Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Willa
After an almost five-hour flight from Vancouver, I am dreading the extra hour drive to my parents’ cabin on the Quebec-Ontario border.
My parents used to live in Ottawa, but when they retired they figured it would be cheaper to live in the cabin my grandparents left them.
So now I find myself driving a small rental in the heavy snow.
I can barely see through my windshield. I’m freezing because the heat in this rental is taking forever to work.
Since I have an hour drive, I call my friend, Sunny.
She is back home in Florida visiting with her family.
We’ve been roomies since our first year of university at the University of British Columbia.
“Willa, what’s going on?” Sunny answers after the first ring.
“Not much, other than my flight was a couple hours delayed. I’m driving in a snowstorm of sorts, and I am tired, hungry and just want to sleep.” I would cuss but I don’t like to use swear words.
“Damn, that sounds rough. I can’t imagine leaving Vancouver for a place that has even more snow,” she snickers.
“I can’t either, but my parents’ cabin is located in an area that is prone to storms. It’s sucks.”
“Well, just think of all the quiet time and reading you’ll get done in the cabin,” Sunny says.
“That doesn’t sound very appealing. The highlight of my vacation will be my parents’ neighbors’ Christmas party Christmas Day. It’s a gathering of sorts with food and dancing.”
“I remember when I went home with you our freshman year. It was a sweet little get-together.”
“Now you’re being kind. I still remember when my parents’ eighty-year-old neighbor asked you to dance then asked you on a date,” I chuckle.
At least speaking with Sunny is easing my nerves somewhat.
The roads I am driving on don’t have proper lighting and I squint against the reflection of my car lights hitting the snow.
“He was hysterical, and I’m irresistible,” Sunny laughs.
“I’m going to be so bored this year,” I complain.
“You could use the downtime. You’ve been working so hard,” Sunny says and that is the truth.
I’m pre-law and hoping to get into Harvard Law School.
I always figured I needed to shoot for the top since my parents are tight with money.
I’ve applied for as many scholarships as I possibly can, plus a ton of grants, hoping it will be enough.
“Not this kind of downtime. It’s going to be too quiet.”
“What you need is a boyfriend,” Sunny chimes. She’s been saying this since freshman year. Problem is, I’m always doing homework. “That way you can go home with him for the holidays. You can choose one of the California boys at school.”
Since California is below British Columbia, a lot of Americans come to learn at our school, but none of them would be interested in someone like me.
It’s not self-loathing either. I’m just bookish and an introvert.
I want to do business law, which will involve meetings and reading lots of contracts.
“Dude, guys aren’t interested in me,” I reply dryly.
“Because you don’t give them a chance to be interested. You’re either in your room or holed up in the library.”
“I’m trying to secure myself a solid future,” I remind my friend.
“What you need is a guy to loosen you up and show you a good time,” Sunny giggles. “There are so many boys down here in Miami. I should’ve brought you home with me.”
“I don’t get to see my parents very often. I need to be home for Christmas. At least my parents got a new hot tub. I can try it out. It’s in the backyard facing the lake. It’ll be the highlight of my trip. I’ll pour myself a glass of wine, sit in the hot tub watching the stars, and relax.”
“The stars are unbelievable out there,” Sunny says. Since the cabin is so far away from city lights it is quite an incredible sight.
“Okay, I’m pulling up into their driveway now. Thanks for keeping me company.”
“Always,” Sunny replies. “Just be careful with the old dudes at the Christmas party.”
“Trust me, I plan to.”
“Have a good night, Willa.”
“You too, Sunny.”
We end the call and I park in front of the garage. I haul my suitcase out of the back seat and head inside.
Mom and Dad are waiting for me with smiles on their faces.
“We were getting worried,” Mom says as she embraces me.
“Glad you made it in one piece, kiddo,” Dad says, ruffling my hair like I am a child.
They usher me into the house. Mom made a French onion soup and it’s delicious, exactly what I need with the baked cheese and crusty bread. It warms me right up as I update my parents on my flight, the drive, and eventually school.
“I told Mrs. Montgomery you would help set up the Christmas party again this year,” Mom says. Thanks for volunteering me once again, Mom.
“Sure.” I plaster a fake smile. This is the vacation of my dreams.
“Don’t be so enthusiastic,” Mom replies sarcastically. “We also have the hot tub. That’s exciting.”
“Where is it located exactly?” I ask Mom. I remember her saying something about the edge of our property.
“Actually, it’s between the property we own with the James family,” she replies.
My brows furrow, my head tilts to the side.
“Why would it be between the two properties?” I ask.
“We split the hot tub expense with them. Your dad had the idea, and it was brilliant. They’re never up here. Their cabin was owned by the grandma and since she passed, they haven’t made an appearance. Basically, we have the hot tub all to ourselves and we only had to pay for half.”
The idea sounds a little cuckoo to me, but I don’t share my thoughts with Mom.
I went to high school with one of the James kids.
Wyatt and I were in the same grade. He was tall and gorgeous, an athlete but he had brains too.
Wanted to be a lawyer in case his hockey career didn’t pull through.
We weren’t friends though. I only know about him because every girl in school made it their business to know his business.
Well, at least I don’t have to run into Wyatt.
Our last encounter wasn’t so pleasant, I remind myself.
It was senior year of high school and a lot of time has passed.
“I’ll probably take a dip tomorrow. I’m exhausted. I just want to sleep,” I tell Mom once I’ve finished eating. “Thanks for the soup, it was delicious.”
“Good night, sweetie. Sweet dreams.”
“Thanks, you too,” I say to Mom.
I pass the family room where Dad is sitting in his recliner, watching the news, and say good night. I take my suitcase upstairs with me and hop into the shower to rinse this day off me.
By the time I hit the sack, I can barely feel my body I am so tired. When I close my eyes I see searing blue eyes, and when I dream it’s of a teenage Wyatt James. Damn, he was hot.