I like this woman already.
“Now, Selena said you have an interview tomorrow? That’s just fine. If you’re going to be working with the Blair brothers, they do have cottages on their property for employees, so they’ll probably give you a place to stay if they choose you, but let’s go ahead and book you for two nights, just in case they don’t decide right away. Sound good, honey?”
“Perfect,” I say. She shows me the prices for the different rooms and I choose the cheapest one. She takes off 30% and I can’t believe her generosity.
“No big deal, honey. We take care of our own around here and you really made an impression with Selena. She doesn’t take kindly to just anyone, so I want to make sure you have a good experience in our little town, no matter how long you might be here for.”
After I pay Mrs. Marsh, I retrieve a small bag from my car. I’m glad I thought ahead enough to pack a bag for my first few days. Otherwise I’d be sorting through different boxes trying to find something appropriate to wear.
I head back inside and she shows me to my room, but doesn’t come inside.
“If you need anything at all, I’ll be up until about 10:00,” she tells me. “After that, only come get me if it’s an emergency. All right, dear?”
“Of course,” I tell her. She points to the end of the hall where there’s a single door decorated with a wreath.
“That’s my room. Take care, now, hon, and remember that breakfast is between six and nine. Any later than that, and you’re on your own.”
I thank her once more, then go into my room and close the door. I flip the lock and turn back around to take in my new space. There’s a large bed against one wall and a fireplace against the opposite. I love fires, but it’s the beginning of summer, so I won’t be using it. There’s a dresser against the back wall and the entrance to my private bathroom.
Convenient.
I’ve never stayed at a bed and breakfast before, but I had pictured something more communal, like shared bathrooms. I’m glad I have a space that’s all my own. Closing the blinds, I quickly strip down and head into the bathroom to soak.
The tub is huge. It’s more like a hot tub than a bathtub. Three people could easily fit inside. Maybe the people in Honeypot are kinkier than I thought. Blushing, I picture a mini-orgy in the tub. Hands groping, pulling hair, spanking, teasing, touching… Suddenly, I’m sad I’m staying alone tonight.
Mrs. Marsh seemed nice enough and even a bit conservative, but you never know what people are secretly like.
You just don’t know.
Maybe this B&B is secretly used for sexcapades and naughty weekends. The thought excites me more than it should.
The tub fills quickly and I slip into the water. I can’t hold back the moan that escapes my lips. The water feels so good against my skin. I’m much more sore than I planned to be. Who knew that a lengthy road trip would feel more like a trip to the gym than a relaxing drive?
Fighting back the urge to think about all I left behind, I close my eyes. Tomorrow is a new beginning. It’s a fresh start. No one in Honeypot knows anything about me. No one knows my history, my past, my story.
No one knows how my boyfriend completely humiliated.
Most importantly, no one knows that it was all my fault.
If only I didn’t have such stupid, prudish ideas about love. I should have just sucked it up and given Jacob what he wanted. After all, Margaret didn’t seem to have a problem spreading her legs. What was my excuse?
Maybe I just never felt that zing with Jake. I never felt that connection. I liked being with him and I told him that I loved him, but I never really felt like I was in love. It wasn’t the way people described love to me, anyway.
Ugh.
At least the work at the Blair Ranch sounds like it’ll take up all of my time. I can’t imagine ranching is an easy job. Even though the ad just said the position is for an “assistant,” I imagine landing it will keep me pretty busy.
Good.
The last thing I need to do is spend my time feeling sorry for myself. No, I’m ready to move on. Jake made his choice and so did Margaret. While I will always miss her and her friendship, I have to wonder why they didn’t just tell me.
Am I that bad of a person?
Maybe if she had told me, we could have salvaged the relationship. Maybe if she had admitted the truth, if she had been honest, then Jake and I could have stayed friends.
But neither one of them told me.
It was lie after lie after lie.