Mountain Man's Icy Cabin

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Posey

I peeked through the curtains at the rain pelting the side of the window, the wind hollowing as it blew through the trees. Yellow, orange, and red leaves floated to the ground, covering the wet grass in an array of fall colors.

A shiver ran down my spine, and I quickly shut the curtain and backed away from the window, tugging my fluffy blanket tighter around my shoulders.

Why did it have to storm so badly on the one weekend I agreed to house sit for my boss?

Up in the mountains, in the middle of nowhere, her remote cabin sat, hardly a neighbor in sight. When she asked me, I didn’t hesitate to say no, but I guess I didn’t think about how remote the cabin actually was.

Normally, I wouldn’t mind. But with the storm raging outside, and the news warning it was only going to get worse, I couldn’t help but worry. What if I lost power?

What if I became trapped and couldn’t get off the mountain?

Ugh.

I shuffled to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of wine before shuffling back to the couch. Swiping the remote from the table, I un-paused the documentary I started early.

“I lived in a very remote area, not a single soul around. That night, it had been storming something fierce, so when I—”

I quickly exited out of the documentary. Why did I ever think watching a serial killer doc would ease my nerves?

As the day wore on, I filled my belly with snacks, my veins with wine, and binged all the TV I never had time to catch up on.

My full-time job as a therapist back in the city kept me busy. I ran the city location with several other therapists, and my boss handled the location here in the mountains.

But when she was needed in Boston to help arrange care for her elderly mother, she asked me to keep an eye on her place, water her plants, and take a few days off of much needed rest.

Thankfully, I beat the storm by arriving last night. I just hoped it would be over soon.

My phone resting beside me on the table buzzed and lit up.

Karen: How’s it going? I heard you’re getting walloped

Me: Yep, please tell me you don’t lose power easily

Karen: Ha! I wish I could, but don’t worry, I’ve got a backup generator

Me: Great!

Karen: It’s a lifesaver! Please text me if you need anything

Me: Thanks

I tossed my phone on the coffee table and snuggled further into the pillows on the couch as a crack of thunder shook the air. I jumped, clutching onto my blanket.

Lightning lit up the sky and the wind howled outside. I looked around and prayed it was a sturdy cabin. I mean, it wasn’t made of hay and could blow away right?

Chuckling to myself, I focused on the television and did my best to ignore mother nature’s rage outside.

As the storm settled down, I sunk deeper into the cushions, my eyes slipping closed.

I woke up with a start, gasping for air and clutching my chest, my blanket on the floor. Where was I?

Oh yeah, the cabin.

The storm.

Pitch blackness enveloped me.

The whole cabin was dark, the TV no longer on.

What the hell?

I felt around the couch for my phone and when my fingers wrapped around the plastic case, I lifted it up. The time read eight thirty-six. I didn’t mean to sleep for so long.

Flipping on the flashlight to my phone, I made my way to the kitchen. Everything was dark. The microwave, the stove, the light on the fridge’s ice dispenser.

Shit! The power went out.

I hurried over to a light switch, flipping it upwards, but nothing happened.

I thought she had a backup generator?

Unlocking my phone, I quickly type out a text to my boss. A few seconds later, a red exclamation point pops up. No service.

This just kept getting better and better.

Okay, she must have a drawer of emergency supplies.

I searched the kitchen, until finally landing on a drawer with a flashlight, batteries, matches, and a few long candle sticks.

Switching to the hand flashlight, I set up a few candles and carried them to the living room. I read on my phone usually, but I didn’t want to waste the battery, so instead I went in search of books, a puzzle, anything to keep me busy.

I landed on a whole bookcase and picked out a few. I fixed myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and settled back on the couch.

By the next morning, the power still hadn’t come back. My phone battery had dwindled to only ten percent and the cabin was icy cold.

Since I couldn’t cook, I ate some cereal and a banana.

And the worry crept in. I was supposed to stay for another two days but being without power was miserable.

And from the looks of it outside, the storm had done a number to the area.

Tree branches littered the yard, and rain still fell in sheets.

When nighttime rolled around and no electricity returned, my stomach growled and I shivered beneath the three sweaters and two blankets I had on.

What the hell was I supposed to do?

I looked out the back door window and that’s when I saw a house lit up in the distance.

Smoke billowed from the chimney.

They have power!

It wasn’t too far away. I had to go ask for help before I froze and starved to death.

Bundling myself up, I grabbed my phone and hurried outside. I followed the sidewalk, dodging branches as the rain hit me sideways. I couldn’t stop the shivers, the cold wetness seeping in.

When I finally made it to the doorstep, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

The person who answered wasn’t who I expected at all.

But holy shit.

He was hot as fuck.

And mad as hell.