CHAPTER FIVE
Just before daybreak, I reach down and pull the blanket up to my chin. It’s so freaking cold, I’m tempted to put on an extra layer of clothes. I’m never going to fall back asleep if I continue to shiver like this. All of a sudden, I lean up on my elbow and look around the room.
Why am I on the sofa? Where in the world did this blanket come from?
I was dreaming about a girl earlier…Sierra, a nursing student.
She joined me on the trip because she was broke down…
we shared a pizza together. I quickly throw the blanket off and feel my way to the kitchen.
My hand brushes across an empty cardboard box left on the end of the counter and I let out a huge sigh of relief.
I wasn’t dreaming after all.
I head down the hallway towards the bathroom, stopping just outside the closed bedroom door. I hope she’s sleeping comfortably and that she’s been able to get some rest. The day was nothing short of exhausting for the both of us.
I try not to make any noise on my way back to the living room. Mason would laugh right about now if he knew this is where I’d slept. Especially after making such a big deal about having a bed over sleeping on the sofa.
I put on a pot of coffee then crawl back underneath the covers as the delicious aroma permeates the cabin.
At some point, I finally drift back off to sleep.
It’s daylight outside when I open my eyes again.
I look over and see Sierra sitting on the oversized bean bag in the corner of the room.
When I first saw it earlier, I thought that it’d be perfect for snuggling in front of the fireplace.
But then I laughed because you’d first have to have a fire and secondly, someone to snuggle with and well, I didn’t exactly have either.
For all I know, I’m not even the snuggling type. I get hot if someone has their arm on me for any extended period of time, and I tend to toss and turn a lot as I struggle to find a comfortable resting position. So no, I’m not certain I’d be an ideal person to snuggle with.
I stretch my arms over my head and let out a moan. “Morning,” I manage to say, my voice still groggy and heavy with sleep.
“I left the coffee on in case you wanted a cup.” She brings the steaming mug to her mouth and takes a swallow. “I don’t know what kind this is, but it’s really good.”
“Thanks.” I smooth my hair with my hands as best I can then reach for the ball cap I left sitting next to my backpack. If she notices the team logo on the front, she doesn’t say anything.
I almost feel silly still wearing the same clothes from yesterday until I notice she’s dressed in the same outfit she had on too.
She doesn’t appear nearly as cold as I am, though.
She could, however, have several layers underneath her bulky sweater.
Ivory really looks good on her, though, and if I knew she wouldn’t mind a compliment, I’d tell her so.
Women can sometimes be a little sensitive to things, especially when it's from someone they don’t know.
“I think I’ll top my cup off,” she says and follows me into the kitchen. She proceeds to heat the cinnamon sticks for us and we both devour them in no time. Lucky for her I let her have the last piece.
“Did you want to get into anything today?” I push the empty plate to the middle of the table and wipe my mouth. “That was really good.”
“If it warms a little bit, I’d like to take a look around outside. Maybe go for a walk. It was too dark to really see anything when we got in last night.”
“Yeah, I’m sure this place looks totally different in the daylight.
Hopefully, you packed enough warm clothes.
If not, I may have something you can borrow.
” I don’t know about her, but I spent an ungodly amount of time trying to find clothes suitable for the colder temps.
I finally gave up—it seldom falls below freezing in Florida—and ordered pretty much everything I needed, or thought I would need, online.
Sierra throws away our trash then excuses herself so that she can take a shower. “I’m feeling a little ick. It’s time to get out of these clothes.”
“Save some hot water for me,” I tease then grab my phone from the coffee table. “I want to check in with my family and see how Breah’s father is doing.”
“I’ll hurry, okay?”
“I’m only kidding. Take all the time you need.”
Much to my dismay, Mason’s mood doesn’t appear to be any better than it was when we last spoke. “Now they’re saying our flight could be cancelled altogether. I was so sure they’d get us out first thing this morning.”
“No kidding? You made it halfway here and now they want to turn you back around. That sucks!”
“Being at the airport all day waiting for updates was damn near exhausting. As much as we wanted to spend time with everyone, at this point, I don’t see it happening.
I’m tired. Caysee’s tired. We both just want to go home.
We were really excited to see everyone but this whole experience has put a damper on the holidays.
Oh, we were looking forward to meeting your girlfriend, too. ”
Girlfriend?
Sierra was far from being my girlfriend but it didn’t stop me from smiling at his comment.
Could I see myself dating someone like her?
Heck yeah. Who cares if she’s a little thick in some places.
I’d probably be a little heavy too if it weren’t for the rigorous workouts I’ve been doing this past year.
“There’s always New Years, right?”
“I doubt Caysee could reserve the cabin again on such short notice. Not unless there was a cancellation. I can have her check into it but I can’t make any promises on our end.”
“It’s not like the weather would be any better two weeks from now, either. If anything, it might actually be worse.”
“True. At least you made it without any trouble. You guys enjoy and give Morgan and Breah a giant hug when they get there. Oh, remind me again what your girlfriend’s name is.”
I hesitate for a moment then say her name out loud. “Sierra.”
I end the call, a feeling of guilt suddenly washing over me. I know it’s wrong to pretend she’s anything other than an acquaintance, but if it’ll keep Mason off my back, I’ll play along.
“Did you need something? I thought I heard my name.”
I jerk my head around, surprised to see her standing in the hallway. “That was quick.”
Instead of having her hair pulled back, it falls nicely over her shoulders. She’s dressed in jeans and a chunky multi-colored sweater that falls just below her waistline.
“No long showers for me. The water,” she says through chattering teeth. “It’s not all that warm. I stayed in there as long as I could.”
“That’s not good. I may need to have someone come and take a look at it.”
“Just giving you a heads up so don’t say I didn’t warn you. I could’ve sworn I heard you call my name.”
“My brother was just asking what your name was. I’m pretty sure I told him yesterday, but I guess he forgot.
It doesn’t look like they’re going to make it after all.
The airline company is really jerking him and his wife around.
and they still can’t guarantee they’ll even make it here.
The only other option is for them to head back home. ”
“Oh, no.” She walks over and sits on the end of the sofa. “I know how much you wanted to spend this week with him. It’s all you’ve talked about.”
“Sometimes things just can’t be helped.” I try not to let the sadness show in my voice.
“I’m still waiting to hear back from Morgan so there’s still hope they’ll eventually make it but I’m not holding my breath either.
In the meantime, why don’t we get ready and head into town.
I still need to swing by and pick up a few things.
Those leftover slices of pizza aren’t going to get us very far. ”