Chapter 29 Louise
LOUISE
Ishot up in bed, frantically blinking the grogginess away. My head spun as I tried to figure out where I was. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, and the room began to take shape… along with my memories.
Ryder.
“You’re beautiful. But you’ve got terrible judgment.”
You’re beautiful…
I pulled my legs into a crisscross and swiped the drool from my chin as I looked out the window.
The fields beyond the windows were still blanketed with snow, the mountains solid white.
More snow had fallen overnight, maybe as much as a foot.
The sun was just barely peeking out from behind big white clouds.
In the distance beyond them hovered more menacing gray clouds.
I wondered if we’d be able to make it down the driveway.
God willing.
I blew out a breath and relaxed back into the pillows, taking a moment to get my bearings. I hadn’t slept that hard since eighth-grade church camp.
My hand swept over the down comforter as I imagined Ryder in the bed. He probably filled it, while I was swimming in it. I stretched my arms over my head and popped my neck. I could definitely get used to the bed.
The man was an entirely different story.
A crackle pulled my attention to the fireplace, where a fire was roaring.
I stilled. I’d gone to sleep with a buzz, but I was ninety-nine percent sure I didn’t start that fire. Which meant Ryder had. Which meant he’d been in the room while I was passed out and drooling like a baby.
Geez. Can the guy give me a break?
I ripped off the covers, searching the walls for a clock. None, of course, because Ryder probably woke up with the sun. With perfect hair and perfect breath.
Wearing a long nightshirt that read save the winos, I padded to the closet, fumbled through my bag, and pulled out my phone. Still no reception.
Assuming Ryder didn’t have any either, this meant that calling either Miles, or Frankie at Frankie’s Auto Shop, or every hotel in the area wasn’t happening.
Frustrated, I crawled back into bed for just a few more minutes of rest.
“What?” I gasped, embarrassment shooting up my neck like a torch when I woke up again and checked the time on my phone.
11:49 a.m.
Holy crap. I’d slept until noon—in someone else’s house.
Noon? What am I, a freaking college kid?
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept until noon—not even at church camp. I groaned, rolling my head. A lazy drunk. Was there anything worse? Two points for the rude houseguest.
Resigned to the fact that there was absolutely no redemption for me now in the eyes of the Man, I rolled out of bed and shuffled into the bathroom.
I did what I could with my hair, wetting it again and scrunching.
Frowning at my reflection, I clipped back the damn bangs.
I brushed my teeth and skipped the makeup because, at that point, what did it even matter?
I yanked on the same jeans I’d worn the day before, along with a gray sweatshirt.
Bypassing my boots, I tugged on a pair of socks.
By that time, I was feeling the beginnings of a headache from being deprived of my morning coffee addiction. I pushed open the bedroom door, peeked out, and listened.
Nothing.
Biting my lip, I quietly padded down the hallway. The first thing I noticed was how warm the house was. Ryder had left on the heater for me after turning it on last night. It felt like a small victory, and somewhere deep down inside, approval.
The house looked different in the sunlight, still cold and unwelcoming, but open and free.
I imagined myself running naked through the wide hallways with earbuds in my ears and a tumbler of wine in my hand, screaming the lyrics to the latest Lady Gaga song.
I was sure Ryder never did anything like that.
Shame.
I glanced in each room as I passed by, looking for the Man, but the house appeared to be vacant. Pleased by this, I relaxed my shoulders as I walked through the living room, admiring the breathtaking view outside.
I didn’t have to search far for the coffee and fixings. True to form, Ryder had everything organized and stacked perfectly in a cabinet above a simple coffee machine. A few minutes later, I leaned against the counter and sipped fresh—organic—coffee.
It was so quiet, I couldn’t stand it. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs simply to hear them echo off the walls. How could someone live in such silence? Why would they want to?
I scanned the kitchen, taking in every inch and corner. The minimalism, the cleanliness, the organization. I inwardly laughed, imagining him in my apartment.
Then I noticed a small black device in the corner. A phone. Ryder had a landline and hadn’t even told me or offered it to me.
I hurried over and picked it up—yep, dial tone—then jogged back to my room and retrieved my cell phone. I wasn’t someone who memorized phone numbers.
I dialed Miles. No answer. I tried again. No answer. I tried one more time and left a voice mail. Next, I tried Margie with the same result.
What are they doing? I assumed they were as snowed in as I was.
I called Shadow Creek Resort, where I was informed that there was still no vacancy, but they’d call immediately when something opened up.
Lastly, I tried Austin’s number.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Austin, it’s Louise.”
“Hey. You make it home all right?”
“No, I left a voice mail yesterday with Miles. From a number at Shadow Creek Resort. He didn’t tell you?”
“Guess not. You all right?”
“Yes. Well, no. I slid off the road and banged up my car on the way to the hotel. I had to crash at someone’s house.”
“Someone’s house?”
“A friend.” I lied because I didn’t want to rehash the story of me hiking through a snowstorm and breaking into a stranger’s house.
“Okay. How’s the beast?”
“Not good. Getting it towed today. Hopefully.”
“So, are you at the resort now?”
“No, they’re booked. I’m still staying with my friend.”
“Are you all right? You sound kinda wound up.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. My friend’s place is a castle. Plenty of room. I call it the castle on the hill. It’s on the opposite side of the mountain from the hotel, down county road 2355, not far at all.” I was rambling. I ramble when I lie.
“Okay, well, glad you’re all right. We’re still snowed in here at the Towering Pines Inn.”
“I assumed. I tried to call Miles. Where is he?”
“Not sure.”
“I tried Margie too. Do you know where she is?”
“Nope.”
“Did you go to their rooms today?”
“Yeah, well, I tried. Knocked. No answer.”
“Is your truck still there?”
“Yep.”
“Then they didn’t leave in it, and they don’t have another vehicle so they couldn’t have gone far.” I frowned. “When was the last time you saw them?”
“Can’t remember.”
Really?
“Well, would you mind telling Miles everything I just told you? I don’t have reception out here. If he can catch a ride with you guys back home as soon as the roads clear, that would be great. I’m not sure how long it will take to fix my car.”
“Will do.”
An unease settled in my stomach. I wasn’t sure why.
“Okay. Thanks, Austin. Stay safe.”
“You too.”
I replaced the phone on the charger.
Where would Miles and Margie go in this weather? Perhaps hooking up somewhere? Wouldn’t surprise me.
I sipped my coffee and settled against the counter again. My gaze landed on the library, suddenly remembering the secret door I’d found after breaking in. The one that landed me with a gun to the back of the neck.
Feeling the buzz from the caffeine, I decided to explore.