Page 5 of A Not So Merry Rescue
“Willa,” she states, almost on autopilot. Then she slaps her forehead and peers over at me.
“It’s not much to go on,Willa.” I stress her name, trying to further set her at ease. “It’s not like I have a last name to go with it, and Willa is more common than other names.” I’m not sure that’s true. I wrack my brain if I’ve ever known a Willa before. Is it a nickname? Hopefully not pushing my luck, I guess, “Short for Wilhelmina?”
Her nose scrunches again, the action more adorable than the first time. “Ew. No. That’s an old person’s name.”
“Don’t let my sister-in-law hear you say that. It tops her list of baby names.” Where the notion comes from, I don’t know. Setting Willa “at ease” apparently involves riling her up with false information my brain conjures up.
A horrified expression jumps on her face. It takes all my willpower not to laugh or give myself away. “Seriously?”
I break easily. “Yeah, no. I don’t have a pregnant sister-in-law.”
Willa’s arm reaches across the space, but I dart out of reach. “That wasn’t nice. And also, now you’ve just lied to me, so I’m back to believing you could be a serial killer.”
Much as I want to, I refrain from rolling my eyes, but I poke the bear a little more. “Come to think of it, there are a lot of spots around Winterberry to hide bodies. Probably wouldn’t evenhave to kill you first. Just leave you outside in a remote location and let the elements take care of the rest.”
Never predicted I’d be thinking of hiding bodies when my day started.
Never crossed my mind to ever consider it.
Neither did I imagine coming in contact with this beautiful woman beside me.
Must be my lucky day.
I wait patiently for Willa’s reaction to my comments, but all I get is her mouth opening and closing several times. What a disappointment.
“Come on. Not even a snarky comeback? Did you not hear my plan to?—”
She cuts me off. “I heard you. I’ve decided you’re most likely not a murderer. And if you are, it wouldn’t be wise to give up your plan to your victims.” Her comments expressed, she shrugs and reverts back to her phone.
Letdown, I go back to my unsent text.
Got a wayward traveler. You got any rooms for the night?
Snowy Peaks Inn
Wish I could say yes, but we’re slammed. Between the snow and Christmas, we’re booked up.
“Oh, shit.”
That gets Willa’s attention.
“I’m sensing there’s a problem.”
I look up to find her wary countenance aimed my way. “No rooms at the inn.”
She flashes her phone. “How about one of the bed-and-breakfasts?”
“I’ll check, but they usually book up faster than the inn.”
I shoot a text to my brother-in-law, but his response is as I feared.
“Sold out.”
“Both of them?” Her voice elevates in frequency, anxiety settling back in.
“Yep. Unfortunately.” I scratch my head, pondering her options.
The next town over is a good fifteen miles. Any night it wasn’t snowing, I’d offer to bring her there, but that’s not happening tonight.
