Page 14 of Snowed In

While I’m eager to get somewhere I’m not being stared at for obviously being alone, I don’t rush to join the line at the front desk. I booked a cabin on the mountainside that can only be accessed by snowmobile except in the best conditions, which the website reads are basically three months of the year. Otherwise, it’s far too treacherous (or a slippery mud pit and needs to be accessed by all-terrain vehicles).

I won’t get into why I thought this was a good idea. It was likely another subconscious thought trying to turn fucking Jason into Roux.

Nope. Not going to think about it.

I check in and the woman takes her time looking at my reservation. She tells me that the cabin is fully stocked, just as I requested it should be. There’s plenty of firewood to last several months. It’s likely that access to and from the cabin will be closed down later this evening because the storm will hit full force in another hour or so and the mountain is expected to get like seventeen feet of snow.

Does my heart freeze in my chest at that thought?! Yes! I could literally be snowed in, buried under snow, completely alone, in just hours. The thought is frightening.

She goes on to tell me I’ll be perfectly safe (maybe she saw my panic) and that the phone lines rarely go down, even if access won’t be possible for some time. There’s a very well-stocked pantry and first aid kit, though. The generator rarely fails either.

Rarely. That’s comforting.

Finally, she hands me a set of keys and tells me there’s a snowmobile under the porch if we choose to go out, but we shouldn’t attempt it until after the storm has cleared and the trails have been re-marked.

Yes, we. She spoke this entire time as if she couldn’t see I was alone. I suppose since the reservation was made for two, she must justassume that my partner is coming separately. A sordid affair or whatever.

The man to transport me and my luggage is waiting outside. Actually, there are two of them. Two snowmobiles with little trailer sleds attached. I don’t say anything as I head for one and hand him my suitcase to secure in exchange for a helmet. Without comment, we’re off as the sun goes down and the only light is that of the lamp at the front of the machine.

We move quickly but carefully along the snowy trails. Fast enough that my jacket made for moving between vehicle and building is shit, and I’m practically frozen to my bones by the time we arrive at the cabin. Holy fuck.

The man helps me off the snowmobile, which is fortunate since I’m practically frozen in place. He unties my suitcase and helps me through the already snow-filled in path that had recently been shoveled.

The cabin is small and welcoming. It looks almost enchanting as warmth glows from the windows, and smoke drifts from two chimneys. For just a second, I forget that I’m here alone and the person I wanted to spend the holiday with—and his substitute—aren’t here.

When the door opens, the warmth that wraps around me nearly makes me cry. It feels so good. My eyes touch on everything I can find and for just a minute more, I’m lost in the wonder of Christmas. It’s just… magical.

“Will your partner be arriving soon?” the man asks, and the moment is shattered.

Sighing, I turn to look at him and nod. No need to tell a stranger I’ve been stood up and will now be here alone for ten days. That’s how horror movies are made.

“Yeah, he was right behind me. Just running late,” I say, trying to hide the rejection in my voice.

He nods. “Hopefully he gets here soon. The trails will be closed before long. Cell service is spotty during good weather, so don’t besurprised if you don’t have any. The landline is almost always working, though.”

“Thanks.” I tip him and he gives me a smile before wishing me a pleasant stay. I shut the door, making sure to lock it behind me.

I kick off my boots, shoving them into the closet where I hang my coat and hat, too. A slow look around the living room tries its best to warm me again. This is the quintessential perfect romantic holiday getaway, and I love everything about it.

Except that I’m spending it alone.

There’s a single opening that I find leads to the kitchen and then further beyond is the bedroom and bathroom. There’s a fire merrily crackling in the two-sided fireplace set into the wall between the bedroom and attached bathroom. Keeping both rooms toasty.

I drop my bag in the closet and then head back to the kitchen. The front desk agent was right, the pantry is packed to the brim. The freezer is too. And the fridge has everything I asked for and then some. They really did overstock in case I was stranded here for months.

God, I hope that doesn’t happen. I’ll go mad if I’m left alone on the mountainside for months! What a way to end my career – pro soccer play frozen to death on a lonely mountain side all alone over Christmas.

Pulling out one of the meals for two, I bring it to the counter to start prep. I’m starving. Maybe cooking will take my mind off the fact that this holiday is going to suck balls. And not in the fun way.

Chapter Two

Edries Franklin

ECCENTRIC BILLIONAIRE DIVORCES WIFE AND KEEPS HIS ENTIRE NET WORTH—LEGALLY! NOW ESCAPING ON A ROMANTIC CHRISTMAS GETAWAY WITH A MYSTERY WOMAN.

I smirk at the headline. Honestly, I’m not sure where the ‘eccentric’ comes from, but it’s one of those titles that’s been with me for ages. I can’t seem to shake it. Wear a flamingo print suit to an award ceremony one time and suddenly you’re stuck being eccentric for the rest of your life.

Fuck’s sake, I was sixteen!

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