''Er.....yes, thanks. Why are some of the rooms boarded up? she asked.
''Old crime scenes,'' he replied.
''Excuse me, but what does that mean?''
''It means that at some point in the past, something untoward has happened in one of the rooms, and the police needed to investigate.''
''But surely, you would reopen them?''
''You don't know the local cops,'' He said flicking his hand across his forehead. ''When they search a room, they trash everything. I can't afford the repairs.''
''What kind of untoward events have happened here?'' she asked.
''Someone was murdered in one of the rooms and in another, they caught a drug dealer.''
Jess looked at the man and decided she would rather sleep rough in the woods than in his motel. ''It's okay, thanks,'' she said when he handed her a key. ''I've changed my mind.'' He nodded as if she wasn't the first guest to have changed their mind. She would walk back into the village and ask at the grocery store. There was bound to be a bed and breakfast not far away. When she walked out of the Motel, she saw a sign on the road she hadn't noticed before. ''Coombe Hill - 2 Miles. Uncle Jimmy, she thought.
''Dad,'' she shouted into her cellphone. It was a poor reception.
''Honey. What's up?''
''I've broken down.'' She realized she hadn't spoken to her father for a while, and he had no idea where she was.
''Where are you?''
''I rented a cabin for a few days, and I was on my way there, but the radiator in the car broke, and I'm stranded near a place called Coombe Hill. Doesn't Uncle Jimmy have a cabin there?''
''Near Coombe Hill? Yes, he does. You went there once when you were little.''
''There's a motel here, it's awful. Do you think Uncle Jimmy would mind if I stayed in his cabin for a night until the car is fixed?''
''I'll call him and ask, but I'm sure it will be okay.''
Jess put her bag on the grass verge and sat on it. After a few minutes, her father called back.
''I can't reach Jimmy. But take it from me, it'll be fine.''
''Great. How do I get in?''
''There's always a key under the watering can to the left of the front door. Listen, get a cab and tell the driver you want to go to the cabin at Water Creek, Coombe Hill. I hope you'll be okay.''
Jess looked down the road and saw Brian's truck coming towards her. ''I'll be fine dad. Thanks. I'll call you when I get there, okay?''
''Sure, honey,'' he hung up.
Brian stopped the truck and leaned out of the window. ''Don't like the motel?'' he asked.
''It's not very inviting. I've found somewhere else.''
''Need a ride? There aren't any taxis around here.''
Brian reminded her of the sort of man that plays hilly-billy bad men, in cheap movies. He would be perfectly cast as a rapist or a serial killer. ''Do you know where Water Creek is?'' she asked, concluding that she had little choice.
''Sure do.''
As he drove away, she felt him looking at her again. Not just a lustful glance, the kind of look she was used to from men, but a lurid, languid stare that invaded her.
''How far is it?'' she asked.
''Five minutes,'' he said. She was happy it was not longer.
He slowed down and turned the truck into a lane to the left of the highway. It was dry, and she closed the window as the dust kicked up. After a few hundred yards the road entered a wood and began to descend towards a lake. Jess could see the lake at the bottom of the road, and she could see a cabin next to it.
''Why are you stopping?'' she asked as he slowed. He didn't reply. When he switched the engine off, Jess decided it was time to run. She didn't trust him, and she didn't like the way he was looking at her. She threw the truck door open and jumped out, but she forgot her bag and had to climb up to reach it. When she felt his hands on her hips, pulling her from the truck, she screamed. A few birds flew from the trees and somewhere a fox called out.
''Come on Jess, you're so pretty, you know you want it,'' he said nuzzling his hairy, sweat covered face, into her neck. She stamped on his foot, but he was wearing steel toe caps, and it hurt her more. Jess was young and fit, but he had a massive weight advantage, and he was able to manhandle her with ease. When he threw her against the front of the truck, he almost knocked her unconscious. Just as he was about to put his oil-stained hands onto her breasts, somebody shouted.
''Leave her alone or I'll blow your dumb ass brains out,'' he said as he let off the safety catch on his rifle. Brian looked at the man, backed away, and put his hands up.
''Are you okay, Miss?'' he asked.
