CHAPTER NINETEEN
On Wednesday of the following week, still high from her big-money win at the game, and thinking her luck was finally back on track, Alex was hit with bad news.
“This won’t be good for business,” she muttered.
She and Lauren huddled around the office computer watching the weather forecast. An early but severe snowstorm had come in off the Atlantic, and Green Valley Falls sat dead in its path.
“No,” Lauren said. “We had another cancellation this morning.”
“Can’t really blame ’em,” Alex said. “Going without the internet is one thing. No electricity or heat in the freezing cold is something else altogether. In fact, anyone who doesn’t cancel for this weekend, we should call and offer credits for another time.
I can’t be responsible for their safety up here with no power. ”
The storm was expected to hit later that night, and countywide power outages were predicted. Everyone was cautioned to shelter in place with multiple days of food.
“I’m gonna go check on Pops. Make sure his generator is gassed up and that he has everything he needs. Get home before it hits and don’t worry about coming in again until it’s clear.”
“Think Brody knows about it?” Lauren asked.
“Probably, but I’ll double-check.” She couldn’t let her pseudo-boyfriend die in the cold after all.
Conveniently, Alex ran into Brody in the parking lot.
He’d been on the dock taking pictures, noticed her, and walked over to greet her. “Hey,” he said.
“Hey,” she replied. “You hear about the incoming storm?”
“Hard not to. It’s all anyone in town is talking about.”
“At least that means they’re not talking about us,” she said.
“True.” He chuckled. “You here to break up with me then?”
She waved him off. “That can wait. We don’t get these very often, but when we do, they’re a doozy. You have food and warm clothes?”
“I should be fine unless the power goes out for too long.”
“I was thinking about that. The rec cabin has a real fireplace. Maybe you should stay there. No one else will be here. We’re gonna close everything up through the weekend at least. We’ll see after that.”
“All right,” he said. “I’ll head into town and stock up on candles and non-perishables. You sticking around?”
“Yes. I have a fireplace too, so I’ll be fine. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Whatever you say, honey.”
“Ha. Ha.” She glared and rolled her eyes.
Pops greeted her at the door. “You didn’t have to come, sweetheart. I’m all set.”
“I figured. Just wanted to make sure. Plus, I haven’t seen you since the fiasco with Mom. Thought I’d check in.”
“I’m sorry about your mom, hon. I don’t know why she acts the way she does.”
Alex shrugged in a what-are-ya-gonna-do kind of way.
“Hey, the whole town thinks you and Brody are an item.”
“I know,” she ground out. “Brunch in public wasn’t my brightest idea. Now I gotta plot out how to break up but still save face for both of us. It’s on my to-do list.”
“He was bragging about you at the diner yesterday.” Pops crossed his arms. “Sounded like a proud new daddy announcing a birth.”
“He what?” Alex said, surprised.
“Yeah, told everyone how amazing you were at the game over the weekend. Wove a real good story about how you duped the patronizing announcer and then walked away with his cash.”
“Well, he’s not wrong about that.” Alex smiled.
“For what it’s worth. He seems to really like you. You know, more than just an act.”
“I mean, I suppose we’ve become friends,” Alex said. “But it’s nothing more than that. He’s too old for me. Not to mention too handsome. Too rich. Way out of my league. Mom may have had a point regarding that particular issue.”
“That’s not true. Any man would be lucky to have you.”
“Of course you’re going to say that. You have to.” She pushed his arm gently.
“I’ll drop it. Just floating the idea.”
“The idea that Brody and I could actually be a couple? You keep talking like that, and I’m gonna have to schedule an appointment to get your head checked.”
She hugged him goodbye. “Call me on the HAM radio if you need anything. See you on the other side.”
“Will do.”
On her way home, she stopped by the Kitchen Kart to grab some apples and vegetables. Thanks to Tess, who was big into prepping, Alex had been prepared for any type of emergency for the last five years. A few days of snow would be nothing compared to what Tess had demanded she be ready for.
After putting away the groceries, she walked to the rec cabin and picked out a few books, then closed up the office.
She’d just reached the top of the porch steps when the first flakes started to fall. It was pretty now, but wouldn’t be for long.
