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“No, I think we should probably go straight through.” The flakes were getting bigger again, and I was sure she’d slowed just a little in the last while with the road conditions changing for the worse.
“That was my plan. All right, sit back, relax, fall asleep again if you want…”
“I didn’t sleepthatlong.”
“I heard snoring, and last I checked, that was not a part of ‘Jingle Bell Rock’.”
“Whatever,” I laughed, leaning back in my seat, wishing I could stretch my legs out just a little more.
We’d passed the Aspen city limits sign a little while ago, and I had to admit I was getting anxious to be off the road. Jenna was a decent driver, it was nowhere near the harrowing experience of being in a car with Frank and for that I was extremely grateful. But the snow was coming down heavier and denser, and we were running out of daylight.
I scanned the phone again. Notification from the owner with all the codes and info I’d need to get in. They’d sent someone by a few hours before to clear some of the snow, but mentioned it would probably just build back up again in time. An alert that the Denver Airport was shut down. A handful of messages from Frank…those I could save and read later.
Jenna spoke.
“Sorry, what?”
She turned the music lower, likely thinking that’s why I’d missed what she’d said. “I just wanted to double check the address since we’re so close.”
“Right.” I brought up the map on my phone, giving her the address.
“Okay, according to my trusty GPS, we’re like three minutes away.”
She took a turn, and a few minutes later, we stopped in front of a gated driveway. I checked the app and gave her the confirmation key. The gate slipped back, and we trudged forward in small drifts of snow. It looked like maybe they hadn’t had as much snow yet as had been anticipated while we were on the way.
The driveway seemed to curve slightly, enormous pine trees on both sides of the narrow drive and then suddenly, the trees thinned out and there we were, in front of the house…or mini-lodge as Jenna had thrown out. This place had fit that description so perfectly when I’d looked at the app, it’s what had made me click on the photo, to be honest.
Jenna let out a low whistle as she finally stopped the vehicle.
“Well, then, we’ve arrived safely at your destination,” she announced and turned the music off.
“So we have.” I glanced at the house.
Awfully spacious for just one person, but with enough in there to keep me occupied for a few days. Frank had wanted to send me away ’til probably the new year. I could hang out here ’til after Christmas…then make my own plans for the new year after that. Somewhere that wouldn’t include snow…and my manager.
There were worse places to ride a storm out.
A few lights were on deep inside the house, one in the foyer, no doubt on some sort of timer. A few pot lights lit up the upper balcony running the length of the house, Christmas lights wrapped around the rail in a soft warm glow.
My watch showed we really hadn’t stopped for much on the drive, practically just gone straight through and made surprisingly good time given the weather. Given the warnings I’d seen on my phone, I was honestly a little concerned about her going right back on the road again, heading straight into what we’d tried to evade.
“Why don’t you come in?” I offered.
She nodded, undoing her seat belt. I did the same and opened the back passenger door, stepping into calf-high snow. It took half a second for it to soak through the denim of my jeans and reach my bare skin beneath. I shivered as the wind blew stronger, sending a blast of icy snow straight into my face, stinging my skin. I pulled the beanie down lower, groaning. I hated the snow when I wasn’t dressed for it. Frank had told me to dress light, so I had. My hiking boots, light jacket, and jeans weren’t cut out for this I thought miserably, slinging the bag over my shoulder and slamming the car door before trudging up the steps that led to a long walkway toward the house.
It looked like someone had at least shoveled the steps to the long walkway and front door, the snow just a light dusting.
Up ahead, each panel of the double door sported a large oversized fresh pine wreath with bright red velvet bows.
I double-checked the code on my phone and typed it into the keypad as Jenna’s footsteps crunched gently on the snow behind me. I’d messaged the owner I’d pay extra if the place was semi-stocked with something when I got there, particularly something to eat that didn’t come straight out of a can.
The lock beeped, and I opened the door, stepping hurriedly into the happy warmth and inviting glow of my home for the next few days. The scent of fresh pine drifted toward me, not only from the wreaths on the door but from somewhere deeper inside the house. I’d barely cast a look around before realizing the place had been dressed up for the holidays.
The wreaths were not only on the outside of the front doors, but one hung on what I assumed was a closet door off to the side. The welcome mat inside was Santa. The blinking glow farther down the hall told me twinkling lights decorated something up ahead. I could almost imagine the scent of fresh baked cookies in the kitchen.
It was nice. Not overdone…but…festive.
Comfortable.
