Chapter 29
Chapter twenty-nine
"Everything okay?" Rosa asked when she returned from the bathroom and found Billy staring out of the window. The phone call was over and the phone left on the coffee table.
Billy turned to face her, smiling as she said, "Yes. Mum thinks the snowstorm might have passed and that the roads will start to be cleared now."
"Oh, that is good. So, we might be able to get up to the house for the party?"
"Hm, that might be a bit much. It's always harder to go up than down."
Rosa's face fell.
"But…" Billy beckoned Rosa to come closer. When she stood between her thighs, Billy gently ran her hands up Rosa's legs until she reached the belt buckle and pulled her into her lap. "They think they might be able to come to us."
"What?"
"I know…" Her arms tightened just a little around Rosa as she said, "They're going to ski down—"
"Oh, no, they are not." Rosa stiffened. "That's madness. And dangerous."
"I said that, but apparently they've done it before and there's a path specifically for it."
"This is ridiculous." Rosa wriggled until she was free from the hold on her and flopped down onto the couch. "What about food and—"
"They'll pack it all onto the sled and in backpacks. The girls are quite excited about the adventure."
"Oh, I'm sure they are." Rosa frowned. "What about your mum and Schultz?"
"They'll…"
"Billy!"
"Okay…they'll be on the sleds too."
"On the—have you all lost your minds?" Rosa covered her face with her palms, half in prayer, half in frustration. "Call them back and insist that we will try to get to them. It can't be that difficult if the road is cleared."
"I tried that. They are insistent."
"We don't have any electricity, Billy, and how will they get home?"
"Ah, about that…" She raised a finger before pushing herself up and running out of the room.
"Billy!" Rosa huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "This is not what was supposed to be happening this—"
The lights came on.
"Oh! Billy, the electricity is back on!" Rosa shouted.
"I know," came Billy's voice before she reappeared. "Jenny wasn't a person. They were trying to tell us there is a generator. I don't know why I didn't think of that…I know Mum has one. I guess…I was too busy wanting to fix things with you, and logical thinking about the situation misfired."
A smile spread across Rosa's face.
"What?"
"I'm just remembering how cute I found it when you went into a ramble over something."
"I am cute." Billy grinned and moved to straddle Rosa's lap. "Very cute…especially when—" Their lips met, the kiss slow and tender, until Rosa pulled back and pushed Billy back. "Too fast?"
"No…very nice actually, but I'm agitated and kissing me won't fix that. I need a plan."
"A plan?"
"Yes. We need a plan."
"Do we?"
"Yes! How are they planning to get home? Why can't we use that option to go to them?"
"I think the plan…their plan…is to all stay the night here."
"And sleep where?" Rosa's pitch had climbed.
Billy ran a hand through her curls and thought for a moment. "Well, the girls can all top and tail in one room. Mum and Schultz can have the other room and we…can continue sleeping on the sofa."
"And what will everyone think about that?"
Billy shrugged. "That we're being sensible adults and making the best of the situation.
There are plenty of blankets. I even noticed some sleeping bags in the garage in a load of camping equipment.
The girls can use those, Mum and Schultz can have a duvet, and you can have the other duvet.
I'll have some blankets." She patted Rosa's leg.
"It'll be fun, and we get to see Immy on her birthday. "
Rosa pouted. "This is not what I signed up for."