Read Cabin Fever for Free Online Page B

asked, as Patrick came down the stairs.
    “Talking a bath and getting ready for bed.”
    “Care to hear my plan?”
    “I’m all ears.”
    “Have a seat on the couch. I started a fire to chase away the chill.” The flames were low, but inching higher.
    Patrick sat by the fire. Sean occupied the opposite end. “We have to keep her from going to bed so early. We only have three weeks. So when she comes to say good night, we’ll sit here by the fireplace and hand her the magazine. One of the stories on the front cover is the ménage à trois. We’ll decide which one of us will make a casual comment, and we’ll let the conversation flow from there.”
    “I love your plan so far.” Patrick’s voice held heavy sarcasm.
    “What do you mean?”
    “You really think she’s gonna sit here and chew the fat about threesomes? Haven’t you noticed the tension between all of us these past few weeks?”
    “All the more reason to break the ice.”
    Patrick hung his head. “I have to trust you on this, ’cause I don’t have a better plan.”
    “Gee, thanks.”
    “Sorry, I’m so frustrated right now.”
    Sean went over and patted him on the back. “I understand. But I told you last Valentine’s Day to say something to her.”
    “It didn’t feel right at the time. Were you ready to say something to her?”
    “No. I guess you’re right. But I think this vacation is right. It feels right.”
    Sandra interrupted the discussion by coming down the stairs wrapped in a pink terry cloth robe. She even looked delicious in that.
    “Hey, is there any place to order food? I don’t feel like cooking. I want something to nibble on before I go to bed.”
    Sean buried his head in his hands. “Go back upstairs; we’ll take care of it.”
    “Sure you don’t want to change game plans?” Patrick smirked.

 
     
     

Chapter Eight
     
     
    Sandra joined the guys by the fire. They’d ordered cheap Chinese food from a local restaurant that offered speedy delivery.
    “So what’s first on the agenda?” She opened up one of her food cartons.
    Sean twirled his chopsticks in his lo mein noodles. “Agenda? As far as what?”
    “Well, do you like the house?”
    “We just set foot in this place, honey,” Patrick popped a shrimp into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed. “Besides, while you were upstairs, we took a quick tour. It’s huge.”
    “And it needs a lot of TLC,” Sean snorted.
    “Really? Anything major?” Sandra scanned the room as she continued eating.
    “Yeah. This fireplace is the only working one—out of eight.”
    “Nope, the one in my bedroom works.” She grinned at them.
    “Ooh weee,” Patrick said.
    Sandra slapped him playfully on the arm. He countered that with a kiss on the cheek.
    “So this lodge needs a lot fixing up. We’ll hire some contractors, ask for an estimate, they do the work—” She could see the results in her mind’s eye.
    “Whoa, whoa! Let’s talk about the kitchen.” Sean pointed behind him.
    “Let’s not talk about this for now,” Patrick broke in. “We have three weeks. That’s plenty of time to decide what to do with this white elephant.”
    “He’s right.” She rubbed a reassuring hand on Sean’s shoulder.
    “Let’s talk about the fun we’re going to have. Three weeks of doing nothing.” Patrick leaned back, stretching.
    “Speak for yourself. I’m hitting the slopes, remember?”
    “Besides that.” Patrick leaned over, and reached into one of the bags from the drugstore. “We need to put these batteries somewhere, before we misplace them. And here is your Snickers.” He tossed it to her.
    “Mmm, dessert.”
    Sean laughed. “Hand me the paper.”
    “Here you go. And I didn’t forget reading material for you, lady.” Patrick pulled out a Just for Women and handed it to her. “Here’s your favorite magazine.”
    “Thanks…I….” She was stunned.
    “What’s wrong? That is the magazine you subscribe to, isn’t it?” Patrick looked confused.
    “Yeah,