Page 2 of Icy Mountain Man

Pitch blackness enveloped me.

The whole cabin was dark, the TV no longer on.

What the hell?

I felt around the couch for my phone and when my fingers wrapped around the plastic case, I lifted it up. The time read eight thirty-six. I didn’t mean to sleep for so long.

Flipping on the flashlight to my phone, I made my way to the kitchen. Everything was dark. The microwave, the stove, the light on the fridge’s ice dispenser.

Shit! The power went out.

I hurried over to a light switch, flipping it upwards, but nothing happened.

I thought she had a backup generator?

Unlocking my phone, I quickly type out a text to my boss. A few seconds later, a red exclamation point pops up. No service.

This just kept getting better and better.

Okay, she must have a drawer of emergency supplies.

I searched the kitchen, until finally landing on a drawer with a flashlight, batteries, matches, and a few long candle sticks.

Switching to the hand flashlight, I set up a few candles and carried them to the living room. I read on my phone usually, but I didn’t want to waste the battery, so instead I went in search of books, a puzzle, anything to keep me busy.

I landed on a whole bookcase and picked out a few. I fixed myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and settled back on the couch.

By the next morning, the power still hadn’t come back. My phone battery had dwindled to only ten percent and the cabin was icy cold.

Since I couldn’t cook, I ate some cereal and a banana. And the worry crept in. I was supposed to stay for another two days but being without power was miserable. And from the looks of it outside, the storm had done a number to the area. Tree branches littered the yard, and rain still fell in sheets.

When nighttime rolled around and no electricity returned, my stomach growled and I shivered beneath the three sweaters and two blankets I had on.

What the hell was I supposed to do?

I looked out the back door window and that’s when I saw a house lit up in the distance.

Smoke billowed from the chimney.

They have power!

It wasn’t too far away. I had to go ask for help before I froze and starved to death.

Bundling myself up, I grabbed my phone and hurried outside. I followed the sidewalk, dodging branches as the rain hit me sideways. I couldn’t stop the shivers, the cold wetness seeping in.

When I finally made it to the doorstep, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

The person who answered wasn’t who I expected at all.

But holy shit.

He was hot as fuck.

And mad as hell.

CHAPTER TWO

Ford