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“But—”

“My decision on your appeal is final,” I interrupted, making my voice firm and unyielding. “We will not be issuing you a liquor license.”

I wrote “denied” on top of Liz’s appeal packet and slid it across the table towards her. Her expression was livid. If looks could kill, I’d be dead on the floor of this café about now.

Before Liz could respond, the door opened again, this time revealing a middle aged man in a police uniform. I sighed. How was I supposed to conduct business with people coming in every two minutes?

“Hi Brian,” Liz turned her attention to the cop who’d just walked in. “You want some coffee or something? It looks like it’s getting nasty out there.”

“I wouldn’t mind a cup to go Lizzie, thank you kindly.” The cop’s eyes turned towards mine, appraising. “You the owner of that there vehicle parked in front?”

I stood up, immediately on alert. I’d had my share of negative experiences with corrupt cops in the town where I’d grown up.

“Yes. Is there a problem? I didn’t see any no parking signs.”

The cop shook his head. “I didn’t recognize your car, so I knew you weren’t from around here. Just wanted to let you know that the state is closing the road back to the freeway.”

“What?” I glanced at the window again. It looked like a scene from that movie the Shining out there. Conditions appeared to have gone from blizzard to white out in just a few minutes. The wind was howling, shaking the windows. I really should have checked the local forecast before I’d left today. Living in the city, I forgot how much more snow they got up here in the mountains.

“The road’s impassable until the storm is over, and it’ll likely take a few days after that to get it cleared. The section right out of town seems to attract a lot of snow, and Pine Bluff isn’t the highest priority for the road crews.”

“Can’t I go another way?” I asked, starting to feel alarmed. I really wanted to get home.

The cop shook his head. “The only other roads out of town are Forest Service roads, and those all get shut down once we start getting a lot of snow. Those won’t re-open until June, maybe May if we’re real lucky.”

I sighed. Damn it, it looked like I was stuck here for the night. I was glad that I had my gym bag in my car so at least I’d have some extra clothes – although shorts and a tee shirt weren’t going to help much in this weather. Maybe I could pick something up while I was here, there had to be some place that sold clothing.

Liz returned, handing the cop a large paper cup with a lid. “Here you go, Brian.”

“Thanks Lizzie.” He took a sip and smiled. “You make the best coffee.”

Liz gave him a pleased smile that I inexplicably wished was directed towards me.

“Excuse me. Since I seem to be trapped here as long as the road is closed, can you direct me to the closest hotel?”

Brian and Liz exchanged a glance. “We don’t got no hotels in Pine Bluff,” Brian replied.

I tried not to cringe at his atrocious grammar.

“There must be a bed & breakfast then? Or an Air BnB?”

Brian shook his head again as a sinking feeling hit the pit of my stomach. “We don’t usually get overnight guests up here unless they’re staying with residents. There’s really no need for short-term accommodations.”

I blew out an exasperated breath. “If I can’t leave town and there’s no hotels, what am I supposed to do? Sleep in my car?”

Evelyn popped out from behind Brian. She was so tiny I hadn’t noticed her rejoin us.

“I’ve got a great idea,” she announced, looking oddly thrilled at my predicament. “You can stay here with Liz. She’s got a guest bedroom upstairs there in her apartment. You won’t even need to go outside.”

Liz shot me a look that was a mixture of horror and alarm.

“No, that’s not going to work,” she said. “You have a guest bedroom too, Evelyn. Plus, your place is bigger, and you live right on the next block. He can stay with you.”

Evelyn’s look was cagey. “Sorry, but I don’t have space. My guest bedroom is tied up right now.”

Liz narrowed her eyes and gave Evelyn a suspicious look. “Tied up with what?”

“Tied up with something that’s my own business, missy.” Her tone was imperious in the way that only old ladies could pull off.