Chapter 3
CULLEN
Heart pounding, I thankfully was able to right the truck, the embankment not too far away from the road, but I put the truck in park and turned towards Posy. “Are you okay? Are you hurt? Talk to me.”
It tasted like metal on my tongue, just thinking about what could have happened.
None of the other cars had stopped. In fact, the one that had spun out had kept going.
The other cars that passed us probably couldn’t even see us in this near whiteout.
My lights were on, so maybe they thought we were just parked on the side of the road, but I didn’t know.
I didn’t have time to think about some asshat who had been driving too fast on icy roads, when we all should have been tucked safe at home anyway.
“I’m fine. No bumps or bruises, you weren’t going that fast, and you leaned into the skid like you were supposed to. That’s right, right? Leaning into the skid? I clearly don’t remember driver’s ed. And thank God I wasn’t in my car.”
That metallic taste turned to bile at the thought of her in that crappy sedan trying to make it through this snowstorm. “Well, we don’t have to think about that, because your car’s safe back at the Montgomerys’.”
“I’m going to have to deal with that soon.”
“You know they said that it was easier just to keep it there than take it to a place when it’s most likely closed anyway. So come on. Let’s figure out what the hell we’re going to do.”
I still wanted to run my hands over her, to check to make sure she was safe, but I resisted. Barely.
“Do you think we can get out of this ditch?” she asked, her voice shaky.
“I hope to hell we can. Thankfully I don’t think it’s too big of a ditch. And there were those cabins not too far. I don’t want to have to walk in this.”
She shuddered. “No. Let’s not.”
Praying to whatever gods were listening, I pulled back onto the road, grateful there were no cars in the way.
It only took a few minutes of white-knuckle driving, and me doing my best not to look over to ensure that Posy was safe, for us to find the entrance to the cabins.
There was a vacancy sign, though I didn’t know how many others had pulled off.
There were already a few cars with their lights on, telling me they had just pulled in as well.
“You stay here, and I’ll go check to see if they have a place to stay. At least for a little bit.”
“You don’t have to keep the truck on, let’s save gas.”
“If you get even a little bit cold, you turn the truck on. Got me?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
Even as she said the words, her mouth pressed into a thin line, and we just met each other’s gazes.
I was not going to think about that or go down any path that was going to be too much.
As it was, I had a feeling if we were lucky, we were going to be spending the night alone together in a cabin.
If we were unlucky, we’d be alone in my truck.
Fuck.
I opened the door, braving it against the strong wind as that shock of cold air hit my face.
With gritted teeth, I jumped out of the truck and slammed the door closed, hopefully keeping as much of the warm air in there as possible.
The snow was already starting to pile up, and I trudged my way down what I hoped was a path towards the front office. I stomped the snow off my shoes and opened up the door, hoping to hell we were going to have options.
There were a few snowbound people in the room, and an older couple behind the desk. They each had worried expressions on their faces, tight brows, pinched mouths, but when they looked at the person in front of them, they gave a sad smile, and yet, kept handing out keys.
“Okay, your cabin’s out the back, you’re going to have to trudge through some more snow, my son’s out there helping out another couple with their luggage, and he’ll be there to help you.”
An older gentleman shook his head. “You keep him warm. I’ve got it. I’m just grateful you have this.”
“We have ways of getting to you, and we like snow. And don’t worry, we also have food coming to you. We’re not going to let anybody starve in this storm.”
I was pretty sure we had just found an oasis, and I had to hope there was space for us.
I moved up to the counter, rolling my shoulders back as I prayed. “Should I ask if you have a room at the inn?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light.
The older woman smiled softly. “We do. All of the cabins were booked, however, not a single one can make it for the next two days thanks to this storm that popped up far too quickly. So we have ways to make this work. We’re running out though, so I can only give you one, is that okay?”
Thinking of being alone in a room with Posy was going to be a little too much, but I would deal with that later. I would keep her warm and safe, and that was all that mattered.
“That’s just fine. Thank you.”
“And we’re not jacking up the rates, this was the normal rate. You can look it up online.”
“You guys are a godsend.”
“No, we’ve just been in your shoes.” She looked over at her husband who was helping a family of five with three small children move towards the edge of the lodge.
