“Let’s try this again. Good evening, ma’am. I thought you might like for me to escort you to dinner,” he said again in a playful tone, breaking me out of my sinful thoughts. “Ellie’s busy packing to leave tomorrow, so it’s just you and me.”
Not understanding what just happened, and why some crazy emotions attacked my body and brain, I allowed Ethan to place my hand on his arm and walk me out of the cabin and toward the main house for dinner.
Chapter Two
I hadn’t had a home-cooked meal in years. Everything about the dinner and the company was perfect. Ethan had a way of making me feel warm, comforted and relaxed. I ate more than I would normally and talked more about myself than I would ever do. I guarded my past, my present and my future. I opened up to very few and had found it was easier to survive. It was easier to protect. I did, however, open up slightly to Ethan. I felt comfortable enough to discuss my business, my childhood memories of Mill Creek and lightly touched on how I was sort of at a crossroads in life. I was sick of the city in more ways than one. I wasn’t happy with where I lived, who I socialized with, or pretty much anything. I needed a change, and this getaway was going to help me figure out what that change would be.
I took the last bite of my meal and leaned back in my chair. “I’m so full, I could explode. I haven’t had real food in what feels like forever. I live off of take out and the microwave.”
Ethan smiled warmly. “I’m happy that Mill Creek can remind you of what a good meal should be like. We’re known for our good food, good air, and a good night’s sleep.”
I chuckled. “Thank you for this. I now remember how much First Night Dinner was a favorite of mine. It really does set the tone of the place.”
A silent calm washed over us as we both just looked at each other. Ethan’s eyes were soft and gentle. He casually had one arm slung over the back of the chair, giving off a sense of comfort and a feeling of home. I realized we were both staring at each other and grew uneasy.
“So, what’s there to do around here during the off season?” I asked to change up the mood that was being created. “Everything nearby is closed right?”
Ethan took a moment to continue to stare. “Mostly. We aren’t usually open during this time either. We made an exception with you.”
“Why?”
“Normally, we close up due to the road. When the first big storm hits, we can’t get in and out without a snowmobile. It’s not a great place for tourists. But when your email explained you planned to stay homebound writing, had grown up coming here as a kid, and it had been years since you had been back… it seemed like I needed to say yes.”
I smiled and straightened my back. “I’m glad you did. And I remember the winters here. I know what I’m getting myself into.”
Ethan’s face grew serious. “I know I made it clear via email, but we really do get snowed in here. I don’t mind, and I plan for it by stockpiling food and firewood, but you won’t be able to run into town to get anything for days. I can’t be out there plowing the roads nonstop for you.”
When I had booked the cabin, I was sent several messages warning me that there was one road that ran from the main highway to the Mill Creek Resort. Because it was private property, the county wasn’t responsible for snow removal, and if we wanted to reach civilization, it was going to have to be done by Ethan unburying us out.
I nodded. “Being snowed in is part of the appeal for me.” The smile left my face, and I looked down at the ground. “I have a lot of work to do, and I also need some time to plan that next step chapter in my life. I feel it’s time for a change, and coming to a place I once loved to come up with a plan was ideal. But I don’t want you to worry about me. I don’t want to be a burden or anything.” The conversation was beginning to cause the familiar anxiety I had run from to work its way back into my body. I