Alina Salvatierra is a loving daughter, a protective big sister, a trusting and loyal friend and a daydreamer. She's also is dealing with PTSD and hides a secret that causes her panic attacks and they are becoming more frequent. A car accident ended...
Evan finished unloading the last box of supplies from his truck. The air outside still held a touch of summer and he was glad for it because he was expecting company over the next few months and he wanted a chance to spend time outdoors as well. If things went well they would have all winter to stay indoors. Evan laughed at himself. How was it possible that he was thinking this far ahead about a girl he had just met. Not to mention that she managed to get uNader his skin within minutes of meeting her. He was amused as he thought back to their texting conversations. They had begun the night after their long talk but they continued throughout his trip back to New York and then even after returning to Ash. It was interesting that they both preferred to text rather than speak on the phone. For him it had more to do with timing. Running around the city while trying to get things done for the remainder of the year and plan ahead for the next year with his publicist was challenging. His intention was to go back in a week but it had turned into three by the time he booked his flight back to the west coast. Being able to text her while in a cab, or in a hallway waiting for a meeting or in his bed before calling it a night had been perfect for him. She could reply at her leisure and their was no pressure to arrange a call time. He new she was busy with her family obligations and managing the time to write. His texts would be answered when she had the time and he quickly found out that she began making time for him. One text conversation went on for an hour one night as he learned about her accident in greater detail and about Maxwell. Maxwell was a daily topic of conversation. He had so many pictures of the cat that anyone who saw his phone would think it was his. The best part was when she would take pictures of her and the cat. She was so unaffected by her own beauty that her pictures were always of herself stripped of any adornment and in various stages of dress. In her herb garden with dirt all over her shirt. In her ballet clothes before heading out to dance. In her pajamas at night. He found it so appealing because this was the real Alina with no airs or pretenses. And that was so sexy to him. He was really looking forward to finally seeing her again. He had made it a point to stock the fridge with cherry wine coolers, truffles and plenty of ice cream. He had picked up on quite a few of her favorite things through all the texting. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough. A slight shiver ran down his spine as he realized what he was doing. He shook it off.
As Evan walked around the cabin he was pleased to note that it was in such great shape. Elliot had made sure that all the electrical, satellite and roofing needs had been attended too. He really was amazed at the location of the cabin. It was nestled about 5 minutes drive time off the main road and it had access to a trail. The lake was about a twenty minute drive up the road but a natural hot spring was a short distance from the back deck. You could actually see it and it sat on Elliot's property secluded by trees from the opposite side. He could not think of a better way to work and to get to know Alina. He had not worked out the details on how he would tempt her to spend some time with him up here, for work of course; but he was sure he could make it happen. He had already unpacked his clothes and toiletries and sat back on the bed in his room to check his phone. "Hello Maxwell" said Evan with a grin. The cat was looking straight up at Alina no doubt. It looked as if thought they were in the herb or flower garden.
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The picture was followed by a greeting that made his grin grow into a full smile... "Did you find your way up to cabin ok? I was gathering up some herbs with Maxwell and I thought you should be up there by now. 🚙..." he put his fist to his lips and thought for a couple of seconds " Hi yes I've been up here since noon. The drive gave me time to unwind from the flight. The cabin is all aired out and ready for some serious brainstorming. I see Maxwell is still taking selfies!" 🤳🏼😹. He laid back against the headrest and waited for her reply! He really wanted her to tell him when she was coming up instead of asking her. While still in New York he had suggested they spend sometime away from distractions in order for him to get a feel for what the illustrations should be. He suggested the cabin since it was far enough away to be away and yet close enough that if she was needed home for any reason she could be back in a matter of a couple of hours. She didn't immediately reply; so his words hung out in the virtual world for the better part of the day before she responded. He finally saw the familiar dot pattern as she was texting her reply. "My parents will be leaving town tomorrow morning for Costa Rica and I'm taking them to the airport. After that I have dance recital rehearsal.By the time I'm done it will be too late to drive up in order to drive down before it gets dark. I'm not good at driving in the dark. The rest of the week is busy with the dance studio so I don't think I will be able to come up until this Friday." Evan looked out the window again after reading her text and couldn't help but frown with disappointment. He was about to reply when he saw that she was texting again. "Do you have time to call me right now?". He sat up straight on his bed and ran his hand down his shirt as he was preparing himself mentally to talk with her. Just like a teenager, he felt a bit giddy and nervous. "Sure. I'm free." He replied and hoped his reply didn't sound desperate. The phone rang and he had to force himself to let it ring a few times before he picked it up. "Hi" he said picking up the call and laying down completely on the bed now. " Hi Evan. Welcome back". She sounded just as light and sweet as he remembered. "Thanks, but I didn't see a banner or streamers at the airport when I arrived home, ya now; a real welcome!" He said with a smile and a laugh. She giggled and there it was again. Her laughter and giggles were melodic to him. He immediately envisioned her the way he had last seen her with her dark hair flowing down her back, her off the shoulder dress with Henry's paw prints on it and the bit of dry mud on her cheekbone and chin. His physical reaction to that image in his mind blew him away. He felt hot and bothered. He stood up and walked to the window and said the next thing that popped in his head. "Have dinner with me tomorrow"?. Before giving her a chance to respond he added "I have a few more things to pick up in town before I settle into my "hermit" persona. We could go anywhere you want". He fisted his right hand and put it on the window pain in front of him as he waited for her to reply with his eyes tightly closed. "I'd like that. Yes, lets have dinner". He let the air out of his lungs he didn't even realize he was holding in. He smiled and was about to ask where they should go when she said "My house. I'll make dinner." Her ability to surprise him and make him wonder at how it was possible for someone like her to be so natural and real. He was surprised but said "I meant let me take you to dinner. I don't want to impose and give you one more thing to do. I know you have so many balls in the air and".....but before he could finish she said "Evan Alexander. Please be my guest for dinner. I love to cook and it's no trouble. But, I will be put out if you don't come prepared to help me with dessert. What do you say?" ...it took him a millisecond to respond... "okay its a date. What time do you want me there?". She told to come over anytime after 3:00. Dinner would be ready by 6:00 so they could catch up in between. She warned him her siblings would most likely be around but that they would have the patio to themselves after dinner. She apologized for making him come down but she had to see her parents off and then she had her recital practice to attend to for her 6-7 year olds. She had decided to go back to teaching for a while. It gave her more practice time and was actually good for her mood and ankle strength. He told her he didn't mind coming down and that he looked forward to her cooking skills. He joked that he hoped they were better than her tea brewing skills. He let that hang out there as she realized he was joking with her. "I assume you're referring to the salt in your tea instead of sugar"? He laughed and said "yep". She was quick with her reply and said " that will teach you to mess with me, Evan Alexander. But you did deserve it". It was her turn to laugh and it was music to his ears. After ending their conversation he was feeling good. It hadn't gone according to plan but he would take anytime with her. Just then he remembered she had said she would be at the dance studio to practice for her recital. That gave him an idea and he smiled wide thinking out loud and saying "Ms. Alina Salvatierra. What are you doing to me".
