Summer at the Lodge (Closed for AngelofyourNighmares)

[such_a_bad_man]

The family always joked about Uncle Joseph's summer house on Lake Superior. Every year, he'd have one member of the family over to stay while he spent the summer on the water. This time, it was your turn. Uncle Joseph was wealthy enough to pay for your plane ticket and then provide a private jet to travel to the air strip near his house. About an hour by car led you to what he called his "cabin in the woods".

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Luckily, there's no snow on the ground this time of year as you compare the photos of it you found online. Even so, the water looks cold even this time of year. The house is closer to 3 or 4 houses inside; each wing being set up for people to live in it without disturbing anyone else. It might be hard to do when the views from the living room are amazing with water stretching out in all directions. The kitchen and dining room could entertain several dozen people. The bedrooms are huge and luxurious. The bathrooms have shower stalls and jacuzzi tubs. It will be very comfortable passing the summer here.

When the car pulls up to the grounds, Uncle Joseph and Aunt Maddie are there with open arms and outfits that look like they are meant for people 20 years younger. Even so, they are glad to have you or at least look that way. As they hug you hello, your Uncle Joseph calls out.

"Mason! Get her bags, will you?"

From what looks to be little more than a shed by the gate, you see a tall man in flannels and denim sink the head of an ax into a stump. Split wood lies littered around his feet as he turns and walks over toward the car. Several weeks worth of beard hangs from his face as his piercing eyes settle on you.

"Right away, sir." His baritone rumbles forth as he hefts up the luggage the driver has dropped off on the porch. Without a word or a second glance, he dips his shoulders a bit as he carries everything inside. While the one they called Mason sets about bringing the bags inside, your uncle and aunt take the time to show you around. It feels more like they want to show off to the latest family member to come by.

As they lead you to the room, you see sawdust lined boot prints in the hall. Your Uncle looks disappointed as the tall man emerges from your room. "Maddie, why don't you show her the room? I need to talk with Mason," he says, slipping away from your side and lingering in the hall.

You don't catch everything that Joseph says, but it's hard to miss words like "idiot" or "convict". As Maddie finishes talking you hear Joseph say "You're so damn lucky we took you on. Now, clean up this mess!" before he rejoins you in the room.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

Emily couldn’t believe she was actually here she had waited for this moment for so long and she needed this she needed away from the drama that was her life, sometimes being a part girl and keeping up with her friends and all the money was exhausting. She was stunned when she got there and looked at the grounds this was ridiculous she thought she knew her aunt and uncle were rich she just didn’t know how much....

She was grateful to get away and have some piece and quiet, she wasn’t the type of girl everyone thought she was she was nothing like her family, she was calm and sweet and kind not rude like her parents, or rude like her friends.

She smiled to herself as she seen her family for the first time in many years oh wow she thought they looked wonderful money did wonders after all she thought to herself.

She heard them yell for a man to grab her bags so obviously her eyes fell on him and my god he was hot.

As they showed her around she was even more overwhelmed she had never seen anything like this before she thought to herself even her parents home in Beverly Hills compared to this. God she ached for a normal life.

She overheard the way that jospeh was talking to the man they called mason and it broke her Heart but then again she was nothing like them after all.

https://pin.it/6ugkMQ0

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Mason walked off to get a vacuum and some spot remover for the carpet out in the hall. Joseph walked back in, shaking off his frustration. "I apologize about Mason. It's so hard to get good help up here. He takes care of things around here for us. Repairs, running out to the shops, gathering firewood for the fireplaces. If you need something, you can let him know and he'll take care of it. I can't guarantee he'll do it right the first time, but he's the best we have up here." He says, casting a glance into the hallway as you hear the vacuum running to clean up the dirt he tracked in.

"Well, I'll leave you to get settled. We have dinner pretty late here so I'll see you at about 7 or so. If you need help with anything or need to learn where something is, you can ask us or Mason if you can't find me or Aunt Maddie." He says, leaning in and kissing her on the forehead.

All the while, Mason takes great care to clean up things in the hall. Despite Joseph's claims, he takes great care to restore the hall to how it looked. He even took the extra step of going around in his socks to not further the mess.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

She looked around her uncle for a moment out in the hallway at the gentleman they called Mason there was a story she knew but for now it was none of her business, but when her aunt and uncle went away on the boat, she would have plenty of time to be alone and do her research. Joseph walked back In looking more annoyed then Emily thought he should.

“He seems like he does a okay job to me.” Emily uttered to herself knowing her uncle wouldn’t say anything back to her thinking she was just being young and naive and kind.

