Escape A Barson story

Chapter 4

The next morning, Olivia awoke, turned over, opened her eyes, and groaned. The bed sheets were freezing. She looked at the clock on the bedside table, it read 9:00. She bravely threw off her covers, jumped out of bed, and rushed to find her shoes. She quickly realized it wasn't just her bed, the entire cabin was frigid. She ran to the thermostat, and turned up the heat.
She found the coffee pot, ready to go, turned it on, and headed to the bathroom. Once there she brushed her teeth, and then prepared for a shower. She shivered as her nightgown left her body, and hit the floor, she turned on the shower, and jumped in. The water was hot to start with, but quickly turned cold. Once clean, she jumped out of the shower, shivering, she wrapped herself in a white fluffy towel, and ran from the bathroom to her bedroom. She quickly dressed in warm clothing, and headed back to the kitchen area.
The coffee was made. Quickly, she poured herself a cup. She grimaced when the hot, dark, liquid hit her taste buds. She took the cup away from her mouth, and poured the detestable beverage down the sink drain. What does it take to get a good cup of coffee around here? She thought to herself. She washed the mug in her hand thoroughly, placed it down, and walked to Noah's room.
"Noah!" She called as she tapped lightly on her son's closed door."Yeah, mom!" Noah called back.
"Time to get dressed!" Olivia answered. "We have to leave soon!""OK!" Noah replied. Olivia moved away from the door, went into her room, and got her hair brush and makeup from her suitcase. After her makeup was applied, and her hair was brushed, she went back into the kitchen. The fridge was nearly empty. Olivia made a mental note to go grocery shopping soon.She found an apple juice, and poured it into 2 mugs.
She was about to go check on her son when she saw him enter the kitchen. "Good morning, sweet boy." Olivia said, trying to sound cheerful.
"Morning, mom.""Do you want me to warm your apple juice?" Olivia asked, keeping the false cheer in her voice."No, thank-you, that's gross, mom!" Olivia smiled, and handed him a mug. He drank it quickly, and washed his own mug.
Olivia picked up her mug, and drank, grateful for the taste. "Go, brush your teeth, and get your warmest coat."OK", Noah said, grumpily."Noah, what's wrong?""It's freezing.""I know, I put the heat up. Get the coat, and don't forget your gloves. It will be even colder outside." Without another word, Noah walked away to follow his mother's directions. While. waiting for Noah, Olivia decided to continue reading the novel she started last night."I'm ready. Noah called. "Mom, where are you?" Olivia put her book back in her suitcase. Before she climbed into bed last night, she found an outlet, placed her cell phone on its charger, and set the charger on one of the kitchen counters. Olivia, now ran back to the kitchen, and picked up the fully charged cell phone.
"I was reading." Olivia answered when she saw Noah who was dressed from head to toe in warm clothing. She took his right gloved hand. they walked to the front door, and out of it.

The cold made the short distance to the Garland Cabin feel long. As they walked up to the cabin, the front door opened.

Olivia, Noah, get in here. You must be freezing." Lamai called, holding the door open for them. Mother and son ran up the steps and into the large cabin. Lamai closed, and locked the door, and turned to them.
Christian walked over to his wife, and stood beside her. "Hi Noah", he greeted the boy.
"Hello." Noah greeted back."Hi, Noah", came the excited voice of Abby Garland. The girl jumped up from the couch. She had been waiting for Noah and his nice mom for what seemed like forever to her. "Let's play cards! My mom says we can go sledding with my friends after lunch!""Hi Abby, I'll play cards with you!" Noah said. The kids quickly disappeared into Abby's room where the card games for kids were."Olivia, it's so cold outside, we were going to pick you, and Noah up in our car, I called you on the cabin's landline, but you must have already left." Lamai said.
"We didn't want to be late." Olivia answered.
"I'm making tea after lunch. Do you want some now?" Lamai asked.
"Tea sounds great, but I'll wait until after lunch. Thank-you for everything." Olivia replied, with a smile. She really wanted tea now, but she didn't want to tell Lamai that. Tea would warm her up.
"No thanks necessary, Olivia, I hope you enjoy this break." Lamai said."I will." Olivia reassured her.
"How was your first night here?" Lamai asked"It was great, and the food you gave us was mouthwatering.""Oh." Lamai said. "Thank-you, that's a great compliment. It's a new recipe. I hope you like today's dish."I'm sure I'll love it." Olivia replied. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Christian moved away from his wife, walked to the door, and answered it."Christian, thanks for inviting me.""Our pleasure." Christian replied. The man stepped inside, and Christian closed and locked the door. "Olivia." He said. "This is our friend Steven Day." Olivia turned away from Lamai, and came face to face with Steven, the man who sat near her, and Noah at Catherine's. "Steven, this is the woman Lamai and I told you about."
"Hello," Olivia said, feeling awkward, but not showing it.
"Hello, Olivia, it's a pleasure to see you again.""You 2 know each other!" Lamai exclaimed, excitedly."We met yesterday." Steven replied. Olivia and her son had Oatmeal Cookies. at Catherine's while I was having my dinner.""Noah was hungry." Olivia said to the group."Well it's a long flight.' Steven replied. "Olivia tried the coffee at Catherine's. " Steven informed, Christian, and Lamai."Oh no!" Try the non-alcoholic apple cider." Lamai said."Try the pie there, it doesn't matter what kind, they're all spectacular." Christian added.
Olivia smiled. "Lamai, can I help you with anything? I can call the kids in." Olivia offered.
Lamai looked at her watch, and then at Olivia. "Olivia, that would be great. I didn't realize how late it was getting." Olivia smiled, turned, and walked to Abby's room.
Olivia wanted to take her time getting the children, but she got them quickly, she didn't want to be rude. Within minutes, the adults and children were sitting at the table. Christian and Lamai sat across from each other. Abby and Noah sat next to each other, and Steven sat next to Olivia. A short time later, the kids stood up, and begged to continue their card games until Abby's friends came over to sled with them. When they left the table, the adults kept chatting., and eating. Steven kept stealing glances at Olivia When the group of adults were done with the roast chicken.,Lamai spoke. "Olivia, I have an idea. Why don't you and Steven go get some dessert together?""I would love to do that, Olivia." Steven said."Oh, I don't think so. Noah is here." Olivia stood up. "Christian and I can watch Noah." Lamai offered, giving Olivia an encouraging smile."May I speak to you for a moment, Olivia? Christian asked."Sure." Olivia answered. She followed her former boss outside, and down the cabin's steps.
"Olivia, Lamai and I are trying to fix you up with Steven." Christian said."I got that." Olivia replied."Steven is a nice guy, I promise, Lamai and I have known him for many years—""Chief— Christian, I'm not looking for love right now,""The last time, Lamai and I tried setting you up — I know it didn't go well, but this— is different— Just give him a chance." Olivia nodded in agreement. She followed Christian back inside, and then, she went to Abby's room to talk to Noah.
"Noah, do you mind staying here a little bit, while I go get some tea with Steven? I won't be long.""OK. Have fun!" Noah answered with a smile.
"OK, I'll be back soon," Olivia replied. "I have my phone with me." As she backed out of Abby's room, a part of her wished that Noah had objected.When Olivia returned to the table, Steven smiled at her, and rose from his seat. "Are you ready to go?""Yes", she answered. "Let's not go too far, I promised my son that I will be back soon. Before exiting the cabin with Steven, Olivia turned to her friends, "You have my cell phone, call me if you need me.""We will." Lamai and Christian said in unison.