Tinsel Me, Baby! Read online

  “You remembered to unplug the Christmas lights before we left?” I ask Natalie for the third time. I know I’m being annoying, but I can’t help it. It’s been a long time since we had the chance to let our hair down and just relax. The weekends are just not long enough, and summer vacations are so far between. We haven’t had a vacation like this in like ever. Our teacher’s salaries don’t really have room for a lavished trip anywhere. With the cabin taken care of, it allows us some spending cash that rarely happens. I want to just relax, read, and drink some really good wine. I loaded my tablet with tons of books that I want to read but never seem to find the time to. My love interest is almost non-existent. I’ve dated a few times, but I just couldn’t find that one that makes my heart race and my breath stop.

  Natie isn’t really a drinker. She drinks socially but it’s no more than one or two and I usually finish them for her. I can’t blame her with the family history that she came from. She’s two years younger than me so I kind of mother a bit. Okay, maybe a lot and to the point that she may get a little bit in a tiff about. But that’s okay, she knows I have my own issues with wanting to keep the people I love close and safe.

  “Yes! For god’s sake, I made sure everything was unplugged just in case.” She ends with a throaty laugh. “I’m glad we stopped at the store to stock up the cabin with food. I don’t think that the resort provides food. I think they may supply a picnic for an additional cost.”

  “Nah, we’re good. That additional cost usually cost an arm and a leg. Your exit is coming up,” I remind her.

  “Is it on the right or the left?” she asks.

  “Why didn’t you let me drive again?” I laugh.

  She sticks her tongue out at me. “Because you always drive.”

  “At least we’re almost there. I’m ready to stretch my legs. What do you think about going for a hike after we get situated?” I ask eagerly. I love everything that does with nature. Jacksonville has some nice hiking places but it’s flat. Here it’s so different, like a different world. I so could live here.

  “You do know me, right? Do you think I want to go hiking through the woods?” She snorts.

  “Oh, come on. It’s not going to be that bad. Plus, it’s freezing out and the bugs have gone into hiding. It will be beautiful.” I try to reason with her.

  “I’ll tell you what, how about I think about it and get back to you? I am looking forward to that sleigh ride we have scheduled for tomorrow, it’s going to be so much fun.” she finally looks like she found something fun to talk about.

  I roll my eyes and shake my head at her. I’m the more adventurous one out of the two of us. I rather go hiking and camping being one with nature while she rather stays in by the fire, reading a good book.

  “Natalie don’t miss your exit,” I say tapping her arm and pointing to the exit on the right. She would have totally missed it if it wasn’t for me. She’s not that great with navigation. Even with GPS on her phone, I still need to help her with directions.

  “Don’t worry, I got it. Now, which way am I going, left or right?” She asks.

  “You’re taking a left,” I say staring down at my phone.

  She takes the left that I indicate. Taking in my surroundings, I notice that there isn’t much out here after we pass the gas station except for a bunch of trees. It’s so beautiful. The way the sun kisses the mountains and shines on the trees of the forest is so majestic. After a few miles, I see an intricate wooden sign that reads Maier Cabin Resort. The sign looks hand-carved and reminds me of something I might find in Germany.

  “Turn right at the next road.” I direct.

  “Celeste, we aren’t in Kansas anymore,” She says when we pass a few more hand-carved wooden signs.

  I laugh. “I read up on this town when I was doing research about where we were going. Supposedly it’s some tiny Bavarian town. We should definitely venture into the town and eat at an authentic German restaurant while we’re here. I bet the food is amazing.”

  Natalie bursts out laughing after giving me a side-eye look. “You would want to do that.”

  “You need to loosen up and try new things, Natie.” Seriously, I need to get this girl out and about trying new things. Maybe we can finally meet our ones. I love the girl to pieces, but I don’t want to live life without love and having a family.

  She makes the turn and follows the road until we come up to a cabin with a sign out front that reads Maier Cabin Resort. She parks her SUV and looks over at me. “Ready?”

