"It's private property," Adam said. "The owner likes his privacy."
The trees opened up and Jules's jaw dropped. The cabin was massive, with dark logs gleaming through the storm, lots of windows, and a huge stone chimney stretching toward the sky.
"This is... incredible," Jules breathed. "Okay, seriously, whose cabin is this? No one in Snow Ridge has this kind of money except—" She stopped, her mind racing. "Oh my God. Is this the mayor's place? Because I cannot stay at Mayor Henderson's?—"
"It's not the mayor's," Faye said quickly.
Adam parked, leaving the motor running as he grabbed her suitcases. "Come on. Let's get you inside before we all freeze."
The door wasn't locked, which seemed odd. Inside was even more impressive, with high ceilings, a massive stone fireplace, and furniture that looked hand-carved and expensive. Everything smelled like pine and leather, and it made her pulse quicken inexplicably.
"Guest room's down that hall," Adam said, setting her bags down. "Kitchen's fully stocked. Firewood's on the porch."
"We need to go," Faye said suddenly, grabbing Adam's arm. "The storm's getting worse."
"Wait, you're leaving?" Jules felt a flutter of panic. "But?—"
"You'll be fine!" Faye hugged her tightly. "Rocky's home alone and we haven't given him his breakfast yet. Everything you need is here. Just... make yourself at home and I'll call you later."
"Faye—"
But they were already heading for the door, Adam practically dragging Faye along, who kept looking back with a guilty expression.
"We'll come up and check on you tomorrow!" Faye called. "If we can get through!"
And then they were gone, leaving Jules alone in the mysterious cabin.
She stood there shivering in her wet pajamas and heavy winter coat, Fred's box in her arms and her mind in a daze, looking around at the definitely lived-in space. There were coffee mugs in the dish drainer. A wool blanket thrown carelessly over the couch. Books scattered on the side table, mostly repair manuals and botanical guides…
Botanical guides.
Her heart started pounding as she noticed other things. The pine scent that seemed embedded in everything. The way the furniture was arranged, functional but solitary, like someone who lived alone and liked it that way. A jacket hung by the door that looked entirely too familiar.
"No," she whispered. "No way."
Chapter 3
Jules
She set Fred on the kitchen counter and walked down the hall to investigate. The master bedroom door was ajar. She pushed it open slowly, her heart in her throat.
The bed was made but rumpled, like someone had sat on it while pulling on boots. Work clothes were folded on a chair. And on the nightstand?—
Her phone buzzed with an incoming text.
It was from Lex.
Parts are here. But the roads are getting bad. We're closing up until the storm passes. I'll let you know when to come get your car.
She was typing a delayed response when she heard a truck engine growing closer.
Jules ran to the window. Through the snow, she could see headlights approaching and a familiar black truck climbing up the driveway through the storm.
"Oh, Faye," she whispered. "What did you do?"
The front door opened.
Lex stood in the doorway, snow swirling behind him, looking like every naughty fantasy she'd ever had. He wore work clothes, his amber eyes wide with shock.
