Chapter 3
EMILY
Everything hurts. My head feels like it’s been used as a drummer’s practice pad, and there’s this incessant ringing in my ears. Through the fog, I hear noises—muffled voices, the groaning of metal, barking? Wait, is that a dog?
Am I dead? Is this what the afterlife sounds like? If so, it’s remarkably similar to a bad day on Earth.
Suddenly, cold air washes over me as if someone opened a freezer door.
Strong hands are on me, unbuckling my seatbelt and cradling my head.
I manage to peel my eyes open, and the first thing I see are the bluest eyes I’ve ever encountered, staring down at me with an intensity that makes my breath hitch.
Holy hell, did I die and get assigned a personal angel?
This guy’s chiseled jawline could cut glass, and that concerned furrow in his brow is oddly comforting. He pulls me against himself, almost as if he’s hugging me.
“You’re going to be okay,” he says, his voice deep and soothing. Yup, definitely an angel. “You’re safe now.”
I know I am.
Despite myself, I cling to him. I can feel my stomach dropping and I belatedly realize we’re being pulled upwards, the thick rope whispering against the snow.
My angel pushes me against solid ground before climbing over me. I lie down on the ground, trying to make sense of what’s happening. I didn’t realize when I passed out.
Blue-eyed guy helps me sit up, and I feel another strong pair of arms supporting my back. More voices. We’re not alone. I’m too tired to crane my neck behind me but I smell a musky, sandalwood scent that makes me inhale deeply.
I’m trying to keep it together, but the cold is seeping into my bones, making it hard to think, let alone move. I’m shivering uncontrollably now, the chill biting through my soaked clothes.
“Get her warmed up, Axel,” one of them says, his voice firm and commanding. I can’t see his face clearly through the blur of snow, but I can feel his urgency. “She’s freezing.”
Blue-Eyed Angel is already wrapping something warm and heavy around me—a thick blanket, maybe. His hands are quick but gentle, pulling the fabric tightly around my shoulders, trying to stop the shaking that I can’t control.
He holds me there for a few moments, and our gazes meet. I feel my stomach clenching, and I can feel myself start to get warmer from inside.
The sound of someone clearing their throat breaks me out of my trance.
Another face peers behind my personal angel. Wait...is that Jace? Did I hit my head too hard? Am I really dead? Are we sharing some kind of shared purgatory, because I have some complaints.
“Emily? Can you hear me?” Jace’s voice filters through the haze.
“Jace?” I croak out, my throat dry and scratchy. “Did we both bite the dust? Is this...are we...?”
Angel Eyes chuckles—a low, warm sound that sends a weird flutter through my chest. “No one’s dead. We’re getting you out of here.”
Well, that’s a relief. Sort of. Although being sandwiched between a heavenly specimen and my best friend’s brother, who also happens to be my ex, in the middle of a blizzard wasn’t exactly on my bingo card for the evening.
“What the hell happened?”
“You tell us.”
The other two guys step into view, and they’re just as equally big and burly. One of them has tattoos that climb all the way up to his neck. I wonder where it ends.
I rub my head. What is this place? Some kind of super model convention?
“I don’t know. I was driving and then there was this storm and it caught me unprepared…” I blank out on the rest because I honestly don’t even remember the moment I passed out.
Before I can process what’s happening, a big, furry blur rushes toward me. The next thing I know, a huge dog is licking my face, its warm, rough tongue dragging across my cold skin. I flinch, not sure if I should laugh or cry.
“Raffle, step away,” the blue-eyed guy commands, his voice firm but gentle. To my utter amazement, the dog—Raffle—immediately obeys, backing off and sitting down like the world’s most obedient pet.
One of the other guy’s steps forward, shining a flashlight into my eyes. I squint against the light, but I can tell he’s checking for something. “No concussion,” he announces after a moment.
Blue-Eyed Guy sits down on his haunches in front of me. “Looks like you’re fine.”
