Chapter 4
Courtney
I was always up for a good adventure but had second thoughts about accepting Jordy’s invitation as soon as the car pulled onto the two lane highway towards our destination.
He’d explained his sister forgot her wedding jewelry at her home and he was driving out to retrieve it.
I was familiar with the drive as my family used to come this way to visit family friends in their cabin near the lake.
The snow flurries that began as we left town grew to a light snow as we reached the winding country road that led out to the lake.
I recalled my mom’s warning about snow and apprehension pooled in my gut.
Surely we’d be able to make it to the cabin and back before the roads got bad.
This drive was beautiful in nice weather but downright treacherous when it was slick.
There were a couple of tight turns with steep drops that spelled disaster with one wrong move.
Jordy’s grip on the steering wheel tightened and I wondered if he was thinking the same thing. He kept a slow and steady pace, navigating the roads competently. He was clearly experienced with winter driving.
“You must be excited about the wedding.”
He glanced my way, then back to road. “I’m happy for Emily. She and Austin made a good couple. Wait—how do you know I’m here for a wedding?”
“I assumed. I’m attending tomorrow and your group in the coffee shop seemed like a wedding party.”
“You’re attending my sister’s wedding?” The shock in his voice was unmistakeable.
“Yes, along with my parents. Austin is my ex-boyfriend, actually. We grew up together and our parents are still close.”
“Wow, you’re the ex, huh? My sister mentioned it to me. At first she was threatened by it until Austin explained it wasn’t really a great love affair or anything—“
He abruptly cut off his sentence when he realized he’d probably said more than he should. He ran his hand through his hair, sending the curls into disarray. Somehow it made him even more attractive.
“We were teenagers. It was intense while it lasted but high school relationships aren’t meant to last.” I brushed off the hurt that Austin hadn’t been nearly as affected by our connection than I’d been.
“Relationships are mysterious no matter the age. At least, I’ve never figured them out.”
“Same. Never even been tempted to try.”
Silence descended as we each realized we were more similar than we expected. We drove for a while with the only sound the crunch of snow under the tires.
Jordy broke the silence. “Is it weird to attend the wedding under the circumstances?”
“Not really. I don’t have feelings for him anymore or anything. I’m not actually sure why I agreed to come. I’m sure he only invited me to be polite because my parents are invited.”
“You don’t keep in touch?”
“Not really. Just in the social media kind of way.”
“Yet here you are. Something must have drawn you.”
Why was I here? I did want to see Austin again and figure out why that relationship seemed to break me for any others. Was he really that special? Or had I built him up in my mind over the years?
“I’m curious.” It was the simplest version of explanation I could offer.
“I can understand that. I hope you get your questions answered.”
His complete acceptance and support of my answer shocked me. I’d have expected he’d have more questions or challenge my reasoning. Instead he simply validated it and moved on.
We made small talk for the rest of the drive, both seeming to keep an eye on the rapidly intensifying snow. We finally pulled into a long drive, the car sliding as the tires attempted to find traction on the slick surface.
Jordy’s brow furrowed with worry as we slowly made our way to the front door. The snow was falling more rapidly now and was sticking to the ground in earnest. “We should be quick. I don’t like the look of this weather.”
“Agreed.” I shivered in the bitter wind as he entered the code on keypad and pushed opened the door.
We stomped the snow off our boots before entering, leaving our boots by the front door but keeping our coats on. Jordy flicked on the lights.
“You can stay here and I’ll run up and get the jewelry.”
I nodded my agreement and he bounded up the stairs. I couldn’t help taking a moment to appreciate his long muscular legs as he took the steps two at a time.
I wandered into the living room and perused the framed photos on the wall. I knew intellectually that we were in Austin and Emily’s home, but the reality hit me like a punch to the gut when I spotted their engagement photos on the wall.
Stepping closer, I studied the pictures, searching for a clue about grown up Austin but his smiling expression didn’t offer any insight.
Running my gaze over the other photos, I spotted his parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews.
The wall captured a lifetime of memories, hinting at many more to come.
The display was everything I thought I didn’t want yet I recognized an unfamiliar emotion—longing. There was a part of me, buried deeply, that wanted meaningful connection.
Austin obviously wasn’t meant to be but would I ever find someone that was?
A crash sounded upstairs, breaking me out of my thoughts. I followed the sound to hear Jordy cursing, surrounded by assorted makeup strewn about the floor.
“Is everything alright?”
“I was moving things around to find the jewelry case, and knocked over my sister’s makeup tray. She said the jewelry should be out in plain sight, but I can’t find it.”
I surveyed the countertop and agreed that there wasn’t anything to suggest the jewelry was there. “I don’t see it either. Is it possible she misremembered where she left it?”
Jordy sighed. “Anything is possible. I’m going to clean this up and then call her.”
“I’ll get this mess. Go call her and find the jewelry. That way we can get out of her sooner.”
A glance out the window confirmed it was snowing heavier now, covering the tree branches outside. The wind whipped, blowing snow across the yard and creating near whiteout conditions. I wasn’t looking forward to the drive back to town.
Jordy pulled out his phone, the relief on his face morphing to panic when he remembered his phone wasn’t working. “Shit. I forgot about my phone. Can I use yours?”
“Sure, my bag is in the car. I’ll run and get it.”
I hurried to the front door, pulling on my boots as quickly as possible and trudging through the quickly accumulating snow to the car.
My bag was in the passenger seat and I rummaged through it frantically knowing time was of the essence.
This storm was coming in quick and the drive back was going to be treacherous.
Panic gripped me when I couldn’t locate my phone. I pulled everything out of my bag to no avail—the phone was missing. Thinking back to my haste to leave the house earlier, I realized I’d left it charging on my nightstand. Fuck.
It was bad enough to be stranded out here, but without phones?
This night was quickly becoming a nightmare.
Returning to the house, I updated Jordy on the situation. In the time I’d been gone looking for my phone, he’d located the jewelry pouch on the master bed, where his sister must have set it while packing.
Reality dawned that while we’d retrieved what we came for, it wasn’t safe to return to town tonight.
Even in the time I’d been outside, the snow had intensified and the car was covered, along with the driveway and road beyond.
Plows were unlikely to make until tomorrow morning so it seemed that the best course of action was to wait out the storm.
Jordy and I were snowed in together—completely cut off from the outside world. Just him and I and the heat that simmered between us.