seven
Phoebe
Morning comes with sunlight breaking through the patched windows, transforming the cabin into something almost magical. I stretch languidly, my body pleasantly sore from yesterday's work and last night's... activities. Beside me on the makeshift bed, Aiden sleeps soundly, his face relaxed in a way it never is when he's awake.
Less than forty-eight hours. That's all it's been since I first walked into his store. How is it possible to feel so connected to someone in such a short time?
Maybe it's the circumstances—survival situations have a way of stripping away pretenses. Or maybe it's just him—solid, steadfast, unexpectedly tender beneath that gruff exterior.
I trace the line of his beard with my finger, careful not to wake him. Last night revealed layers to this mountain man that I never expected. His confession about his engagement, his revelations about books and philosophy, the way he focused completely on my pleasure with no expectation of his own.
Kyle never once put me first like that. Three years together, and he always made me feel like I was asking for too much. Two days with Aiden, and I feel special.
It's crazy. I barely know him.
The distant sound of an engine breaks through my thoughts. Aiden stirs immediately, years of living in isolation having honed his senses.
"Someone's coming," he says, voice rough with sleep.
We dress quickly and make our way downstairs. Through the front window, we see a large truck with a plow attachment making its way up the newly cleared road. Behind it is a tow truck.
"Jake," Aiden says. "My brother."
I feel a strange pang of disappointment. Rescue means returning to reality. To separate lives.
Aiden opens the front door as the trucks pull up. A man who could only be his brother jumps down from the plow truck—similar build, similar features, but clean-shaven and with an easy smile that suggests he does it more often.
"Sorry for the wait!" Jake calls, trudging through the snow. "Cell towers just came back online this morning. Mom's been worried sick."
"We've been fine," Aiden replies, stepping aside to let his brother in.
Jake's eyes land on me, and his grin widens. "So I see." He extends a hand. "Jake Calloway. Search and rescue, mechanic, and this grumpy bastard's much more charming brother."
I laugh, shaking his hand. "Phoebe Hartley. New cabin owner and damsel in distress, apparently."
"Max's niece, right? Heard you inherited the old place." He looks around, whistling low. "Got your work cut out for you."
"She can handle it," Aiden says, surprising me with the confidence in his voice.
Jake raises an eyebrow, glancing between us. Something unspoken passes between the brothers.
"Right," Jake says. "Well, roads are mostly clear now. Got your truck out of the ditch, too. Battery's dead, but we jumped it. Should get you back to town no problem."
"Thanks," Aiden says.
"And I can take a look at your car in town," Jake tells me. "Probably just the cold killed the battery."
Reality crashes in. My car. Town. Vancouver. The life I left behind just days ago.
"Great," I manage. "Thank you."
An awkward silence falls. Jake, clearly sensing the tension, clears his throat.
"I'll, uh, wait outside. Take your time." He gives his brother a significant look before stepping out.
When the door closes, Aiden and I stand facing each other. The easy intimacy of moments ago feels suddenly fragile.
"So," I say, aiming for casual, "civilization returns."
He nods, his expression unreadable. "You'll be able to get back to Vancouver now. If that's what you want."
Is it what I want? Two days ago, I'd have said yes without hesitation. Now...
"I still have a cabin to renovate," I hedge.
"Right." His gaze drops. "It'll take work. Might want to hire someone local."
"Are you offering your services?" I attempt a teasing tone, but it falls flat.
"If that's what you want," he repeats, still not meeting my eyes.
I step closer, frustration building. "What do you want, Aiden? You keep asking what I want, but you haven't said a word about what you want."
His eyes lift to mine, something raw and vulnerable in them. "What I want doesn't matter. You have a life in Vancouver. Friends, opportunities. Things you won't find here."
"That's not an answer."
He runs a hand through his hair, agitation breaking through his usual stoicism. "What do you want me to say, Phoebe? That I want you to stay? That these two days have been more real than anything I've felt in years? That I'm falling for you despite knowing it's crazy?"
My heart stutters. "Is that true?"
