Sold For Eternity

Chapter 17

While I was still lost in thought about my next move, the door swung open. I jerked my head to the side to see who it was. Excruciating pain shot down my body. I closed my eyes for just a second.

“Oh Mrs. VanMeter, are you OK?”

A little elderly lady rushed toward me. My eyes shot open. I had expected Jackson.

Who are you? I thought but didn’t speak out loud.

“I am so sorry. I should’ve introduced myself. I’m Jane and I work here as the housekeeper. So don’t you worry about the house. I take great pride in my work, and I keep it spotless. Mr. VanMeter told me about your accident, but when you are feeling up to it, I will take you on a tour, and you can let me know if there are any changes you would like to make. For now, let’s get you up and into a hot shower and cleaned up.”

“Accident”? I asked confused.

“Oh sweetie, you don’t remember. I don’t blame you. You took quite a blow, and I’m sure you were scared out of your mind. Jackson just told me this morning when I arrived. The poor man looked worried out of his mind. He said that last night on your way through the mountains he stopped to let you stretch your legs a little. The way up here is a long drive with nothing in between. Anyway, he said you stepped a little off the road and one of those mountain lions came out. He didn’t know who was more surprised, you or the cat. You screamed, scaring it off, but when you turned to run you tripped smacking right into the pavement.”

Jane looked like a sweet person with her silver hair and plump rosy cheeks. She carefully held my chin while she looked over my injuries. She didn’t really believe that story, did she? Remembering Jackson's warning and not wanting any harm to come to Jane. I simply whispered “Yes, I was very scared.” That at least was the complete truth. She stood up from the side of the bed when she finished her inspection. “He could’ve cleaned you up before he put you to bed. You know men don’t think about these things. It’s OK, no harm done. We will get you cleaned up and treated. You will feel better in no time. We need to get something in your stomach as well. Besides, Claire is beside herself wanting to meet you. She is the cook here. I’ll tell you she is the best cook I’ve ever seen, even passes me up, but I would never tell her that.” She finished with a laugh. I tried to smile back, but it hurt too much.

Jane disappeared for a minute behind a set of double doors in the bedroom. She came hurrying back out with clothes in her hand. “Is that the closet”? I asked. “I’m sorry I didn’t bring anything with me.” Deciding to play into her theory of me not remembering due to my ‘accident’, “I don’t really remember why.”

Jane smiled kindly as she walked toward another door. “Don’t you worry about it. Mr. VanMeter told me your father wasn’t the best of people. You have a closet filled to the brim right there with anything you could possibly need, but if there is something you would like that you don’t have, just let me know and I’ll make sure we get it.” I looked toward the closet again. He really had planned everything.

The sound of running water took me out of my thoughts. It sounded amazing. I went to try to get up and realized I was just in my underwear. My face flushed scarlet. I had had a whole conversation with this woman in my underwear. I clutched the sheets to my body. “Don’t you worry honey. I brought you this towel to cover up as I help you to the shower. I won’t stay there. I know it’s a private affair. I’ll wait right out here just in case you need me.” My body relaxed. Bless this woman for knowing I didn’t want someone standing right beside me as I stood naked in a shower. As long as Jackson stayed away, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.