Chapter Three
Ulrik
I slapped my hands on the steering wheel, frustrated with the whole situation.
I’d taken the human named Brody up to the main lodge to get the situation figured out but had learned that every cabin at the place was double-booked over the holidays.
Not just one or two. No, all one hundred and fifty cabins.
Each with two sets of guests instead of one.
How could a resort mess up so badly? And our compensation?
Half off our stay, which I didn’t pay for in the first place, and a free pass to the maple sugar bush down the road.
I rolled my eyes, sure those passes were complimentary from the attraction itself.
So, I was either stuck with a human stranger in the same cabin as me, or I could go home. Because Brody said he couldn’t leave until the next bus came to Pinevale, which wasn’t until the day we were supposed to check out.
I sat back in my truck and crossed my arms. Maybe the guy wasn’t so bad, and it wasn’t his fault the mistake had been made.
He had to deal with sharing a cabin as much as I did.
Plus, I really didn’t want to drive all the way home again.
As for sleeping arrangements, I had no idea what to do.
There was only one bed and a couch too small for either of us to sleep comfortably on.
And, lo and behold, the front desk didn’t have any extra cots.
With Brody back in our cabin, I backed out of the parking spot and headed into the village.
I needed space and would try to find something to sleep on there and maybe grab some food while I was out.
Brody had vowed that he would start a fire, but I didn’t know how well that would go.
He didn’t seem the type who knew how get a fire going.
I would likely end up doing that when I returned.
The snow had stopped falling, simply lying on the ground and looking almost magical. I chuffed at the thought, not willing to let go of my frustration.
When I reached the hardware store, I found it open.
Barely. I had five minutes, so I parked on the street out front.
Normally, I would look around and likely buy another tool.
With one purpose—something to sleep on—I didn’t have time to browse.
It turned out that cots, foam pads, and blow-up mattresses were summer items, packed away as soon as the campgrounds closed in the fall.
There was no way I would get one for the first night.
Likely not for the rest of my stay, either, with the store closed over Christmas.
I left the place contemplating whether I really wanted to stay or drive back home.
Instead of heading back to my truck, I wandered down the street to see what restaurants were open. Regardless of what I decided, I needed to eat first. I hadn’t had anything except coffee since breakfast, and I’d used up the energy from that long ago.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I fished it out, hoping the lodge had fixed the problem and found me somewhere else to stay. I would even take a place a few miles away. Instead, it was my sister.
I was supposed to text Clara when I’d arrived. Instead, I forgot the instant I found a naked human in my cabin. I didn’t want to tell her what had happened, and that her Christmas present to me wasn’t what she had expected and paid for. If I didn’t answer, I would make her worry.
“Hello. Sorry I forgot to text. I arrived safely.” I tried to recite all the important information before she could utter a word.
The shorter the conversation, the better.
At least until the situation was fixed or I arrived home.
I did not want to put any of it on Clara and was still grateful for the gift and her overtaking the attention of our parents.
“I’m glad.” With those two words, I heard the worry leave her voice. “The drive up was okay?”
“Yes.” I shook some of the snow off my knitted toque. “It snowed, but not heavily. The drive was really nice. Especially today.” That much was true.
“And what do you think of the place? Is it as nice as it shows on the website? Do you approve of the woodwork there?”
“It’s nice. Really. Looks exactly the same.” I remained thankful she hadn’t asked anything I’d had to lie about. I did not want to have to do that to Clara. Mostly because she would eventually find out. I was never able to keep anything from her.
“Well, I’m glad you’re okay, and I know you’re not one to really talk on the phone, so I’ll let you go. Be sure you call at Christmas. Dad and Pops will want to hear from you.”
“I know. I will. And thank you again for this.” Talking to my sister seemed to have calmed me down more than anything.
“You’re welcome. Enjoy. Love you, Ricky.”
“Love you, too, Clare Bear. Make sure you take care of yourself and that baby.”
“Of course.” She hung up, and I was left with my stomach rumbling more than ever.
I pocketed my phone then glanced around again, hoping something was open. At the end of the block, I saw people up ahead walk into the store on the corner. It looked like some kind of diner, and I hoped I wouldn’t be too late to order food there.
When I reached the place, I looked at the sign with the hours then my watch.
Open for another couple of hours. That was a relief.
Inside, there was no sign saying to wait to be seated, so I took a stool at the counter.
The menus were in a metal holder with serviettes and condiments.
Without a lot of variety on the single-sided, laminated cardstock, I knew what I wanted the instant I saw it.
Breaded pork with parsley sauce served with potatoes and vegetables.
“Hi, can I help you?” A woman stood on the other side of the counter holding a pen and pad of paper. She wore a red velvet dress with white garland around the cuffs and hem, along with a matching hat that had giant pointed ears attached.
“Um, yes.” I was about to order when I remembered the human back at the cabin.
Brody probably hadn’t eaten in just as long and would likely appreciate it if I got him something, too.
I had been rather grumpy with him. Perhaps it could be a peace offering.
I told the waitress what I wanted then skimmed the menu again.
I didn’t know if he was vegetarian, as my mate had been, didn’t know anything about him other than his name and what he looked like naked.
I gulped, wishing I hadn’t thought of him like that.
Especially right after remembering Raine.
Focusing on the menu, I tried to find a dish that might work for Brody, something that I would eat if he refused it.
“And the Christmas pasta salad, please. Both to go.” The pasta had pine nuts, tomatoes, avocado, and red and green noodles.
No meat. I figured it might be the safest bet.
While I waited, I scrolled through my emails on my phone, finding messages from two prospective clients.
I had my automatic reply set up for over my holidays, but I couldn’t help checking.
It was total muscle memory. I exited the app then opened the web browser to see what activities were going on in the area throughout the week.
I remembered Clara saying the village had some holiday events, while the resort had others.
I just wanted to run, let my bear come out and charge through the snow.
I hoped I still had the opportunity with a human around.
“Here you go.” The waitress handed me two paper bags filled with food then rang me up. After I paid, I headed back to my truck in front of the hardware store. By the time I reached the cabin, even my bear was ravenous for something to eat.
I got out my key card before I exited the truck then kicked the snow off my boots at the entrance.
When I glanced around to find Brody, I spotted him curled up on the couch with a blanket wrapped around his body.
He had managed to get the fire going. The logs crackled as the flames danced, casting shadows across the human’s face.
I didn’t know whether to wake him to give him his food or let him sleep.
As I watched him, my heart fluttered in a way it hadn’t in a long time. Not since…Raine.
With a sigh, I glanced away, ignoring the possibility. I’d had a fated mate. And he was gone. That was it for me.
I would let Brody sleep and put the meal I’d brought for him in the fridge.
If he wanted it, he could eat it later. I planned to enjoy my food and then take a shower.
With the drive and everything else that had happened since, I was tired.
Since the bed was empty, I claimed it for the first night and tried to ignore the quiet whispers of longing that grew louder every time I accidentally glanced at the sleeping human.