Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Chloe
It’s a good thing the lodge isn’t very big. Definitely a positive for my review.
After asking the older woman who appears to be restocking towels, I’m able to find the equipment room without any problem.
I grab a pair of snowshoes and some poles.
Lucky for me, a giant map is printed out and posted on the wall of the room, so I can easily see that the Lodge Loop will be a good choice for my outing.
It doesn’t look to be too long or hard, and I’ll be able to see most of the grounds in one go.
Perfect.
I set out on the trail, moving as quickly as I can away from the lodge, and soon I’ve lost myself in the exercise and the fresh air that never fails to spark my imagination.
It doesn’t take long before I have the entire plot of my next romance novel sketched out in my head. The hero bears a striking resemblance to Ryder Wolf.
Only, in my story, the hero won’t ever say no to the heroine.
I’m so caught up in my thoughts, that I don’t notice that the sun has really started to set.
Or maybe it’s that the clouds have grown darker and more storm-like that they’re blocking out what remains of the daylight.
Either way, I hate to admit it, but Ryder may have been right about a storm coming in after all.
I pause and take a minute to assess my surroundings.
I’ve somehow left the trail that mostly follows a meadow around the lodge, and I’m now in the trees. When I turn, I can’t quite see the lodge or where I’d come from. Just trees.
So many trees.
And snow.
The storm Ryder had predicted—and I was stupid enough to ignore—has come to fruition. And the snow is starting to fall. Fast.
I have to make a choice quickly. I can stand there and freeze to death or I’m going to have to choose a direction, trust my instincts, and get back to the lodge and a hot bath before anyone realizes I’m even gone.
I take a breath and turn right.
Ryder
I feel bad for being so dismissive about the snowshoeing with Chloe.
I know I was gruff with her, but it truly was for her own good. The snow I’d forecasted had already started, and it was only going to come down harder. We’ll be lucky if we don’t get snowed in.
Still.
Just because I promised my brothers I’d stay away from her doesn’t mean I have to be a dick to her.
Leaving the front desk unattended—all our guests have already checked in for the next few days—I go in search of Chloe to apologize.
Maybe if I buy her a drink, we can discuss going on the snowshoe trip as soon as the snow stops and it’s safer.
Being out in the woods when a storm comes in is never a good idea.
She’s not in the restaurant, so I move up the stairs to the end of the hall where her room is. I’m about to knock on her door when Jane, our resident housekeeper, stops me.
“She’s gone.”
I turn. “Gone?”
Jane nods and wheels her attendant cart past me. “She said something about snowshoeing. I told her where the equipment room was and she—”
“You did what?”
The moment the words are out of my mouth, I regret them. It’s not Jane’s fault she’d helped a guest. We encourage a helpful and guest-first attitude among our small staff.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “It’s not your fault. What time did she leave?”
Jane scowls at me, which isn’t entirely unusual for her. She’s in her sixties and likens herself as another mother figure to my brothers and me. It’s not a secret that she doesn’t approve of my lifestyle. Still, I know her heart is in the right place. She means well, and she’s a damn good employee.
“Must’ve been ’bout an hour ago now.”
“An hour?” I can’t hide my shock. “She could be…shit. I gotta go.”
I leave Jane tutting behind me, and sprint toward the equipment room. I’m going to need to move quickly if I’m going to get to her before the snow gets too bad. And who knows how fast she was moving.
When I get to the equipment room, I pull my snow pants, parka, and the rest of my gear on, and grab an emergency pack that has rations and first-aid supplies, just in case. I pick up a radio and flick it on.
“Briggs. Jaxon. Come in.”
It’s only a second before Briggs answers my call. “Go ahead, Ryder.”
I quickly explain the situation and don’t miss the string of expletives my brother mutters before calmly speaking into the radio.
“Take the sled. Keep us updated.”
“Roger.” I clip the radio to the inside pocket of my parka, safe from the elements, grab a spare set of snowshoes, and move quickly for the shed where we keep the sleds.
Chloe’s prints lead out toward the easy loop track that mostly follows the tree line around the property, only ducking into the forest in two spots.
It’s an easy loop when the visibility is good.
I scan the horizon, but with the snow coming faster and harder, it’s almost impossible to see more than a few feet in front of me.
The snowmobile is my best hope, so I don’t waste any more time.
The machine fires up beneath me, and with a roar, I take off, following the track to where I hope to find Chloe.
The sooner the better.