Page 15 of SEAL the Deal
He grinned. “What can I say, it’s a gift.”
* * *
Ali’s face was glued to the window of their hired sedan as it turned off the highway and entered the McCredie Springs Country Club. “Oh Mike, it’s beautiful,” she exclaimed as he drove them along a tree-lined laneway. They’d flown up from San Diego mid-afternoon and driven the sixty miles from the city of Eugene to their destination.
Mike parked the car in front of a grand southern-style mansion. As they stepped outside a man in his fifties dressed in jeans, boots and a McCredie Springs embroidered shirt appeared from inside.
“You must be Mike and Ali,” he declared in a deep voice.
“That’s us.” Mike shook his hand. “Oh, and we’ve got Axe in the back.”
“The hero, right?”
Ali smiled. “The one and only. Thank you so much for letting us bring him along.”
“Hey, it’s no problem at all. We’ve got a villa set aside for people with dogs. My name’s Brian and if there’s anything you need, you let me know.”
“Thanks, Brian. I tell you what, this has to be the prettiest place I’ve ever seen,” said Ali.
“We try. Now, I’ll show you to your villa. The boys will bring your luggage along momentarily. Mike, if you leave your keys in the car, they’ll park it for you and drop them off with the bags.”
They let Axe out of the sedan and followed Brian down a stone pathway that weaved between tall birch trees. Birds flitted among the branches, their calls filling the air.
“You’re welcome to let Axe run in the forest. However, we’ve got horses in the bottom paddock. They’re fine with dogs, but Axe might not like them.” He gestured to a velvet smooth green. “Mike are you much of a golfer?”
“I certainly am.”
“Good, because I find that nine holes take about the same time as the deluxe spa treatment. Which, I might add is included with your room.”
Ali grasped his arm. “You mean you won’t be joining me?”
Mike laughed. “Hey, someone has to look after Axe.”
She kissed his cheek. “So that’s why you wanted to bring him.”
They reached a quaint weatherboard cottage perched in the woods. Two stories with a deck it was framed with vine-laden trellis. As they climbed the steps to the porch Ali spotted a hot tub nestled in the garden.
“Mike, this is the best.”
Brian swiped an electronic lock and pushed open the bi-fold doors revealing an opulent living area. There was a kitchen, dining setting, couches and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
“There are two bedrooms upstairs, both with their own bathrooms.” He reached out and ruffled Axe’s ears. “If you need anything just holler.” He slipped away outside leaving the three of them alone.
“The boys have outdone themselves,” said Ali as she climbed the stairs to the second floor.
Mike followed her and Axe upstairs. “The selection fiasco didn’t exactly set the bar high.”
“OK, now this is nice,” announced Ali.
The master bedroom opened up onto a balcony with views out over the valley. White gauze curtains danced in the breeze. He turned around and was confronted by a dazzling white bathroom with an enormous brass-footed bathtub.
Ali was standing in front of it smiling. “I think we’re going to be very comfortable here.” She frowned and nodded toward the bed.
Mike looked over and saw Axe sprawled on the duvet. “Someone already is. Axe, off.”
The dog jumped down and disappeared downstairs.
He turned back to Ali as she slipped her summer dress’s shoulder straps off and let it drop to the floor. Beneath it, she wore lacy white underwear. She pouted her lips and pointed to his pants. “Mike, off.”
