Page 6 of Snowbound Hearts
“The weather channel is calling for a big storm coming off Blanca Peak between tonight and tomorrow. They’re calling for up to five feet of snow in a few hours. We need to get ready.” Emily says and I can hear the panic in her voice. Our parents were out getting supplies during a storm when the accident happened.
“No worries. We’ll be fine.” I reassure her as I pull her into my arms for a hug. “You know I love you, right?”
“I do, and I love you, but I’m not really sure why you’re hugging me. Are you dying or something?”
I laugh, “Nope. Just wanted to make sure you knew that. I’m not sure I tell you enough.”
“Okay, she drawls out. “Well then, you love me, and I love you, so, can we get ready for this storm now? We’ve got a lodge full of guests, a Christmas wedding to put on, and a storm threatening. Enough of this mushy crap.”
“You got it. Let’s go.” I follow Emily out of the common area and place Sydney’s mug on the check in desk.
Chapter 5
Sydney
Making it to my room before the tears start falling, I realize I am not prepared for all these feelings that are coming to the surface. I’m hurt, angry, frustrated, and oh my god do I miss him.
Was I an idiot all those years ago?
Yes.
Have I ever been able to find love since leaving Mason?
No.
Am I still in love with him?
I don’t think I’ve ever stopped loving him.
What the hell am I going to do? How am I supposed to get through the next two days being around him while orchestrating a lavish wedding?
The tears start flowing down my cheeks and I can’t seem to stop them, so instead I just let them fall. Grabbing a hand towel from the bathroom, I let it absorb my tears as I sit on the bed and sulk.
There’s a knock on my door. “Sydney? Are you in there?” I hear Emily’s voice.
I think about not answering and just let her think I’m not in here, but something might be wrong with the weddingpreparations and I’m nothing if not a professional. My feelings can’t interfere with my business.
I wipe the tears off my face and the mascara from under my eyes. “Coming.” I call out. Looking in the mirror, I decide I’ll just tell her I just woke up. Hopefully she’ll believe that.
“Hey Emily. Is everything okay with the preparations?” I ask her as I open the door.
The recognition in her face is immediate; she knows I’ve been crying. “Oh, sweetheart. Come here.” She pulls me into a hug as she closes the door behind her. “I know it hurts.”
“What do you mean?”
“Stop it. I can clearly see you’re hurting, Sydney.” She pulls me by the hand to sit on the bed. “You still love him, don’t you?”
I look down at my hand towel and nod my head as the tears start again. “Yes, but it doesn’t matter. I broke him. I broke us.” I take a deep breath and exhale. “Besides, it’s been so many years. What does it matter, now?”
“It matters, Sydney.”
I sniffle and then sit up straighter and decide to change the subject. No use beating a dead horse. “Did you need something?”
She doesn’t let me. “Can I ask you what happened between you and Mason all those years ago? You two were so good for each other; so happy together.” She pushes my hair behind my ear.
“He never told you?” I was sure he would have said something to his family. Come to think of it, I’m surprised Emily has welcomed me to the lodge with open arms. She always idolized her older brother. Wouldn’t she just hate the woman that broke her brother’s heart?
She shakes her head, “Not a word. Whenever we asked him about you, he just said he didn’t want to talk about it. He left the next day for boot camp. My parents and I could see he washurting, but you know Marines – show no emotion, hoorah, and all that.”
