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I have a hard time wishing ill toward anyone.
I just could not let Dolly stay with him—I still see red that Mitch called her an idiot. It was hard enough to let the others go. I had to give in…but there was no way Dolly and I would survive without each other.
I was there the day she was born, helped her come into this world, and from the time she opened her eyes, we had a bond.
When I pull into Landmark Mountain city limits, I breathe a sigh of relief. I can’t believe I made it. Even with all this snow, I did it.
I hope Uncle Pierre is okay with me showing up like this. I haven’t been able to reach him, but he’s always wanted me to come stay with him. At the end of every phone call, he says there’s a place for me here. I think he’s lonely for family even though he claims he’s happy.
The pretty shops and all the twinkle lights make me smile, but to avoid all the traffic on the main road, I pull down a side road and keep driving, thinking the map will update to tell mea different route to Uncle Pierre’s. There’s more snow on this road though, and navigation takes a minute to update. As the voice saysrerouting, I brake quickly and it’s a mistake.
“Noooo,” I yelp.
Losing control and veering all over the road, I plead with the universe to protect me and Dolly. After a little dip, I hear a really weird sound and we crunch to a stop in a deep snowbank.
It’s way darker out here—I should’ve stayed on the busy road with all the lights after all, but I think I see house lights in the distance. When I try to shift into reverse, nothing happens. I turn the ignition and…nothing.
Jolene is dead.
I open my door and my eyes widen when I see how much snow there is and hurriedly close the door. It’s amazing how fast the chill went to my ears with that blast of cold air.
Grabbing my phone, I jump out, cringing with each step. My white lace ankle boots with the satin ribbon ties aren’t going to survive this and that’s just a shame. Snow seeps through to my feet and in some places, it hits me mid-calf. It’s jarring to my skin, but I don’t care, I’m too laser-focused on getting to the trailer behind my RV. Fortunately, the trailer is on the road more than my RV is, and it’s just barely tilted.
“I’m coming, Dolly,” I yell, and I can hear her answering call. “Thank goodness,” I whisper.
I hit Uncle Pierre’s number on speed dial as I’m still hopping to the back of the trailer and when I unlock the door and see Dolly, I start crying.
She’s huddled in the corner with all her blankets and when she sees me, she scrambles to her feet, her head bobbing as she walks up to me and lays her head on my shoulder. I shuffle to hold back all the material flying aroundus and wrap my arms around her, rubbing her back and speaking in my calmest voice.
“You’re okay, Dolly. I’ve got you.”
She squawks and nestles her head in my neck the way she does when she’s scared.
“We’re okay, pretty girl. Yeah, that’s right. You’re good. We’re gonna be all right.”
I glance at my phone again, realizing Uncle Pierre never answered and I try again. This time, he picks up.
“Ruby,” he breathes. “Whereareyou?”
“Uh, I’m here, actually. Well, not at your place exactly. But I made it to Landmark Mountain. I just…ended up in a snowbank. Not far from the main road…”
“What do you mean, you’re there? Oh, honey.” His voice rises.
My heart drops when he says there…like maybe he’s nothere.
“I’m okay, I promise.”
“You’re in asnowbank?” He sounds just like my mom when he’s upset.
“Yeah, I’m just a little bit stuck. I hope it’s okay that I came. I had to—”
“But, honey, I’m not there,” he says. “I came for your wedding...”
I slump and Dolly nestles deeper into my neck. “I didn’t…ugh. I didn’t think you were coming.”
“I didn’t think I could at first. It was going to be a surprise.”
“I can’t believe I had no idea. Thank you and…I’m sorry. How is it there?”