“I am?”
“Yes,” the guy who hadn’t spoken yet says.
“So, if I’m not dead, what are you? My guardian angel?”
He grins, and damn, it looks good on him. “No just your regular firefighter. We all are.” He glances at his friends.
Firefighter. That makes sense. Sort of. If I wasn’t so out of it, I’d probably be more coherent, but all I can do is stare up at him, a weird mix of relief and disbelief swirling in my head.
“So, not an angel,” I murmur, leaning into him as he helps me walk. “Just a ridiculously handsome firefighter. Got it.”
What am I doing? He just rescued me, and I’m flirting with him now? I honestly can’t help the words coming out of my mouth, almost like I’ve no control over it.
He seems to sense my confusion.
“It’s okay, you’re still in shock, but I’m glad we cleared that up,” he replies, the smile still on his face as he glances over at Jace who steps towards me, his expression unreadable.
“Let’s get her to the truck,” one of the taller guys—the blond one—says.
Before Blue Eyes can swoop in, Jace is there, his face serious as he bends down and scoops me up without a word. I feel small in his arms, overwhelmed by everything—by the cold, the fear, and now, this.
Jace carries me back toward the truck, his hold on me strong and secure.
I look up at him, the darkness and the cold still clinging to me, but I see his face, his features illuminated by the truck’s headlights.
It’s been so long since I last saw him. My heart skips a beat.
There’s a jumble of emotions swirling inside me.
I’m overwhelmed, but the words catch in my throat. I want to say something. I was mentally prepared to see him at Hailey’s wedding, but like this? It’s like my entire world has turned on its head.
But the words are lodged in my throat.
He doesn’t say a thing either, just focuses on getting me to safety, and I cling to the blanket wrapped around me, trying to hold onto some semblance of warmth.
Once we reach the truck, Jace carefully sets me down inside, and I find myself wedged between him and another guy—one of the others who had been with them.
The heat inside the vehicle is a stark contrast to the biting cold outside, and I immediately feel a rush of warmth starting to seep back into my frozen limbs.
I glance up at the rearview mirror, where Blue-Eyed Guy is watching me. “How are you holding up?”
I nod, though I’m not sure how to answer. I’m still shivering, but the warmth is helping. As I try to settle into the seat, the dog—Raffle—jumps over the seat and lands between us, pushing past Jace’s half-hearted protest. “Raffle, stay,” Jace mutters, but the dog isn’t having it.
For a moment, I just let myself sink into their care, letting the warmth and their quiet presence work their magic. I don’t know these men, and they don’t know me, but right now, that doesn’t seem to matter.
“I was there with him,” Jace says quietly.
I glance at him. What is he talking about?
“W-what?” I stutter. He puts an arm around me but doesn’t say anything.
“Chocolate?” the guy in front says, turning to face me. “It’s supposed to keep you warm.”
I take it from him wordlessly and chew on it. He’s right. It works. He nods before turning away.
After a few minutes of driving, the truck slows and the engine’s roar softens. I glance out the window, trying to make sense of where we are. The snow still falls heavily, but through the swirling white, I can make out the faint outlines of buildings and the glow of lights ahead.
“Where are we?” I ask, my voice still shaky but clearer now.
Jace, who is sitting beside me, glances out the window and then back at me, a reassuring smile on his face. “Mt. Snowlodge,” he says.
I blink, trying to process this. “Mt. Snowlodge? Unbelievable—I can’t believe I got stuck so close to the lodge.”
Jace chuckles softly, his hand still resting on mine, providing warmth and reassurance. “You really couldn’t have gotten much closer without actually being at the lodge. We were almost there ourselves when we found you.”
As soon as the truck comes to a stop in front of the lodge, Jace is by my side, moving in to scoop me up in his arms again. But this time, I shake my head, holding up a hand to stop him.
