“Why is the car on the patio?” I asked. Yes, this was too much before coffee.
“We think we did it to protect the car from the snowstorm?” Carlos frowned. “Same with the snowmobile? Though I have no idea where it came from. Also, the power went out. So, I think we all moved down here at one point and slept by the fire.”
Fiona nodded. “And we made a nest under the table.”
“Yes.” Dusty snapped his fingers. “Saoirse and I went back upstairs when the heat came back on. I also opened the door at some point because it smelled funny.”
Sitting down at an empty seat at the table, I opened my first aid kit.
“And let in the lynx. But he left,” Carlos added.
“Lynx?” I downed two packets of hangover helper and some pain reliever, and chased it with the entire cup of coffee. “Anyone?” I pushed the bag toward the center of the table, which had a bunch of half-empty takeaway containers.
“Please.” Fiona rummaged through it and took something, while Carlos explained what everything looked like when he woke up.
I put some rice and chicken fricassee in my bowl. “Thank you for cleaning up.”
Grabbing my bowl and empty mug, I went into the kitchen, making a new pot of coffee and warming up my food.
Cake? Champagne? Was that thecongratulations package?I picked up a box of tea on the counter and read the box which was in German.Post-heat tea.
“Where did the food we’re eating come from?” I asked.
“It was in a box by the door with more sheets and towels. Along with a sign.” Carlos shrugged. “I left it up. I didn’t know what it said.”
I went to the door and took it off. It said in German and French:Heat in Progress. Please don’t interrupt. Leave items by the door.
Okay then.Comfort feast.We must have ordered it from room service.
Pouring myself some coffee, I brought the mug and my food back to the table as Dusty went to warm up his.
“Fiona, do you remember going into heat?” I took a bite of food. She was wearing only a shirt, revealing love marks all over her.
She frowned as she grabbed a piece of bread. “I’m on suppressants. Also, what day is it?”
“It’s the twenty-eighth and your father texted me. Don’t worry, I blamed it on the snowstorm and said we’d be in touch,” I soothed.
Carlos nearly knocked over his coffee cup. “What?”
“I’m trying to get us a flight back. But it depends on the weather. You can use my phone to call someone and let them know what’s going on. People being delayed due to weather happens.” Dusty came back over to the table.
“I don’t know anyone's number by memory.” Carlos’ frowned.
“I have Grif’s number, but I don’t have Dean or Jonas’. I don’t think Jonas likes me.” Hale pouted a little.
“Grif will work, thanks.” Carlos stood. “There’s some meat and cheese. I’ll bring it out.”
“I went into heat? What?” Fiona’s look went puzzled.
Hale frowned. “Maybe it was the drugs?”
“Oh. I know some drugs can fuck with birth control, but I didn’t know they could mess up suppressants.” Fiona bit her lower lip. “At least it was a short heat.”
“The drugs could also be why we can’t remember? Maybe they mixed with the heat and everything wentpow.” Hale’s hands wentout mimicking an explosion.
“Oh, that is an excellent theory. Some drugs do make you forget things,” Carlos agreed.
“Sorry. Maybe it was that one I got that didn’t work? Well, we won’t be getting that again.” Hale sighed.
