Page 5 of Wicked Winter Night
“No, I haven’t felt the cold in years. You get used to it being out here for as long as I have.”
He helps me to my feet, but just as I start to move, my ankle gives out. I wince, hissing in pain.
“I must’ve hurt it during my run, and the adrenaline covered up the pain,” I say, feeling embarrassed about needing a man’s help in general.
“Here, let me,” he states before I’m lifted in the air and carried bridal style through the woods. “So…” he adds, and I pick up on the cue.
“Ella,” I whisper, my body shaking from the bone-chilling cold that I’m feeling extra hard now that the adrenaline is wearing off.
“Ella,” he states. “So, Ella, what are you doing out here all by yourself anyway?”
“I w-w-wanted t-to g-g-get a t-t-tree,” I shake out, my teeth chattering too much.
“Shh. It’s okay. We’re almost there. Just close your eyes, and I’ll make sure you get home safely.
That’s what I do. My eyes drift closed as I nestle into his neck, and for a second, I feel safe. But the last thought that drifts through my mind before sleep calls me is how he knows what direction my cabin is in.
CHAPTER EIGHT
I couldn’t help but follow my little dove into the woods. I saw her carrying an axe, but I knew she’d need a lot more protection than that in these parts. The wolves are absolutely ruthless this time of year. Food is scarce in the winter, so anything that remotely breathes and has a heartbeat is fair game.
I maintained my distance, staying light on my feet as I followed her trail through the forest. I also kept far away enoughso that she wouldn’t be alerted by a second set of prints in the snow. She stopped, inspecting several trees around her before I saw her select one and start chopping. She is nothing if not determined. I watched her swing the axe over and over until the tree tumbled to the ground. She quickly fastened a rope around the trunk and began dragging her prize back to her cabin. I have to say, I was impressed. I didn’t think she’d make it this far. The temperature alone is enough to make people want to remain inside their warm homes. She’s a fierce little thing. Stubborn. Oh, how I love that about her.
I followed her, maintaining distance but keeping her in sight. She couldn’t see me, but I could see her. Suddenly, her head jerked to the side, and she called out, wondering if anyone was there. I knew it wasn’t me who made the noise, so that could only have meant it was wolves. It was game time.
She took off running when they made their appearance, so I bolted, jogging alongside out of sight just long enough until I cut over while she wasn't looking and BAM. She crashed right into me. I couldn’t have timed it better. Once I scared the wolves away and hauled her to her feet, I picked her up, and here I am now, carrying her back to her cabin.
She sleeps peacefully in my arms, but her body shakes from the cold. I need to warm my little dove up and fast. The trees clear, and her cabin comes into view. I pick up the pace to a slow jog until I make my way up her porch stairs. I watched her lock the cabin before she left, so I know the key has to be in her pocket somewhere. I rotate her in my arms until I’m able to check every pocket in her jeans, ultimately finding what I’m looking for and unlocking the door.
I rush her inside to the couch and lay her on it, heading back outside to grab some firewood piled on the porch. It looks old and rotting, but it should do the trick. Immediately, I throw it into the fireplace and begin saturating the wood with someaccelerant to get the ball rolling. I need to get this fire going quickly.
The flames roar to life the second I toss a match on top, instantly providing a welcome warmth. I scoot the couch to face the fireplace, allowing the heat to do its job, and I throw a blanket on top of her for good measure. Now, I wait.
Ella stirs about twenty minutes later, sitting up on her couch and peering around. She makes eye contact with me and startles.
“You’re okay. I’m not gonna hurt you. I’m the one who saved you in the woods. You were on the verge of hypothermia, so I brought you back here to warm you back up,” I tell her, my hands thrown up in surrender.
“How did you know where I lived?” she chokes out, and I bring her some water.
“You told me after I saved you from the wolves. Not many cabins out here, so you get familiar with the ones that are,” I answer.
“And how did you get us in here?” she asks, taking a sip of the water.
“Well, when I realized the door was locked, I figured you had a key somewhere on your person, so I checked your pockets.”
“What’s your name?” she rushes out.
“Eli,” I answer, pulling a random name out of my ass to give her instead of my real name. I have a feeling she’s trying to make sure it doesn’t start with an L, given my little note.
“Well, thanks for saving me, Eli, but I think you should go now,” she states, removing the blanket and trying to stand, but she winces.
“Your ankle is injured, it’s why I had to carry you,” I state, crossing my arms over my chest. “Let me help you. You also have cuts on your face that need cleaning.”
She looks at me hesitantly, contemplating her options here, before saying, “Okay. Just these things, and then I need you to leave. I don’t even know who you are.”
“Fine,” I agree, smirking. “Do you have a first aid kit anywhere in the cabin?”
“There’s one under the kitchen sink,” she says, sitting back down on the sofa.