Page 3 of Mink Hijinks
“You poor thing.” The flight attendant rummages around in their cart and pulls out what appears to be a wash rag. They give it a little shake and hand it over.
“It’s cold.” I rub it against my cheek, so grateful for the chill. “Thank you.”
They hand me another and indicate the back of my neck, so I wrap it around and sink into my seat, much more comfortable. “Thank you. Thank you.” They give me a warm smile and pass me a cold water bottle.
“It’s a long flight. I’ll come around again and give you some fresh ones in a few hours. But ring me if you need me here sooner. PHS isn’t any fun. Worse than PMS, if you ask me.”
I huff out a small chuckle. “I can’t imagine having to go through both. Thank you again.”
They tip their head and leave.
Thankfully, the flight is uneventful, and the driver I rented waits for me at my gate.
It’s a thirty-minute drive to my destination, and my driver chats away, telling me all about the holiday festivities around. I’m more relaxed than I’ve been in months. It’s going to be an excellent vacation, as long as I can get rid of the guilt for taking time for myself again. I drop my head back and close my eyes, letting the rhythmic motion of the car soothe me for a moment.
When we finally pull up to the cabins, a wave of excitement washes over me. The quaint wooden structures are nestled among towering trees, and the scent of pine fills the air. I step out, taking a deep breath, ready to leave my worries behind me.
As I walk toward the cabin designated as the check in office for Winter Wonderland Wilderness Lodge, I spot the clerk through the door. He seems on edge, glancing around as if he’s expecting something or someone.
A little bell jingles above the door when I enter. “Hey there,” I say, forcing a smile. “I’m Paxton Freely. I have a reservation.”
The clerk, Branson by his nametag, looks up. There’s a twitch in his jaw that makes me uneasy. He types a few things into the computer. “Right, Paxton. Cabin 22. Here’s your key,” he says, handing it to me without looking me in the eye.
“Thanks,” I reply, trying to shake off the weird vibe. “Everything okay?”
He nods quickly, but his eyes dart away, focusing on something in the distance. “Yeah, just… a lot going on. Enjoy your stay.” He gives me a bright smile, but it doesn’t exactly meet his eyes.
I can’t help but feel a knot tighten in my stomach, but I force myself to brush it off. I’m here to relax, not get caught up inanyone else’s drama. “Will do,” I say, hoping my voice sounds cheerful.
I leave the office and make my way down the path to my cabin. The sun filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. I slide the key into the lock and push the door open, stepping into the cozy space.
The cabin is just as I imagined. All warm wood accents, a small kitchenette, and a fireplace that is going to be amazing on especially chilly nights. I close the door behind me and lean against it for a moment, breathing in the sense of tranquility. This is perfect.
But… why are there snow boots by the front door? And a coat on the hook? Do they always decorate the inside of the cabin with fairy lights?
Branson’s anxious demeanor lingers in my mind, gnawing at my thoughts. Maybe someone did some maintenance and forgot their boots? I shake my head, trying to clear it. I didn’t come here to worry. I came for peace, for a break from everything. The boots and coat are decoration. They aren’t even wet. And the fairy lights add a bright sweetness to the atmosphere. I hang my coat next to the decorative one and slide off my boots. I side step the puddle they made so my socks don’t get soaked. Wet socks are the worst.
I glance around the cabin as I make my way to the bedroom. The weight of the world lifts a little more as I settle in. Time for me to enjoy this vacation.
I drop my duffle on the dresser and plop on the end of the bed to text Buckle.
Pax: Made it here all in one piece.
Buckle: Good to hear man. Take it easy! This is for you. Don’t think about anyone else, unless of course you’re getting dicked down ;)
I roll my eyes.
Pax: Think I’m gonna take a nap and explore later.
Buckle: Sounds good. Send pics!
Pax: Will do.
I push to my feet and lay my cell phone on the nightstand before tugging off my shirt. The jeans go next because there’s no way I can sleep in something so confining.
The bed looks so inviting, but it’s strange to have so many stuffed animals. They look familiar, like I’ve seen the brand before, but don’t ask me what brand that is. I don’t bother with sliding under the covers, PHS makes me ridiculously hot. I simply lay on top of the blanket and stuffed animals until I’m comfortable.
But comfort doesn’t last because somethingwigglesunder my head. I sit and stare at the space my head had just occupied and yelp. There’s something under the covers!
