“You okay?” I offered my free hand to hoist her. She was as light as she looked.
“I’ll be fine,” she grumbled. “Guess you were right about my boots.”
As if there was any doubt. “We’re almost there,” I advised.
As we trudged into the snow-filled driveway, which I only recognized because of the gnarly tree at its corner, I could barely see the chalet since whirling and whipping snow had reduced visibility to a few paces in front of us. Once it did come into sight, the lady dropped her bomb.
“I didn’t know anyone was already staying at Antonio’s place.”
The claim had me pausing before I asked, “You’ve been here before?”
“Once,” she admitted softly. “Guess it wouldn’t have mattered if my car made it or not, since the chalet was already occupied.”
It hit me then. She’d planned to stay here, but I’d wager she didn’t ask permission first. That combined with the black eye led me to growling, “Who are you running from?”
She stiffened. “No one.”
“Don’t lie.” Yeah, I barked, and immediately felt like a piece of shit when she flinched. “Who are you hiding from?”
“My husband,” she whispered.
“He’s the one who hit you.” Stated rather than asked.
“Si.”
That was all I needed to know. “Let’s get you and the kid inside.”
Because even as I knew I shouldn’t get involved, I had to help.
Didn’t matter who this woman was or why her husband hit her. She was broken and I couldn’t grind what remained of her to dust.
Chapter Five
Blowing snow created a drift against the chalet door. I kicked out, using the sweep of my feet to clear the threshold so I could open it. The heat from the baseboard heaters hit us in a warm wave that melted the flakes clinging to my lashes.
I handed off the kid to her mother so she could deal with her abominable snowsuit. A squirming inside my coat had me unzipping to set Percy free. I set the lizard on the floor right atop a clump of snow and got a chiding squawk.
“Calm your scales, you’ll be fine,” I muttered as I flipped on some lights. At least the chalet still had power. For the moment. Given the raging of the storm, I didn’t imagine it would last the night, meaning I’d need the supplies in the car.
“Hold still,” the woman chided as she tried to unzip the child.
Rather than cooperate, Zaza reached for Percy. “Mio. Mio. Dinosauro.”
Geezus, what had I done? I’d gone from peace and quiet to having a kid determined to maul my lizard. Percy obviously recognized the danger and scattered.
The wind buffeted the chalet and I held in a sigh because I’d be feeling the brunt of it in a second. “I’m going back to the car to grab the groceries and stuff,” I announced.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? The visibility seems to be getting poorer.” The woman glanced at me with a crease of concern.
“You need the baby’s things and if we get snowed in, we’ll want the food. I’ll be fine. Back in a few minutes.”
I hoped. She’d spoken truly about the intensifying storm. The snow fell thick and fast, already deep enough it almost buried my feet with each step. However, we needed those supplies. Two extra mouths to feed, the bottomless Percy, and a bag that most likely held diapers for the little one.
At least the driveway remained somewhat visible in the sense there were trees that bordered it. So long as I didn’t go into the woods, I shouldn’t get lost. Once I reached the end of the drive, the car proved easy to find despite the fact the snow did its best to bury it. Already a thin layer covered the cooling windshield and hood. Here was hoping it didn’t get smoked by the snowplow if it went by before I could move it.
I loaded myself down, slinging the diaper bag over my shoulder and then hefting as many bags as I could manage. I trudged back to the house where the woman stood waiting close to the door, looking relived at the sight of me.
Soon as I entered, I dropped my load. “That’s most of the groceries and your bag.”
