“The lights did come on. Well, they flickered but then went out. Just cut off. Then my flashlight died, and I couldn’t find any batteries in this place, but I found a pack of matches with one match left and this”—he held up the lantern—“in one of the bedrooms. Kind of creepy how everything looks frozen in time. But on the plus side, this thing kicks out some serious light for an antique.”
And smelled like paint thinner. Joel breathed through his mouth, trying to limit the overbearing odor entering his nostrils. “Where is everyone?”
“In the big room down the hall.” Heath gestured in that direction, the light again bouncing shadows off the walls.
Jayce looked at Joel. “The parlor.”
They headed for it.
The last time Joel had been here was a half dozen years back, right before they started construction on the new lodge. But as often as he, Jayce, and their cousin Scott had visited over the years, finding his way around was like second nature.
Heath slid the doors to the parlor open, and Joel gazed at the ragtag group, blankets wrapped around the majority of them. Cassie sat in a chair with a blanket draped across her shoulders.
“I should take a better look at your leg.” And speaking of legs. “How’s Mia doing?”
She laid facedown on the damask sofa that his parents had often chided him to sit still on.
Devon knelt by Mia’s side. “I carry a first-aid kit with me. I can handle a few stiches, but as an autopsy assistant, Cassie is better equipped for the sutures, if she’s up for it.”
“Agreed.” Cassie got to her feet and wobbled.
“Whoa!” Joel said, bracing his hands on her hips to steady her. She smiled.
He longed for nothing more than to fully pull her into his arms.He’d so missed the feel of her in them. “I think you best sit back down.”
“I’m fine.”
“Of course you are.” He shook his head. “I don’t think you should put any weight on your leg until I’ve had a chance to check out your injury.”
“Mia’s bleeding, I’m not.”
“Okay, but at least sit while you do it. Don’t try kneeling on it for goodness’ sake.”
“Fair enough.” She nodded.
He helped Cassie to the couch, and she took a seat on the edge beside Mia. “I’ll be as gentle as I can.” She lifted her chin at Devon. “The first-aid kit?”
“Got it.” He handed it to her with a smile and a nod.
“Thanks.” She smiled back. “Okay...” She directed her attention to Mia. “I’m going to pull your pant leg up and get a good look, okay?”
Mia half nodded, half whimpered.
“We will be rescued, won’t we?” Penelope asked in that high-brow inflection of hers.
“Yes. I’m sure our mom and dad have already reported us missing,” Izzy assured Talbot’s cousin.
“So they’ll come soon?” Nat asked.
“Not until the blizzard clears up at least,” Joel said.
“At least?” Penelope’s brows hiked up.
“He means it depends on how many are missing, where, who needs the most urgent help, how long it takes ski patrol to get in or a rescue copter to fly...” Nat rambled on.
Penelope rubbed her arms. “So we could be stuck...” She looked around, distaste evident on her brow. “Herefor an extended time?”
Nat rested her hands on her hips. “Just be happy we’re inside and warm.”