“I appreciate it, but I think I can walk,” I say, my voice a little stronger now. Jace hesitates, his brow furrowed with concern. “Are you sure? You’ve been through a lot—”
“I’m sure,” I insist, managing a small smile. “Really, I just need to stretch my legs. But thanks.”
He still looks doubtful but nods, stepping back to let me out. Even though I’ve reassured him, he stays close, his arm hovering protectively behind my back as we walk.
It’s a sweet gesture, and despite everything, I can’t help but feel a tiny flicker of warmth in my chest—not from the truck’s heat, but from Jace’s unwavering care.
As I step out of the truck, Tanner appears on my other side, grinning like we’re all just out for a casual stroll.
“You sure you’re good?” he asks.
“Don’t worry, I’m not about to swoon on you. I think I’ve used up my damsel quota for the day.”
Tanner chuckles, giving me a friendly nudge with his shoulder. “Good to hear. I was starting to think we’d have to fight over who got to carry you inside.”
Jace shoots him a glare. “Tanner, she’s had enough.”
I glance at Jace. Does he think he’s still my boyfriend or something? “I said I’m fine.”
Being this close to him again stirs up all sorts of memories and feelings I’m not ready to face, but right now, I’m too tired to think too much about it.
“So, any chance you’re going to let Raffle carry you the rest of the way?” he teases, glancing down at the dog who’s practically glued to my side.
I laugh, the sound a bit shaky but real. “Honestly, at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried. He seems to be taking his job pretty seriously.”
“He does,” Blue Eyes says, a hint of amusement in his voice. He’s a little older than the others; there’s a streak of gray in his hair that just makes him hotter, in my opinion. “Raffle’s a good judge of character. If he’s sticking close to you, that’s a good sign.”
I glance at him, and my heart skips a beat.
“Axel is always partial to Raffle. That’s his kid.”
Axel? So, I finally have a name. That’s three of them. The brooding, tattooed guy is the only person who hasn’t tried to introduce themselves.
As we approach the entrance of the lodge, I’m struck by how expansive and inviting the front porch is, even in the dim light of the stormy evening.
The porch wraps around the entire front of the building, with thick wooden beams supporting a wide overhang that shelters us from the last of the falling snow.
The floorboards creak slightly underfoot, and there’s a rustic charm to the place, with rocking chairs positioned strategically around the porch, each one facing out toward what I imagine is a breathtaking view on a clear day.
Before I can take in more of the surroundings, the lodge door swings open, and a woman steps out onto the porch. She’s a portly woman in her early forties. Her brown hair is pulled back into a neat bun, and she’s wrapped in a thick, cozy sweater.
“Oh, I didn’t realize more guests were coming up tonight!” she exclaims, her voice filled with surprise as she takes in our disheveled, snow-covered appearance. “Look at the state of you!”
Jace steps forward, his hand still resting lightly on my back as if he’s afraid I might topple over at any moment. “We got caught in the storm,” he explains, his tone calm but laced with a hint of weariness. “We were lucky to make it up here.”
The woman, who I assume is the lodge manager, gasps softly, her eyes widening as she processes what he’s said. “Caught in the storm? Oh my goodness, I’m so glad you made it up safely. You must be freezing! Come inside, all of you, quickly now.”
She gestures us toward the door, ushering us inside with an urgency that’s both motherly and professional. As we step over the threshold, the warmth from inside the lodge hits me like a wave, and I can’t help but sigh in relief.
She hurries ahead, her steps quick and purposeful. “I’m Collie Braverman, by the way,” she says over her shoulder. “We weren’t expecting anyone else tonight, but I’ll make sure you’re all taken care of.”
I nod mutely, too tired to respond, but grateful for her quick action. Jace gives her a grateful smile. “Thanks, Collie. We appreciate it.”
Collie’s eyes soften as she glances back at us, her gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than the others. “No need to thank me. Just glad you’re all safe. Now, let’s get you all warmed up and settled in.”