  “More than you’ll ever know.” I sigh. I’m not meant to be caged in a vehicle for this long. I want out and to stretch my long legs.

  “Girl, me too. Let’s go get our keys so we can get this vacay started.”

  We both get out and walk towards a large cabin with a sign hanging next to the door that says office. She opens the door and I step through just as a guy walks out, straight into me, knocking me flat on my ass. I’m not hurt, just my pride. I got plenty of cushion to break my fall. He reaches down to help me up, but I meet his hand with a dirty look. My eyes follow up his arm to the rest of him. The guy is massive. He’s dressed in a dark blue flannel, jeans, and boots. As my gaze land on his face, I realize that he’s beyond sexy as hell. He has a strong jawline that’s peppered with the beginning of a winter beard. His eye, oh my, they are the tranquil brown that you can get lost in. Naturally, hot guys mean my uncouth side comes out. I don’t know how to act around guys that look this good. Of course, you know he knows he’s hot which means they are stuck on themselves. I’m not going to even give him a chance to practice his moves on me.

  “I’ve got it.” I snap and get to my feet by myself. Seriously, I’m so fucking awkward. He’s so hot, I’m already overheating. There was a moment of maybe there, but nope, my stupid awkwardness and inability to act right around hot men have destroyed that chance.

  “How about next time you watch where you’re going.” He mutters and walks off. Great so he’s hot and rude.

  “He was trying to help you, Celeste.” Natie interrupts my thoughts.

  I roll my eyes. “He’s the one who should have been watching where he was going. He ran into me.”

  “Easy there, tiger. Come on, let’s do this.” she motions for me to walk in again, but instead, I grab the door from her so she can enter first. I’m not taking a chance of being knocked down by another hot lumberjack.

  As we walk in, the cabin has a more home-like feel to it than an office. There’s a fireplace on the back wall with three couches situated in front of it in a U shape and a wooden coffee table in the middle. It is sparsely decorated, except for a few pictures hung on the walls. To the right, there’s a desk with a computer, a desk calendar, and a phone. There’s also a small picture frame that says, “ring bell for service.”

  “Well, this place is -” I start.

  “Rustic?” Natie finishes for me. She is being nice.

  I elbow Natie in the side and brush past her to ring the bell that’s on the desk. I tap my fingers on the desk while I wait. Glancing at Natalie, I notice she’s on her phone. They must have free WIFI because my service is shit way up here. About a minute later, I hear someone walking down the hallway on the right. I see a tall, dark-haired man dressed in a light grey henley and warn jeans, walking up to the desk.

  I notice a thunk and turn toward the sound. Natalie is staring at the man, and she has dropped her phone. He quickly picks it up and hands it back to her.

  “Thank you,” She says and stands almost too quickly.

  “Not a problem,” He answers and stands. “Welcome to Maier Cabin Resort. Are you ladies wanting to rent a cabin for the weekend?” He asks walking around the desk.

  “We already have one booked. It’s under the name Michaels.”

  He looks between us, at his computer, then back at us wearing a confused expression. “You’re the couple that won the romantic cabin weekend on the radio?”

  “Well, I wouldn’t exactly call us a couple, best friends yes,
lovers no.” I laugh and wink at the guy.

  His cheeks pinken. “I’m sorry. Not that there’s anything wrong with two women… or two men, it’s just I…I mean.” He fumbles over his words as he stares at Natalie. I can take a hint, go for it. She needs to get her thing on! I look at Natie and she is so red, I can’t help but have a little fun.

  “We understand, what was your name again?” I ask and nudge Natie’s arm.

  “Excuse me, it’s Klaus, Klaus Maier.”

  “Maier, like Maier Cabin Resort Maier? Or is that a common last name around here?” I probe, flirting with Klaus trying to get a reaction from my bestie. The girl needs to get in on the action, he’s clearly interested.

  “Sorry to interrupt. Do we still have our reservation?” She asks, not in the mood to play.

