The frigid air slams into the inside of my lungs, pulling me out of any remnants of slumber I was holding on to. It’s an odd sensation to welcome the sting of the wind, because at least for the moment, I can blame my pain on something temporal. I take a deep inhale, as there is nothing better than the fresh mountain breeze, and start off on our regular morning walking trail with Lucky running all around me in search of fresh scents.
When we coast around the bend in the road, I toss a look over at my little brother’s cabin. It’s only a few hundred yards from where Ryson and I grew up, in a cabin of humble beginnings. Ryson's younger by five years and completely my opposite. He’s socially outgoing and can barely stay out of trouble, except for the fact that he’s a smooth talker. Me, being the more introverted, reliable brother always trying to talk sense into him.
All the windows in Ryson’s cabin are dark—as they should be for this time of the morning. I can’t help but envy his ability to sleep. He doesn’t have the stress I have running a company. He drives a truck for me, except for when he can’t, like now. Then he watches TV. I sigh heavily and carry on the path as it narrows and winds around another bend—this one is my favorite one of all. The point that overlooks the entire city of Mapleton.
It’s the perfect town, in my opinion. Small enough that you know everyone by name, but large enough you have the local businesses you need for a proper community. Quaint cobblestone streets are lined with old-fashioned streetlamps, and I never get tired of looking at the glow they create down below. It's like tiny stars at the bottom of a valley that watch over the people while they sleep.
A few wispy snowflakes flutter to the ground, as if they are tasked with the job of adding the finishing touches on thealready blanketed streets. It all appears magical from up here, and I never tire of seeing—wait a second . . .
My brows bend together as the streetlamps pulse off and on twice in unison before finally settling into the darkness, and the little town at the bottom of the mountain almost disappears.
I slow my steps, easing closer to the edge of the trail and wait for the lamps to turn back on. Several long beats pass, but all the lamps remain dark. Clearly, the town has lost power. More than likely some power lines have fallen under the weight of this dense snow. My cabin is powered by propane, so it won’t affect me, but if they don’t fix the power lines soon, people will get awfully cold fast.
My gaze slides back down. I still can’t see even a spark, but I know how to help them. I have so many logs piled up; it would be nothing for me to take a load to town for firewood. I slide my fingers into my mouth, whistling through them. “Come on, Lucky. Time to go.”
His tongue hangs low, and his tail sweeps back and forth. He’s as happy as a clam on a beach, fully unaware that people are about to freeze from this power outage. His smile is contagious, erasing at least some of my heartsickness. I stride next to him; glad I have a companion.
Lucky pushes his snout into my leg as he follows on my heels. I pat his head, chuckling to myself.
If only a pat on my head could make me that happy.
four
Arielle
I wiggle my toes and pull the scratchy comforter tighter around my neck, but it does nothing to warm me. “Christian,” I hiss over the narrow aisle between our queen beds. “Did you turn the air conditioner on?” It’s pitch dark in the hotel room, but I angle my gaze toward Christian’s heavy breathing.
When he doesn’t reply because he’s still sound asleep, I take my spare pillow and whip it toward him, the way a sister should smack her annoying big brother. “Christian,” I say, raising my voice as my eyes slowly adjust to the darkness.
“Whoa, what?” He startles awake.
“Did you turn the air on?” I wrap my blanket even tighter around me, but shivers erupt from my extremities. It’s absolutely freezing, and these thin hotel blankets don’t hold any warmth.
“Why, yes, I keep the air on full blast in January in New England because I love to bleed money.” He pauses for a beatbefore adding, “The clock isn’t glowing. I would guess the power went out.”
“Ah, great,” I mumble under my breath and reach for my phone, which I had set on the nightstand. I click the power button, relieved to see a tiny flash of light and use it to guide me to my suitcase for a sweatshirt. “I didn’t pack for a power outage.” I shiver as I also find my winter beanie, and yank it on, covering the bottoms of my ears. I don’t stop dressing until after I’ve slipped on my down winter coat—it’s that cold in here.
“I’m sure it will be on shortly,” Christian speaks through a yawn.
My phone confirms it’s almost time to start the day. “It’s after six. The sun should come up soon. That might help warm things up a little.” I hustle back to my bed, crawl under the blankets, and stare toward the window.
“You should try having high blood pressure like me. Then you’ll never be bothered by the cold.” Christian’s grumble is muffled by the pillow he’s pulled over his head to more than likely tune me out.
“Wait a second.” My head springs back from an image that flashes in my brain. “Do you remember when we checked into the lodge last night? The lobby had that huge stone fireplace. Do you think we should sit downstairs until the power comes back on?”
Christian’s sleepy grumble is barely audible. “I mean, it doesn’t make sense to just lie in bed to relax.”
“Right.” I ignore his sarcasm and spring to my feet. “It’s too cold in here, even under the blankets. They had those big leather couches downstairs. It’s perfect.” I’m already slipping on my Uggs when I toss a glance over my shoulder. He hasn’t moved from his spot in bed. “Let’s hurry before someone else gets the same idea and takes our spot.” I yank on the doorknob andprompt the door open with my foot. “Last one down has to buy the other person breakfast.”
“No power means nobody will get breakfast.” Christian drops one foot to the carpet and does a falling motion to get out of bed. It’s ungraceful and seems a bit harsh, but Christian has a dramatic way of doing most things. He whisks his phone off the nightstand and shuffles his feet forward, mumbling through another yawn, “Besides, I need to get dressed.” He takes a minute to swap his shorts for pants, slips on a jacket, and then loafers before he stares at me for the first time this morning. “Happy now?” he grumbles.
“Not until we get our spot.” I rush him out the door. We follow the dark hall, guided only by the light on my cell phone, as it seems the rest of the hotel customers are still asleep. It might be my optimistic imagination, but I feel the temperature increase as we get closer to the lobby.
“I guess the interstate is closed.” Christian reads a notification on his phone. “We won’t be going home today.”
I’m about to let out a groan but the lobby comes into view and the permeating warmth muffles my annoyance. The massive stone fireplace doesn’t disappoint with a soft glowing fire to welcome me. I smile slyly at the desk attendant as I beeline to the couch in front of the fireplace. “Our room is so cold, I couldn’t sleep,” I say and plop down, scooting my body all the way to the armrest closest to the flame.
“The power has been out for several hours already,” he reports in a monotone voice. “The forecast said it’s just a pause in the snow, as it’s supposed to dump more later this morning.”
