AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I could see the flickering shadows of flames through the glass, conjuring images of cozy evenings wrapped in blankets with a hot drink in hand.
For a fleeting moment, the small porch, with its simple bench and an old pair of snowshoes hanging beside the door, whispered of simpler times. It was a place that felt remote and snug, a sanctuary from the storm.
As I opened my door and braced myself against the cold, I felt a flicker of anticipation mixed with anxiety. This was not my intended destination for the night, but there was something undeniably appealing about this tiny haven in the midst of the wilderness.
With the box cradled in my arms like an unwieldy infant, I stepped toward the cabin. The cold slapped my face like an insult, and the snow tried to make itself comfortable inside my boots. I trudged toward the porch, each step feeling like a marathon.
A sudden shout pierced through the howling wind. Dr. Montivais was standing on the porch yelling something about me not being allowed to park there.
The audacity of this man!
I had just traversed the Arctic tundra to deliver his box of files, and he had the nerve to fuss over where I parked?
Fury bubbled inside me like a cauldron, and I stomped through the near calf-deep snow toward him, my boots leaving deep imprints behind.
For a brief moment, as I neared the porch, I couldn’t help but notice how striking he looked despite the circumstances. The loose sweatpants did little to hide his well-toned legs, and the long sleeve tee, though probably not the wisest choice for the weather, clung to his upper body like a second skin.
His biceps and chest were on full display, making it abundantly clear that he was no stranger to a gym. On any other occasion, I might have let my gaze linger on his jet-black hair that hung loose over his forehead or the rugged jawline that could give any Hollywood star a run for their money.
He was younger than me—nearly a decade to be exact. But thanks to the age-defying genes passed down from Grandma, most wouldn't be able to tell.
Frankly, given the way the doctor chose to speak to me, I wouldn't be surprised if he pegged me as his junior.
When he spoke again, he called me the wrong name just like he always did. "Judy!" he shouted over the wind.
I was absolutely livid. I reached the cover of the porch, my fingers tightening around the edges of the heavy box, and before I knew what I was doing, I let it drop—right on his foot. It was a total accident, but one I was happy to make.
"Here are your precious files! Enjoy your weekend!" I spat, sarcasm dripping from every word. I turned on my heel, my coat flaring behind me like the cape of an avenging hero and stormed back toward my SUV.
I stomped my way back, contemplating giving him the middle finger as my parting gesture.
But fate wasn’t done messing with me yet.
As I tried to back out, my tires spun helplessly against the snow, kicking up white powder but not gaining any traction.
My heart sank.
The engine roared, but my SUV was going nowhere. In the passenger seat, Sadie was whimpering, her nose pressing against the window, sensing my despair.
I let go of the gas, letting my head fall forward against the steering wheel.
I was stranded in a snowstorm, in the middle of nowhere, with an egocentric doctor who couldn’t even remember my name.
What a perfect end to a perfectly rotten day.
Just as I was contemplating the hopelessness of my situation, there was a knock on the window. I looked up to see the devil himself peering through the glass with a smirk.
Reluctantly, I rolled down the window just enough to hear him shout “You’re stuck!” over the wind.
Thank you Captain Obvious.
As if I hadn't already figured that out myself.
The urge to pepper spray him bubbled up, but I restrained myself, instead shooting him a scowl. "Thanks for that groundbreaking insight," I retorted. "Got any other gems of wisdom to enlighten me with?"
He rolled his eyes and gestured dramatically toward the cabin. "I’d highly advise you to come inside and wait out the storm. I can see you're itching to bolt, but it looks like Mother Nature has RSVP'd 'no' to your getaway plan."
Part of me wanted to unleash a snarky retort, but my car's pathetic attempts to defy gravity and the skin-biting cold made their own compelling argument.
