Chapter Eight
ELIZA
Three snowmobiles crest the hill,their riders easily visible in the clear morning light. As they approach, I recognize the forms of Kane, Rhys, and Reid. Relief sweeps over me at the sight of my brothers, but I can't ignore the knot of anxiety tightening in my chest. I'm aware of how their arrival will change the dynamic between Matt and me.
Kane is the first to reach us, dismounting his snowmobile with ease. “Eliza!” he calls, his long strides closing the distance. Moments later, I’m wrapped in his firm embrace.
As he pulls back, I ask, “Where's Nash?”
“He's got uncle duty with Hailey,” Kane replies. “We didn't know what we'd be facing up here, so he stayed back to help with her.”
I'm filled with emotions—relief at seeing my family safe, comfort in the reassuring strength of my brother's arms, and a surprising wave of vulnerability as the stress of the past days catches up. I return the hug tightly, realizing how badly I needed this connection.
As Kane pulls back, his eyes scan my face and his brow furrows. He tilts my chin, examining the scratch on my cheek. “What happened here?” he asks, concern clear in his voice.
I touch the scratch, having almost forgotten about it in the chaos of recent events. “It's nothing serious,” I assure him. “A minor injury from the roof collapse. We've been through a lot, but we're okay.”
Kane's expression shows relief and lingering worry. “We're so glad you're safe. When we couldn't get through after your call with Finn...”
“The path was blocked,” Reid explains, joining us. “It took a while to clear all the fallen trees.”
“I'm fine,” I assure them. “We both are.” I glance at Matt, who's hanging back, looking uncomfortable.
Kane nods at Matt. “Nice to see you again, Matt. Glad you were here to help.”
Rhys claps Matt on the shoulder. “Knew you'd be useful to have around,” he says.
“What's the damage like?” Reid asks, always the most practical of my brothers. “We saw some on the way up but couldn't tell how bad it was.”
“Maybe we should head inside,” I suggest, noticing the way Matt withdraws into himself. A flicker of worry rises in me—I don't want him shutting me out, not after everything we've been through. “It's a bit of a long story, and I could use something warm to drink.”
Once inside, I catch my brothers taking in the scene—the makeshift bed by the fireplace, the general disarray. My stomach drops as I realize I'd forgotten about the shattered glass still scattered across the kitchen floor. Their eyes linger on it, and I wonder if they're piecing together how rough the night had been.
“What happened here?” Kane asks, gesturing toward the mess.
“An accident this morning,” I explain, moving to grab the broom. “I'll clean it up,” I add, not mentioning Matt's panic attack, feeling protective of his privacy.
As I sweep, Matt fills the kettle with water and sets it on the stove to boil. “How about some hot cocoa?” he suggests, rummaging through the cupboards. My brothers share a look but don't push for details yet. Instead, Kane and Rhys wander toward the bedroom. I can hear them talking to each other as they take in the damage—the broken window, the snow piled high inside. Kane steps closer, inspecting the window frame, while Rhys pokes at the snowdrift that's crept into the room.
As I finish recounting our ordeal, Kane leans forward, his tone firm. “Well, we're here now. We can take you both back to Mom and Dad's where you'll be safe. You've been through enough.”
Matt glances at me, then back at Kane. “Thanks for the offer, but I'm staying. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done here, and I’m going to help with the repairs.”
Rhys raises an eyebrow. “You sure? You’ve already been through hell, man.”
Matt’s voice is steady. “I’m sure. I can’t walk away from this. Getting the lodge back in shape is a priority, and I’m here to help. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
A brief silence follows as my brothers take in his words. They exchange a look, and I can see the shift—respect, maybe even a little surprise—in their eyes. Kane is the first to speak. “Alright then. We could use the extra hands. We'll make sure Eliza gets back safely.”
His words, though well-intentioned, ignite a spark within me. “No,” I say, surprising even myself with the steel in my voice. “I'm not going anywhere.”
Kane's eyebrows shoot up. “Eliza, be reasonable. This is more than running the lodge. It's dangerous up here, and there's a major reconstruction project ahead.”
“I know that,” I say, keeping my voice steady despite the anger bubbling up inside me. “But Finn left me in charge of a functioning resort, and I intend to see it back to that state. I'm staying to oversee the repairs.”
The words spill out before I even realize I've decided. I hadn't considered staying until this moment, but now it feels clear. The lodge is my responsibility, and seeing it restored comes first—even if it means balancing that with studying for my test. I can't walk away.
“Eliza,” Reid interjects, “you don't have to prove anything. We can handle this.”
