Nia’s gaze flicked over her like she was one of the pipes that needed inspecting. “I didn’t realize you were the lodge’s handyman.”
Soren smiled. “Among other things.”
“Convenient,” Nia murmured, clearly unimpressed. “Maybe you can fix the roads while you’re at it.”
Soren set the toolbox down slowly, resisting the urge to grin. There it was again—that crisp authority, the frost in every word. It should’ve annoyed her. Instead it made her want to melt it.
“Roads aren’t my department,” Soren said mildly, crouching beside the boiler panel. “But I can try to make it less miserable in here.”
Nia folded her arms tighter. “That would be appreciated.”
Her tone suggested the opposite. The air between them felt thick enough to cut.
Soren worked in silence for a minute, the clang of metal tools and hiss of steam filling the gap. Every so often she could feel Nia’s gaze on her, cool and assessing, like she was trying to erase the memory of how she’d looked the night before—unbuttoned, flushed, unguarded.
“Long night?” Soren asked finally, just to hear her voice.
Nia’s response was smooth but brittle. “I didn’t sleep much. I was hoping to catch the first flight out this morning.”
Soren winced sympathetically, tightening a valve. “Roads are bad. You might be waiting a while.”
“I’ve already called the airport,” Nia said. “There’s a delay, but I intend to get there as soon as possible.”
She sounded like a woman willing the universe into obedience.
Soren wiped her hands on a rag and stood, meeting her gaze squarely. “I can drive you. The truck can handle it.”
Nia blinked. “That’s not necessary.”
“I didn’t say it was,” Soren replied, smiling faintly. “But if you want out, I’ll get you out.”
Before Nia could answer, the lobby phone rang. Mr. Ellis hurried over, picked up, listened for a long moment, and groaned.
“Well,” he said, hanging up. “That was the airport. All flights are cancelled until further notice. Runway’s iced over. They’re saying at least forty-eight hours, maybe more with the next front coming in.”
The silence that followed was almost comical.
Nia exhaled through her nose. “Perfect.”
Soren bit back a laugh. “Guess you’re stuck with us.”
Nia’s glare could’ve frozen water. “Guess I am.”
Mr. Ellis rubbed his hands. “Doctor, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you need. We’ll get the heat stabilized soon.”
“Wonderful,” Nia said tightly, turning back toward the stairs. “I’ll be in my room. Please let me know when the roads are clear.”
She walked away, heels clicking sharply against the tile, every inch of her posture controlled.
Soren watched her go, an amused sigh escaping before she turned back to the boiler.
“She’s something, huh?” Ellis said quietly.
“Yeah,” Soren murmured, grabbing her wrench again. “Something dangerous.”
As she tightened the last pipe, she caught her reflection in the metal—smiling without meaning to.
Snow fell harder outside, sealing the mountain in, but the warmth building in her chest refused to fade.
