Of course the thought crossed my mind just like it always did and probably always would so I didn't think too much about it when I texted George the handyman the previous evening. For one, it's a fairly common name and for two, it had been ten years and by now I'd learned that the chances of this George being my George were pretty slim (especially considering he lived in California, not Colorado) so at this point I'd given up any hope of ever seeing him again. Until I answered the door that morning and there he stood.
'Holy shit!' He said as we stood there staring at each other. Holy shit, indeed.
**********************************************
I'd needed a break from everything for quite some time so last winter, while things were slow at work, I agreed to let my little sister arrange a getaway for me. She called to tell me she found a nice cozy cabin with a fire pit and a hot tub in a tiny Colorado town right at the base of a snowy mountain range. Two weeks of quiet relaxation in solitude. Heaven. There was a pond nearby that was completely frozen over, for ice skating, Layla said. I didn't ice skate and I wasn't going there for that anyway. She knew I just needed to get away to disconnect from work stress and that I really needed to be anywhere but home thinking about anyone but the guy I'd ended things with just before the holidays.
She even arranged to have a case of wine and some gourmet chocolates and other holiday treats, some books and some luxurious bath and diy spa treatments to be delivered the day after I was scheduled to arrive so I wouldn't have to pack anything but my comfy clothes, my winter boots and my favorite pillow and blanket. She made me promise to stay at her house on the way back for at least Christmas night.
The drive out was nice but a little lengthy. I love a good long solo road trip; just me and my music, my coffee and the open road. The map app on my phone said the trip was nearly eighteen hours. I called her at hour fifteen.
'Where the hell did you send me to, Layla?'
'Um, excuse me? I sent you to an idyllic cabin in the woods for an unforgettably tranquil holiday getaway, you jerk! Duh!'
'Did you memorize that from the website?' I laughed.
'Maybe not the jerk part. How far away are you? Is Truck Norris going to make it?' Referring to my little old black Jeep pickup. My dad and I had restored it together before he passed away so my mom gave it to me after he was gone.
'So far so good, my map says I have three hours to go but I need to stop for real food.'
'I wish you'd stopped here for the night.'
'Well I'll be seeing you and Marty and the kids on Christmas still, I was just excited to get out there.'
'I get it, it's been a lot lately.'
We chatted about Christmas presents for her boys and then I let her go so I could find a restaurant to stop and eat, stretch and rest a minute. I got back on the road and drove the remaining three hours without stopping. The snow held off until just before I arrived and I was glad I didn't have to bring much in while it was storming. The exterior of the cabin was all decorated for the holiday. It was a beautiful little place from what I could tell in the dark.
The ambiance inside was welcoming and warm, a Christmas tree glowing next to a fire place in the front room with a large leather sofa, complete with a green and red chenille throw and matching pillows made to look like wrapped up Christmas presents. I took my bag upstairs and changed into my warm dry sleep clothes. I lit a fire in the bedroom fireplace and then got into the giant cozy bed. It wasn't long before I fell asleep, reading a spicy romance novel I have read at least a dozen times. Clearly my romantic side craves the familiar.
I slept late the next day and when I woke up I got dressed and walked over to a cafe I saw on the drive in for a late breakfast. The thick layers of snow covering everything made the tiny town center look like it was a set for a holiday movie. There was the cafe, a post office with some benches and a bronze statue out front, a small grocery store, a used bookstore and that was basically it. Everything was decorated for the holiday season. I always love all of the lights this time of year.
The cafe was practically empty and it was nice to sit and eat my breakfast in the quiet, something I didn't often get to do at home. I usually just ate at my desk at work. I paid my bill and got a box for my leftovers and headed over to the bookstore. I love the smell of a used bookstore and you can never have enough books. Well, if you're me you can't.
I took my time looking around the little shop and didn't find much in the way of books but I did get a snow globe with a little fire engine inside and a small atlas, framed in a glass shadow box. I was on my way back to the cabin when a man with dark hair in a white pickup truck drove past me as I was crossing the street near the hidden property the cabin was nestled in. For a moment I thought I saw him just like I thought I saw him hundreds of other times over the last decade. He probably didn't even drive that truck anymore, I reminded myself.
Walking up the driveway back at the cabin, I saw Layla's gift order of wine and chocolates had made it to the porch so I brought everything in and unboxed it all and put it away. I smiled when I opened the box containing a cute little pajama set with cartoon owls in Santa hats on it. We always give each other pajamas for Christmas, it was a tradition from childhood. I kicked my boots off and poured a large glass of wine and went to turn the hot tub on. It seemed to be malfunctioning so I checked the breaker and it was on. I got in touch with the owner who gave me a number for a repairman so I texted him.
'Hello, my name is Cori and I'm staying at the Fletcher's cabin. They said you'd know where it is but I can give you the address if you need it. I'm having some trouble with the hot tub, any chance you can come out and see why?'
It took him a while to respond.
'Hi there, the earliest I can come by and take a look is tomorrow morning. Will you be around then?'
'Yes that works, thank you! Nine-ish?'
'See you then.'