Page 8 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
“So, if I’m not dead, what are you? My guardian angel?”
He grins, and damn, it looks good on him. “No just your regular firefighter. We all are.” He glances at his friends.
Firefighter. That makes sense. Sort of. If I wasn’t so out of it, I’d probably be more coherent, but all I can do is stare up at him, a weird mix of relief and disbelief swirling in my head.
“So, not an angel,” I murmur, leaning into him as he helps me walk. “Just a ridiculously handsome firefighter. Got it.”
What am I doing? He just rescued me, and I’m flirting with him now? I honestly can’t help the words coming out of my mouth, almost like I’ve no control over it.
He seems to sense my confusion.
“It’s okay, you’re still in shock, but I’m glad we cleared that up,” he replies, the smile still on his face as he glances over at Jace who steps towards me, his expression unreadable.
“Let’s get her to the truck,” one of the taller guys—the blond one—says.
Before Blue Eyes can swoop in, Jace is there, his face serious as he bends down and scoops me up without a word. I feel small in his arms, overwhelmed by everything—by the cold, the fear, and now, this.
Jace carries me back toward the truck, his hold on me strong and secure. I look up at him, the darkness and the cold still clinging to me, but I see his face, his features illuminated by the truck’s headlights. It’s been so long since I last saw him. My heart skips a beat. There’s a jumble of emotions swirling inside me.
I’m overwhelmed, but the words catch in my throat. I want to say something. I was mentally prepared to see him at Hailey’s wedding, but like this? It’s like my entire world has turned on its head.
But the words are lodged in my throat.
He doesn’t say a thing either, just focuses on getting me to safety, and I cling to the blanket wrapped around me, trying to hold onto some semblance of warmth.
Once we reach the truck, Jace carefully sets me down inside, and I find myself wedged between him and another guy—one of the others who had been with them. The heat inside the vehicle is a stark contrast to the biting cold outside, and I immediately feel a rush of warmth starting to seep back into my frozen limbs.
I glance up at the rearview mirror, where Blue-Eyed Guy is watching me. “How are you holding up?”
I nod, though I’m not sure how to answer. I’m still shivering, but the warmth is helping. As I try to settle into the seat, the dog—Raffle—jumps over the seat and lands between us, pushing past Jace’s half-hearted protest. “Raffle, stay,” Jace mutters, but the dog isn’t having it.
For a moment, I just let myself sink into their care, letting the warmth and their quiet presence work their magic. I don’t know these men, and they don’t know me, but right now, that doesn’t seem to matter.
“I was there with him,” Jace says quietly.
I glance at him. What is he talking about?
“W-what?” I stutter. He puts an arm around me but doesn’t say anything.
“Chocolate?” the guy in front says, turning to face me. “It’s supposed to keep you warm.”
I take it from him wordlessly and chew on it. He’s right. It works. He nods before turning away.
After a few minutes of driving, the truck slows and the engine’s roar softens. I glance out the window, trying to make sense of where we are. The snow still falls heavily, but through the swirling white, I can make out the faint outlines of buildings and the glow of lights ahead.
“Where are we?” I ask, my voice still shaky but clearer now.
Jace, who is sitting beside me, glances out the window and then back at me, a reassuring smile on his face. “Mt. Snowlodge,” he says.
I blink, trying to process this. “Mt. Snowlodge? Unbelievable—I can’t believe I got stuck so close to the lodge.”
Jace chuckles softly, his hand still resting on mine, providing warmth and reassurance. “You really couldn’t have gotten much closer without actually being at the lodge. We were almost there ourselves when we found you.”
As soon as the truck comes to a stop in front of the lodge, Jace is by my side, moving in to scoop me up in his arms again. But this time, I shake my head, holding up a hand to stop him.
“I appreciate it, but I think I can walk,” I say, my voice a little stronger now. Jace hesitates, his brow furrowed with concern. “Are you sure? You’ve been through a lot?—”
“I’m sure,” I insist, managing a small smile. “Really, I just need to stretch my legs. But thanks.”
