THE GETAWAY CABIN part 2

THE GETAWAY CABIN part 2  

 
No problem, I smiled kindly. I suddenly remembered I was walking around in my boxer shorts. I moved quickly to my pants on and, with a little blush, donned them quickly. Jane's smirk was adorable. The one-room cabin was going to severely limit our privacy.  
 
At least my embarrassment got us off the accident topic cleanly.  
So why are you up here, Phil? Jane asked to break the silence. I was about to make a joke and repeat her dodge back to her, but I resisted. I didn't want to build any more regrets since I had so many already.  
 
Just a getaway I answered, you know and leave the rat race behind. Get back to nature and unwind. I shrugged my shoulders to make it plain that I didn't have any single driving reason. I did, but that was for me alone. I used to come around here with my dad when I was young. I still think this is the most beautiful place in the world. I moved toward the kettle that had begun to boil.  
 
This time of year is the best, not horribly cold and the fresh snow makes everything so clean.  
 
It is beautiful, Jane agreed, and so quiet. Why aren't you sharing it with someone? I felt she was inching into my life story. I didn't want to rethink my past. I came up here to forget it.  
 
There isn't anyone right now, I said, not wanting to go any deeper than that. I ripped open a hot chocolate package, poured the contents into a cup and filled it with the boiling water. I set up the gravity coffee machine and pulled the boiling kettle off the burner. What about you? Someone roaming the mountain looking for you I didn't want to go back in that direction, but she was digging deeper than I wanted to go. I figured she would get the message and we would change the subject.  
 
Nope, all alone, she conceded and then quickly changed the subject, that cocoa smells delicious. I was expecting evasion. I was surprised she told me she was here alone. The way she was dressed didn't quite jive with her answer. She didn't look like the type that would come up this far alone. Then again, I suspected I didn't look the type either. Even though my brain wouldn't let it go, I made sure my mouth did.  
 
Here we go I said cheerfully as I brought over her cocoa, this should warm you up nicely. Jane carefully took the steaming cup.  
 
Being within arm's reach, I noticed her head wound wasn't as clean as she thought.  
 
Pardon me, I said as I hesitantly moved some of her hair back behind her ear. She shivered a bit at my unexpected touch. You still have a bit of bark in that scrape. I think we should clean it. This is not the place to get an infection, I reasoned.  
 
Okay, Jane agreed, right after the cocoa. She smiled and blew across the cup before taking a sip. Oh, that feels so good. I could hear the relief in her voice. I've never been so cold in my life. I went back to pour a cup of coffee. I wasn't sure why I felt good about her liking the cocoa. I was enjoying it as much as she was. I poured a cup of Joe and joined her on the small couch.  
 
We talked about small stuff. Jane was excited to hear about my deer sighting. It was rare to see them this high, this time of year. I explained the workings of the chemical toilet. That got me a few grimaces, but the alternative was outside in the snow. We laughed at each other's stupid jokes and talked about the latest movies and TV shows.  
 
She read romances and I read spy novels.  
 
We decided they were basically the same thing. One just had more action. I let that point slide a bit. Jane was incredibly easy to talk with, as long as we stayed away from personal history.  
 
Once Jane finished her second cup of cocoa, I collected a washcloth, a bowl of water and some spray antiseptic I found in the cabin's first aid kit. I sat on the couch and asked her to lean over a bit so I could get a better look at the scrape. Unexpectedly, she laid her head in my lap and hugged my leg. I was surprised by her trust, but I guess we did just sleep with each other.  
 
Be gentle, Doctor, Jane cooed as she snuggled into my thigh. The intimacy was nice. I hadn't been this close to anyone in a while.  
 
I hadn't realized how much I missed it. I carefully pushed her hair away from the abrasion. I admit I took a little liberty by dragging my fingers along her neck while doing it. I could swear I saw the beginnings of a smile form on her lips when I did it. It was gone when I looked again. I pulled the oil lamp a little closer and dipped the washcloth in the water. There wasn't a lot of foreign debris, but enough to warrant a good cleaning.  
 
I gently wiped the surface of the wound until the dried blood hydrated and began to give. I received a couple of eye tightening as I began to wipe away the tree grit. Sorry, I apologized as I continued more carefully. Jane returned a hummed response. She remained still as I made sure the scrape was completely clean. I expected a deeper gash. The snowmobile was a mess. I wondered how she got away with just a shallow scrape. I lightly blotted the area with the dry side of the cloth when I was done. I shielded her eyes with one hand and sprayed the antiseptic with the other.  
 
All done, I reluctantly stated. Jane smiled and hugged my leg a bit tighter. I was happy she didn't just sit back up. I responded by playing with her hair. I combed my fingers through it, breaking apart the strands that were still stuck together. I liked taking care of her. I knew nothing about her and that was most of the charm. No baggage, none of mine or hers, at least none that either of us wanted to share, at this time.  
 
Jane helped me make a bunch of dirty pots and pans that was a pain in the ass without running water so I had decided to merge lunch and dinner together a few days ago and it became a big mess. I was surprised she chose to help in her lime green panties.  
 