“There are a few rooms inside this main building, but we thought we would keep those for any families. I hope that’s okay.”
“Keep the kids safe and warm. We should be good out there.”
“You have a mini generator, as well as everything you would need in a cabin. We’ll send out food, and there should be a welcome basket in the room.
Here are your keys and checkout is when the storm ends,” she said with a laugh.
“We’ll call the cabin through the landline, and through your cell phone that you provided just in case.
We’re going to get through this. It’s the Colorado and Wyoming border, it’s what we do. ”
“You’re right about that,” I said as I zipped up my jacket once more and braved the snow to get to the truck.
The truck that was still not on.
Growling, I stomped my way towards my vehicle and opened the door.
“I thought you were going to turn on the truck when you were cold,” I snapped.
Posy sat with her knees up to her chest on her seat, a blanket that she must have pulled out of her tote around her shoulders.
“I can’t see my breath yet, so I wasn’t sure if we needed to save gas.”
“I’m going to leave my truck here, but we only have to head over towards the cabin in the back.”
Her eyes widened, a smile filling her face. “They had room for us?”
“I’m pretty sure we’ve found the nicest couple in this area. Ever. So yes, they not only have a spot for us, but we’re about to get food.”
“I think I love them.”
“It’s okay, we can propose marriage to them later, let’s get inside, and I’ll get all the luggage.”
“You don’t have to do that, I can help.”
“Carry what you can. The snow’s died down for a little bit, but I know another gust is coming.”
It only took one trip considering we had left some of the gifts in my triple-locked truck. If somebody wanted to get in there to steal things, we were going to have way more problems than that. But we had a clean set of clothes, toiletries, and that magical tote.
By the time we set everything down, took off our jackets, and warmed up by the actual fireplace, the awkwardness settled in.
I was about to spend the night in a room with one of my best friends, doing my best not to think about it.
Just because I constantly wanted to touch her, to taste her, didn’t mean I was going to let myself do that.
“Oh, that’s my folks,” Posy said with a small smile. “I texted them and said I was going to be late, so here’s the call.”
“Damn it, I should text my folks. You go to the other side of the cabin, and I’ll try to let you have some privacy.”
She blushed and answered.
“Hi Mom. Dad.”
As I texted my folks letting them know that we were safe, exactly where we were, and that we wouldn’t be there until tomorrow at the earliest, I did my best not to listen to Posy’s conversation.
However, it was sort of hard to do. While the cabin was recently stocked and decorated, it still was not that big.
“I’m perfectly safe. You know Cullen.”
“We do, and we’re glad that he’s able to take care of you, but we worry. You’re all alone. And you’re alone so often. And I know you say that you can handle that, but we worry about our baby girl.”
I winced at that, knowing she probably hated the phrase.
“Mom. I’m fine. And I can take care of myself.”
“Oh yes, you’re an independent woman. And we love that for you.”
I winced at the tone, but Posy just let out a breath..
“Yes, I know. I am woman hear me roar. However, that’s not going to be an issue tonight. All I have to do is make sure that the generator works, and we have food in our bellies. Cullen’s truck can get through most storms, just not this one.”
“Okay baby. Just text and let us know how you’re doing throughout the night.”
“Mom. I’m thirty-five.”
“We know. But we worry.”
I sighed. “You didn’t text like this when David and I were married.”
“Because he was there to protect you. To take care of you.”
Posy met my gaze and rolled her eyes. “Well Cullen’s here to protect me for the night. So you don’t have to worry, okay?”
“Oh you’re right. That’s good.”
I pressed my lips together at the annoyed look on her face, before she crossed her eyes as she tilted the phone away so they couldn’t see her face.
“Anyway, I love you and I’ll see you soon. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas baby girl.”
When she ended the call, she growled at her phone. “Thirty-five. I’m thirty-five years old.”
“Well, I’m thirty-nine. We can both be old and yet beholden to our parents.”
“I bet your parents knew that you were going to be safe.”
“My mom did ask for me to check-in as often as possible,” I said dryly.
“Because she’s worried about an ax murderer or a storm, not because you can’t take care of yourself.”
I winced. “Yeah, what is up with that?”
“I’m going to need a lot more vodka in order to have that conversation.”
I snapped my fingers and grinned.