A Cold Inn

They were taking a hell lot of time for a simple task. 

"Oh, for the love of your fuckin' God, men, finish it already", I said impatiently.

The men looked at me annoyed, but did as I said. We walked towards the dimly lit inn were we kept our belongings. It was already a cold night and the walk through the woods isn't helping at all. I was annoyed and starving, and now cold due to the dimwits currently trailing me. 

 

It was time for dinner and pork stew greeted us on the dining table. The inn keeper's wife smiled and told us it was her husband's birthday. 

I said, "Happy birthday Mr..."

"Tommy", she said.

"Mr. Tommy. May he live a long and happy life with such a sweet and beautiful wife", I smiled at her. She blushed and gave us each a bowl of stew. It was surprisingly heavenly and made us go for seconds. 

 

I was washing my hands when she noticed the stain on my boots.

"You know, the look you're giving me is almost ravishing and if I didn't know any better, I might think you fancy me",  I said.

She blushed and replied, "No sir. There's a stain on your boots. From the hunt, I reckon? I can clean them for you if you want".

"That is so sweet of you. Please do", I said and gave her my boots.

 

When I was left with the men alone, they looked at me concerned. "Do you think she noticed?", one of them asked.

"Yeah, that's why I gave her those to clean. Where's your mind these days?", I replied annoyingly.

"You know what I mean".

"And I'm telling you it's alright. If anything is amiss, it's your incompetence. I've told you a million times to be fast and steady, and still you went and made a mess, and look where it got us! Now I've to ask a nice lady to clean my fucking boots". 

"We're sorry. It won't happen again", they said.

 "Or the next time it'll be your blood she cleans", I am growing tired of this conversation.

 

The inn keeper's wife comes with cleaned boots and smile at me. I took them and bid her good night. She seems bothered about something so I ask, "why do you look uneasy?"

"My husband...he's late. He went to collect wood and he's usually never this late", she said.

"Oh I'm sure he'll me back soon. I don't think there's anything that can keep him from his beautiful wife", I say and she blushed.

"Ring the bell if you need anything, sir", she said.

"Of course, love. But, don't offer things you can't provide", I wink at her. Satisfied to see her reddened face, I motion to the men to follow and walk to the stairs. 

 

We locked the room from inside and quietly exit through the window out to the woods, leaving the inn and the unbeknown widow behind.