Stubborn Hearts

CHAPTER TWO

She was not sure what came over her, but she froze for half a second. Okay, maybe a minute or two, she did not notice. She was just trying to recall from the email correspondence with Mrs. Arving, the owner, if she mentioned someone else was going be to here when she would arrive.

Some sort of welcoming committee, maybe? The place itself was more than warm enough but she would gladly take the warmest of all.

She shook my head and smirked, oblivious of the fact that she was faced with the fantasy. Gosh, what had become of this little head of hers?

She heard him clear his throat and that snapped her back to reality. His right eyebrow now raised as if either he was irritated by her mere presence or waiting for her to talk.

Go talk and be the polite girl you always are.

“Uhm, hi!” She started. “I’m Kassandra, with the K,” she smiled and offered her hand, which she had to withdraw rather quickly with his dismissive look.

Okay, not the shake-your-hands-on-first-meeting type. Noted.

“I am not sure if you know Mrs. Arving but—”

“Yes, Mrs. Arving mentioned your arrival today,” he interrupted. “But I did not expect it this late,” he added.

Oh, why could you not keep a cool head, young man! I just arrived, for Pete’s sake!

Well, a warm welcome indeed. Just a different kind of warm. She could hear her brain shouting.

She gathered the most of her will to maintain her composure. He would dare not to stain a rather pleasant day. She checked her watch. It was just a quarter to five.

“Oh, I am so sorry for bothering you to wait.” She was not sorry, actually. But she tried her best to sound contrite. “My flight was delayed and I had trouble finding a cab to drive me here.” This, at least, was true. Taxis in this town she noticed were fewer than expected.

“I left Mrs. Arving an email telling her about my flight being delayed while waiting at the airport as I could not reach her phone. Her instructions were perfect and I was supposed to meet her here.” For some reason, she had to present some facts.

He opened the door wider and motioned her to come in.

There you go.

“She received a call from her daughter early this morning and had to drive there. She said it was an emergency and asked me to come by and wait for her new tenant.” He was talking and making strides as they went in. “I am supposed to give you a quick tour of the house, but I think you’d rather enjoy exploring it on your own.” He turned to her with that sarcastic smile, which then left his charming face instantly.

Charming? Really, Kassie? This man was unbelievable!

Her turn to raise an eyebrow. She faked a smile when he turned to her as if waiting for her rebuttal.

Nope. He took so much joy in this.

“Sure. I’d rather be merrily on my own, thanks.” She dearly hoped she returned the sarcasm quite fairly.

She realized they remained at the living room. She could not wait to check the whole of the place and just consider the past minutes as an ‘unexpected interruption’.

He went to a small shelf at the corner.

“The keys are here – front and back doors, and also for the rooms.” Hands on hips, he glanced at her then set his eyes around the house to the kitchen as if trying to mentally register the images like an inventory.

Wow! Did this guy think I would be stealing stuff?

She noticed him glanced at the wall clock and mouthed something.

So, this guy must be running late for his date. That explained the unfiltered emphasis on time.

Before she could speak, he briskly went for the door to leave but somehow turned around like he was forgetting something.

Maybe he remembered his manners?

“Sorry. Before I go, just one reminder please.” Pointing at the back, towards the kitchen door, he continued, “Make sure the back door is always locked. You see, this place has its neighboring forest and sometimes, some wild animals care to just freely visit houses especially those with doors wide open.”

The back door. Forest. Wild animals.

Okay, that got her. Of course, a place in the woods sounded really inviting at first and when she browsed the photos online, the nature had its pull onto anything but danger.

Had she made the wrong decision? Was it too late to back out? God, Mrs. Arving did not mention anything about it.

She wasn’t scared. Just caught off guard. Well, a bit outbalanced as she had not come face to face with a wild animal yet.

She cleared my throat.

“What type specifically?” A research would be helpful on how to defend herself just in case or shoo it away if possible.

His eyes glinted and seemed to be amused. “Most often, it’s moose we see around here.”    

Not sure if he was making fun of her or what but seeing him grin had her back on defense.

She posed a relieved mood. “I think I can manage. If these poor guys come and are just looking for food, I might share with them some apples.” She was playing it cool.

He just shrugged and said, “Sure, you can.”

This man should be leaving now.

“And oh,” snapping his fingers in the air as he made a side glance. “If you call Ginger,” he was talking about Mrs. Arving – Ginger was her first name. Now, he was showing a soft smile there. “Please say ‘hi’ for me and tell her all is well. Thanks!” He winked and left.

Yes, the guy could smile, grin and wink.

“Right. Sure!” She was convincingly exasperated. Great that he was finally out, and she could just care less if he heard her. What a decent creature he was.

He had a point though. She had to call Mrs. Arving and let her know that she arrived soundly into her home and might as well tell her about the ‘encounter’ with her trusted commissary.

“He did not even bother to introduce himself, that moose guy,” shaking her head and resigned, she headed to the door and locked it. Then to the back door.

Much for one day. She would make the call tomorrow morning. First things first.

She took the keys out from the corner shelf which moose guy pointed out earlier, grabbed her bags and carried them upstairs to the master bedroom.

The room was very tidy and smelled of the woods. It was an amazingly refreshing scent. The walls were painted with the softest hue of tea green while tiny wooden frames of flowers hang on them. The bed had also a wooden frame and by just looking at the white, fluffy bed, she could imagine a long, sound sleep coming.

She had a stylish bedside table and a lamp. On the opposite site was a study table Mrs. Arving told her she had set up when she knew what she had planned to be busied at while staying there. It had its own study lamp and a stack of books and magazines which made her smile. Mrs. Arving was really the sweetest kind.

Shifting her gaze to the glass door towards the small terrace, her smile widened. This made her fell more in love with this place. This part was facing the east, perfectly set for beautiful sunrises. She could watch the lovely sky from there forever.

She closed her eyes, breathed the air and took it all in. Oh, how life should be lived.

Taking one quick glance around and down below, she got back inside to start unpacking and prepare for an early rest, calling it a day.