Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
G abe couldn’t believe his eyes. The cute librarian shivering in a red parka and bulky navy sweater looked at him with pleading eyes.
"I'm so sorry for barging in like this." She sighed. “I got stuck in the storm coming down the mountain.”
He waved her inside. "Come in, come in.” He took her coat, holding one hand on the top of his towel. His impeccable manners took over. “Is there anything I need to get for you out of your car?"
She looked him up and down, taking in his bare chest. "I think I'm the one who needs to go back out to the car, don't you think?"
He smirked. "I guess so. I’ll go throw on some clothes.” He went to his room and pulled on a pair of jeans and a dark green shirt.
When he returned to the living room, Genevieve had returned with another jacket, a sweater, a small duffel bag, a blanket, three bags of groceries, and a flashlight. She told him about Tilly and her scary trip down this mountain.
“I’m so glad you found the cottage.” Gabe glanced outside. “The snow is really piling up out there.” She shivered. “Thank goodness you were here. I've got a few more things to get out of the backseat.” Genevieve glanced at the bags of groceries she’d set down on the couch. “I picked up a few things at Drew’s for me and Nana while I was getting Tilly’s stuff.” She stopped. “Nana! I’ve got to call, so she isn’t worried sick.” She picked up her cellphone. “I told her I might stay with Tilly, but I don’t want her worried...”
Gabe held up his hand. “I’ll get the stuff in your car. You call Nana.” He returned with several books, an emergency kit, and two cases of water. He set everything down, then placed another log on the fire. He’d taught himself how to start a fire. It was the little things that he never even thought about that someone else always did for him. At his father's palace, he never had to worry about being cold or starting a fire, and Gabe’s residence had gas logs. Gabe gathered up the groceries and started to put them in the pantry. Genevieve had walked over to the large window in the kitchen while he was outside, and he heard her telling her grandmother goodbye.
Gabe glanced at her over his shoulder. “Everything okay?”
Genevieve nodded. “Yes, she feels better having talked to me.” She looked down at her phone. “The cell reception was cutting in and out, but she got the message that I’m safe and sound here.”
“Yeah, the reception started cutting in and out today. I assume it’s from the storm?”
Genevieve shrugged. “I guess so. I didn’t have any reception up at Tilly’s.”
Gabe pointed to the fully stocked pantry. “I went to Brock’s and Drew’s, so I’ve got plenty of supplies and food for us.”
Genevieve sighed. “I can’t believe this. I’m so sorry, Gabe. The weather report said it wouldn’t come in until at least seven tonight. I thought I had plenty of time.” She sat down on the large overstuffed sofa in front of the fire. “The fire feels amazing.” She rubbed her hands together. “You must hate me intruding like this.”
Gabe sat down beside her. “You aren’t intruding. It will be nice to have some company.” He hated to admit that he’d already started feeling lonely. “I don’t really know anyone around here.”
“I’m a little embarrassed. I’m usually not gallivanting around when a major storm is brewing. It’s just that Tilly...”
Gabe squeezed her hand. The warmth of her hand under his sent tiny sparks up his arm. “That’s what friends do.” He smiled. “Shows good character, if you ask me.” It takes a very kind and brave heart to go out in a storm for a friend.
Genevieve looked up at him through dark lashes. “Thanks,” she muttered. Her dark eyes pierced his heart. She looked sad and unsure of herself. Who hurt her?
Gabe stood up. “Look, we’ve got a storm to prepare for. You know more about this than me. What do we need to be doing right now?” He glanced outside. The snow was coming down even harder, and the sky was transitioning from gray to almost black.
Genevieve perked up. “Okay, I can help with that.” She looked at the large flatscreen above the fireplace. “First, let’s turn on the tv to see what the meteorologist is saying.” Gabe grabbed the remote, flipping to the local channel. “Also, do you have a weather radio?”
“Yeah, Haywood made sure I bought one.” Gabe smiled. “I’m pretty proud of it.”
Genevieve grinned. “Good ole Haywood. He’ll take care of you.”
The commercial ended, and Matt Lamar, the local weatherman, appeared. He looked somber. “Good evening, folks. We hate to interrupt your regularly scheduled program, but we need to alert you to the dangers of this storm. Our winter storm is officially being termed a blizzard now. As many of you know, this storm has moved in much more quickly than expected.”
Genevieve rolled her eyes. “No joke.” Gabe laughed, but both grew quiet, as the camera zoomed in on Matt’s face.
