Natasha ~ Present
“WE’LL BE SERVING COMPLIMENTARY WINE and cheese from six to seven this evening, and complimentary breakfast in the morning. We have a lounge, library, dining room, and patio, feel free to use any of the common areas throughout the day. You can also use your room key to gain access to Fit In Boonsboro, to utilize their fitness equipment, steam room, or sauna. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask, and we hope you enjoy your stay here at Inn Boonsboro.”
We’d finally reached our destination and had checked into the inn. Jackson was practically writhing with excitement, like a puppy who wanted to explore. The plan was to check into our rooms, then head out as a group to discover the town.
The book signing wasn’t until tomorrow, so the evening was ours. All I could say was that I was happy to be out of The Beast, and ready to stretch my legs and see what the quaint town of Boonsboro had to offer.
“Jackson and Millie, you’ll be in the Elizabeth and Darcy room,” the innkeeper continued, biting back a smile at Jackson’s excited squeak. “Jericho and Natasha, you have Eve and Roarke. Rob and Ty, Marguerite and Percy. And, last, but not least, Drusilla, Titania and Oberon.”
“It’s just Dru,” Dru said. She really hated when people called her Drusilla.
“Sorry,” the innkeeper replied easily. “Dru. Please, follow me, and I’ll show you to your rooms.”
As we walked through the inn, my head swiveled as I tried to take it all in. The reception area and lobby were both beautiful, with exposed brick and a fireplace crackling as we walked past.
We stopped at a door downstairs, “Marguerite and Percy,” and when Rob and Ty walked inside, I tried to get a good look, but all I saw were two full beds, before we were moving to the stairs to go up.
When we got to Titania and Oberon, I couldn’t stop myself from going inside with Dru. I had to see what it looked like.
“Oh my gosh!” Dru cried when she saw the beautiful canopy bed, the door leading out to the terrace, and then the deep copper tub in the bathroom. “This is the prettiest room I’ve ever seen. I’m never leaving.”
I laughed as she laid back onto the bed and moved her arms like she was making a snow angel.
“It’s so beautiful,” I agreed, looking around to take it all in.
“Let’s go see ours,” I heard Jackson say, turning to see him walking out of Dru’s room, intent on finding his Elizabeth and Darcy room.
I chuckled and followed him out to see Jericho waiting for me with a smile.
“I think she likes it,” I told him as I took his hand in mine, grateful that he’d been so thoughtful to get her a special room like that, especially when she was the only one sleeping alone.
Well, not that Ty and Rob were sleeping together, but, they were best buds, and although she had me and Millie, I wished she had someone like we did to make her happy.
“Seems that way,” Jericho replied.
“And, here you are,” the innkeeper said as she led us to our room.
As we entered, I could hear Jackson exclaiming over his own room. The Eve and Roarke room was a mixture of clean, modern lines and antique furnishes, with a cool chair in the corner. As I was walking through it, I heard Jericho call, “Come see this,” from the bathroom, so I followed him inside.
It was gorgeous, with a state-of-the-art shower built for two, and a free-standing tub that begged me to relax with a good book.
“Oh, I love these robes,” I said, stroking my hand down the soft sleeve of one of the hanging robes.
“This place is pretty cool. Rob and Ty did good,” Jericho said.
I walked over and placed my arms around his waist to look up at him and clarify, “You did good.”
He took my lips with his and we got lost in each other for a few seconds, before he pulled back, then dropped another couple quick kisses on my lips.
“Ready to go out and explore?” he asked.
“You bet,” I replied, hugging his waist briefly before letting him go.
We left our bags on the bed and headed back downstairs to see if anyone else was ready. When we arrived, everyone but Dru was already waiting.
“Hey,” Jackson said, crossing to us as we hit the landing. “How was your room? I wanted to come see it, but Millie said I should give you guys some privacy. Can I see it later?”
“Sure, but only if I can see yours,” I replied with a laugh.
“Deal,” Jackson said, totally serious. “So, I was thinking, we could hit Main Street, check out the shops and stuff. Then, come back here at six for the wine and cheese, before heading to Dan’s Restaurant and Taphouse for dinner. What do you think?”
The five of us looked at each other, then back and Jackson. “Whatever you want, man, it’s your party,” Jericho answered for the group.
“Well, it’s Millie’s party, too,” he said, turning to his fiancée. “What do you think, Mills?”
“Sounds perfect,” my sister said, looking up at him with an expression of utter devotion.
“Hey, sorry, guys, I got sidetracked in my kick-ass room,” Dru called as she came down the stairs. Her voice sounded cheery, which had me looking at her more closely. Not that Dru couldn’t be cheery, she could, there just seemed to be an edge to it.
Although she had a smile on her face that seemed genuine, I noticed that she was clutching her phone hard enough for her knuckles to turn white.
“No problem,” Jackson said, shooting her a face-splitting smile, oblivious to any signs of distress. “Let’s do this.”
Vowing to check in with her later, I followed my soon-to-be brother-in-law out onto the street.