Page 2 of Noel with the Mountain Man
His expression darkens further, which I didn't think was possible. He calls anyway. I watch him wait, then swear under his breath when it goes to voicemail.
"Closed until the twenty-seventh," he says flatly.
Of course they are.
I glance around the cabin—at the roaring fire, the plush couch, the lofted bedroom visible up a set of rustic stairs. It's gorgeous. It's everything I hoped for.
And apparently, I'm sharing it with Paul Bunyan's grumpier cousin.
"Look," I say, trying for reasonable. "I'm sure this is just a booking mix-up. But I drove four hours to get here, and I'm not leaving."
"Neither am I."
We stare at each other. The fire crackles. Outside, the wind picks up, and snow starts falling harder against the windows—thick, swirling flakes that blur the tree line.
I sigh. "So, what, we just… coexist?"
"Apparently."
"Great. Fantastic. Best Christmas ever." I drop my duffel by the door. "I call the bedroom."
"Absolutely not."
"I'm aguest—"
"So am I."
"I'm a lady. You’re—" I gesture vaguely at all of him. "—that. A big, tough guy. You'll be fine on the couch."
His eyes narrow. "You're bossy."
"You're grumpy." I cross my arms, mirroring his stance. "What's your name, anyway?"
"Kyler."
"Kyler," I repeat. "Okay. Here's the deal, Kyler. You stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of yours. We'll pretend this is a very weird Airbnb with a really committed method actor playing 'rugged mountain hermit.'"
He rolls his eyes. “Or you can do us both a favor and leave.”
The wind howls. The cabin shudders slightly. I glance toward the window and watch the snow come down in sheets.
Kyler follows my gaze. His jaw tightens again.
"Storm's getting worse," he says quietly.
I pull up the weather app on my phone. The screen loads, and my stomach sinks.
Blizzard warning. Road closures in effect.
I look up at him. He's already watching me, and for the first time, I see something other than irritation in his eyes.
Resignation. Maybe a little bit of dread.
"We're stuck," I say.
"Yeah." He exhales through his nose. "We are."
Chapter 2
