“And we get to turn the guest room into a nursery,” said Luc. He was still utterly gob smacked by the idea of twins.
“First though, we’ve got some work to do. Otherwise, we will all be in the doghouse,” said Angie. She’d been keeping an eye on the time and knew that Luc and Kevin had thirty minutes before appointments.
“Geeze, and I thought Ginny was a stickler for keeping on time,” joked Kevin.
“And now you know why we hired Angie,” said Meg with a smile. “No rest for the wicked.”
Laughter broke out again. Cal grabbed the bill and paid everyone’s tab.
*
Ginny and Patrick had their bags packed and sitting by the door. She was taking a last look around and checking the list she’d written on the dry write board. She added a few things and then went to find George. He was out back with Sara, Ivan and Joe.
“Hey George,” she called from the back door.
“Yes Ginny. Are you ready to head out?” asked George.
“Just about. Patrick is making a few last minute calls and then we are out the door,” she said.
“Good. I think you going on holiday is a great idea. Now when you get back, if we can just get Luc and Meg to take a break,” he said.
“Oh, she’ll take a break soon enough,” said Ginny.
“Yeah, I am so happy to hear that she’s pregnant, and with twins,” he said with a huge smile playing over his face.
“Luc was a riot. Talk about moonstruck,” added Ginny. “Here is the list of stuff that we discussed. Things in red have to be done. Things in blue would be nice,” Ginny said.
George looked at the list. “I’ll get as much done as I can. You just go have fun,” he said.
“I plan to,” Ginny said with a smile.
*
Twenty minutes later, Ginny and Patrick were headed out of town to Spoon River, a little resort area up in the mountains. Luc had suggested it. He and Meg had stopped there on the way back from time to time after a drive in the mountains.
“So, tell me about this bed and breakfast Luc suggested,” said Patrick.
“It’s called Spoon River B&B, but it is the restaurant across the street that Luc said we’d like. It’s called the Dog Bar,” said Ginny.
“What?” asked Patrick.
“You heard me. From what they said, people actually bring their dogs with them. Sort of a local color place with good beer and great pizza,” she said.
“Sounds good. I’m looking forward to some time up in the mountains away from people. This resort may just be the right thing,” said Patrick.
“I hope so. You’ve made me realize just how much I need to get away and relax,” said Ginny. “Oh gods do I need to get away!” she thought.
Patrick nodded as the road demanded his attention. It wound up into the mountains and over a gentle pass followed by another pass, full of switchbacks and truck runoffs. The view was getting better and better. Ginny would occasionally point out a hawk or deer. Otherwise the only sounds were the engine of Patrick’s Subaru gearing to climb the road. Time as a vital concept ceased.
“I think that’s our turn,” said Ginny after a long bit of silence. She pointed to a small sign.
“I see it,” said Patrick as he hit the blinkers and then turned. “Just twelve miles to go.”
Ginny smiled. It had been nice to just sit quietly, basking in the scenery. She watched as the cabins began to play peek-a-boo between the trees. Then rustic buildings reminiscent of a western film set mixed with modern signs crowded an intersection.
“Here’s our turn,” said Ginny pointing to the left. “The B&B is down on the left according to Luc.”
Patrick hit the turn signal and after the semi truck passed, he pulled onto the dirt road. Forty yards down on the left was the Spoon River B&B. He pulled into a spot under a ponderosa pine and turned off the engine. “Shall we?” he asked.
Ginny got out of the Subaru and stretched. The smell of pines, dirt and clean mountain air hit her nose. She inhaled deeply. Her scalp itched with the urge to shift right that moment and run up into the hills. She turned to see Patrick scenting the air as well. She smiled at him.
“You wouldn’t think the air could smell so good would you,” she said.
“Yes, but it has been way too long since I was in the woods. Let’s get checked in and then see the sights,” he teased. The stretch of road inhabited by the town probably took up a whole two city blocks.
Ginny laughed. “Sights? Wow… Three restaurants, two tourist shops, a hotel and the Dog Bar. Yeah, heavy civilization up here,” she joked. They grabbed their suitcases and headed inside. The B&B was a huge multi-story log cabin. The lobby looked like a cross between Little House in the Big Woods and a chintz snowstorm. Behind the desk was a tiny woman with a sunburned face and a shirt that complimented the fabrics.
“Howdy folks, What can I do for you?” she asked. “My name’s Sam. Short for Samantha, but no one calls me that up here. Not unless they want punched,” she said with a smile.
Patrick and Ginny smiled at the feisty old woman. “Dorrit, reservation for two?” Patrick said wondering where that printout with the reservations had gotten to. Checking his pockets, he found it folded up. “Here’s our reservation.”
The woman took it and looked it over. “Ah yes. Got a call about an hour ago. Do ya know a man named George?” she asked.
Ginny and Patrick nodded.
“Well, he went and upgraded your room. You have a real nice place all to yourselves now. Not exactly the bridal suite, but just as spacious. He said not to fuss, otherwise he’d send Sara up to you,” she said with a smile. “Follow me.” She grabbed a set of keys and headed off down a hall. Her cowboy boots clumped across the floor, and then up a flight of steps.