Pleasantly surprised, she had none of the propriety I felt when I caught myself walking around in my boxers. I had a tough time trying to find reasons to be behind her. Her tight little bottom was incredibly cute and wiggled deliciously when she was working at the cutting board.  
 
I admonished myself for being a pervert, but it didn't stop me from stealing glances. I was having fun. It had been a very long time since I could call anything fun. Jane certainly wasn't the peace and quiet I came up here for. In fact, she had thrown my plan of a month of serenity out the window. I hadn't expected to see anyone again.  
 
Here I was, her knight in shining armor, saving her life, laughing and eyeballing her green buns. I looked up into an adorable smirk. Jane had caught me staring at her ass. I felt my face turn a couple of shades of red.  
 
Green is your favorite color, Jane stated with a bit of humor. I was caught and I knew it. There was no denying the obvious.  
 
Well, I must admit it is stunning, I confessed.  
 
Why, thank you, Sir, Jane continued with a slight curtsy. It brought a smile to my face. It was a few moments later that I realized I had never told her my favorite color. I let it go as possibly bad wording and helped her finish up with a little less ogling. I was happy she didn't take it as an insult and rush to put her pants and parka on.  
 
We ate while continuing our conversation. Jane made vague references to her life prior to the accident. Nothing concrete only if it made sense in context with the conversation I didn't push because she didn't push me. This was the longest I had ever spent with someone not related to work since the divorce. Jane made it comfortable, never judging my statements and always listening. I returned the favor.  
 
After the clean up, I posed a question that had been on my mind. I didn't want it containing anything uncomfortable, but it did need to be discussed. Without a vehicle,  
 
it's going to take a full day to get to civilization from here. I tried hard to make it conversational. "Do you think you would be up for the walk tomorrow?  
 
Alone, Jane responded with a bit of fear in her voice. I never intended her to make the walk alone. I inwardly chastised myself for making it sound like I was kicking her out.  
 
No, oh no, I hopefully sounded contrite enough I'll be walking down with you. I wasn't implying...I guess it came out wrong, I stammered, it's just that the snow can get really deep if we wait too long. Then leaving will be impossible until spring.  
 
You'd give up your vacation for me? Jane asked with a bit of surprise in her voice.  
 
Well part of it at least, I replied. I had things to finish up here. Jane may have added a little spark to my life, but nothing lasts. I'll have someone bring me back up here after you're safely down the mountain.  
 
Well, I guess that will work, Jane said hesitantly. She didn't sound like she wanted to go back down the mountain. Maybe she was apprehensive about the walk or the cold. I wasn't sure and I didn't want to press the issue right now. I only knew staying would not be in her best interest or mine. Jane then gave me a strange, knowing smile. Yes, we'll have to make it down before a storm hits. Tomorrow will work. Her statement seemed out of context, almost like she was thinking of something else. I accepted her commitment and ignored the rest.  
 
It was early, but I needed to change the subject. I have a stash of bourbon. Would you like to join me for a drink? I asked with as much joy as I could muster.  
 
I don't know if I like bourbon, Jane acknowledged, but I'll give it a try. I wasn't planning on a guest or I would have had more variety. Her comment made me think she was going to hate it, but once offered I wasn't going to take it back. I put a small amount in two glasses. At least she wouldn't feel compelled to finish a whole glass.  
 
Jane's expression was as I expected. She pursued her lips, her eyes watered and she forced a gulp. That's like gasoline, she said hoarsely. She rolled the liquid around in the glass while her mouth struggled to relieve her tongue of the flavor.  
 
Sorry, you don't have to finish that, I said with a smile. I downed mine in a macho manner. I don't know why I thought it was necessary to demonstrate my drinking skills.  
 
I usually just sipped the stuff. Jane shocked me by standing up and grabbing the bottle.  
 
She refilled my glass half way and did the same to hers.  
 
Oak finish, do they mean varnish? she laughed while reading the bottle.  
 
No, I think it's closer to paint thinner, I humored her. She carefully read the label before taking a dainty sip. This time it went down without the exaggerated expressions.  
 
It kind of warms you up Jane observed as she set the bottle down, I'll just have to drink it slowly. I think it might grow on me.  
 
She looked like she was tasting booze for the first time. I'm not sure how someone could go through life without ever coming across it before. Maybe I was imagining things and it was just bourbon she hadn't tried before.  
 
We were three glasses in when I again thought Jane had never tasted alcohol before.  
 
She seemed enamored with her tipsiness. It makes you feel pretty good, she commented as she moved to refill her glass. I moved quickly to put the stopper back in the bottle.  
 
Some is good, I instructed, too much can make you pretty sick. Why don't I get you some water I didn't wait for her to answer I grabbed one of the gallon jugs and filled her glass, she took a sip and relaxed into the couch with a lazy smile on her face.  
 
Tell me about your sister, Jane said while pointing at me with the glass of water. A bit of the water sloshed out onto the wood floor. She pulled back the glass with exaggerated carefulness.  
 
What do you want to know? I asked. The bourbon was going to my head. It was easier to talk about your life when you don't care so much about the bad memories.  
 
You know, family stuff... her kids, her husband, Jane stammered a bit getting out the list. Being buzzed was obviously new to her.  
 
To be continued  
 
By nutbuster