Sinking onto the closed toilet seat, I rubbed my face with my cold fingers. “I know what you mean. But again, we’re fine. See.” I held up my hands as if she needed reminding that we were alive. They shook like a drunk’s after a bender.

  “How will we get out of here? And when?” Stormi asked.

  Getting out of here? Now there was something to contemplate. Once the storm passed, I could walk up the driveway to the road and flag someone down. Worst case, I could walk until I found a gas station or store and explain my predicament.

  For the first time, I thought about everyone at home. They would be beyond alarmed when we didn’t return as planned.

  “My mom’s going to freak,” I said. “When we don’t show up.”

  “My friends will too,” Stormi said, voice cracking. “And Sassy. I keep thinking about her waiting for me to come home.”

  “There’s nothing we can do about it now, other than take good care of ourselves until we can get out of here.”

  “Hand me a towel. It’s your turn to get warm.”

  I gave her a towel and left her to dry herself off even though I’d have loved to stay to watch the soap suds trail down her naked torso.

  You almost died, I reminded myself. This is not the time to think of anyone’s naked body, most especially Stormi’s.

  8

  Stormi

  Despite the warmth of the water, I could not stop shaking. Even after I had dried off with the towel Huck had produced from a drawer in the bathroom and dressed in the soft jeans that were four sizes too big and a sweatshirt, I continued to tremble. While Huck bathed, I went into the living room to sit by the fire. I curled up on one end of a deep, comfortable sofa and tried to distract myself by looking around. This was a surprisingly quaint cabin, decorated in shades of sand with spots of blues and greens that reflected the water and trees. A window seat with cushions next to the shelves of books hinted at many peaceful hours spent reading and watching the view. Two soft armchairs were placed on either side of the couch, all facing the fireplace.

  The logs shifted in the fireplace, hurling red embers against the iron grate that protected the pretty rug. I grabbed a blanket draped over the back of the sofa and wrapped it around my legs.

  We were safe. Even if we were stuck here for days or even weeks, we would be safe and warm. Huck had said he found a lot of food in the kitchen cabinets and even some supplies in the freezer. “Everything is fine,” I whispered out loud.

  I closed my eyes, trying to avoid the image of the river right before the car plunged into its cold waters. I’d thought for sure we were dead. When we hit the water, I’d been surprised to find we were not. Huck had shouted at me to open the door, and I’d followed his lead blindly. If he hadn’t been there, I don’t know what I would have done. Doesn’t matter, I reminded myself. We’re fine.

  The girls would be worried when we didn’t return home. They’d know something was wrong and send out authorities to look for us. I wasn’t sure exactly when that would be or if they were able to even make a move before the twenty-four-hour period. That was always in television and movies. Twenty-four hours have to go by before someone is considered missing.

  We were missing but not lost. I was in good hands with Huck. Who would have thought that grumpy Huck was a Boy Scout? Not me, that’s for certain. Honestly, he’d been incredible so far. Hopefully he wouldn’t be reminded how much he disliked me and decide to feed me to a bear. There would be bears out here, and hungry ones after being asleep all winter. The few days of spring would have surely wakened them. I would put it out of my mind. We were inside. They could not get us here.

  From the bathroom came the sound of feet on the hardwood floors followed by the creak of floorboards.

  Huck appeared, wearing a pair of baggy jeans and a sweatshirt that matched my own.

  He had dried his hair with the towel but not combed it, giving him an adorable, youthful appearance. He had nice hair. I couldn’t deny that. Those eyes of his weren’t bad either. I blinked, ridding myself of these thoughts. Now was not the time to start noticing Huck’s good looks.

  We were stranded in the woods with no means of communication. My chest tightened with anxiety.

  Huck tilted his head, looking at me. “How are you doing?”

  “Nervous.” I fluttered my fingers toward the outside. “Do you think there are critters out there and can they get in here?”

  “There are critters, but they can’t get in here.”

  I sighed with relief. “That’s good.”

