Page 59 of Out of the Cold

He pulled on his boots and jacket and headed out the door, breaking a new trail through the fresh powder.

“Lucy.”

His voice was loud in the silence of snow falling, and she visibly jolted.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“That’s all right. What are you doing out here?”

“I thought I’d save you the trouble of driving tonight and take you in my truck. It’s going to be rough going, even with the right tires. You don’t want to be stressing over the drive before your reading.”

“How did you know about that?”

“I was at the bookstore today.”

“Oh. Right.” She brushed some snow off the windshield without looking at him. “I didn’t mention it because I didn’t want you to feel obligated to come.”

“Well, I want to go, so can I drive you?”

“Yes, that would be great. Thank you.”

“How long do you need to get ready?”

“Not long. Ten minutes?”

“Sounds good.”

Back in his cabin, he stoked the fire and grabbed his keys and wallet. It didn’t take long to clear snow off the truck, but it was only marginally warmer inside than out when he pulled up in front of Lucy’s cabin.

A few seconds later she came out, a leather tote in one mittened hand. She tossed it in first, then hauled herself up onto the seat.

“Do you think anyone will come out in this? I called the store to see if the reading was still on, and they said they never canceled for snow, only if the power went out.”

“The snow won’t stop most people up here. Besides, they all seem to want to shop. It was a zoo earlier.”

“You must have hated it.”

He couldn’t help his smile. “I did.”

His truck handled the snow well, but he took it easy on the unplowed roads.

“Nervous?” he asked, taking in her tightly clasped hands.

“Yes, a little. I always am before a reading.”

“I can imagine.”

“And it’s not only this. A few weeks ago, someone at the library asked me to teach a writing workshop for teenagers. I recently learned my proposal was accepted.”

“You don’t look too happy about it, but that sounds pretty flattering.”

“I suppose it is, and I was excited about the idea at first. But now I’m remembering how I feel about speaking in public. I almost wish she’d rejected my proposal.”

“You’ll be great.”

“It’s for six weeks,” she said, as if she were doomed for all time.

“Maybe focus on tonight. Take one thing at a time, you know?”

---