  Klaus looks at her immediately. “Of course.” Pulling out a paper map, he hands it to Natalie, then grabs a pen and circles one of the cabins on the map. “You’re in cabin seven, it’s near the creek and has beautiful views.”

  “Thank you,” she responds.

  Klaus grabs a key and slides it across the desk, I grab it.

  “If I could just get a copy of your ID and a credit card for incidentals.”

  “Would a debit card work?” I ask as I start to pull out my wallet.

  “Actually, we like to have a credit card on file.” He states.

  Really, dude? What’s the difference anymore?

  “Here, just use mine. It’s not like we’re going to use it anyway.” Natie offers and hands her credit card to Klaus.

  “Are you sure?” I ask.

  She smiles at her and then at Klaus. “Of course.”

  When I hand over my driver’s license, he takes a photocopy of both and then hands them back to each of us. “Thank you, Celeste and Natalie.”

  She rolls her eyes and puts her card back in her wallet.

  “If you ladies need anything please let me or my brother, Eull, know. One of us will be here in the main office during the day. If you need to get ahold of us, our number is on the back of the map with other important information about the resort.”

  “Thanks, Klaus.”

  “Don’t forget about your sleigh ride tomorrow. Meet me at the stables at two o’clock. Make sure to dress warm, there’s a winter storm due to blow in late tonight.”

  “Girl, what is wrong with you?” I ask.

  “What are you talking about?” She says getting back in her SUV.

  “That Klaus guy clearly had the hots for you,” I tell her.

  She shakes her head. “No, he doesn’t. Besides, you’re the one who was flirting with him. Maybe you two should-”

  “Don’t be dumb. For one, that whole thing where you dropped your phone and he picked it up for you, I swear that was right out of some Hallmark Christmas movie. Two, I would never poach from you.” I insist.

  “And three?” She asks grinning.

  “And three, that jacked-up lumberjack who ran into me is more my speed. All growly and quiet. Rawr.” I say wiggling my eyebrows suggestively.

  She burst into laughter. “Oh my god.”

  “Let’s get to our cabin so we can finally relax. Then we can figure out our next move.” I click my seatbelt.

  “That sounds good. And sorry I got bitchy back there.”

  I grab her hand and give it a squeeze. “Sweetie, you are a long way off from bitchy. Trust me, we’re good.” I smile at her so she knows I don’t have any bad feelings.

  Chapter Four

  Eull

  Wow, that was slick. I can’t believe I ran right into one of the hottest women I’ve seen in a long time. Don’t get me wrong, Helen has many tourists that show up all the time but this one carried herself differently, even the way she dressed, more down to earth. And then she opened her mouth. What the hell, I was trying to help her up, it’s not like I knocked her down on purpose.

  I storm over to the woodshed and toss off my blue flannel jacket. Picking up an ax, I stack a large log on the splitting stump on its end. I take a large swing and split it into two with ease.

  She must be like all the others, I overestimated her by her looks. Guess you can’t judge a book by its cover. But what a fucking cover. She has sandy blonde hair and gorgeous blues eyes, just like the ocean on a clear day. They were so clear that you could get lost just staring into them. Her lips are so full and kissable looking. That body, for what I saw of it was so damn sexy. She had legs that just keep going. She is tall for a woman but with my six foot four inches, she is still small. It’s like she was made for me.

  My pants tighten around my dick as blood flows to that area. I give myself a sharp shake to knock myself out of that thought. She was apparently clear that she wasn’t interested. I guess I wasn’t very warm either. I just don’t do well with people unless I have to. I can, of course, be professional, but she was so fucking cute when she bounced off my chest. I still feel her perfect large breasts pushed up to my chest for that moment. I pick up the ax and get back to work. I can feel my blood cooling at the strenuous work.

  I set the ax down to stack the split wood and turn to the sound of a clearing throat.

  Klaus is leaning his shoulder against a tree watching me. “You good?”

  “Yeah, just getting some chores done.” I don’t want to talk about my encounter with our guests.

