“He isn’t. But he’s a good lover and a wonderful father and he’s easy on the eyes too. So, there’s that. A temporary additional deposit of one hundred dollars has been placed on the card and will come off assuming there is no damage to your room during your stay.”
“Okay.” I didn’t even know how much the room cost. It didn’t really matter. I’d pay anything to get out of here.
Perhaps that was the Hamilton policy. Make potential guests so uncomfortable, they’ll pay anything to escape the conversation.
I had to say it was working so far.
Oliver returned with my single bag just as Sage passed me my credit card.
“I’ll show you to your room,” he said ominously and I held up my hands before pointing at Sage.
“Her hair hasn’t moved. See?”
“Don’t mind him. He’s testy at being awakened this late.”
“Awakened? Does he sleep in a three-piece suit?”
“Only on special occasions.” Oliver nodded at the stairs and I followed him up.
There was a good chance I was going to do bodily harm to Kellan when we met up tomorrow. First, he wouldn’t let me spend the night at his place, then he sends me here? The guy was parked on a piece of ice so thin he could see his own reflection.
Oliver led me to my room and set down my lone bag, all the while commenting on the amenities in a brutally pleasant voice.
I didn’t pay him much mind. The room itself was actually quite nice, with the aforementioned fireplace already going and the King sized bed turned down. I moved to the window and tried not to grimace at the snow. It still hadn’t ceased. At least I could walk to the diner from here. Better to fall on my ass than to slide into another vehicle.
Assuming I saw any.
“Room service has ended for the evening but it resumes again at eight a.m. If you’re up before then, there’s a complimentary continental—”
“I’ll be up and out of here by then.” I
smiled thinly. “Hoping to have my meeting first thing in the morning.”
If Kellan cooperated. If not, I’d amuse myself in town until he was available rather than lay about eating sausage links and miniature boxes of cereal.
“Suit yourself. Hope you enjoy your stay at The Hummingbird’s Nest.” Without so much as another smile, Oliver was gone.
Clearly, I wasn’t the only dour sort around.
I used the facilities—large clawfoot tub and separate shower stall, I noted, along with piles of thick soft towels—and unpacked my toiletries. I left my glasses behind on the dresser and my clothes in my suitcase, although I put on a heavier sweater under my thin jacket. Then I was out the door again and headed downstairs.
Sage wasn’t at the desk. Nor was she hiding behind it. In fact, a bell had been set upon it with a sign.
Ring for service. Desk will be staffed at seven a.m.
Did she have a room here herself? Did the bell somehow sound over her bed?
Shaking my head, I stepped out into the storm, drawing my collar in tight. I descended the icy steps and hurried up the street, my mind already on my stomach. The town itself was a postcard vision in icy white, with the soft glow of lights against windows here and there reminding me just how alone I was.
Starkly alone. Not just here, but essentially on the planet. If I disappeared, my family wouldn’t realize for days or weeks. And I wasn’t even sure they’d care if they did.
What the hell was it about this place, making me think such maudlin thoughts? That wasn’t me. Then again, passing that partially frozen over lake in the hushed darkness could make anyone uneasy.
This was why I preferred the hustle and bustle of the city. Less room for me and my thoughts.
I rushed past the closed souvenir shop and another for women’s clothing and accessories, then grasped the ice cold handle to the diner with a sigh of relief.
Finally. Maybe this place would have some life. A distraction for my far too busy brain.