  He grimaced and tilted his head further, then pounded on the side of his face to get water out of his other ear. “This is not how I anticipated my day to go.” He gestured toward the kitchen. “You hungry? I can scare us up some grub.” He said this in a fake Western accent.

  To my surprise, I laughed. “I could eat.”

  “You want to help or stay here by the fire?”

  “I can help, but I’m not really too good in the kitchen.” Pinching the jeans around the waist to keep them from falling down, I uncurled from the sofa and padded over to him in the oversize wool socks he’d found for me.

  “I’m not either,” Huck was saying. “When I was living with Breck and Camille, he did most of the cooking. It was nice. When I’m alone, I usually just heat up a can of soup or order in.”

  “Or go out,” I said, remembering how often he’d come into the bar and grill until recently. “I haven’t seen you as much at the bar. Was it because of me?”

  “What? No, don’t be silly. Since my house is finally done, I’ve been trying not to eat out as much.” He opened the freezer and rummaged around, coming out with two frozen dinners. “Salisbury steak? Wait, no. I forgot about the meat thing.”

  “Is there anything else?” Beggars might not be able to be choosers. If it was between starvation or eating meat, I was prepared to survive.

  “I saw some veggie chili in one of those cabinets.” He gestured toward the bank of cabinets on the wall. They were painted a pretty shade of blue that contrasted nicely with the white walls and stained wood rafters.

  “It’s hard to get enthused to make food for one, though, isn’t it?” I asked.

  “For sure.”

  I found vegetarian chili and various types of soup in the small pantry. There was dry pasta and sauce as well.

  For the next few minutes, we moved around the kitchen, turning on the oven for his frozen dinner and finding a pan for my chili. “We won’t starve, at least,” I said.

  “No, God’s looking out for us today,” Huck said.

  God? Was Huck a believer? I didn’t make it to church most Sundays. Did he? I put that aside to ask him later. If he seemed in a talkative mood, that is. So far, he’d been the perfect gentleman and not at all like the grumpy boss he was at work.

  We talked through the various scenarios of how people would figure out what had happened and subsequently look for us. “If they find my rig at the bottom of the river with no bodies inside, they’ll know we’re okay.” Huck opened the oven to stick his dinner inside. No microwave in here, I thought. These were the back-to-nature types. Whoever this cabin belonged to didn’t care much for technology. No phone or internet. No television. What were we going to do for the next few days? Books. There were a lot of books. We could read. Perhaps that would make up for the fact that we had nothing to talk about and nowhere to go. Of all people to be snowed in with after a near-death experience, it had to be Huck.

  I should be grateful for my life, I chided myself. Not complaining about the company. We found a place that was safe and warm and even had food. I lifted my gaze to get a better look at Huck. He seemed fine. In fact, he seemed better than fine. His eyes sparkled with energy and his skin had a healthy glow. Did almost dying do that to a man? “Thanks for everything you did,” I said to him. “You were a rock.” Past tense, as at the moment, he seemed to have traded places with me emotionally. I was strong, and he was falling apart.

  “Well, we wouldn’t have been in the situation at all if I’d been a better driver.”

  “It could’ve happened to anyone,” I said. “The bad weather seemed to come out of nowhere.”

  “Still, I should have been paying better attention. It was stupid. I’m sorry I got you into this.” He paused and looked at his hands as if there were answers in the ridges of his knuckles. “Listen, I don’t want you to freak out, but I don’t think we’re getting out of here for a while. I’m so sorry this happened.”

  He looked so genuinely remorseful and caring, I almost started crying. “It’s not your fault.”

  “I didn’t see that ice. It was my fault. God, I could have killed you.” The pain in his voice made me flinch. “I shouldn’t have the blood of another person on me.”

  “It was an accident.” I reached for him, taking both his hands in mine. “Look at me.”

  He lifted his gaze to mine. For the first time since I’d known him, I could see into his soul through his eyes. Something terrible had happened to him overseas, and he felt responsible for it. I knew this with utter certainty.

