We’ve been walking for close to three hours, and I’m not sure that we’re any closer to the imaginary cabin than when we started. It feels like I’ve walked fifty miles, but I know in reality it hasn’t been that far.
“Who decided that mountains should be so steep?” I pant.
The snow flurries are coming down faster, sticking together and forming slight snow accumulations. Right now, I’m regretting my decision to leave the warmth of the rental car.
I wonder if I died on the side of this mountain, if my mother would mourn me or the loss of my wedding more. Just the thought of a wedding planned by my mother is making me break out in hives.
“Let’s catch our breath,” I tell Frosty as I dust off a cold guardrail on the side of the road.
My breath hangs in little puffs of the air, and my best friend shivers. I feel a stab of guilt for the fact that we’re out here. I shouldn’t have trusted the stupid GPS on my phone. I shouldn’t have planned a day trip to get away from everything for a few hours. I shouldn’t have started walking.
“This was all such a dumb idea,” I mutter.
Frosty tips his head as if he’s agreeing.
I’m not sure if we should continue walking or try to find our way back to the car. Given how quickly the snow is falling, I worry that either choice is the wrong one.
With numb fingers, I tap at my phone screen, but nothing has changed. I still don’t have service no matter how many times I try to dial. The reality of the situation finally starts to sink in as I realize I’m trapped on the side of a mountain, and I have no idea what to do next.
Panicking is the natural next step, and I’m well on my way to that when I hear the distinct sound of a rumbling engine.
Frosty whimpers.
I square my shoulders and take a breath, pulling deep within for courage. “You’re right. We don’t know if he’s a deranged lunatic. But we don’t know he’s not one either. So, let’s just pretend to be tough. We can be tough.”
The truck slows to a stop as I finish my pep talk. The window rolls down slowly and then I’m staring into blue eyes the color of a summer day framed by long lashes. His face is all harsh angles softened by a dark, bushy beard that I want to feel underneath my fingertips.
My stomach swoops and despite the cold, snowy weather, my palms grow damp. I wipe them on the edge of my striped skirt and try to remember how to do normal stuff like talk to other human beings.
“Let me guess. You were the one driving the little wind-up car earlier,” he mutters.
“Electric car,” I quickly correct, already deciding I don’t like this guy.
He has that whole backwoods country boy charm that suggests city slickers don’t belong on his mountain. Ugh, I can already hear the executives planning a movie about a bearded lumberjack who looks exactly like this guy.
“Well, where is this fine piece of machinery?” he asks with a lifted brow as if he already knows the answer.
I want to hold onto my pride and tell him to stuff it like a Thanksgiving turkey. But I don’t love the idea of walking for another three hours with no guarantee that I’ll find anyone else to give me a ride. With a tinge of defeat to my tone, I finally admit, “On the side of the road.”
He smirks, and it does something funny to my insides. It makes me feel like I’m floating. “Do you and your…cotton ball…want a ride?”
“His name is Killer, and he is a savage beast that can rip a man limb from limb. He’s very protective, more of an attack dog than a companion.” I’m sure I look very menacing as the wind howls, and I shiver. I am never taking another trip by myself again.
His smirk grows into a grin. “I’ll try to keep that in mind.”
I follow his gaze to see Frosty cowering behind my jingly shoes. So much for making both of us look tough and strong in front of the potential lunatic. Now he knows it’s him versus me and…yeah, I guess he does kind of look like a cotton ball.
“It’s warm in my truck,” The stranger says though he still hasn’t stopped grinning like he finds this whole situation funny.
I sigh, knowing I have to get back for the holiday party. If I leave in time, maybe I can stop Bobby from dooming both of us by proposing. “Can you get me off this stupid mountain?”
Chapter 3
Hunter
Damn, she’s prettier up close than she was out the window. It’s my first thought as the curvy elf climbs into my truck. Her green pointed shoes with the jingle bells on them make the most adorable noise.
They’re soaked through, and my heart twists as I remember too many winters as a kid with cold feet. I turn the heater on full blast and aim it at her and her puffy companion.