“This storm is serious, folks. We didn’t realize how much so, but the way these winds are picking up, it’s not safe to go anywhere. Seek shelter and stay put. Fill up any available bottles with water, cook up some food while you still have power. Gather all the firewood you have and get all your supplies in an easy-to-access area. Collect any coats, blankets, and warm clothes you have and make sure you can get to them.”
Genevieve bit her nails. “Thank goodness I didn’t get that dog yet.”
Gabe glanced over at her. “A dog?”
She shrugged. “I’ve been thinking about rescuing a dog from the shelter, but I wanted to wait until I had time to fence in my backyard. I’m glad I didn’t get one yet or the poor thing would have been stuck at home without me.”
Without thinking, Gabe reached over and squeezed her arm. Even through the thick sweater, he could feel the heat of her skin. She looked shocked at his touch. He jerked his hand away. “Sorry, I just know the feeling. I love dogs. I have two Corgis, George and Leo.” He smiled at the memory of his sweet dog babies.
“You do?” She glanced around. “Where are they?”
“They’re in England with my family.” He cleared his throat, hating to lie. “I guess you can say they like the royal treatment.” He looked down. “I wasn’t sure how much time I could spend with them while I was here, so Mother and Father are keeping them for me.”
Genevieve’s eyes lit up. “I love dogs. We always had one growing up, and my parents have a twelve-year-old pointer named Millie.” She smiled, changing her whole countenance. She looked softer and even more inviting than before. Gabe’s heart beat faster. Maybe being snowed in with her isn’t such a good idea. I didn’t come here to get involved. Then, he remembered how she’d so easily dismissed him at the library. She’s not interested in me like that. He started to say something else, but Matt appeared back on the television again.
“Looks like we are predicting an even heavier snowfall coming in tonight and tomorrow.” Matt sat down his notes and looked deeply into the camera, willing his viewers to listen. “Again, stay inside. Take precautions. Do not go out in this storm.”
Genevieve paced around the living room. “Okay, let’s get a plan together.” She picked up her cellphone. “No service now. I sure hope Tilly is all right.” She rubbed her hands on her pants. “Thank goodness I bought her all that extra food and water. And her medicine.” Genevieve paused. “She has plenty of firewood stacked up inside, and I made sure I loaded up her fireplace before I left.” She shivered. “People die from the flu. Do you think she will be okay?”
“Sure, she will.” He grabbed her knee, looking deep into those velvety brown eyes. “You made her eat and drink when you were there. She’s warm and safe. She will take this better than anyone. Between the flu and all that medicine, she’ll sleep through the whole thing.” He winked, hoping he was right. “And maybe once the winds die down, we will have better cellphone service, and you can call. In the meantime, why don’t you email her on my computer? That way if she’s checking email at all, she will get it.”
Genevieve nodded. “Good idea.” She looked around. “Okay, we need to pick a central location to stay that’s easy to keep warm, when the power goes out.” She glanced around the large living room that led into the kitchen. It had a spectacular view of the mountains out of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, but the big open space and huge windows would make it an icebox if the power went out. “Is this the only room with a fireplace?”
“No, my bedroom has one.” He pointed to a door off from the kitchen. Genevieve got up and walked to the closed door. “Okay if I check it out?”
He shrugged. “Sure.” Used to having an immaculate house, thanks to his servants, Gabe found that he had to keep the cottage neat as a pin, or it made him feel crazy. He knew she’d find a tidy, cozy room on the other side of the door. He followed her in, watching as her eyes took in the queen-sized bed and the stone fireplace. One thing he loved about the bedroom was that it was entirely made of wood and stone, save for one tiny window. When he’d looked for a place to live, he immediately fell in love with this room. A man could sleep like the dead in here.
“This is our room,” Genevieve said. “It’s smaller than the living room and only has that small window.” She pointed to a door in the corner of the room. “Is that a bathroom?”
Gabe nodded. “It is.” He paused. “This is our room. So... we stay in here together?”
“If the power goes out, yes. As long as we have power, I can stay in a guest room like normal.” She glanced out the small window. Snow pelted the glass. “I don’t think we will have power for too much longer.” She shook her head. “First, we need to charge up our cellphones and your computer. Then, let’s fill up as many jugs with water and make sure you have all the faucets dripping water.”
He couldn’t help but grin. I kinda like that she bosses me around. I’m not used to that from a woman. He then set about following her orders. Being snowed in with the pretty librarian didn’t sound too bad.