Page 61 of Lucky in Love
He toughed it out another hour before realizing he’d die if he tried to stay here overnight. That might be overstating it a bit, but why be miserable when he could solve his problem with a quick walk?
Outside, his flashlight showed a lot of white—easily a foot of snow on the ground. The weather forecasters hadn’t exaggerated when they said this storm would come in hard and fast. He trudged down the steps, visibility near zero. Trees lined the trail, so even in the dark, he made it to the parking lot.
He’d put some straw in Daisy’s house, but now, amid the storm, he realized that was inadequate. He detoured to the boathouse to check on her, but neither the duck nor her shelter were anywhere to be found. Was the wind fierce enough to pick up the house? Maybe. Or maybe Alex had moved it.
Too cold to linger any longer, Brody returned to the parking lot, where he hit a fork in the road. Go right, to the rec cabin, where he’d have to light a fire in the dark and start from zero to heat up the huge room. That could take hours.
Or, option two, take the trail on the left, which would lead him to Alex’s. She would certainly already have a fire going, meaning he could get warm and dry instantly. The decision was a no-brainer.
It was full dark, and the howling wind and continuous snowfall made it tough going. There weren’t as many trees on this trail to guide him, and twice he thought he’d lost his way—which terrified him. But finally, he saw a faint light up ahead.
A tree branch had fallen over the path, which he had no choice but to climb over. If he hadn’t been thoroughly soaked before, he was now.
Wet, freezing, and tired from battling the branch, he crawled up Alex’s porch steps and knocked. It took a minute, but when she finally opened the door, her mouth fell open.
“What are you doing out in this weather?” she asked.
His teeth chattered too hard to answer.
“Get in here, you complete idiot.”
He’d take the insults if it meant warmth. She hurried him in and shut the door.
“I…I…I’m freezing,” he finally got out.
“Well, no duh. You’re soaked to the bone. Strip.”
She might be bossy, but she was also right. He had to get out of the wet clothes. Quickly, he shed his coat, hat, gloves, and boots. Snow had leaked down the back of his jacket and onto his hoodie. His jeans were soaked through, but he didn’t want to take them off right here in her entryway.
“I’ll find something for you to put on, but those have to come off too.” She glanced at his pants. “Don’t you know cotton kills?”
“Tess did mention that in our pre-campout class. I didn’t realize how bad the storm was. My place was freezing, and I wasn’t sure spending the night there was a good idea. Safety-wise.”
“That’s why I suggested you go to the rec cabin. PS, whydidn’tyou go to the rec cabin?”
“Honestly,” he said. “By the time I got to the parking lot, the thought of lighting a fire in the dark seemed impossible. I knew you’d have one going.” He eyed her fireplace with longing.
She waved a hand, inviting him to sit by her fire, but when he started toward it, she stopped him. “Pants off first. I’ll go find some sweats.”
After she left the room, he peeled off his jeans, which was no small feat, and put them atop the heap of soggy clothes. He noticed a chair barricade surrounding Daisy’s house. As he approached, Daisy popped out and quacked.
“Hey,” he said. “So this is where you ended up. I was worried about you.”
He heard a chuckle from behind and couldn’t blame Alex for laughing. Bent over and talking to a duck in his boxer briefs wasn’t his classiest moment.
When he turned, she threw a pair of light green sweats at him. At his dubious look, she scoffed.
“It’s that or your skivvies,” she said. “And no, there’s no way they’ll actually fit properly, but it’s the biggest thing I have.”
He forced on the sweats. They were too short and too tight, but she was right. It was better than his undies.
“Lookin’ good, Collins.” She eyed him up and down, tamping down a laugh.
“Now may I?” He gestured to the fire.
“Yes,” she said, picking up his jeans and handing them to him. “Lay these out to dry on the hearth. I’ll make you some tea.”
“You’re an angel sent from heaven.” A moan escaped his lips when he plopped down in front of the fire, hands and feet as close as he could get without actually climbing in.