''Yes, just a bit breathless.''
''Get in your truck and go and if I ever see you again, I'll shoot you. Is that clear?'' Brian nodded as he pulled his huge frame into the truck.
''Uncle Jimmy?'' Jess had been studying his face. Her father hadn't been able to reach him, and she hadn't thought he would be at the cabin.
''Jess? Jess,'' he hugged her. Now he knew it was his best friends daughter; he wanted to put a bullet between Brian's eyes, but he decided he would deal with him later. ''My God, I haven't seen you for years,'' he tried to think when the last time had been. ''It must have been ten years. What are you doing here? In the middle of nowhere.''
''Make me a cup of tea and I'll tell you,'' she said.
As they walked down the hill, he put his arm around her shoulder, and she put her arm around his waist. ''He would have raped me if you hadn't been there,'' she concluded.
''Perhaps, I'll sort him out later. We still have to get your car back. Don't you worry about him anymore.''
They arrived at the cabin, and it was just as Jess had remembered it. It was built of pine logs and had a veranda around it. It had a slate roof and a chimney made of local stone. She remembered the view over the lake, and she remembered the small wooden jetty that they had use to dive off when they'd swum.
''Come in,'' Jimmy said opening the glazed door.
''Oh it's beautiful,'' she gasped, looking around the interior.
''Well, I do my best to keep it nice.'' It was open plan and consisted of a kitchen, dining and lounge areas. On the floor, there was a large red rug and the walls were decorated with pictures Jimmy had taken of wildlife in the area. ''Sit down,'' he pointed to a leather sofa. Jess slumped onto it and sighed. ''So what brings you here?'' he asked, lighting the stove.
''I rented a cabin about sixty miles from here and I was on my way there for a short vacation, but my car broke down and left me stranded in Marshall's Cave.'' She watched a goose land on the lake. ''I remembered you had a cabin here, and I called dad to see if I could spend a night here. I'm really sorry I didn't know you were here. I didn't mean to intrude.''
Jimmy popped his head around the corner. ''Intrude? You’re the daughter of the best friend I've ever had. Why do you think you would be intruding?''
''I don't know. He told me where the key was, I thought you might be angry. It feels like I'm using you.'' He came from the kitchen and put two chunky mugs on the table in front of the sofa.
''Nonsense. Now let's have a look at you.'' He stood back and looked at her. When he did, he regretted it. That was the kind of thing one said to a young kid or your mother after you hadn't seen them for a long time. It wasn't the kind of thing you said to a buxom young woman who oozed sex appeal. He remembered her platted hair, her round glasses and the awful iron braces she'd had to wear. Now all he saw was the most beautiful face imaginable, a vest hardly able to conceal its luscious contents, and a pair of short shorts from which two long shapely legs protruded. He dropped his eyes, embarrassed to look at her anymore.
''Uncle Jimmy, you look great,'' she said.
''Let's drop the uncle, shall we? You don't have to call me that, now you're an adult. I mean, I'm not your uncle.''
''Okay. But do you know, you look great. Why haven't you got a wife? You could get anyone you wanted.''
''Ah,'' he sighed. ''Missed opportuni
ties, shyness, lack of self-belief.''
''You? Shy? I don't believe it.''
He went to get the tea. ''Men can be shy, you know,'' he shouted as he took the kettle from the stove. Another goose landed on the water, irritating the one that had landed there a few moments ago.
''Sure they can. But you? I always thought you were a man for the ladies. A man without fear.''
''Well, last time you saw me you were just a kid. Perhaps your knowledge of men wasn't that good then.'' They both laughed.
''Maybe not. It's not that good now,'' she said.
He sensed a moment of sadness as he came with a teapot and a plate of cookies. ''Why do you say that?''
''Because I was with a guy for years and I trusted him. I thought we would get married.''
''And?''
''I found out he was cheating on me, with a college tutor.''
''Well then, he's plainly an asshole. I mean who could refuse a woman like you?'' He said it to lift her spirits but realized he was doing something he shouldn't be. Flirting with her.