  He’s got the same look. “Good. Looks like we’re booked next week. The weatherman’s still talking about snow and a lot of it. I’m still skeptical, but I will rather be prepared. I’m going to the store to stock up the cabin. You need anything?”

  “Yeah, my list is on my fridge. Just grab double, just in case. Thanks. I’m going to do a run-up to all the cabins to make sure the pipes are covered, and everything is set for a major freeze. I’ll make sure the barn is stocked with extra feed and hay. There should be plenty of straw down for the animals.” I answer.

  “Alright. I’ll be back in after a while.” He states as he walks off toward his truck.

  After putting up the tools, I grab my keys for the jeep and ride through the cabins checking to make everything is set to sit for the week until the next customer.

  I reach my cabin after a couple of hours. I see that Klaus has set my groceries on the counter, and I’m positive that he put my cold food in the fridge for me to put up correctly. Making quick work of putting up the foodstuffs, I put a potato in the microwave and put a steak in some marinade. I stroke the fire in the potbelly stove in the corner of the kitchen.

  Grabbing a quick shower, I come into the kitchen with just a pair of sweats on. I take down the cast iron skillet and set it on the heated stove and add the steak. It doesn’t take long for the steak to cook. I dress the potato in butter, sour cream, green onions, and salt and pepper before added the steak to the plate. I bank the fire and grab a beer out of the fridge before sitting at the table to eat.

  After dinner, I clean up and settle in the living room area to watch some criminal investigation show. After the weather, I stretch and go to bed.

  Chapter Five

  Celeste

  Natalie doesn’t seem too happy about my harmless flirting. We climb back into her SUV and drive over to our cabin. At first in the fading light, it looks like a hunting cabin, but when we climb the wrap around porch, I can see all the hard workmanship that went into its construction.

  “Wow… this is nice.” I love how homey and quaint that it feels just on the outside. I turn and look out at the surrounding area and take a deep breath. I can smell the fir and pine trees in the immediate area.

  “Let’s check out the cabin before we unload the car.” She suggests, and I readily agree and take the key out of my pocket to unlock the door.

  I push open the door and step back for Natie to enter first. Yeah, lesson learned. I walk in behind her and take in the small wooden cabin. Just inside the door is a small coat rack on the wall and a rubber mat to put your shoes. I walk into the living area. The cabin is an open floor plan. It has a living, d
ining and kitchen area combined. It's perfect for one to two people. There is a small fireplace in the living area with a small loveseat and two oversized recliner chairs surrounding it. A medium-size flat screen tv is mounted above the mantle. The kitchen stretches the far wall with a small island. It’s just big enough for two people to sit. There is a small four-person table with a buttercream colored table cloth on it. The curtains gingham with the same color in its print.

  “This is really…” Natie begins.

  “Perfect!” I finish for her. I love the old fashion style of the cabin. “It has an old-world charm.”

  “You mean old person charm.” She giggles at me. Yeah, I get it. I’m an old soul. I love the classics and she’s more into a more modern style. “Let’s hope the beds are newer.”

  I chuckle, “Yeah, I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

  On the back wall is three doors. “I’ll check the door on the left, and you take the right.” She says.

  I nod my head before heading in the direction she indicated. I open the wooden door and am greeted with a great surprise. Inside is a decent size bedroom with a panoramic window overlooking the creekside and mountains in the background. It’s an awe-inspiring view. I take a moment to take it in before turning to look around the room. There is another door, a closet I assume. The bed is a queen size with a beautiful down comforter. The print is old fashion like the rest of the cabin, but it doesn't bother me. There is a dark wood highboy dresser that matches the bed frame and headboard. It’s a great room.

  I head back into the living room where I find Natalie looking at the bathroom. I peep over her shoulder before nudging my way into the room. There is a clawfoot tub inside a massive shower area in the center of the back wall. Each side has its own vanity with sink and cabinet.

  “Now this I can get down with,” Natie says with a big grin. I turn to her and before I can say anything she shouts,” Dibs on first use!”