The Lady for a Lady pt. 2
A desert. Why did all the resorts have to be in the desert, Caitlin thought as she drove down the stretch of dusty road looking for the turn off. She had wanted Hawke to come with her. It wouldn't have been as bad as Dominic made it sound for a man to enjoy a week at a resort. What's the worst that could have happened? One week without worrying about Airwolf or white limousines driving up in the least likely places could have worked wonders for Hawke's demeanor. Who knows, maybe it would have even brought the two of them closer.
Caitlin almost missed the turn off because of the thoughts going through her head. She switched on her turn signal long enough to make the right hand turn and then switched it off. The road was bumpy and didn't do much for Caitlin's demeanor. Flying would have been less bumpy. Caitlin drove over the bumpy road keeping a watch for the resort, she didn't think was that remote. Suddenly, it appeared before her as she went over a hill. The resort was a large ranch style home. A large gate went around the exterior of the house. Caitlin pulled up to the front of the gate and punched the intercom button.
"Deserted Resort. Can I help you?" A static female voice said through the metal box.
"Caitlin O'Shaughnessy. The reservation number on my ticket is 475N21."
The box was silent for a moment and then the gates doors parted. "Come right in, Miss O' Shaughnessy. We've been expecting you."
Caitlin drove her convertible through the front gate and to the front door. A young, dark-haired man in white shorts and a green polo shirt opened her door for her. "We'll park your car for you and take your bags in, Miss O'Shaughnessy. Enjoy your stay at the Deserted Resort."
Caitlin grabbed her purse from the passenger seat and walked into the ranch style house. A woman stood at the front desk wearing the same outfit the young man had on. She held a key in her hand as Caitlin approached.
"We have your room all set up for you and we'll bring your bags to you as soon as they park your car." The woman hit a button hidden from Caitlin's view and another young man came out. He smiled at her.
"James, will take you to your room. Dinner will be served at six and you already have a dinner companion that will be waiting for you at your table this evening. Welcome to the Deserted Resort, Miss O'Shaughnessy."
Caitlin returned the woman's smile and followed James up the steps to her room. She was the first door at the steps. Her room was spacious with a beautiful view. As her bags were being brought in, Caitlin looked out her window and saw several people lounging by the pool. It gave her goosebumps to think of not having to unclog a helicopter oil line or wash her hair twice to get the grease out of it after spending the whole day inside an engine.
Caitlin spent the rest of the afternoon lounging in a bathtub that was half the size of her bathroom in her apartment. Afterward, she fixed her hair, applied some makeup, and dressed in an emerald green spaghetti strap gown that stopped at her ankles. She didn't know what the dress code was like for dinner, but she wanted to make an impression.
Caitlin took the steps delicately so as not to damage her dress and smiled at the man that stood at the bottom of the stairs. He was dressed in tuxedo tails and gave her a flashy smile. He took her hand as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
"You look lovely, Miss O'Shaughnessy," He said, with that winning smile. "Your dinner companion is expecting you."
He led her into the dining room where there were plenty of tables, but no one was dining.
"Did I hear the right time for dinner?" She asked.
Her companion didn't answer her. He led her to a table in the center adorned with two candles and white china. Caitlin sat down.
"I don't understand," Caitlin said. "Why is there no one here?" She was starting to get that nervous feeling in the pit of her stomach. "What's going on?"
"Your companion will be with you shortly. Enjoy your evening, Miss O'Shaughnessy." He left through the same door they entered.
Caitlin sat with her hands in her lap looking around at the empty table. Did she imagine all those people by the pool? Did she?
A door across the room opened and Caitlin swallowed against the lump in her throat. Why did she feel like she was the only hen staring down a fox.
A hand on her shoulder made her jump. No one was coming through the opened door because someone had come from behind her.
The man sat down beside her and Caitlin felt every nerve ending in her body snap alive.
"Hello, Caitlin."
Her instincts were right. She was the only hen left to stare down a fox. Only this fox had a name.
"Hello, Horne."