''Uncle Jimmy,'' she said in mock surprise. He was tall and muscular; he'd always been like that. He still had a full head of dark hair, now with a hint of gray. His eyes were still vivid blue, and his faded jeans made his legs look long and slender. Maybe he had a few more lines on his forehead, but his face was still lean and attractive. ''Are you lonely?'' she asked, taking a cookie.
''I've never thought about it.''
''But you're in your forties and still not settled. You deserve to be. You'd make a great husband.''
''How do you know?'' he asked curiously.
''Because you're hot.''
He laughed. ''You're just like your mom,'' he said.
''And how was she?''
''Sorry, I didn't' mean to....''
''I was tiny when she died. I never really knew her, so I don't get upset by talking about her. These cookies are good,'' she said, taking a second.
''Your mom was like you, very beautiful. Far too beautiful for your father,'' he chuckled. ''She was forthright and honest, and a wonderfully warm woman.''
''You and dad ought to go and find a wife each. What's the fun in living alone?''
''None, but I suppose you get used to it. Your father and I go bowling each week and sink a few beer together on Friday evenings.''
''But Uncle Jimmy, sorry Jimmy. That's yawn, yawn, BORING. You need to put some oil in the engine and get moving. If you and dad went to a club or two, you'd be surprised how many women would throw themselves at you.''
Jimmy laughed at her enthusiasm. Her eyes opened wide as she spoke and he could see she meant what she said. ''Now there's a thought. Women on their knees begging us to dance with them.''
''They would do,'' Jess said. ''You and dad are good men, far better than a lot of scumbags,'' she was reminded of Jake and fell silent.
Jimmy finished his tea and looked out over the lake. The sun was beginning to set over the trees on the far bank, but it was still very warm. ''You've had a hell of a day. Why don't you go for a swim?'' he asked.''
''That's a great idea,'' Jess said. ''It's years since I swam in a lake. Oh, but I haven't got a costume.''
''Underwear or in the buff. I promise I won't look,'' he said.
''Yes. I think I will.''
The cabin had two bedrooms and Jimmy showed her to a single room with a bed, dressing table and chair. ''Make yourself at home here. I'll get you a bath towel.''
''You've always worn that scent haven't you?'' Jess said.
''I guess so. Don't you like it?''
Jess did like it. It reminded her of when she was younger. Days when she, Jimmy, and the dad had swum and cooked sausages on the outside grill. ''It reminds me of nice times.''
Jimmy went into the room and sat on the sofa, in the spot where Jess had sat. He picked up a copy of 'Fishing Today', and flicked through the pages, not concentrating on anything in particular. His pupils expanded when Jess came into the room, ready for her swim. She was wrapped in the bath towel, but her legs were exposed. He told himself he shouldn't be looking, but he couldn't help it. It had been a long time since he'd seen women's legs and he'd never seen legs as long, smooth and shapely as Jess's. Her golden hair was tied up in a bun, and he marveled at how she'd developed from the young kid he'd known, into a drop dead gorgeous woman.
''Will it be very cold?'' she asked.
''No I don't think so. It's been darn hot recently. Jump in, don't think about it.''
''Okay, here goes.'' Jess walked through the door, from the veranda, and onto the path that led to the jetty. When she got to the jetty, she let the towel slip and started to stretch her muscles. Jimmy didn't want to look, but he couldn't help himself. She was perfectly formed. Her behind was shapely yet trim, and the way her hips curved to her waist was more feminine than anything he'd ever seen.
She bent and touched her toes. He slapped his face and dropped his eyes to the magazine. ''Stop it,'' he said. ''She's Charly’s daughter for God's sake. Behave.'' When he looked up again, she was standing with her legs together and her arms over her head. He could see the outline of her ribs and the muscles in her abdomen. His brain forced his eyes to her makeshift bikini top, a black bra. The sight of her breasts straining against the material as she arched her back was too much for him. He stood up, went into the bathroom, and splashed his face with cold water. When he looked at himself in the mirror, he shook his head. ''Pervert,'' he muttered.
When he went back into the room, he heard Jess shouting something. He opened the door. ''Jimmy, come in, the water's perfect.'' After the cold water, he felt more in control and decided he would go for a dip. He went to his room, pulled on some swimming shorts and threw a towel over his shoulders.
