My phone buzzes again, and this time I pick it up. I smile when I see Lizzy’s name on my screen.
Lizzy:Are you up? Just checking to make sure you’re okay.
Lizzy: I hope your silence means you’re asleep. You need more sleep. Love you! {heart emoji}
It’s after midnight.I smile at her concern, but it's her that should be in bed. It’s after two on the east coast.
She’s always been the mother hen type. Even more so after Mark and Alex died. I type out a quick reply before I unhook my laptop and head upstairs to finish out my night of writing in bed.
Me:Nope, still up. And I’m fine. Getting lots of writing done. Why aren’t you in bed?
My phone buzzes almost immediatelyafter hitting send. No doubt her response is going to include something about my lack of sleep again. I’ve never gotten much sleep, but my sleep patterns got worse after the accident. I slept next to the same man for twenty-seven years. My empty bed is a constant reminder that I’m alone and might very well be for the rest of my life.
I reach my bedroom and toss my laptop on the bed before checking my phone.
Lizzy:I’m glad, but you’re working too late. I’m going to bed now. You should, too.
Me: Alright MOM. I’m heading to bed.
Lizzy: {Kissing Emoji} I need to visit you soon. I miss you. Plus, I’d love to see the chalet.
Me: YES! I miss you so much. Just tell me when and I’ll have a room ready for you.
Lizzy: Working on my schedule. I’ll let you know.
Me: Sounds perfect. I love you.
Lizzy: Love you too. Goodnight, Mom.
Me: Goodnight, sweetie.
I dropmy phone next to my laptop and get ready for bed. My mind is already too preoccupied with thoughts of Adam to sleep. Combine that with the promise that Lizzy is coming to visit, and I’m more awake than ever. If I’m lucky, writing will help calm my thoughts and allow sleep to take over.
I slip into bed, position my laptop on my knees, and yawn as I prepare to write. Maybe I’m more tired than I realized. I stare at the last paragraph I wrote before coming upstairs, and my mind draws a blank. All thoughts and ideas about where I’m going with this scene are gone. All I see is Adam’s face. I close my eyes, and his sexy body and salt and pepper beard appear in my mind. He’s hot and rugged and strong. His smooth beard, broad shoulders, and tattooed arm are all things I never imagined would excite me like this.
But they do.
Everything about that man excites me.
Adam’s smile is the last thing I see before sleep takes me.
A dull,full-body ache drags me from my slumber. Every inch of my body feels like tiny daggers are piercing my skin and hitting every nerve ending. Not daggers—icicles. Sharp, extremely cold icicles. I tug my covers closer around my body, but they do nothing to dull the pain being inflicted on me.
I’m freezing.
I open my eyes and take a deep breath.
I immediately regret it. The cold air burns my lungs, and I wince. When I exhale, my breath mists around me and clouds my vision.
What the hell?
My eyelids are heavy, and my body screams for more sleep. I pull the covers over my head, but that does nothing to warm me. It’s too cold for my body to relax.
I reach for my phone on the nightstand. 3:27 a.m.
Damn, what happened? It wasn’t this cold when I fell asleep a few hours ago.
Pulling the blankets around me, I crawl out of bed. My hands tremble, and my feet are numb. Convincing my legs to start walking is a challenge, but I manage to hobble down the hall toward the thermostat.
