Page 13 of One Sultry Summer

“What’s that?”

“You’re never afraid to say what’s on your mind.”

“It’s part of my charm.” I tilt my head and bat my eyes, and we both laugh.

The flight goes off without a hitch. We spent most of our time chit-chatting about random things. Allowing myself to relax, I stared at thepuffy cumulus clouds as we flew somewhere over Arizona. They reminded me of cotton candy. I had to remind myself that there was a slight time difference from California to Texas.

The plane lands at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas. Once we landed, the flight attendants opened the overhead bins. I’m not in a hurry and let other passengers grab their things first. We have plenty of time and don’t have to check in with my boss for a couple of days from now. I finally grab my carry-on, and the only thing left is to head to baggage claim and wait for two other pieces of luggage.

The doors open and everyone stands impatiently to exit the plane. It doesn’t take us long to get the rest of our bags. We exited the airport to walk to the rental car; the heat was unbearable. I glanced at my phone to see it was eighty-eight degrees.

I thought I was prepared for the June Texasheat. I admit, it’s a different climate than I’m used to. I doubt I’ll see early morning fog here. The city of Austin is reminiscent of San Francisco with its towering skyscrapers and beautiful storefronts. I’m already homesick and we haven’t even left the airport yet.

Forty-five minutes later, we pulled up to the quaint inn on the edge of town; I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of excitement. The small town of Skybrook, Texas was vastly different from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco, but there was something undeniably charming about it.

We pull our luggage from the trunk and carry it up a few steps. I’m met by a gentleman who waits patiently holding the door for me. He’s what Toni would call a tall drink of water. His hair is jet black, and his eyes are dark blue like a stormy night.Whoa, are all the men going to look this attractive here? If so, I’m gonna be in trouble.

From behind me, I hear. “Valerie, you’re blocking the doorway.”

“Thank you, kind sir.”

He stares deeply into my eyes; I blink rapidly and move on.

Upon entering the lobby, the sweet scent of lavender envelops me, instantly making me feel relaxed. The innkeeper greets me warmly, welcoming us to their establishment.

“Hello there, welcome to The Skybrook Inn. How may I assist you?”

“Hi, we have a reservation under the name of Masterson and Appleton,” I respond, uncertain why I’m experiencing this awkwardness.

“Ah, yes, Ms. Masterson and Mr. Appleton. Let me check you in.” She says, typing away on her computer. “Here are your keys, ma’am and sir. Your rooms are on the second floor, room 207 Ms. Masterson, and Mr. Appleton, you are in room 209. Breakfast is served from seven to ten AM, and dinner is served from four to seven PM. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask. Enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you…” I glanced at her name tag. “…Ms. Woods.”

“Please, call me Abby.”

“Sorry, Abby, I forgot to ask. Is there somewhere within walking distance where I can grab snacks?”

She glances at her watch. “Mm, you might find a grocery store, a diner or a fast-food restaurant available. Most downtown shops close by five PM on weekdays.”

“I appreciate the information. We’ll be down for dinner a little later.”

We took our keys and headed to our rooms. I press the button for the second floor in the elevator.

I hear Devin snicker. “That guy at the entrance was pretty hot! You know, if you keep finding good-looking guys, you’re not going to get any work done.”

“What? I’m single and have a sex drive. It’s like having an expensive pair of heels in a closet—pretty and shiny, but nowhere to go!” He lifts an eyebrow. “Okay, fine. My shoes haven’t been out in a long time. Let’s face it, my sex drive is sad and lonely, but it’s not gone.”

“There’s nothing bad about wanting sex, but finding love lasts longer.” He leaves me standing in the hallway alone with his final words as he closes the door to his room. As I unlock my door and walk in, a rush of cool air hits my face, and a wave of nostalgia washes over me. The room was decorated in a rustic style that reminded me of my childhood visits to my grandmother’s house in Virginia.

Once I unpacked my bags, I took a quick shower to cool off. Wearing an outfit with light fabric, I’m ready to walk with Devin. It’s always a good plan to get myself acquainted with the town and the people that reside in it. As I strolled through the streets, the first place that caught my eye was the old clock tower. It has charm and looks like it’s possibly a century old.

At the corner of Main Street, the quaint library beckons with its charming brick facade, inviting visitors to explore its wealth of stories and knowledge. The sun was setting, and I could actually hear crickets. I’m used to hearing the sounds of traffic and trolley cars moving through the city. The shift in my surroundings has truly put me at ease, wrapping me in a comforting sense of relaxation.

“Let’s head back before we miss dinner at the inn.” I nodded at Devin and continued to enjoy the sights and unfamiliar sounds of Skybrook.

“Have you talked to Samuel since we’ve landed?”

“No. I texted him to let him know that we arrived, and I was going to call him after dinner, since they are two hours behind us.”

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