She smiled and nodded her head. “Ill get unpacked and get a shower and freshen up, thanks again for allowing me to come and visit and giving me this opportunity I promise I will treat this place as my own.’’ She said and hugged her uncle after the kiss he placed on forehead he might be a shitty person she thought but he was still her family and he still treated her good.

After her uncle left she snuck out into the hallway. ‘’Mason?” She said softly. “I’m sorry about my uncle.” She said gently waiting to see what he would say in return.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Mason looked up as he heard Emily's soft voice. Beneath the beard, she could tell he smiled back at her. "No need to apologize, Miss. He was right; I wasn't careful and made a mess. Still, I appreciate the apology. He is right; if you need anything during your stay, I'd be happy to handle it for you."

He finished wiping down the carpet with a cleaning spray and stood up. As he got to full height, Mason towered over Emily. It wasn't until they were alone that she got the full effect of how tall and broad-shouldered he was. "Is your room to your liking? Is there anything you'd like brought in or out?" He asked, stepping a bit closer.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

His eyes were gorgeous she thought to herself when he looked at her gently. His smile was soft and yet she knew beneath the surface there was a man she wanted to know probably better then she should have wanted to but at this moment she didn’t care his smile was like gold. Her heart was racing when she heard his strong voice.

She knew that her uncle wasn’t in the right, and that Mason probably didn’t trust her and in all honesty she didn’t blame him,but she needed him to know he wasn’t like her family.

He was so tall she thought to herself as she looked up at him with her dark blue eyes. “It’s perfect thank you.” She said softly and smiled.

‘I’m going to get settled now, thanks for bringing my bags up by the way.’ She said before turning and heading back to her room as she began to unpack. After unpacking she took a shower then decided what to wear to dinner, also she wondered if Mason knew the real reason she was here and then wondered why that mattered to her.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

‘I’m going to get settled now, thanks for bringing my bags up by the way.’

Mason nodded in response to her thanks. "It was my pleasure, ma'am. I'd give your shower a few minutes to warm up. The lake feeds everything around here and it keeps everything chilly, even the hot water pipes. It will take a while for them to clear and give you something resembling warmth." He joked before pulling his knit cap from his back pocket and making for the door.

Mason spent the majority of the day scouting the grounds around the house for more trees that he could claim for firewood. For some reason, Joseph and Maddie liked to have a roaring fire even during the summer while they were up here. It kept Mason pretty busy.

While he was scouting around, Emily could spy him out the windows on her side of the house. Her rooms faced the point and the forest that came up to that side of the house. There, along the edge of the landscaping, she could spy Mason's frame scanning the tree line.

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As the day continued, Emily could hear the sounds of a tree being harvested, cut into logs and split for firewood. By the time dinner rolled around, his grinder in the shack outside was spun to life and sparks flew into the night as he sharpened his tools.

Joseph went out, shouting at him to cut that damn racket as they were trying to have a nice dinner with their niece. Mason recoiled into himself and apologized, retreating into the shack for the night.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

She smiled gently when he told her about the water, she was grateful nothing bothered her more than a cold shower, water itself outside was different but when she took a shower she all but wanted it to turn her skin red. She smiled and thanked him again as she closed the door behind him.

She took her shower and decided what to wear... finally deciding she left her hair down. https://pin.it/73L00pt Was it too much she wondered.

She looked out the window God the views were breathtaking and it was so peaceful. This would give her time to think of what she wanted to do now that she was done with college, she debated she was and had been a English major and writing was her passion and here she had privacy, great views, quiet and no drama... that’s it she decided that’s what she wanted to do with her life even if her parents wanted her to be a doctor it’s not what she wanted... this was her dream and she was going to follow it.

As they sat down to dinner together they chatted and enjoyed each other’s company until her uncle flipped his switch and went out to yell at mason, she watched out the window. When her uncle came back in she sighed. “Uncle Josh the noise wasn’t bothering me.” She said softly and looked down at her food.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Joseph flapped out the napkin again and laid it in his lap as he rejoined the table. "Well, it was bothering me. We won't get many nights where it's just us and I would rather not have to shout over that inconsiderate idiot living on our grounds..." He said, looking back toward the door.

"Now, where were we? You were saying that you had finished school? I thought you still had another few years at Med School, or so your mother told us." He said, getting back to dinner.

"That's what I understood too. Does this mean you're going out for your residency?" Maddie asked, chiming in. "In a few years, you can start investing in real estate like your uncle and I. Pretty soon, we will get to visit you in your summer home." She said, smiling wide. So it would seem that Emily's aunt and uncle aren't so different from her parents after all.

