After spending almost an hour with the lawyer, Eleanor and Jackson had both signed everywhere the lawyer told them to sign. The rules were simple, if they kept their mouths shut; the would be fine. L.M. Quinn would have the final say as to what was printed in the article, but had no creative input. Eleanor and Jackson were mostly prohibited from revealing the location of the manor or anything else that would put the security of the author at risk.
Jackson asked a lot more questions than Eleanor expected him to. He carefully read ever paper, just to be sure they weren’t signing anything to get the two of them in trouble. In the end, Jackson decided that the document seemed reasonable. They weren’t asked to do anything unreasonable.
Once they were free to spend the afternoon doing other things, Jackson and Eleanor walked down to the lake together. The path was clear and well marked, they had no trouble making their way down to the water’s edge. They walked out to the end of the dock to admire the scenery. Every single piece of the view was completely and utterly breath-taking.
Jackson examined the boat carefully, remarking about how it was fully loaded. He made a promise that at sometime during their stay he would be taking the boat out. Eleanor felt like he was more or less promising the boat and not exactly promising her.
Together, they walked back up the path toward the manor and detoured to their bunkie.
Jackson was adamant that he wanted to go in the pool, even with Eleanor pointing out that his arm was still in a cast and couldn’t get wet. Jackson promised that he would be extra careful not to get his cast wet, and insisted he wanted to go for a swim. Both Jackson and Elanor grabbed their bathing suits and set off for the main house.
Once in the pool room, Eleanor took her time changing. She took her time pulling her hair up so it wouldn’t get wet. She took a slow shower, her mind racing with details that she might or might not include in the article she was planning to write. She had bits and pieces in her mind, but nothing concrete yet. She still needed to meet the subject of the article, which was making everything so much more difficult.
Eleanor walked out of the change room to find that Jackson was floating in the pool on a pool lounger. He had somehow managed to get onto the floating mattress without getting his cast or his sling wet. He was grinning like an idiot.
“I see you’ve made yourself at home.” Eleanor teased. She carefully eased herself onto the pool deck and swung her legs over the side. She dipped her feet into the water. It was surprisingly warm—warmer than she thought it would be.
The door to the pool room opened and a member of the housekeeping staff came in. She was carrying a stack of neatly folded, blindingly white towels. She carefully placed the towels on one of the lounge chairs. “Is there anything else I could get for the two of you?” She asked softly and shyly.
“Yeah, you know what? I’m on vacation.” Jackson announced. “I’ll take a margarita.”
Eleanor gaped at him.
“Actually, we’ll each take one.” Jackson added, grinning at Eleanor.
Before Eleanor could protest, the staff member had quickly exited the room again.
“Jacks!” Eleanor scolded.
Jackson grinned. “What? We’re on vacation. Live a little, and relax!” He smirked.
“I’m all for relaxing, but you know that I do not handle tequila well. I need to keep focused. I need a clear and level head for when we meet the author tonight. If we meet the author tonight.” Eleanor explained.
Jackson shrugged. “One isn’t going to hurt. Besides, we aren’t even sure if we’re going to meet her tonight, anyway. She’s already bailed on us twice. Maybe she’s changed her mind.”
“I hope not.” Eleanor said. “We came all this way.”
Jackson shrugged. “Yeah, but it’s a free vacation.”
“Maybe so.” Eleanor conceded. “But I am here to work as well. My reputation as a journalist depends on it.”
“So just have one. It’ll be fine.” Jackson smirked. “I’ll only let you drink one.”
Eleanor sighed. She pushed herself up from the pool deck. She walked to the wall and adjusted the timer for the hot tub. It began bubbling instantly. She carefully lowered herself into the hot, churning water with a contented sigh. The heat felt good and she felt instantly more relaxed.
“See? Not so bad, huh?” Jackson said with a grin.
Eleanor laughed softly. “Okay, maybe you’re right about this.” She sighed. She put her head back and shut her eyes. “Do you think we could buy one of these for the condo?”
“Our balcony might be a bit small.” Jackson reasoned. “Maybe we can flood the living room?”
Eleanor laughed again.
The doors opened and a waiter came in; the same waiter from their brunch. He was holding a silver tray with two blended margaritas on top. Both were garnished with a salt rimmed glass and a circle of lime. A green and white striped paper straw was sticking out of the green slush.
“Wow, those look amazing.” Jackson grinned. With his good arm, he was attempting to paddle over to the side of the pool.
The waiter brought the first drink to Eleanor, carefully placing it in her hands. He walked around the pool to the side closest to Jackson. He knelt on the side of the pool in his starch white chef’s uniform and reached out to give Jackson his margarita.
“Thank you, my good man.” Jackson beamed.
“Please let us know if you need anything else.” The waiter said. “There is a phone on the wall there.” He pointed to a phone attached to the tiled wall. “Press zero to reach a staff member. We can bring you whatever you wish.”
The waiter quietly left the room, with his platter under his arm.
Jackson took a sip of his drink, grinning hugely. “I feel like I need a cigar. Then my pampered rich guy persona is complete.”
Eleanor raised an eyebrow at him. “You get a cigar and I’ll have that lawyer come back and draft up some divorce papers.” She teased.
Jackson chuckled. “That’s fair. I’d probably just throw up anyway. No one wants that happening in the pool.”
Eleanor shook her head. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. The hot tub was very relaxing. She had to admit that she was actually quite comfortable here. She was starting to get used to having everything taken care of. She felt like she was on an incredibly pampered vacation.
She took a long sip from her margarita. She heard the sound of a splash, and she opened her eyes. Jackson had managed to awkwardly get off the floating mattress without getting his cast wet. He had managed to splash his sling, however. Eleanor resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
Jackson waded across the shallow end of the pool with his margarita in his hand. He looked so absolutely ridiculous with one arm in a sling and the other hand holding a margarita that Eleanor almost burst out laughing. He managed to get to the side of the pool and the pool ladder. He had to put down the margarita on the edge of the pool and hoisted himself up the ladder with his good arm. He stooped to grab his drink and walked over to the hot tub.
“Mind if I join you?” He asked.
Eleanor laughed softly. “Sure, go ahead.”
He awkwardly lowered himself onto the side of the hot tub, almost spilling his drink in the process. He stuck his feet into the hot water, up to his knees.
“Ugh, I’ll be glad when this stupid cast comes off.” He sighed.
“Does it hurt?” Eleanor asked. “I can run back to the bunkie.” She offered.
“Nah, it doesn’t hurt.” He answered with a small smile. “It’s itchy as hell though.”
Eleanor stretched her legs out in front of her, watching her feet bob up in the hot water.
Jackson grinned. “Some day I’ll buy you your own hot tub, I promise.”