Page 22 of Merry on the Mountain
He moves so quick, bending and lifting me into his arms, that I don’t even register what he’s doing until he’s halfway up to his front door. My arms circle his neck on instinct, and I give myself a moment to feel like a small girl. Being as tall as I am, it’s not often I find myself in the company of man who can toss me around like this. He doesn’t even seem out of breath as he carries me through the front door.
“What are you doing?” I finally ask after checking to make sure Maya is following us.
“Taking you up to the tub.”
Izzy’s little footsteps pound across the floor as she walks into the hallway. “Daddy? Is Willa okay?”
“I’m fine,” I say to her, locking eyes over his shoulder. “Put me down,” I whisper.
He sets me on my feet once we reach the bathroom and pulls the mermaid shower curtain aside, revealing a garden tub with jets. I was about to decline a bath and lecture him on bringing me up, but any argument evaporates from my lips. He turns the water on and holds his hand under the faucet.
“How hot do you want it?”
“Turn me into soup. I want it steaming hot.”
He chuckles. “Got it. Hey, Izzy?”
“Yeah?” She walks into the bathroom with us.
“Can you get the bottle of epsom salts out of the linen closet?”
“Yep.” Her twin pigtails swing as she walks back out into the hall.
He closes the drain and takes the bottle when she comes back in. I watch as he dumps a generous amount into the water and then stands. “I’ll grab a towel.”
“Do you want some toys?” Izzy asks me. “I have a mermaid Barbie whose tail changes color in hot water.”
“That’s so sweet, but no thank you.” I run my fingers over her silky ringlets. “It’s nice of you to let me borrow your tub.”
“You’re welcome. Maybe we can play after?”
“Maybe,” I agree.
“Here you go.” Drew walks in with a towel and pants and a sweatshirt folded on top of them. “Brought you something to put on after, too.”
“Thanks, I didn’t even think of that.” Shows how exhausted I am.
“Come on, Bug. Let’s let Willa relax for a bit.”
“Okay.” She follows him out but stops in the doorway to look back at me. “Don’t worry about Maya, I’ll take care of her.”
My heart squeezes at the sincerity in her little voice. Damn, he’s doing a good job raising a sweet little girl.
Once the door closes I strip out of my clothes and step into the steaming water. I wince at the heat but lower myself down anyway, knowing it won’t take long to get used to it. The tub is deep and wide, so I’m able to submerge myself down to my neck. This feels like such a luxury when I’m used to barely having enough room to wash my hair in the shower I put in my van.
The water takes on an opaque white color as I press the button for the jets. A delighted moan escapes me as the water massages my sore body while the heat relaxes me. Drew doesn’teven need to take me on a date at this point, letting me use his tub is more than enough to make me happy.
I love van living, but there’s definitely something to be said for having an actual physical space to call home. Especially if it comes with a jetted tub and wood stove like his house does. I know eventually I’ll have to settle down into one place, and this is the type I’ll have to be on the lookout for.
I’m not sure how much time passes, but eventually the water begins to cool. Taking that as a sign to get out, I pull the plug and start draining the tub. After I’m dry I pick up his sweats and pull them on. I’m not about to put my dirty underwear and bra back on, so I go without. Hopefully he doesn’t mind. Not that he’d find out. His clothes are obviously big on me, nothing that a few rolls of the waist band can’t fix.
When I finally emerge from the bathroom, I poke my head around the corner and look into Izzy’s room. She’s put a party hat on Maya, who’s sitting politely around a small table with three chairs. Izzy sits on one chair wearing a tiara and then on the other two chairs are giant stuffed animals. She’s set out a play tea set and fills cups for everyone with pretend tea from the kettle.
I hear quiet footsteps on the stairs but don’t turn around when I feel Drew’s warmth at my back. After another minute or two of watching Izzy play, he snakes his hand around my waist and pulls me back, guiding me into what I assume is a guest room across the hall. He shuts the door quietly and then backs me against the wall gently.
“Feel better?” he asks quietly.
“Yes.” Somehow my hands have found their way to his abs. I can feel each ridge and divot of muscle under the soft fabric of his shirt. “Thank you.”
