Page 29 of Deception

In the dark a creature prowls, watching me, waiting for me to stumble. It’s harrowing, indistinct, irrational, and fully stressful.

Several times I wake from it, briefly, only to fall back into another variation of fear and anxiety.

It feels like only minutes pass and a knock sounds at the door, startling me awake.

It’s light out, although dim and gray through the storm.

“Miss? I’ve brought your breakfast, if you please?” a warm, matronly voice croons from the other side of the door, the Italian accent rural and thick.

“Uh…I can’t open the door,” I answer, not bothering to get out of bed. “I’m locked in.”

I don’t bother hiding the scorn in my tone. My anger from the night before rekindles, the fact that I’m shamefully locked away.

I’m going to give him a piece of my mind about ground rules and my freedoms if I’m going to stay here any longer. If nothing else, logic says this is no way to treat a guest.

“Oh dear. I'm so sorry!” I hear her mutter as she fumbles with jingling keys. An audible click precedes her entry. “However did that happen! You poor thing. I’ll make sure you have the key so this can’t happen again. ”

“Thank you…”

“Carla, dear. I am the head maid in charge of the lodge.” Her gray hair is smartly styled, framing a round, dark-skinned face. Smile lines crinkle the corners of her mouth and eyes as she sets the tray of steaming food down on the edge of my bed.

“I wasn’t sure what you preferred, so you let me know if you have a favorite beverage to drink with your meals. I brought espresso, if that’s alright?”

The scent of the rich, concentrated coffee rejuvenates me, filling my nostrils and making my stomach growl. “I love espresso, thank you Carla. You don’t need to bring me breakfast in bed, though. I can come down to the kitchen and prepare my own meals…”

“Nonsense. You are our guest! It’s my job to make sure all of your needs and desires are met. The master of the house wouldn’t have it any other way. And as far as breakfast in bed, you are welcome to come to the dining room, but Alessandro told me you came in late last night, frozen to the bone. So forgive me if I wanted to provide a bit of extra care.” She winks, uncovering the plate of fresh bread, butter, and homemade jam. Yogurt and fruit complement the plate. It’s almost exactly what my mother would make us growing up, albeit with a gourmet touch.

“This looks wonderful.”

“I’m relieved. If you have any other favorites, do let me know. I’ll go get your bath ready while you eat.”

“I can?—”

“Shush! What else am I to do? We haven’t had guests in far too long, let alone a lady in this house. Frankly, we’ve been bored to tears for ages.”

The spread before me overwhelms any misgivings I have and I dig in wholeheartedly. Before long I catch myself humming along with Carla as she sings an old folk tune over the splash of the bathtub filling.

Again, I’m drawn back to thoughts of my mother, living alone, and thoughts of my brother and his widow. I never got the chance to meet Angelica. She moved back to the United States after he was killed. I was supposed to visit, but never managed to get it together.

My appetite fades away as I think about it, forcing my mind back to my mission.

“Come now, my dear, the bath is ready for you!” Carla sings, stepping into the doorway. “I’ll have your things brought in while you bathe. Vincenzo retrieved your luggage from your car this morning.”

“You’re too kind,SignoraCarla, you’ve gone to such trouble for me.”

“No trouble at all. We will all see to it that you have a wonderful stay with us. No blizzard will ruin a relaxing stay at our lodge, no ma’am.”

Her attitude and demeanor warm my heart, allowing me to relax a bit. At least Alessandro’s staff seem to be kind, working folk.

I wonder what they do when no one is visiting the lodge as I ease out of my slip and test the piping hot water.

“Oh…perfect,” I practically purr as I slide into the tub. Prickles tingle all over me, loosening my muscles.

After a moment, I open my eyes, running my hands through the water. Along one side of the tub, I’m delighted to find soaps, bubble bath, a fresh pumice stone, and several options for body wash and shampoo. All of them are brand new, as if they knew I was coming.

The thought of my stay being anticipated sends a shiver through me.

“Silly. They’re probably just very demanding of their staff.”

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