Sure enough, within the hour, the sky grew dark and the wind began to howl. When she cracked open the door to peek outside, an inch of snow had already accumulated. Against the whipping wind, she heard something.
It wasn’t a quack, but whatever it was reminded her of one, and her thoughts jumped to poor Daisy.
“Oh, no,” she said to herself. “I forgot about the duck.”
She grabbed a handful of bread, bundled up, and slipped out the door. Down at the lakefront, she found Daisy huddled inside her cattywampus shelter. The flakes were blowing in sideways, and the poor thing was covered in a light dusting of snow.
It was unsafe for her to stay out here. If the forecast was correct, and there was already snow in the house, she’d be buried by morning.
Alex could put her in the boathouse, but she hadn’t thought to bring the key, so that would mean another trip to her cabin and back. It was getting darker by the second, and she did not want to be out here when night fell.
“Come on, sweetie,” Alex coaxed, using the bread as bait to lure her out. Daisy snapped at the crumbs, but wouldn’t budge from her refuge.
Finally done messing around, Alex threw the bread in the house and picked up the whole thing, duck and all. It was a struggle, but she made it home.
And just in time. From the top step of her porch, she turned at a loud crashing sound and watched a huge tree branch fall right where she’d been walking not thirty seconds prior.
“Holy crap,” she muttered. “Guess my luck’s holding after all.”
The last thing she wanted was a web-footed roommate, but her conscience wouldn’t allow leaving Daisy on the porch.
Just as she stumbled in and placed her load on the floor, the lights flickered and went out, plunging her into darkness.
“Great.” She closed the door and felt her way to the counter, where she’d already left out candles and matches. Tess would be so proud.
She used the kitchen chairs to build a barrier around Daisy’s house, leaving a little waddle-around room. Bringing the duck in was one thing, giving her free rein to poop anywhere she wanted was another.
Daisy, now safe, warm, and fed, hunkered down in the straw bedding. Brody must have added that recently, because it hadn’t been there yesterday. How sweet was that? Pretty sweet actually.
After making herself a sandwich, she fired up the gas stove—thank goodness it didn’t rely on electricity—and set the teakettle to boil. While she waited, she built a fire and moved the sofa closer to the hearth. She would sleep here tonight.
The power had gone out earlier than anticipated, and she hoped Brody had taken her advice and moved to the rec cabin. She tried to call, but he didn’t answer. Maybe the storm was affecting his signal, or maybe his phone had died already. She’d check on him tomorrow when it was light.
The fire, the candlelight, and the cozy wool blanket painted a romantic scene.
Would she ever find someone to share this with?
Or was she hoping for something that might never happen?
The odds were certainly stacked against her.
Simply meeting a man was hard enough, never mind finding a decent one that would willingly uproot himself to move to a small town in the middle of the wilderness.
Holly had found love, but she’d had to follow Cole to the city for it.
Faith had too, but Nick grew up and had family here, so he didn’t really count.
Also, Holly and Faith were tall, gorgeous, funny, and amazing.
Alex was plain, short, and if these cabins didn’t start making money, borderline broke.
Thoughts of Brody popped up uninvited. She’d been avoiding that whole situation—the kissing, the fake relationship, the looming breakup—but would have to deal with it soon. If she didn’t, the townspeople would have a spring wedding planned before they could stop it.
The kisses were most certainly just an attempt to aggravate Blossom and meant nothing to him.
And while Alex appreciated both the effort and the sentiment, she couldn’t deny feeling something more on her end.
Nothing too crazy, just a tiny zing, a brief but potent oomph to her heart.
That was the reason she’d put off dealing with the whole thing.
Having feelings for Brody would only end in disaster and heartbreak, so she pushed the notion away.
At twenty-seven, she wasn’t into spinster territory yet, but she was also no spring chicken. And while she might be lucky at some things, love was not one of them. And what good was a fall festival bingo trophy if there was no one to share it with?
She brought her tea to the couch and settled in with a cozy mystery. Maybe someday she’d find the man of her dreams. Until then, it was her, and the duck, and a good book.