  “This was just bad luck, okay?” I let go of his hands but remained close, absorbing the warmth of his body. “The storm seemed to come out of nowhere. And the way the temperatures dropped—no one could have predicted that.”

  “I just…when I think about what could have happened.” His face twitched. He pressed in his cheeks and let out a long, shaky breath.

  “But it didn’t happen. We’re here.” I placed my hands on his upper arms, feeling the hard muscles under my fingers. “We found a place to stay and wait out the storm.”

  “I should be grateful.” His voice cracked. “Isn’t that what everyone will tell us? Right now I don’t feel that way. I feel like we cheated death and like something else bad will happen.”

  “No, nothing else is going to happen. We’re going to wait it out here, driving each other batty. Anyway, I am grateful. You’re grateful, too. Under the shock, you are. Whether we cheated death or not, we’re here.” I rested my forehead against his chest for a second and listened to the beating of his heart. “And I’m grateful to you for getting us out of there. If it had been me alone, I don’t know what I would have done.”

  “I’m the one who made you come on this trip in the first place.”

  “Huck, please.” I backed up to look at him. “Don’t do this to yourself. You have enough demons. Don’t add this one. There’s no reason to. Do you hear what I’m saying?”

  “Yes, I hear you.” His eyes locked with mine. “How do you know about my demons?”

  “Takes one to know one? Not everything in the world is your fault,” I said softly. “Don’t you know that by now?”

  He stared at me for a moment, then pulled me closer with an arm wrapped around my waist. He brushed a lock of hair from my cheek, then ran his knuckles along the side of my face and pushed aside my bangs. He could see my scar. Somehow, I couldn’t get myself to care.

  “Yes, I know that by that now, but it doesn’t help, does it?” Huck said gruffly. “The nightmares and self-hatred just love to push away rational thought.”

  “They do.” I stared up into his eyes, wishing I could read his thoughts.

  “Stormi Collins,” he whispered. “Damned if you aren’t pretty.”

  “Not like this. With my hair. And this.” I touched my fingers to my scar that ran close to my hairline. “I like to keep it hidden.”

  “Who did that to you?”

  “Yeah. My mother doesn’t have the best taste in men. She could really pick them. Every few years she’d cycle through another one, usually worse than the last. This was from Mark. He lived with us when I was fourteen. Knocked me so hard that it split my head open.”

  His fingers traced the scar. “This doesn’t need to be hidden. You should wear it like a badge for making it out alive. There’s no part of you that should be hidden. Not ever. Not for anyone, especially me.”

  “I’m sorry it’s me you have to be stuck with,” I said lightly, fishing around for his thoughts.

  “My dislike of you has greatly decreased.” A slight smile lifted the corners of his mouth.

  “I like you a little better, too. For the record.”

  Was he going to kiss me? No, surely not. Even if he did, it wouldn’t mean anything. Our nerves were raw and exposed from a harrowing experience. We craved physical touch. That’s all.

  He dipped his mouth toward mine. Oh, God, it was happening. Huck Clifton was going to kiss me. All it took was nearly dying.

  The oven dinged. He jerked away from me as if someone had smacked his head. His steak was done. The moment was gone. Just like that, we were back to Stormi and Huck, two frenemies stranded in a blizzard.

  After we’d finished our meal and washed up the dishes, my head just about split open from a yawn.

  “You tired?” Huck hung a dish towel on the oven door.

  “Yeah. I think the adrenaline’s wearing off.”

  “Take a nap. It’s not like there’s anything else to do,” he said.

  “Good point. Wake me, though, if you need anything.”

  “Will do.” He turned to put away a bowl. Whatever it was between us earlier had clearly been a reaction to what had happened to us. I shouldn’t look too deeply into it, I decided. Forget it. I was good at that particular task. My mother had given me a lot of training in that way.

