Smiling, I set out down the path.
The snow is falling faster and thicker. It’s hard to breathe with my heart lodged in my throat but I’m determined to get through this without a full-blown panic attack. The good thing about the snow is that it keeps things bright in the falling darkness.
Finally we make it back to the parking lot. When I see Marek’s SUV I let out a long breath of relief, my knees going spongy. “Thank God. I was afraid it would be gone.”
He unlocks the doors. “Did you think the witch ghost took it?”
“I did consider that, yes.” I climb into the vehicle and collapse into the passenger seat. “Oh my God. I can’t move.”
“Relax, honey. We’ll be back at the inn in no time.”
The endearment and his kind tone of voice divert me from my agitation. We made it. We’re fine. “What time is it? Midnight?”
“Nearly six.”
“That’s it?” I whimper. “Can I go to bed when we get back?”
“No. I have other things planned for you.”
I eye him dubiously. “While I do enjoy a little four-legged frolic, I don’t think I’m up for much tonight. You’ll have to do all the work.”
He chokes on a laugh as he pulls onto the road. “That’s not exactly what I have in mind.”
“Oh.” Now I’m disappointed. I close my eyes and lean against the door for the drive back to the inn. What does he have in mind, then?
20
MAREK
I feel bad that Nikki’s so exhausted. She’s still recovering from trauma and I dragged her out onto a hiking trail, then got us lost. I thought exercise and fresh air would be good for her. I didn’t count on it snowing. And I don’t think I realized how anxious she was. I would have carried her the whole way if I could have. But also… I know she has to walk herself to move forward.
She goes into the bedroom to change and I call room service and order dinner to be sent to the cottage along with another bottle of fine Finger Lakes wine. Is it fine wine? I don’t know. But we’re here so we’re drinking it.
Then I join her in the bedroom to get rid of my hiking clothes which are sweaty despite the cold weather. I pull on a pair of gray sweatpants and a black New Jersey Storm hoodie. Nikki’s stretched out on the bed, with one hand draped over her forehead, dressed in her pink and white striped pajamas.
“I’m too tired to eat,” she moans.
I lie down beside her. “I’ll feed you. You need to get your strength back.”
“Okay.”
I grin. “Just relax till dinner gets here.”
“I don’t have a choice. I can’t move.”
“I’m sorry I fucked up our hike.”
Her eyes pop open and fix on me. “You didn’t.”
“Yeah, I did. I didn’t know it was going to snow.”
She sits straight upright. “You know I’m okay, right?”
I wrestle with my smile. Christ, she’s strong. “Yeah. But I still want to take care of you.”
“For once, I won’t argue with that.”
We eat dinner in front of the TV, watchingThe Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Then I take Nikki’s hands and pull her off the couch and lead her upstairs and into the bedroom.
