Page 20 of Snowed in With My Small Town Billionaire

“Millie won’t cook breakfast since people will likely wander into the dining room. We have cold cereal, oatmeal, muffins, and breakfast bars. Lunch will be served at noon and dinner will be served at six,” Tessie said. “I imagine you all are exhausted, so go ahead, grab your bags, and get some sleep.”

Lucas and Sawyer didn’t move. They both closed their eyes and passed out right where they were. Gwen grabbed a couple of blankets from the back of the couch and covered them.

She felt her father’s eyes burning a hole in her back as she covered Sawyer. I don’t care what he thinks. These two men worked hard to save everyone’s lives, including ours. Whatever happened in the past belongs in the past.

Gwen covered her brother with another blanket. She wasn’t going to wake him up and make him go into the bedroom with her parents. No one was going to be upset about the little boy sleeping on the couch.

She took her bag into the room she shared with the other women and put it in the corner. “I’ll take that cot,” she said, pointing to the cot in the corner.

“I’ll be glad to sleep on the cot by the bed,” Maddie said.

“Wait, you can’t make me sleep on the bed with Emilia. She kicks in her sleep,” Samantha protested.

“I already called dibs on the cot. Unless you want to wait for them to find another cot for you, I suggest you get into bed. It’s a king-sized bed so you should be fine,” Maddie said.

“She’s got long legs,” Samantha groused as she went into the bathroom to brush her teeth.

“I’ll be right back, guys,” Gwen said and went in search of Tessie. She found her and Millie turning off the lights in the kitchen and dining room.

“Is there anything I can do to help? I know you are going to be out of your mind busy with a lodge full of unexpected guests.”

Tessie nodded. “We can definitely use help. I’m sure Millie can use an assistant chef since her help won’t be able to get up the mountain. We’ll need help keeping the place clean, although we’re going to ask the guests to clean their own rooms.”

Gwen nodded and looked at Millie. “What time should I report for duty, Boss?”

“Ten-thirty.”

She smiled tiredly at Millie and then slowly lumbered back to the bedroom. The other three girls were already asleep. Someone was snoring softly.

Gwen brushed her teeth and lay down on the cot, which was surprisingly comfortable.

Either that or I’m just that tired.

As tired as she was, she couldn’t fall asleep right away. She stared at the ceiling and thought about the day’s events. When she closed her eyes, she pictured the snow rushing at them and felt the cabin shaking all over again.

She focused on a prayer she often recited when she was stressed. “The light of God surrounds me. The love of God enfolds me. The power of God protects me. The presence of God watches over me. Where I am, God is.”

With those words repeating in her head, she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

9

C H A P T E R

Sawyer

Sawyer woke when he heard people start moving around. He kept his eyes closed for a few minutes, hoping that people would go away and let him sleep. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

His eyes fluttered open and he saw Daniel putting some wood in the fireplace.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up, but the fire was getting low.”

“No worries,” Sawyer said. “What time is it?”

“Ten. Everyone is going to start pouring out of the bedrooms because it’s about to get very cold in there.”

Lucas groaned. “I’m not sure I can move. Every muscle in my body is screaming.”

“Oliver is a medic and keeps supplies on hand. He’ll have some acetaminophen or something.”

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