  In the bedroom, I pulled back the covers on the bed and lay down under a heavy down duvet. It wasn’t long before I fell into a deep sleep. When I woke, a thin light filtered in through the windows. What time was it? I rubbed my eyes before looking closely at the clock on the bedside table. Nearly four? I’d slept for hours. I tossed back the covers and went to the window. Snow continued to fall steadily, adding to the twelve inches already covering the ground. I peered over the white blanket to the water. Ice had formed in the shallow areas at the river’s edge. The beginnings of icicles had formed on the side of the house.

  I used the bathroom, splashing warm water on my face. All my makeup had been in my suitcase, now lodged at the bottom of the river. I’d have to replace it all. With what money? I wouldn’t get a paycheck for a few more weeks, and my waitressing money could only stretch so far. You’re alive, I reminded myself again. Tiffany and Jamie would help if I needed money. They’ll be so relieved that I’m alive that they’ll probably take me shopping, I thought, smiling to myself.

  Two new toothbrushes with a Nelson Dentistry logo imprinted into their plastic handles lay on the counter near the sink, along with a small tube of paste. Huck must have done more reconnaissance while I was sleeping. Using a modest dab of paste, I cleaned my teeth, glad to replace the taste of fear with mint. Whoever they were at Nelson Dentistry, I was thankful they gave out goody bags.

  I flashed once more upon my friends. They’d be really worried. I closed my eyes and sent them a silent message, hoping somehow it would reach them. I’m all right. Huck’s okay too. We’ll be home soon.

  After cleaning up a bit, I went out to the other room to see how Huck was doing. The living room was considerably warmer than the bedroom. He was fast asleep on the sofa, curled on his side with the blanket draped over him. The fire crackled in the hearth. Lights hung on the patio had been switched on, giving the outside a festive glow. If a stranger had looked in on us, they would have thought this was a romantic getaway.

  I turned back to get another look at Huck. Good Lord above, the man was pretty. His dark lashes splayed against his cheeks, and without creases etched into his forehead, he seemed younger than when he was awake and growling. I watched him for a few more seconds before tiptoeing to the bookshelf to look for a novel to read. I had just picked a mystery when I heard Huck stirring behind me.

  “Hey,” I said softly. “Did I wake you?”

  He sat all the way up and brought both hands through his hair. “No, I don’t think so. I didn’t mean to fall asleep, but I suddenly felt like I couldn’t keep my eyes open.” Sleeping on the throw pillow hand dented one cheek.

  “I slept hard too.” With the book in my hand, I sat on the edge of the rustic wood coffee table in front of him. “We had an ordeal. If you weren’t tired, I’d have to question whether you’re human.”

  “How are you feeling?” His gaze scrutinized me as if I might fall apart at any moment. “I mean, it’s okay if you’re not all right.”

  I smiled, touched by his concern. “There may have been easier ways to take a vacation.”

  “What would they call this? Unplugging?”

  “Forced unplugging. But look at this place. It’s like something out of a magazine. We might as well enjoy it while we’re here.”

  “You’re right.” He hung his head for a second, shoulders scrunched up near his ears. “But…you know.”

  “I do know.” I touched his shoulder. We’d gone through something together that was specifically unique to us. Regardless of the future, we would always share that.

  He raised just his eyes, leaving his chin tucked into his neck. “Is there wine in this unplugged scenario?”

  “It’s almost five,” I said, remembering that I’d seen a few cases of wine stored at the back of the pantry. “Why not?”

  “These poor people. Now we’re invading their wine cabinet. I’ll be sure to replace everything. In fact, we should write down exactly what we’ve borrowed.” He rose up from the couch, wincing.

  “Are you hurt?” I asked.

  “I have a bump on my head. Nothing serious.” He pushed against a spot above his forehead and winced again.

  “Are you sure? Should I look?” I drew closer and instinctively reached my hand to his head but pulled back at the last moment.

  “What about you?” Huck asked. “Anything that needs tending by your roommate here?”

  I’d noticed my knees were bruised, but that seemed to be it. I relayed this information to Huck. “I feel like a truck hit me.”

  “Or you were slammed into a near-freezing body of water?”

  “Yeah, something like that.”

 

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