CHAPTER 1
Diane let herself into their apartment after a long day at work. She couldn't remember the last time she was home before seven in the evening - and most mornings she was in her office working before eight.
- God, I need a vacation, Diane dropped her bag and coat on the kitchen counter and walked around to the stoxve, where Kurt was preparing dinner. She kissed him and reached for the glass of wine, he held out to her.
- Thank you, she answered him with a sweet smile.
- Long day? Kurt asked as he finished the soup they were having.
- Lately it feels like I'm the only grown up in the courtroom and at the office, Diane replied as she sat down at the dining table.
Kurt served their dinner and they spent the rest of the evening on the couch relaxing. Around ten Diane was falling asleep, leaning on Kurt shoulder.
- Honey, let's get you up to bed, he said. She mumbled something he took as a yes but when he started to rise, she laid down on the couch, immediately fast asleep.
- Oh, no you don't. Kurt leaned down and lifted her into his arms. He was worried about her. She worked so much and ate and slept so little. Since Alicia and Cary left LockhartGardner, Diane had worked tirelessly to keep things running. As he tucked her into bed and got ready to join her, Kurt got an idea. Instead of going to bed he went back to the living room. First he called Will and then he got on his computer.
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A week later
When Diane entered their apartment around nine in the evening, the lights were out in the kitchen and she somehow sensed that Kurt wasn't home. Usually, he was home before her, if he wasn't traveling somewhere to work on a case. But he'd been home this entire week.
Diane walked into the kitchen and turned on the light. She smiled. A bottle of red wine, a glass and a bouquet of flowers were waiting for her on the kitchen counter. A letter was leaning up against the wine glass. She poured herself a glass of wine, smelled the beautiful flowers, and sat down at the dining table to red the letter.
Dear Diane How was your day? I hope you had a very good day at work – because you're not going back for a few days.
You've been talking about how you needed a vacation. Don't worry; I haven't book a vacation for us in Costa Rica.Diane let out a small sigh; she didn't realize she'd been holding in.
But I have booked a vacation for us, because you need it. We need it. Well, it's sort of a staycation, I guess, because I know you don't want to leave LockhartGardner too far behind. And don't worry! I already cleared it with Will. You're not coming in to work tomorrow, Thursday and Friday.Diane sat back. Quite baffled by Kurt and Will's little scheme. Today when she left work, Will had waved at her and told her to enjoy her evening, and that he'd see her around. At the time, she had wondered what he meant by seeing her around. They saw each other every morning before 8.30 and usually every night but never had he answered her goodbye like that. Well, now she knew why. Her eyes returned to the letter.
Since we never had a real honeymoon, I though you'd appreciate a romantic getaway. That is why I've booked a suite at the Inn on Woodlake for two nights, where we'll enjoy all the spa treatments at the Kohler Waters Spa, dinner at The Immigrant Restaurant and relaxing strolls around the lake. And then on Saturday morning we'll drive up to a special cabin, the Sandhill Cabin. Now, I know you'll think this cabin is more my style, but I promise you, the website promises that it's the most luxurious way to rough it. And we'll have it all to ourselves for two days.Diane sat back. Her soft laugher filled the room as she pictured the two of them getting massages, her getting a much needed facial, them lounging in the pool at the spa and then driving up to a remote cabin to enjoy a weekend in total peace and quiet. How she loved her man. Speaking of him, she couldn't help but wonder where Kurt was. Once again her eyes turned to the letter.
So I guess you're wondering where I'm at tonight? Well, since we're going to be gone for five full days, I needed to get some work done at the farm. So I'll spend the night there and pick you up tomorrow morning around 10. The drive to Kohler takes approximately two hours so we'll be there around lunchtime. So I suggest you enjoy your glass of wine, pack your bags, take a nice long hot bath, and go to bed early. I love you and I can't wait to spend the next five days with you. Kurt
P.S. Remember to eat something! I left a plate of leftovers from yesterday for you in the fridge.
Diane got up and walked to the fridge. She pulled out the plate and placed it in the microwave to heat. Then she got her cell phone and called Kurt. He picked up after a few rings.
- Hi, Kurt greeted her warmly.
- Hi. I love you, Diane told him. Felling tears welling up in her eyes.
- I love you too. You home yet?
- Yes. Thank you for the letter, the wine, the food, and the flowers. Thank you, Diane said. Her hand coming up to her face and her fingers wiping away a few stray tears.
- Are you crying? Kurt asked sounding slightly worried.
- Maybe. Well, okay, yes. But they are happy tears. I can't believe you did this for me, she told him.
- We never did have a honeymoon.
- I know but I never imagined you'd do something like this. It's exactly what I need. Five days, only you and me. It sounds like heaven.
- It will be. So did you eat?
- I'm reheating it as we speak.
- Glad to hear that, now go eat, Kurt could hear the microwave signal that the food was ready.
- Okay, I will, Diane told him.
- I love you, he told her.
- I love you too. I'll see you tomorrow, Diane told him.
- Text me when you go to bed, he said just before he hung up. When he wasn't home, he always liked hearing she was okay before she went to sleep.
- Will do. See you. Diane hung up and sat down to eat. She felt the exhausting set in but it was replaced by excitement. She grabbed her iPad to look up the places Kurt had mentioned in the letter.
After she had finished eating she did exactly as Kurt had suggested in the letter. She went into the bedroom to pack her bags and then she took a nice long, relaxing bath. After her bath she called Kurt again to say goodnight and she was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
