Page 7 of Snowed in with the Grump

I came to the cabin to heal, far from people and their complications.

Ava, with her quick laughter and bright eyes, is a complication—one I can't resist.

CHAPTER3

AVA

Winter storms descend fast and fierce with little warning around here. If Sarah, Matt, and the others hadn’t set out before the storm hit, they could be stranded, unable to make it back before the roads become impassable. I hope they found somewhere safe to hunker down.

I hurry inside, shaking raindrops from my windswept hair. “This storm came out of nowhere!”

Carter shuts the door behind me and gives me that brooding look, his forehead creased and his eyes stormy. Despite his dour disposition, my pulse quickens under his intent gaze.

“Think you scared Dylan off with that trademark scowl of yours?” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.

Carter's expression remains stern, unamused by my attempt at humor.

“Someone has to play bad cop. You seem willing to invite potential ax murderers in for tea,” he deadpans.

I nudge him playfully. “Come on, Grumpy Gus. I’m an excellent judge of character. Just because I choose to see the best in people–”

Carter levels me with an incredulous look that wordlessly conveys his skepticism. “Not everyone is as ‘delightful’ as you think.”

I stare at him pointedly. “I suppose I should take lessons from the Carter School of Surliness on scaring away friendly folk who need help.”

He chuckles, a rare glimpse of lightness in his stormy eyes. “I’m not that bad, am I?”

“You can be a bit intense sometimes,” I counter, unable to hide my smile.

Carter's expression softens. “Ever the optimist, eh, Sunshine?”

The nickname sends flutters through me. Suddenly, I'm aware of every tiny movement—tucking hair behind my ear, the slight tremble in my clasped hands.

The light mood shifts as Carter pulls out his phone, his brow furrowing.

“Looks like a big one’s blowing in,” he mutters, anxiously scanning a weather radar app.

My stomach knots with unease. I twist a damp lock of hair around my finger.

“Do you think Sarah and the others are already on their way back?”

Carter shakes his head, already scrolling to Sarah’s number. “Not sure. I better call and find out.”

I take a deep breath, trying to tamp down my anxiety for my friends out there somewhere in this worsening storm. Carter’s muttered curse tells me Sarah didn’t pick up.

He sets the phone down on the counter with more force than necessary.

“Voicemail. Damnit,” he grumbles.

I suspected as much but still feel a pang of worry. The signal can get sketchy up here in the remote mountains.

“Maybe we’re stuck here alone for a while, but we can turn this into an adventure, right?” I suggest brightly, trying to hide my nerves.

Carter meets my gaze, and something charged passes between us, making my cheeks warm.

“Yeah, um, I should go check the generator,” he mumbles before brushing past me down the hall.

My nerves are jangling now, and the impending storm is only partly to blame. Being here alone with Carter while secretly harboring feelings for him has me anxious and on edge.

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