"We will have friends on our boat that could help you get into the market when your ready. Again, you're welcome to join us. We'll have plenty of space on the boat for you." Joseph offers again.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

She looked at her uncle as he walked back into the house. “Where does mason stay?” She asked softly looking at them hating that he had called him a idiot even being rich didn’t make you entitled.

“I was a English major then I planned on going to medical school, I wanted a back up plan plus I really like writing.” She said realizing they were just as snobby as her parents but worse, at least her parents treated people with respect and kindness she thought to herself.

She shook her head, she didn’t plan to go to medical school she had finally decided that, she was tired of living her life under her parents thumb. They would get over her not wanting to be a doctor that wasn’t what she wanted out of her life she didn’t want to follow her fathers steps she wanted to create her own path but for now she played along and agreed.

“That sounds nice uncle it really does, but I need some time and space alone, but I will join you for the day one day.” She said softly finishing her meal.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

"Oh, he lives in a cabin near the gate. You probably passed in when the driver dropped you off. He's got a shack where he does most of his work for the house." Joseph explained in answer to Emily's question about where Mason stays. "He's far enough to not be a worry during the night."

"Well, I wish you'd join us, but after finishing a school year, I can understand that you want some time to decompress. There's plenty of space to do that here and plenty to do in and around the house." Maddie added, patting Emily's hand. "Sitting on the deck is a great way to tan without it being too hot. Plus, you don't need to worry about looky-loos." She offered.

Dinner was very good, but it doesn't seem like Joseph or Maddie are the culinary type. When it comes time to clear the table, it's clear that the fridge is stocked with meals preportioned and ready to reheat. It seems Mason's handiwork covers a lot of tasks around the house.

After dinner, Joseph and Maddie curl up in front of the massive fireplace they have in the living room. It seems a waste as the light from the fireplace washes out the amazing view out their living room windows of the night sky and the rugged terrain across the lake. As usual, it seems they enjoy their comfort above all else.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

“I don’t think he’d be a bother. I was just thinking so much house and he isn’t in a main wing it’s none of my business really I was just wondering, if perhaps I did need him in the middle of the night for something is there a phone for me to ring him or can I get to his cabin easily?” She asked softly.

“Thank you for understanding aunt Maddie.” She said with a smile. “I have my laptop so I will probably do some pre enrollment for me school and write some to unwind.” She said softly.

She wasn’t used to unplanned out meals even though her family was rich her mother actually really enjoyed to cook which meant her daughter did just as much, then again Emily was more domesticated then she let on, she wanted a simple life hence why she was here... that and to get far away from her real life and all the drama she had going on.

She watched her aunt and uncle settle in for the night. “I’m going to take a walk around outside before calling it a night, is that okay?” She asked

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Joseph looked to the phone in the hall near the dining room. "I think every phone in the house is set up with one button dialing for a few select numbers. I think Mason's cabin is on button 2. You can see what the others are if you need to use the phone." He explained.

As Joseph and Maddie settled in for the night in the living room, they didn't really seem like they wanted to move. At the mention of walking outside, however, Joseph looked over at his niece. "Okay, but don't wander down by the gate or Mason's cabin. He's dangerous and I don't trust him alone with you. Stay up here or out on the deck where we can see you. It's for your own safety, trust me." He says rather cryptically.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

She watched her uncle as he looked at the phone was she horrible to admit that a part of her would be grateful when he and aunt Maddie spent most of the summer on there house boat. “Thank you.” She said as she looked at him, she knew she would be there alone most of the time so it would only be expected that she knows how to get ahold of mason.

She knew they would probably go to need soon not because they were old, but because of the fact that they seemed to enjoy the silence. The way her uncle looked over at her made her look skeptical she knew that look like he was going to tell her what to do, it was often the same look that was in her fathers eyes.

At the mention that mason was dangerous she wondered what they meant by that, she wanted to know. “I’ll be careful, don’t worry... I’ll see you in the morning before you guys head off.” She said and kissed them both on the cheek before heading out of the house as she slipped her heels off and carried them heading to one of the many docks.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

"Okay, we'll see you tomorrow." Joseph said, not moving away from his wife or the fire. The two seemed content to relax and sink into a comfortable nap right there in the living room.

As Emily slipped outside, it was already chilly outside. While it may be the summer, it had to be under 60 degrees already. Still, the lake lapped easily and calmly under the dock as she strode along it. It was so quiet out here; only the lake seemed to be the only source of noise.

That, and the sound of a man breathing.

