Though he knew she roamed her room below him, it didn’t seem prudent or good business to go knocking on his guest’s door this close to sunrise. He’d just nap, wait until breakfast and introduce himself then.
Chapter Two
Olivia glanced back at the window even as she pulled her robe closed. The massive wolf had intrigued her, jumping around in the snow like that. She’d awakened from another of those disturbing dreams just after two. Once again she’d dreamed of running, of chasing something small and fast, of warm blood and the scent of fear in the air.
Odder still, she’d awakened naked, though she knew she hadn’t gone to bed that way. The door to her room had also been unlocked, though she distinctly remembered locking it before getting into bed. And why on earth had her sheets been slightly damp as though she’d lain down wet from a shower?
She banished the random thoughts and poked at the fire. Such a luxury, having a fireplace in the room. Putting the poker away, Olivia wandered around, enjoying the forced air system under the floorboards that kept her bare feet warm without socks or slippers.
Having never been a real fan of winter sports, or even winter for that matter, staying in a lodge like this one was a whole new experience for her. Still, this had to be one of the nicest places she’d been in since starting her career as a photojournalist. The bed was huge. The mattress was one of those air-filled ones that could be adjusted to the individual’s preference for firmness.
The bathroom boasted a huge garden tub as well as a separate shower stall with three strategically placed showerheads. There was a double sink and a vanity area complete with soft lighting, perfect for someone to sit and put makeup on. Olivia smiled at that thought. Her makeup routine usually consisted of a mildly tinted moisturizer and a quick sweep of lip gloss.
The whole lodge boasted the most comfortable hotel furniture she’d ever sat on. The main room with its array of comfortable couches and chairs scattered about in a welcoming pattern held a huge fireplace that cut through the wall to also grace the dining room on the other side.
Small and intimate, the dining room only seated twenty people at a time. She’d been told it was reserved mainly for guests of the lodge and that the townsfolk didn’t come out this far just for dinner. Seeing as how the nearest town was about twenty miles of frozen road away, she hadn’t been surprised. As the only guest staying in the lodge proper at the moment, she’d been assured that the place would be filled in a few weeks. Olivia tapped her lips reflectively.
For her story to really pan out the way she envisioned it, she needed more people. And she needed the owner of the lodge to show up. She gave an exasperated sigh. He’d agreed to her visit several months ago during an email exchange, so she’d thought he would be here to meet her.
Even without the owner, her requested tour of the grounds had surprised her. The seven private cabins for those who didn’t want to stay in the main lodge had individual style and flair. Some could sleep as many as six while others were more intimate-obviously made for couples.
The main lodge also housed a state-of-the-art exercise room not to mention a sauna and whirlpool. The brochure in the room explained that the lodge conformed to the old Norwegian tradition of a “family-style” sauna, meaning both sexes shared the room.
Sighing, she moved back behind the desk and flipped open her laptop. The email from her editor blinked accusingly at her. She’d been here three days and hadn’t sent a word. Usually by this time she’d have at least sent an outline of her current story. Biting the bullet, Olivia sat down. She smiled again as she thought about the wolf playing in the snow.
That settles it, if a wolf can enjoy it, so can I. Tomorrow I’ll ask Gareth to take me out on one of the dogsleds or teach me to walk on snowshoes, or heck, even ice fish! Anything to get out of this blue funk. The walk she’d taken in the woods yesterday hadn’t helped much but then again, it was so bloody cold out there. It hadn’t seemed to help her insomnia, either.
This was a fairly new development, only occurring in the last few weeks. She’d be sound asleep one minute and wide awake the next with no hope of getting back to sleep. Olivia had sleeping pills, prescribed by the psychiatrist her editor had insisted she see, but she hated the fuzzy feeling they left her with.
And the other pills-the so-called mood-stabilizer ones-she detested. She slept but never a peaceful sound sleep. The dreams stayed the same no matter which pill she took.
Running through city streets if she was at home or running through snowy forests here. She could pour herself a glass of wine from the minibar in her room, but she didn’t really want that either.
Shaking off those thoughts, tucking her feet up under her in the chair, Olivia spent the next few hours working on an outline dealing with winter sports and the people who enjoyed them. She heard the floor creak above her and glanced up.
It had to be the owner, one Micah Keeps Vigil. She hadn’t been able to find a picture of him in her search, but she’d found plenty of information for an article. He’d only owned the lodge for the last ten years and he’d made it one of the premier spots for winter sports enthusiasts. The lodge offered ice fishing, skiing, skating, snowmobile rides, dogsledding, winter survival training, winter camping and many other outdoor activities that some people enjoyed.
Born and reared in Florida and having just moved to New York, she didn’t know much at all about real winter weather other than that it was really cold. Northern Wisconsin in January was quite different from southern Florida in the same month. She wasn’t sure she’d ever be truly warm again.
Olivia dragged herself back to bed just after the sun started to rise. Breakfast had never been her favorite meal of the day anyway so she figured she’d just skip it. Besides, if she didn’t show up in the intimate little restaurant downstairs, Gareth wouldn’t feel obligated to cook and Lord knows they would both probably appreciate that.
He had freely admitted when she first arrived that he wasn’t the best cook and that it wasn’t normally his job, but that the other couple who helped out were away with a family emergency.
Seems Mr. Keeps Vigil hadn’t mentioned her arrival and the newlywed couple in the only occupied cabin were making their own meals. She’d definitely have to find out more about his name. Micah Keeps Vigil, different, very different.
Olivia smiled as she snuggled into the huge bed. The flannel sheets and down comforter combined to make a nice soft nest. She closed her eyes on a deep sigh then groaned when they popped open again. No use. Instead of trying to sleep, she might as well try out the whirlpool tub in that massive bathroom.
Tossing the covers back, Olivia went into the decadent room to start the tub. She dug her favorite scented oil out of the dresser drawer and poured a few precious drops into the water. The scent of vanilla and cinnamon rose as the oil heated with the water. She went back into the bedroom and started pawing through her clothes to find something appropriate to wear.
Warmth would be the main draw. Her matching lingerie looked good, but it did nothing to block the cold. Tights and a long-sleeved t-shirt under a sweater and her favorite jeans might be enough with her jacket. She’d ask about gloves, a hat and a scarf.
With the tub full, Olivia turned off the taps, removed her robe and gown and then stepped into the tub. She started the whirlpool jets and leaned back. The soothing pulses of water hit just the right pressure points in her tired body, lulling her into a relaxed state. Her mind began to wander, dwelling on the article she would write.
Interviewing the owner of the lodge would be first on her agenda for the day, then something outdoors to get her in the spirit of things. Maybe the activity outside would also kick her insomnia in the teeth long enough for her to get a good night’s sleep.