Page 103 of You Found Me
“Is this where we’re staying?” I asked excitedly.
“It is. It’s ours for the whole weekend. We have a late checkout Sunday, so we don’t have to rush out.”
“Oh my gosh, it’s so cute.”
“Wait until you see inside,” he says, while grabbing some bags.
When we get everything in the cabin, I’m able to take a better look around. There’s a fire pit, Adirondack chairs, and a swing out front in the yard. Out back there’s a pergola covered in fairylights with gauzy curtains draped around it, and a nice seating area placed underneath, along with a hammock and a hot tub right off of the back porch.
In the living room, there’s a cozy looking L-shaped sectional that has one side facing a TV placed over a real wood-burning fireplace and the other facing floor to ceiling windows. The kitchen is directly behind the couch with a rustic corner table in a breakfast nook and a small powder room tucked off to the side. There’s a spiral staircase leading up to the loft with a massive rustic bed that faces the windows with stunning matching dark wood furniture.
We spend our first night on the couch eating and watching documentaries. We take turns picking what kind—first round I choose true crime, while he chooses one about World War II. Which is not normally something I’d be into since I don’t enjoy history.
Spencer points out that it’s good to know our history and learn from it or else we’ll be doomed to repeat it.
“That was very profound of you.”
He laughs. “It was something my high school history teacher tried to instill in us. I guess it stuck with me.”
And because he’s enjoying it so much, I start to enjoy it. Mostly from watching him be so enthralled and his little commentary, but still. I’m not bored.
We shower together, but more so to get it done and in bed faster.
I didn’t like the idea of doing anything in front of that massive window because what if there was a Peeping Tom out in the woods. Though he did assure me that the windows had a privacy film on them so no one would be able to see in, even at night.
Still, nothing happens once we get into bed, my anxiety refusing to release its hold on me. Instead, we do what we do best, talking about everything and nothing until my eyes feel heavy, and a warm arm pulls me close, finding peace in his comforting scent.
This morning, we wake up early and he asks if I want to go on a short hike before breakfast. Mentioning that there is something he wants to show me. I’m absolutely not an outdoor person inthe least—other than the occasional walks or jogs—I prefer my cozy couch to that of bugs and wet dirt. But I know Spencer finds solace in his time in nature and truly loves the outdoors, which is why I don’t give him any grief as I lace up my hiking boots.
He packs a small backpack with water, a couple of protein bars, and my version of trail mix. I smile when I see the custom mix just for me, to which he simply winks. My heart can’t take all the little things he does for me.
It’s just all so new for me.
How he hears me say once in an offhand comment what my favorite flowers are and bringing them to me on random days, showing up to work with a fresh warm meal for me when all I had was a quick snack from the hospital vending machine. All the small moments add up to my heart beating wildly in my chest, and most of them started before we were really dating.
The morning air is only slightly chilly as Spence and I walk in comfortable silence. I appreciate the silence more than he knows, allowing my brain to just be. Though he offers comfort or pulls me away if he notices my thoughts spiraling towards the dark, he doesn’t push or hover.
It is an incredible feeling to be so emotionally safe with someone for once in my life. I almost want to fill the silence, so he knows how much I appreciate it. As if reading my thoughts he gives me a tight squeeze and kisses the top of my head, carefully leading me deeper into the trail.
Ten minutes into our walk, I hear the telltale sound of rushing water crashing against rocks and look at Spencer with a big smile, as a curious laugh rumbles out of him.
“The Hill Falls waterfall is close by. I’ve hiked here in the late spring before, and it is the best place to come and jump into it after a long hike. But it’s too cold for that today.”
“Oh, so you’re scared of a little cold water?” I tease him.
“Shortstack, I’m not scared of anything.”
“Except chihuahuas,” I murmur under my breath.
The shock on his face causes me to throw my head back, letting out a belly laugh. He starts to reach for me but before he grabs me, I run, headingtowards the sound of the water. Before I know it, I reach the riverbank tossing my shoes and socks off.
He comes toward me slowly, stopping by my discarded shoes. “You cannot really be about to wade into that freezing water in early December. Your teeth will be chattering the rest of the day. I can guarantee that.”
I know he’s right, but I’m feeling reckless.
“It’s just a little cold water. I never pegged you as a chicken, Daredevil.” I shrug, “Guess I was wrong about you.”
Rather than take the bait, he smirks. I’m not sure why until my foot touches the icy water, pulling a sharp gasp out of me.
