Page 2 of Snowed In With the Grizzly

I always knew that my life would be one of duty—working for my father and his business empire. But I never sawthiskind of duty coming. Giving myself—mind, body and soul—to a much older man, in exchange for my father’s financial freedom. I can’t refuse though. Because, in exchange for doing this, Daddy has promised to give Charlie her freedom, and let her live a life of her own choosing. And that’s all I want. Not just because I love my little sister to bits, but because I also promised our mom that I’d always protect her.

It was a promise I made on her deathbed, five years ago, and nothing could make me go back on it—

A tear falls down my cheek. I swipe at it angrily and bite down on my tongue.

I can’t cry. I need to be strong.

For Charlie’s sake.

Wilder’s Edge.

Keep thinking about Wilder’s Edge.

Grandma Jo’s adorably rustic log cabin, up in the mountains, right beside a lake. Far enough from the nearest town to have privacy, but close enough to drive for essentials. I’m going to read and sleep and hike in nature, and not think about anything else at all, for three blissful days.

Kids are starting to drift out of the sports hall, and if I’m not mistaken, the snow is falling faster now. I turn up the speed on my wipers, and look for Charlie, knowing she’s not expecting to see my car.

There she is at last—long hair tied back in a ponytail and nose red from the cold, chatting to a couple of other kids. She’s a junior tennis prodigy with a fearsome backhand, but right now, she looks small and vulnerable. My heart aches for her, and I double down on my promise that nothing will ever hurt that sunny nature of hers.

I sound my horn. Charlie’s head snaps in my direction, then she comes running over, a radiant smile lighting up her face.

“Rowan!” she bounds into the car with her usual puppyish energy, bringing a waft of freezing air with her. “I thought you’d left already!”

“Surprise!” I inject enthusiasm into my voice. It’s not so hard—seeing my sister always lifts my spirits.

But Charlie’s huge blue eyes peer into my own, and her smile drops. “Something’s happened, hasn’t it?”

“No. Nothing’s happened.”

“Dad was supposed to be here—” she trails off. Dad letting us down has been the backing track to our lives for as long as we can remember.

“Something came up. He had to go to a meeting.”

“But Rowan, this is your weekend. Your break before—”

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” I reassure her, but her eyes are brimming with tears.

“It’s not fair!” she bursts out.

“Relax. I’ve got plenty of time. It’s only three hours to Wilder’s Edge.” I put the car in drive and pull off.

Five minutes later, we’re turning into the Ice Princess drive-thru for Charlie’s favorite—a peppermint white hot chocolate. I’m desperate to cheer her up before she has to go home to our dad for the weekend.

“Rowan!” Charlie shrieks, when she figures out what’s going on. “This is gonna make you even later.”

“Only a few minutes, and it’s worth it to spend a little more time with my baby sis.” I get her in a headlock and ruffle her hair, like I used to when we were kids.

“Stop!” She fights me off, giggling. “I feel bad though.”

“No arguments,” I say, but when I see the line, I suppress a sigh. I’ll be delayed by another ten minutes at least. And I must be the biggest klutz in the universe, because somehow I manage to pull up way too close to the window. And when I reverse, the car behind me is somehow edging forward, and…bump!

Darn.

“What the fuck?” bellows a voice from behind me.

With a groan, I leap out and race around to the back of the car.

It’s fine. I hit the other car’s bumper. Not a single mark on it.

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