Page 28 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
Hailey nods but looks like she’s about to burst into tears. I shoot a glare at Chloe, who’s still flitting around the frozen pots like a headless chicken.
God, I hate her.
Axel and Jace walk up to us, both of them looking grim. I can only feel dread in my stomach at the look. Whatever they have to say can’t be good. Axel speaks first, his voice low and serious. “There’s more bad news.”
Hailey’s eyes widen, and a small whimper escapes her lips. I shoot the guys a glare.
“Guys, can we not do this now? She’s already distressed.”
Axel shakes his head, his expression firm. “Better to rip the band-aid off, Emily. She needs to know.”
I feel Hailey tense beside me, her hand tightening around mine. “What is it?” she asks, her voice barely a whisper.
Axel glances at Jace, who nods, before turning back to Hailey. “The storm has cut off the road completely. Chloe was the last to arrive last night. No one can come up or down the mountain until the road is cleared.”
As soon as the words leave Axel’s mouth, Hailey’s face crumples. A heart-wrenching howl escapes her, echoing through the lobby. “How the hell am I supposed to get married without a groom?!”
Jace reaches out, trying to comfort her, but Hailey pulls away, tears streaming down her face. “This can’t be happening to me.”
“Hailey, it’s going to be okay.”
“How exactly is it going to be okay?” she snaps through her tears. I swallow hard.
First, the flowers, and now this? What’s next? Is the lodge going to catch fire?
“Hey, hey,” I say gently, stepping in front of her to stop her pacing. “We’re going to figure this out, okay? We just need to stay calm and think.”
“Think? About what?” Hailey wails, tears streaming down her face. “Sam is stuck down there, and I’m stuck up here, and there’s no wedding without the groom!”
Jace sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “The storm is supposed to let up by tomorrow. Once it does, they’ll start clearing the roads. We just have to wait it out for a bit.”
“Wait it out?” Hailey repeats, her voice high and hysterical. “My wedding is tomorrow, Jace! We don’t have time to wait!”
Axel tries to intervene. “Hailey, we know this is a lot. But panicking isn’t going to help. Let’s focus on what we can control.”
“Control? You think I can control this? My whole wedding is falling apart, Axel! What am I supposed to do?”
I wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. “We’re going to take it one step at a time, okay? We’ll figure out a plan, and we’ll make sure you have your wedding, even if it’s not exactly how you imagined.”
Hailey sniffles, nodding slightly as she leans into me. “I just…I just want to marry Sam.”
“And you will,” I promise, giving her a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll make it happen, one way or another. I have an idea.”
All three of them look at me at the same time. I swallow. Now I just have to figure out what the idea is.
CHAPTER 10
AXEL
I leanagainst the wall outside Hailey’s room, my mind racing with thoughts I shouldn’t be having. It’s unlike me to be this distracted, especially over a woman. My friends look to me as a leader, the steady one who keeps his head on straight. But right now, all I can think about is Emily.
Tanner and Jace aren’t subtle about their interest in her, and I get it—she’s beautiful, strong, and has this way about her that draws you in. But knowing they’re into her doesn’t stop the ideas creeping into my head, things I’d like to do if I ever had her to myself. The thought of her pressed up against me, her body warm and soft, her breath hitching as I kiss down her neck...It’s enough to make me grit my teeth, while trying to push those thoughts aside.
The door creaks open, and Emily steps out, her eyes widening slightly when she sees me. I straighten up immediately, pushing off the wall and walking towards her. “How’s she doing?” I ask.
Emily gives me a small smile. “I convinced her to take a nap. She’s pretty shaken up, but I think she’ll be okay.”
Hailey’s like a sister to me, and I’d do anything to protect her. But right now, I’m more focused on the woman standing infront of me. There’s a pause, and Emily hesitates before speaking again.