Ahead, she could see the red glowing ember of a cigar before a large cloud of smoke filled the air. Between the two, it was easier to make out the tall silhouette of Mason at the end of the dock. He stood, facing away from the house as he looked up at the night sky. Periodically, he took a drag off a cigar and exhaled its smoke slowly. With her heels off, it was clear that the larger man didn't hear Emily approaching, but soon she'd have to say something as it would be obvious that his solitude was broken.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

She was grateful for them even if they were snobs with other people they knew how much she needed this time and space.

She loved the evening night, it was so lretty even if chilly. She loved the view of the moon however. She loved the peace and quiet of being here.

She heard heavy breathing and for a moment she freaked until she realized she jt was.

She didn't want to startle him but she had walked to the dock. "mason. " she said gently.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Mason paused on the next inhale. Instead, he turned toward Emily's voice and took a step so she would be in the moonlight. "Oh, Emily. Did your aunt and uncle need something?" He asked, figuring that she had sought him out for a reason.

He stood in his flannel shirt, but without his trademark beanie. He seemed to enjoy the cool air on his scalp as he wore his hair cut short. His jeans did very little to hide the body underneath, but they weren't tight. His thick boots made him just that much taller as he stood over her.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

She felt bad for barging in on him or at least that is what she felt as if she had done. She smiled at him kindly when he turned and looked at her. "No hey didn't I was just out for a stroll it's. So quiet here I'm not used to that, I like it." she said softly. "I didn't mean to invade your space. " she said quietly.

He was a very attractive man she thought to herself. "Mason I'm sorry for my family... I'm, not like them. " She said and looked gently at him.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Mason stood calmly as Emily rambled before him. When she paused for a breath, he looked at her calmly. "I can already tell you're not like them. And you're welcome to join me; I can't help but feel that you're in no hurry to get back inside to them." He gestured up the dock to the bench built in at the end for fishing.

He fell in step beside her as they walked up the dock together. "What do you think of the place so far?" He asked, not wanting to be too nosy. His boots thudded with each step seemingly in time with the wash of the waves below the dock.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

She didn't know why she felt the need for him to know that she wasn't like them well at least in the ways that mattered, she wondered if he knew the reasons she was here. She knew she was rambling at the same time she didn't care but for some odd reason she did seem to care what he thought About her.

She was glad that he felt that way she wondered if he knew just how they felt about him. "I'd like that, they told me not to go near the gate or your cabin not sure why though." She said softly. She was glad she took her heels off and she didn't feel uneasy beside him though she really knew nothing about him. "I like it, it's beautiful a bit much but still beautiful alot different then Beverly Hills. " she said as she sat beside him.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Mason sat beside her, nodding. "Yeah, it's much less crowded and probably not as glamorous, but this place has its charms." He said, looking around at the night sky. After a beat, he blinked his eyes, glancing over.

"Your uncle told you not to get near my place? Did he say why?" Mason asks, his cigar still smoldering between his fingers.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

She didn't feel in danger or as if she couldn't trust him the way her uncle said that she should. "it's the truth, it's nice here I have no-one to impress or please. " she said but didn't go into anything more on the subject. The way he looked at her when she mentioned what her uncle had said made her worry.

"Just that he didn't trust you alone with me." She said honestly as she looked at him. "I didn't ask him why because I don't listen well. " She said with a laugh.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Mason smiled, but he still looked worried behind it. He bit his lip, looking out at the water. "Yeah, your uncle has been good to me, in spite of what he says. Not a lot of people would have taken a chance on me. But, I assure you; you have nothing to worry about when it comes to me. I'm just here to do a good job maintaining this place." He explained, not meeting Emily's eyes as he swallowed nervously.

 

[AngelofyourNighmares]

He smiled but Emily knew something wasn't right something mason wasn't saying and why she wouldn't push him she would find out about whatever he may be hiding soon enough she really didn't want to outright ask him or her uncle, so she would just wait or do some research. She looked at him. "You know even if your just doing a job and he treats you right it doesn't mean he should talk down to you. " She said with a sigh.

"There's more, I know but I won't push the matter. " She sighed.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

"Thank you for respecting my privacy. It's a long summer, so enjoy it. Don't worry so much about what's going on here." Mason said, standing up. "I, uh... I should get back to my cabin. Your aunt and uncle will want me to load their boat in the morning..." He said, coming up with an excuse. Puffing once more on his cigar, he stomped back down the dock toward the house and the path to his cabin.

After he left, the eerie stillness and quiet of the lake returned. The stars turned overhead. The moon shone without a care as time passed beneath it. Back at the house, the fireplace and lights of the living room extinguished as Josh and Maddie went to bed. The house was dark without any lights on for Emily when she got back.