Chapter 5
Dean
On Monday I packed my SUV with cold-weather gear, anticipating deep, snowy roads.
First, I had the unenviable job of picking Hayley up.
Those who owned SUVs had to give lifts to others who were less fortunate.
I was lumbered with the surly Hayley and dreaded a week of enforced intimacy with this enigmatic woman who unwittingly tantalizes me to draw closer to her.
I was surprised when I arrived at her apartment block; she was ready and ran down the stairs wearing her snow boots and carrying one bag.
'Where is the rest of your luggage?' I asked.
'This is all I have.' She must be unique. All the women I have known, including my ex-wife, pack everything but the kitchen sink in their luggage.
I opened the door, but she didn't climb in immediately. Strangely, she looked behind her as if sensing someone was there and then gave herself a little shake and proceeded to climb in, banging the door shut.
We set off. It was only about an hour's drive from LA to Mammoth Mountain and the lodge the company had hired.
The forecast predicted poor visibility, but plenty of snow for skiing and boarding.
We also had snow bikes to ride. Altogether, it would be a fun week if it were not for the politics and bonding exercises.
'Have you been to Mammoth before?' asked Hayley.
'Yes, I spent a month there many years ago.' I didn't volunteer anymore. She frowned as if my reticence puzzled her.
'It is my first time. I'm looking forward to the exercises, particularly the skiing. I have skied several times. I suppose you ski well, having spent a month here?'
'I'm proficient. I've skied elsewhere as well.'
I don't like talking when I'm driving, a throwback from army days when I had to keep my eyes open and sharp for snipers or ambushes, and I hoped she would be silent during this journey if I didn't encourage her to talk. I stared at the road, and she gave up.
We drove in silence, but progress was terribly slow.
The snow now bucketed down, and the wind rose.
Although the SUV possessed 4WD, the road was slippery and the car nearly slid into a ditch several times.
I could scarcely see anything. My SAT NAV told me we were half an hour from our destination, but I began to doubt we would reach it that evening.
The light was falling and the temperature was dropping.
It was a heck of a night to be lost or stranded on a mountain road.
Another quarter of an hour passed, and the snow was four feet deep and banked up on both sides of the road. I drove at a snail's pace, the car sliding from side to side.
Hayley looked anxious but said nothing. As we jolted to a halt in a deep rut, I swore. We had to find another place to stay the night or walk several miles.
'I'm going to find a place to stay tonight. We can't make the lodge in this blizzard.'
'Ok. I’ve brought wintry weather clothes and boots.
I took out the map but left the engine running to keep warm. 'There was another car a short distance behind us. I may ask them for help if they are locals. It should catch us up soon.'
'A car, what kind of car?' she demanded, lifting herself up and trying to stare at the road.
'I haven’t a clue. Probably another poor stranded soul.' She turned round, biting her lip and staring anxiously behind her.
I pulled open the map, which was trying to blow away.
'Please, will you turn round and look at this map?
It shows a small hut a mile away. It will be hard and cold, but we will freeze if we stay in this car.
I packed a small sled that we can put our luggage on.
We should make tracks.' I reached for my boots and snow pants from the back of the car and pulled them on.
She turned to me, shivering. 'You're right. We need to move.'
'I’ll go round to your side and you can put your gear on.
Jumping out, I gasped, drawing in a deep breath as the freezing snow covered my knees. I waded to her side of the car and opened the door. She pulled her snow pants on, and I dragged the sled onto the side of the road. I filled it with the basics we required and tied the sides, so nothing fell off.
'The car isn't following us anymore. I don't know where it's gone, but we are on our own now.' She sighed, her body language less stiff.
Grabbing her hand, I placed my arm around her waist and hoisted her onto the ground. She was so soft, a warm, sexy, bundle, so tempting. I let go of her as if she were a hot coal, and she slid back, nearly losing her balance, glaring at me.
'Be careful,' she uttered.
'Let's move, 'I said, grabbing her arm and leading her upwards, dragging the sled behind us.
We staggered along the path, stumbling in the deep snow, but soon I saw a hut in front of us.
It was part of a derelict smallholding, the windows of the barns broken or boarded up.
Lumps of ice covered what was probably disused machinery.
The hut was in better condition. The rangers had repaired and left some huts in livable condition for stranded people.
Using the spade, I'd brought with me, I dug the key box out and then shifted the snow from the door.
Heck, it was cold, but after a shove, the door opened, and I dragged the sled into the room, Hayley following me.
'I'll light the stove. See if there are any cans we can heat up. I‘ve food in the car, but the snow is building up, and I prefer to eat out of these provisions rather than going back to get more.’
Hayley opened the cupboards. Surprised, she said, 'I've found tins of soup, hot chocolate mix, a can opener, and dried milk.
'The rangers leave supplies for stranded strangers,' I explained.
'Tomato or chicken soup, which would you like?' asked Hayley. We had no fresh water as the pipes had frozen, but I had packed bottled water.
'You choose. Did you have breakfast?'
'Yes. I'm quite full.'
'Then only use one tin, please. We may be stuck here for some time. If we run out of tinned or dried food, I may have to shoot some game. Would you mind making hot chocolate?'
I threw some logs on the kindle I'd piled in the stove and set the lot alight using the bellows I found on the hearth. The wood burner heated the indoor pipes, and we were soon warm, cozy, and sleepy. We sat in front of the burner, drinking the chocolate Hayley had made, and toasted our feet.
Hayley yawned. I was tempted to stay by the fire, but I had to move before we fell asleep.
I'm going to collect more logs in case the snow gets deeper and makes it difficult to bring anything in. If it stops snowing, I'll go to the car in the morning and see if I can walk to the nearest village or drag more provisions back.'
'We should eat and rest in case we have a long walk down or up the mountain tomorrow. The car will be stranded now, but Dave will be wondering where we are and may send a party out to search for us tomorrow.'
Hayley tapped her cell, exasperated. 'I tried my cell, but I couldn't get a signal.'
'Normally, we can, but during harsh weather, the signal can be extremely poor. The nearer the resort, the easier it is.'
'Well, it's dead now.'
'We have flares in the cupboard if we need to contact anyone in an emergency.'
I opened the door, but it stuck. By heaving and pushing, I opened it wider, and I fell back as a gust of snow and hail nearly knocked me off my feet. I wasn't going far. I pushed forward to the stack of wood mounted neatly outside by the door.
'I'll help you,' said Hayley. I scarcely heard her over the howling wind.
'No. Hold the door open, 'I yelled and crouched, picking up the logs onto my sled. When I'd collected enough, I pulled the sled through the door. Hayley held it open despite the gale. For a slim thing, she must be strong, but when she let it go, it slammed shut, shaking the hut to its timbers.
'This storm is quite unexpected,' I gasped.
The weather forecast said the skies would be clear and the winds would be low.
' I was fit from jogging and using my indoor gym, but the blizzard was fierce, and I was bitterly cold.
I moved the logs, so we had room to walk, and I kneeled in front of the stove.
The ice and snow melted in a pool on the floor, but the wind had blown my hood off my head, and my hair was soaking.
'Damn,' I said, looking at the floor.
'Forget it, said Hayley. 'I'll deal with it. Just get warm and change out of your damp clothes.'
There were two rooms, so I went to the bedroom to dispose of my wet gear.