Page 78 of Keepsake
“This is perfect,” Lark said, surveying our empty apple crates. “Not much inventory to worry about. Let’s go to Woodstock.”
“Should I change now?” I asked. “I should have thought of that while we were loading up.”
She shook her head. “No need.” She got in the truck.
At the Woodstock Inn, I parked in back, by the loading dock. It was a fairly large hotel for this area. We offloaded our ten cases. But then Lark asked the kitchen guy an odd question. “Where can we park her overnight?”
He looked around. “That corner should be fine,” he said, pointing.
“Why did you ask that?” I wondered when he disappeared.
She gave me a catlike smile. “I reserved a room. And I warned Griff that you won’t be available for the milking in the morning.”
“Really?”
“Really. He said you never took a day off in two years. So why not now?”
My gaze went to the truck. Could I really just leave it here for a night and fritter off with Lark? I supposed I could bring the cashbox inside with us. Was that safe enough?
Once in a while Griff and Audrey blew everything off for a day or two and got away together. And the earth didn’t stop turning.
“Okay,” I said slowly.
She laughed. “You sound like I’ve suggested an evening of dental work.”
“Just give me a minute to get used to the idea.” I tossed the keys in my hand. “I’ll park the truck. Then we’ll go inside and change for dinner. Was that your plan?”
Lark nodded, bouncing on her heels. “It’s the world’s shortest vacation. But I really need one.”
I gave her a quick kiss, still marveling at the fact that I was allowed to do that. “Give me three minutes.”
The hotel lobbywas fancier than I’d expected. I felt out of place in my work boots and Shipley Farms sweatshirt. And I cringed when Lark handed over her credit card. “Let me pay you back,” I said when the clerk turned her back.
“Nope,” Lark said cheerfully, making me wonder how much this was costing. “But you can pay for dinner if you really want to.”
When Lark had secured our key, we walked through the rather fancy lobby and past a giant stone fireplace. A few other guests milled about, looking like they’d just stepped off the golf course. It wasn’t really my scene.
But the advantages to this outing became clearer as soon as Lark swiped the keycard through the reader outside our room. She pushed the door open to reveal a king-sized bed and a fireplace, where a fire already crackled.
Now that was more like it.
Lark set her backpack down against the wall. “This is nice.” She wandered past the fireplace and disappeared through another door into what looked like a huge bathroom.
“Sure is.” I set my bag down, too.
“I could use a shower,” she called.
“Go for it.” I went to the window and peered out at the well-kept grounds. It was already dark outside.
“Oh, wow,” Lark said from the bathroom. “This is giving me ideas.” The next sound I heard was running water.
I unlaced my dusty work boots and kicked them off. They looked all wrong on the ornate carpet. The room was beautiful, with a sloped ceiling and shining wood moldings. I wasn’t used to luxury of any kind. Standing there between two upholstered chairs made me feel like an imposter.
That four-poster bed covered in white bedding, though? I saw the potential.
A few minutes later the taps stopped flowing in the bathroom. “Zach,” Lark called. “Come here, please.”
I walked into the bathroom to find her chest deep in a claw-foot bathtub. The sight of water lapping over her breasts sent my blood rushing southward. “Wow.”
