Page 41 of Witching You Weren't Snowed In
“I have to go to the lodge. I need to see Leo.”
My mother pointed toward the window. “Right now? But it’s already started to snow.”
“I’m taking the car. If I hurry, I can get there before the roads close. It’s not far.”
“Let her go, Suzanne.” Dad gave me a quick hug and planted a kiss on the top of my head. “Text us when you get there so we know you made it safely.”
“But what about Christmas?” Mom said. “You might get stuck at the lodge.”
A warm feeling expanded inside my chest. “I’m counting on it.”
***
The windshield wipers couldn’t keep up with the snow. Hugeflakes stuck to the glass, making it nearly impossible to see. I gripped the steering wheel, easing the car over the icy road. Only a little farther. Five more minutes and I’d be parked at the lodge.
There were no other cars on the road. Everyone else was sensibly tucked away in their homes to brave the blizzard. The radio announcer mocked me through the car’s speakers with potential snow totals and threats of massive power outages. But the radio guy wasn’t dealing with a weather curse. One where his future happiness hinged on confronting this beast of a storm and coming out the winner.
The car swerved on a patch of ice, and I yelped, turning into the slide. My stomach flipped as the car jerked to a stop, the wheels spinning without traction. I tried again, with no luck, and banged my palm on the steering wheel.
I’d have to walk the rest of the way. The wind roared as I pushed open the car door and slung my bag over my shoulder. My boots sank into the snow up to my calves, and I lurched forward, raising my arm to block the stinging snow from my eyes.
When the lodge came into view, I nearly sank to my knees in relief. I was freezing and probably looked like a yeti lost in a frozen tundra. My cheeks had to be as red as Rudolph’s nose, and I was positive there were icicles in my hair. If Leo didn’t fall head over heels in love with me the moment he saw me, he had a valid excuse.
I trudged toward the lodge’s entrance and pulled on the massive wrought iron handle. The door didn’t budge. Cupping my mittened hands around the sides of my face, I peered through the narrow window. It was dark inside. The lobby was empty.
“No!” I moaned, pounding on the door with my fist as if someone would magically appear when the lodge was clearly closed.This is why you call first before making a grand romantic gesture!
I sat down on the step and dropped my head into my hands. I was really in a frozen pickle now. My car was in a ditch and I was stuck outside the lodge. I was supposed to be snowed in, not snowed out!
“Sage?” Leo’s voice rose over the wind. I hadn't even heard the door open. “What are you doing out here?”
He hauled me up before I could answer. Which was helpful because my teeth were chattering and an explanation might have to wait until I thawed. Off came my hat and my gloves as he pressed his warm hands against my cheeks.
“Are you trying to freeze to death on my front steps?” Leo led me through the dark lobby and into the great room where the fireplace crackled with warmth. He unzipped my coat, tugged my arms out of the sleeves, and wrapped a thick, cozy blanket over my shoulders.
Then he paced; boots hitting the hardwood in front of me. Back and forth while he opened and closed his fists. It was kind of cute in a menacing, protective kind of way.
He stopped short and kneeled in front of me. “Where’s your car? I didn’t see it in the parking lot. And what were you thinking driving in this?”
I winced. “My parents’ car is on the side of the road. I may have spun out and had to walk from the bottom of the hill.”
Leo closed his eyes as if he needed all his senses to control himself. When he opened them again, I held up a finger.
“Hold on. You can scold me in a second. I have to send a text.” I pulled out my phone and typed a message to my dad. “By the way, where is everyone?”
“The blizzard forecast called for widespread power outages and our backup generator is broken. Valerie was supposed to have a tech out to fix it last week, but she must have forgotten. So with the possibility of long-term power outages, we relocated the guests to another hotel downtown, and I sent everyone else home.”
“So it’s just us here? All alone? Until the snow stops?”
“Yeah. Just us.”
The wind howled against the windows, slamming into the panes like a monster trying to get inside. I shivered, not from the cold, but from the twist of fate.
“Are you warm enough?” Leo murmured.
I wrinkled my nose. “My feet are cold, and I don’t think I can transfer enough heat through my frozen fingers to warm them up.”
A faint smile curled the edge of Leo’s mouth. He helped me slip out of my boots and placed them by the fire, then he joined me on the sofa and allowed me to tuck my sock-covered feet into his lap.