Page 96 of Shiver
While I understand the sciences are necessary to understand the body and whatever, I’m not really great at them. It’s likely partially mental. I go in thinking I’m already drowning before the first word is spoken. Imagining failure before I fail anything.
It’s a pattern I need to stop. I know that. Maybe knowing I have Rake to help me along the way should I need it will change that mindset.
After the few stops we make for fuel and food, it’s four in the afternoon when we arrive at the mountain. It’s covered in snow and the road to the chalet, while paved, is steep. We’re not in the car he’d driven us to his house in. We’re now in a large SUV that has big tires. When the road begins to get a little slick, he drops it into all wheel drive and we cruise along.
The mountain looks like another country. The trees are white with fresh snow and it looks like a magical wonderland. Like something from a fairy tale is going to step out from the trees at any moment.
In the distance, I can see a ski lift. And once, we pass a smaller road that Rake says leads to another private residence.
“Is this part of a ski resort?” I ask.
He nods. “Yes. The mountain is primarily owned by the resort. While we don’t rent our place out as some others do who own private residents, we do pay the resort for the upkeep when it’s not in use. They clean it and keep it stocked. Our agreement is that we also have use of the resort when we want it.”
“Are there roads from your place to the lodge or whatever?”
Rake grins. “No. We have snowmobiles. ATVs. And a couple other snow machines, depending on the weather. We also have a massive generator, so storms are rarely ever an issue.”
“Unless a tree falls,” I say as I stare up at the trees towering over us.
He chuckles. “Yes, but these mountains are thousands and thousands of years old. The trees that grow here are acclimated to the kind of weather the mountain faces. So, yes, trees fall, but it’s never been an issue.”
“And if one falls, the resort takes care of it?”
“Yes. Part of the price we pay.”
It’s then that we turn off the main road and follow what is clearly a driveway. I’m staring out the window as we move along, but nothing he’s told me about the place has me prepared for what I see.
“Holy fuck, Rakesh,” I mutter.
I see him smile out of the corner of my eye, but I can’t take my stare from the massive stone and glass house. All the lights are on, so it’s glowing warmly ahead of us. The drive takes us around the side of the house and he pulls into an open garage.
“This is as big as your house,” I accuse.
“It’s not, but true, it’s far bigger than necessary considering we don’t use it as a family anymore.”
“You should. It’s so beautiful. You should celebrate Christmas here.”
Rake watches me as we get out of the vehicle and I’m even enamored with the garage. Or maybe it’s all the different snow toys that I see lined up. Fucking hell. I married Daddy Warbucks.
“I’ll suggest that for next year,” he says as he takes my hand.
“What about our bags?” I ask.
He glances at the car and shakes his head. “They’ll be brought in.”
I narrow my eyes. “You invited someone on our honeymoon, Rake?”
Rake laughs. “Someone to pamper you? I did.”
While I try to contain my smile, I fail. He leads me through the house and waits patiently for me to gape and drool over every room and every view. There are so many windows looking over the mountain I never see the same view twice. And since it’s winter, and the night comes early, lights are beginning to dot the darkening sky and light up the mountain below.
By the time he gets me upstairs to the bedroom, I’m wound tight. Everything is just so much more than I expected. I’m overcome with it all. Rake pulls me to him and kisses my neck. “Alright?”
I smile and let myself melt into him. “Yeah.”
“Overwhelmed?”
“A little,” I admit. “I feel like you could have warned me.”