When she saw him walking down the jetty, she looked at him as a woman, for the first time. His stomach was flat and his biceps muscular. His long, lean legs were covered with fine dark hair, and his chest was broad. When her eyes looked at the bulge in his shorts, she dropped below water and scolded herself. When she popped back up, he wasn't there anymore. She looked around and saw him appear a few yards further up. He swam back to her and stopped next to her.
''It's lovely, isn't it,'' she said. ''So serene, beautiful.''
''It's such a great summer, there's nothing better than an evening swim. Come on let's swim around a bit.'' He set off, and Jess followed. They swam a gentle breast stroke that took them to the far bank. Jimmy got out of the water and stood on a tiny beach. Jess followed. They stood next to each other and looked back over the water to the cabin.
''When we get back you'd better call your dad and tell him you're okay,'' he said.
''Do you think he'll mind?'' she asked.
''About what?''
''Well,...'' she thought how best to put it. ''I mean me staying here alone, with you.''
''I'm his best friend. You don't think he'll be worried about me trying anything with you, do you? We've known each other for years, he knows I'd never touch his daughter.''
''Yes. Of course. How stupid of me. Sorry, I'm embarrassed now.''
He looked at her. Despite the cooling air, her face was indeed flushed. ''Come on, race you back,'' he said running to the water. He beat her back to the jetty, but only just. They were both out of breath as they pulled themselves up the jetty ladder, with difficulty.
''My legs are shaking,'' Jess said as they walked up the path to the cabin.
''You need a shower, a glass of wine and something to eat.''
After her shower, Jess felt relaxed. Jimmy poured her a glass of red wine, and she sat on the sofa and watched him light the fire. ''It's not cold, but I love a fire,'' he said.
After ten minutes, there was a superb aroma coming from the kitchen. ''What are you cooking?'' she asked.
''Fresh fish, I caught it this morning. From the lake.''
''Smells delicious,'' she said taking a gulp of wine. ''You know you really are a clever man. You can do everything.''
In a w
hile, he appeared again with a bowl of fish, rice, and salad. As they ate, they were silent. The food was too good to interrupt. Jess put her knife and fork down on the dining table. ''Wonderful,' she said. She stretched, and as she did, her breasts pushed towards him. She saw him looking and smiled. ''I'll do the dishes,'' she said.
''Let's do them together.''
''Okay. Maybe I can have another glass of wine?'' He poured her a second glass, and they walked into the kitchen. He stood next to her and watched as her fingers played with the soap suds. He noticed how elegant her nails looked. He'd always had a thing for elegant nails; he'd never known why. She put the first plate in the drying rack, and he picked it up and began to rub it with a tea towel. As he did so, he could smell her scent. A mixture of her skin and the scent she had used after showering. Her hair was still damp and hung seductively to her shoulders. Stop it, you bastard,'' he thought. Behave yourself.
When they were finished, they sat on the sofa again and watched the lake as the light faded into darkness. Soon the room was only lit by the fire. Jimmy jumped when he felt Jess lower her head to his shoulder. It was just a father-daughter thing, he thought. An expression of affection, nothing more.
''Jimmy, will you please make love to me?''
An arrow through the head. A request that he'd hoped would never come, yet longed for. ''Jesus Jess. We can't. It's not right.''
''But you want to. I saw you looking at me during dinner. You couldn't take you eyes off my breasts.''
''I'm a man Jess, and you've grown up into a beautiful woman. I'm sorry, I should have more self-control.'' He felt her hand on his knee. ''Sorry, it won't happen again.''
''But I like it,'' she admitted. ''I like you looking at me. It turned me on. I like to be desired.''
''Hell Jess, stop. He jumped up, and she could see he had a full erection. It's not right. You're young enough to be my daughter, and I can’t do it to your dad. Imagine what he would say if he found out.''
She reached out and tried to touch the protrusion in his pants. ''But he never will.'' She opened her robe and showed her breasts to him. ''Look what you can have, Jimmy. I want you. What's the big deal.''
Romance: Teen Romance: Game On (A Nerd and a Bad Boy Romance) (New Adult High School Sports Romance) Page 10
