Page 66 of Snowed In With the Mountain Man
Pulling out his phone, he trudged away from the cabin. Reception was very unpredictable up here, and normally that was something he liked best about this place. It was nice to feel like he was totally off the grid.
Most of the time.
Right now? Not so much.
“Where are you going?” Her voice had a hint of alarm, and it made him stop short.
He’d seen many sides of Ms. Dahlia O’Sullivan, but he’d never seen her scared… and in that moment, he knew he’d never be able to stand it. “I’ll be right back.” He pointed behind him. “Reception is bad around here. There’s a spot about a half mile from the cabin, up that hill.”
She stared at him like he was a lunatic. “You have to take a hike to make a phone call?”
“Why don’t you go back inside the truck and keep warm? I’ll make this call and be back in a few.”
She turned from him to the truck with a sigh, muttering under her breath. “I’m gonna be fired, I just know it.”
Guilt rippled through him again even as he told himself it was unwarranted. It wasn’t like he’d intended to have his truck break down. Still… He hurried as fast as he could to the clearing where he got the best reception.
Nash didn’t answer, so he tried Cody.
JJ sketched out what had happened in a few short sentences, and Cody groaned. “That’s some bad luck, man.”
“Tell me about it,” he grunted.
“Look, I’m happy to help you, but I don’t see what you need in the ranch’s garage. I’m gonna have to head into town to get it.”
JJ cursed under his breath, tipping his head back to look up at the rapidly encroaching clouds. Downtown Aspire was the opposite direction of his cabin. By the time Cody got into town, bought the supplies, and headed out here…
“If I leave right now, I might make it.”
JJ sighed, his stomach sinking as he realized the inevitable. “Yeah, and then you’ll get stuck up here to ride out the storm.”
Cody’s voice was uncharacteristically serious. “How’s it looking where you are?”
“Honestly? Not good.” JJ stared at the horizon. He had a better view of the valley from here. “My gut tells me the roads are gonna be too dangerous within an hour or so. The wind has picked up a lot in the last ten minutes, and the sky isn’t looking great.”
“You better hunker down, then. You got enough to see you through?”
“Yeah. I always keep this place well stocked.” He scrubbed at his eyes, already dreading the conversation to come. “Can you, uh… pass the message along? I don’t want anyone to worry about us.”
“Will do. And good luck, man. I can’t imagine Dahlia taking this very well.”
“Oh, no, she definitely won’t.” And he couldn’t say he’d blame her. Her plans were about to be blown to pieces for the second time this week.
Trudging back to the cabin, he tried to work out the best way to word things, then quickly came to the conclusion that direct would work best.
She’d hate him to sugarcoat it.
She’d gotten out of the truck and was pacing in front of the cabin, blowing into her hands to keep them warm. “Well?” she said as soon as she spotted him. “What’s the outcome?”
“I spoke to Cody, and he’s happy to help us out, but he can’t do anything until after this storm passes through.”
“But… but it’s not even snowing.”
“The wind is picking up real fast. It’s coming, and I don’t want him getting stuck in his car overnight. We’re just gonna have to wait it out.”
“And my flight?” she clipped. Her mouth was pinched, her brows drawn together. She already knew the answer.
He let out a sigh. “I’m sorry, but you’re not gonna make it.”
