a heavy-duty jacket and a pair of work boots that had seen plenty of action. His hair was dark and edging toward his collar, his expression serious and approaching stern. As he steadied the logs he noticed them and gave a quick smile by way of greeting that transformed stern to sexy.
Claudia smiled back. “Now that’s a man who probably carries a wrench in his back pocket at all times, and knows how to change a tire.”
Anna laughed and Erica sighed, apparently roused from whatever dark mood had been gripping her.
“Please. I know how to change a tire. Anytime you want me to change your tire, let me know. I’ll happily change your tire.”
Anna looked at her. “You do know it’s not about the tire?”
“Yes, I know it’s not about the tire,” Erica said. “I’m just saying I don’t need some man to change my tire.”
“Even if he’s cute?”
“Especially if he’s cute. I don’t want him getting a false impression of me and thinking I’m helpless.”
“It’s not about being helpless,” Claudia said.
“It’s about someone doing something for you because they want to.
I miss that. I miss having someone who knows all the little things about me.
I miss those thoughtful gestures. In the early days John used to bring me a cup of coffee in the morning before he left for work, particularly on the days when I’d worked late at the restaurant.
And it was always cold by the time I woke up, but I drank it anyway because it made me feel close to him. Does that sound weird?”
“Cold coffee? Not weird. Disgusting.” Erica caught Anna’s eye and cleared her throat. “Maybe it’s an acquired taste.”
Claudia didn’t expect her to understand. Erica valued her independence above everything else, and she hated someone doing something for her that she could do herself. It was as if she believed that any selfless gesture on someone else’s part would require a show of weakness on hers.
“I liked being a person who someone wanted to do things for. Now if I want tea, I make it myself.”
“If I want tea, I call room service,” Erica said and lifted a hand to stop Anna’s gentle admonishment.
“Yes, I know, I’m a heartless woman. It’s been said before.
But there is nothing better in this life than being able to change your own tire and make your own tea.
Self-love is the new long-term relationship. Hadn’t you heard?”
“But people do things for other people because they want to, not because the other person is incapable. Like that guy.” Claudia watched as he walked away from them toward the inn.
“He looks like the steady, reliable type. The sort that isn’t going to run in a crisis.
He’s carrying logs because he cares about someone.
He wants them to be warm and comfortable. ”
A young woman appeared in the doorway and greeted him with a few words and laughter.
“Judging from the look on her face and his, I think he’s taken,” Anna said.
“He’s probably carrying logs because he is being paid to do it. And of course he’d run in a crisis. That’s what men do.” Erica unclipped her seat belt. “Now, can we stop this conversation and start our vacation?”
Claudia watched as the man disappeared through the door at the back of the inn.
She didn’t believe he’d run. She thought he’d stand fast and handle whatever was barreling toward him.
But she wasn’t really interested in him.
She wasn’t interested in a relationship at the moment, but it was a relief she could still admire an attractive man when he crossed her path. That felt like another step forward.
Whoever that man loved, she thought as she grabbed an armful of gifts, was a lucky person but nowhere near as lucky as the woman who owned the inn.
Claudia had never believed in love at first sight but looking at the shimmering windows and snow-covered roof of the Maple Sugar Inn, she suddenly did.
Forget the man; what she really wanted was the inn. If the inn belonged to her, she was sure she’d live happily ever after.