anxious to go for the ride I promised Sarah."
"Yes, the horses are ready," he replied, "The picnic basket is, too." He paused, looking at Vanessa before adding, "I can only guess your cousin can ride as well, Miss Smith?"
"Call me Lisa, please," Sophia replied, "Otherwise, we'll both get confused." Vanessa tried to hide her smile as the older gentleman frowned. He seemed entirely put off by the idea of using a guest's first name.
"I can ride," Vanessa chimed in, to put him at ease. "It's been a few years, but I had a few classes in horseback riding in college." She smiled wide, giving her best impression of innocence, "Lisa will be there every canter of the way, to ensure we're safe; I'll also carry my cell phone."
"Right," he replied, with a mild, harumph . "Well, you can meet the handler, Susan, once you're all set for the ride," he paused and opened a drawer. Withdrawing his hand, he produced two keys and pushed one in the direction of each woman. "Dinner is from six until nine, but you have to order by eight-thirty to ensure the chef has time to prepare. Room's at the top of the stairwell, turn right, last room on the right." He started putting the papers into a stack, and made to get up, "Allow me to escort you."
"No, thank you, we'll find it," Sophia said, reaching out to pat his hand, "Thank you, Mr. Happer, it's always a delight to see you." Turning to Vanessa, she picked up the bags and grabbed a key, "This way," she said, leading them just across the hall to the wooden stairwell. The old cherry oak was so shiny, it gleamed in the afternoon light, and Vanessa could sense the pride and joy taken in keeping the bed and breakfast in such fantastic condition.
On Vanessa's salary, she never got to indulge like this, and could not help but feel a bit of jealousy over Sophia's lifestyle. The stairwell was lined with decorative, realistic portraits of the countryside, green, grassy hills and endless grapevines. Coupled with secluded private tables or picnic clothes, each scene depicting the kind of fantasy escape Vanessa dreamed about. Sighing, she mounted the top of the stairs and looked down the hall, noting the attention to detail in the crown molding, the spotless hallway.
Watching Sophia lead the way, Vanessa could not help notice how little effort the woman seemed to need with the bags. She did not look very muscular but it was clear Sophia was a lot stronger than her. The brunette fiddled with the lock for a brief moment and swung the door wide, "After you," she said, giving a half bow with a silly grin. The blonde swept inside, ignoring her look, and took a few steps into the room before stopping, wide eyed and breathless.
A king size bed dominated the room, covered with layers of blankets and wonderfully dressed pillows. There were heavy oak headboards, two on each end, which matched the huge fireplace set in the wall. The walls were painted a muted stucco pattern, rich cream blended with accents to give texture. Upholstered seats, in the same dark wood, sat at the foot of the bed. In the corner, a nightstand, with a half mirror and in the opposite side, a claw foot classic bathtub. Vanessa felt tears well in her eyes for a moment, walking over to the upholstered couch. The sofa matched the chairs, mostly oak wood showing with minimal upholstering. Kneeling on the couch, she drew back the dainty white curtain and peered outside. The view of the gardens was lovely, and her heart swelled to near bursting.
"Everything okay?" Sophia asked, hesitant.
"Have you been here before?"
"Only to make reservations," Sophia replied, "It's the kind of place I've always wanted to go, but..." Sophia paused, trailing off. Vanessa looked back to see the brunette had set one duffle bag on each chair, and put her hands in her pockets. "Well, you can't come to a place like this alone." The look she gave Vanessa made her blush, and she shivered, suddenly nervous.
"Horseback riding?" Vanessa said, arching an
"Yes, the horses are ready," he replied, "The picnic basket is, too." He paused, looking at Vanessa before adding, "I can only guess your cousin can ride as well, Miss Smith?"
"Call me Lisa, please," Sophia replied, "Otherwise, we'll both get confused." Vanessa tried to hide her smile as the older gentleman frowned. He seemed entirely put off by the idea of using a guest's first name.
"I can ride," Vanessa chimed in, to put him at ease. "It's been a few years, but I had a few classes in horseback riding in college." She smiled wide, giving her best impression of innocence, "Lisa will be there every canter of the way, to ensure we're safe; I'll also carry my cell phone."
"Right," he replied, with a mild, harumph . "Well, you can meet the handler, Susan, once you're all set for the ride," he paused and opened a drawer. Withdrawing his hand, he produced two keys and pushed one in the direction of each woman. "Dinner is from six until nine, but you have to order by eight-thirty to ensure the chef has time to prepare. Room's at the top of the stairwell, turn right, last room on the right." He started putting the papers into a stack, and made to get up, "Allow me to escort you."
"No, thank you, we'll find it," Sophia said, reaching out to pat his hand, "Thank you, Mr. Happer, it's always a delight to see you." Turning to Vanessa, she picked up the bags and grabbed a key, "This way," she said, leading them just across the hall to the wooden stairwell. The old cherry oak was so shiny, it gleamed in the afternoon light, and Vanessa could sense the pride and joy taken in keeping the bed and breakfast in such fantastic condition.
On Vanessa's salary, she never got to indulge like this, and could not help but feel a bit of jealousy over Sophia's lifestyle. The stairwell was lined with decorative, realistic portraits of the countryside, green, grassy hills and endless grapevines. Coupled with secluded private tables or picnic clothes, each scene depicting the kind of fantasy escape Vanessa dreamed about. Sighing, she mounted the top of the stairs and looked down the hall, noting the attention to detail in the crown molding, the spotless hallway.
Watching Sophia lead the way, Vanessa could not help notice how little effort the woman seemed to need with the bags. She did not look very muscular but it was clear Sophia was a lot stronger than her. The brunette fiddled with the lock for a brief moment and swung the door wide, "After you," she said, giving a half bow with a silly grin. The blonde swept inside, ignoring her look, and took a few steps into the room before stopping, wide eyed and breathless.
A king size bed dominated the room, covered with layers of blankets and wonderfully dressed pillows. There were heavy oak headboards, two on each end, which matched the huge fireplace set in the wall. The walls were painted a muted stucco pattern, rich cream blended with accents to give texture. Upholstered seats, in the same dark wood, sat at the foot of the bed. In the corner, a nightstand, with a half mirror and in the opposite side, a claw foot classic bathtub. Vanessa felt tears well in her eyes for a moment, walking over to the upholstered couch. The sofa matched the chairs, mostly oak wood showing with minimal upholstering. Kneeling on the couch, she drew back the dainty white curtain and peered outside. The view of the gardens was lovely, and her heart swelled to near bursting.
"Everything okay?" Sophia asked, hesitant.
"Have you been here before?"
"Only to make reservations," Sophia replied, "It's the kind of place I've always wanted to go, but..." Sophia paused, trailing off. Vanessa looked back to see the brunette had set one duffle bag on each chair, and put her hands in her pockets. "Well, you can't come to a place like this alone." The look she gave Vanessa made her blush, and she shivered, suddenly nervous.
"Horseback riding?" Vanessa said, arching an
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