"Yes." The admission seems torn from him. "But it doesn't change the facts. You don't belong here."
"Don't tell me where I belong," I shoot back, suddenly angry. "My whole life, people have been telling me what I should want. My parents, my ex, my boss. Everyone has an opinion about what's best for Phoebe."
I move closer, poking his chest for emphasis. "You know what I had in Vancouver? A job I hated that doesn't exist anymore. An apartment I couldn't afford without that job. An ex who dumped me the minute things got tough. Friends who were mostly work acquaintances." My voice catches. "Nothing that felt like this."
He stares at me, hope and doubt warring in his expression. "Like what?"
"Like I matter. Like I'm seen. Like I'm more than just... convenient."
His hands come up to cup my face, his touch surprisingly gentle for such a large man. "You matter, Phoebe. You're the least convenient thing that's ever happened to me, and I've never been more grateful."
I laugh through the tears I hadn't realized were falling. I cover his hands with mine. "I want to stay, Aiden. Not just to fix the cabin. I want to see where this goes. Between us."
The hope in his eyes strengthens. "It won't be easy. Small town life is different. Winters are hard."
"I'm tougher than I look." I smile up at him. "Besides, I have a sexy mountain man to keep me warm."
A ghost of a smile touches his lips. "What about work? Writing, you said."
"I can write anywhere. Better here, maybe. Real stories about real things, like I wanted."
"You'd really stay?" There's still disbelief in his voice. "For me?"
"For us," I correct. "For the chance to build something real. I've spent my whole life playing it safe, following the expected path. Look where that got me." I gesture around the cabin. "Maybe it's time to try something crazy."
"Like falling for someone after two days in a blizzard?" His smile grows more confident.
"Exactly like that." I rise on tiptoes, pressing my lips to his. "I think I'm falling in love with you, Aiden Calloway. It's completely insane, and I don't care."
He kisses me then, deep and thorough, pulling me tight against him as if afraid I might disappear. When we finally break apart, he rests his forehead against mine.
"I love you," he says simply. "Have since you walked into my store and started ordering me around."
I laugh. "I did not order you around!"
"You kind of did." His expression grows serious again. "Stay. Please. Not just for now. For good."
The enormity of what he's asking—what I'm considering—should terrify me. Abandoning my familiar life for a mountain town and a man I've known less than a week. It's reckless, impulsive, possibly foolish.
And yet, it feels more right than anything has in years.
"Yes," I whisper. "I'll stay."
The joy that transforms his face is worth any risk. He kisses me again, lifting me off my feet in his enthusiasm.
A knock at the door interrupts us. "Uh, guys?" Jake's voice calls. "Not to rush the moment or anything, but it's supposed to snow again tonight. We should probably head out while the roads are clear."
Aiden sets me down, but keeps an arm around my waist. "Ready to face civilization?" he asks.
I look around at the battered cabin that brought us together, the scene of our unexpected love story. It needs work—a lot of work—but I can see its potential now. Just like I see the potential in us.
"Let's go," I say. "We have supplies to buy."
He raises an eyebrow. "We do?"
"Definitely." I grab my coat, suddenly energized. "This place isn't going to renovate itself. And I've decided to stay, so I want it to be perfect."
The smile that spreads across his face is like sunrise breaking over the mountains—slow, warm, and full of promise.
Outside, Jake is leaning against his truck, trying to look like he hasn't been eavesdropping. He straightens when we emerge, eyebrows rising at our clasped hands.
"So," he says, a knowing grin spreading across his face. "Should I tell Mom to set an extra place for Sunday dinner?"
Aiden shoots him a warning look, but I just laugh. "I'd love to meet your mother."
As we climb into Aiden's truck, I take one last look at the cabin. Two days ago, I saw it as a disaster, a mistake, maybe even a burden. Now I see it as the beginning of something I never expected to find.
Sometimes you have to get lost to find where you're supposed to be. Sometimes a wrong turn leads to the right place. And sometimes, a freak April blizzard can change your life in the most wonderful way possible.