Snowed Over (A Christmas Novella) (13 page)

“Trina, lay off,” Alex said.

The temperature in the cabin turned glacial and it wasn’t because the fire had burned out in the wee hours of the morning. Katie crossed her arms and chewed on her lip. She hadn’t done anything wrong. Okay, not true. She’d fallen for Alex when he still officially belonged to this snotty beyotch.
 

 
“What? I’m just saying… I don’t think you were exactly suffering. I can’t believe I lost sleep over you, while the entire time you were whoring around with this…” Trina sneered at Katie. “…this, person. I don’t even get what you see in her.”
 

“Trina! Enough!” Alex yelled, and Trina actually shut up, but she still glared at Katie. Alex frowned and shook his head.

Katie avoided Trina’s stare and glanced around the cabin, her eyes settling on Alex and then his brother.

“Well, do you guys want to stay here all day or do you want to go home?” Jason asked.

“Let’s get the hell out of here,” Alex said, with the first note of optimism since Trina walked in.

“Yeah, the sooner the better,” Katie mumbled.

Trina plopped onto a chair near Alex and watched Katie’s every move. Alex shook his head. “Trina, why don’t you wait in the truck?”

“No, I think I’ll stay here.” She gave him an icy glare and returned her eyes to Katie.

“I’m sure Katie would like to get dressed without you.”

“But
you’re
staying. I don’t trust her,” she whispered loud enough that Katie could hear.

“For crying out loud, Trina, get in the damn truck! You’re acting like a two-year-old.” Alex grabbed the arm of her coat and pulled her to her feet.

Jason stepped forward. “Come on, Trina. Let’s wait in the truck where it’s warm. I’ve got to radio in that we found them.”
 

Trina stomped her designer boot-covered feet out of the cabin, slamming the door behind her.

“Wow, she’s a real treat,” Katie said. For a girl who tricked her boyfriend into marriage, she still acted like she owned the guy. If what Alex said was true, he’d been trying to break it off with her and she wouldn’t let him go.

“I told you.” Alex rubbed his hand over his face.

“You need a hand? Otherwise, I’ll be in the truck,” Jason said, his hand on the door.

“Can you get a message to my mom for me?” Katie asked.

“That’s why I’m radioing in. Cell phone service here is spotty at best. Your mom reported you missing the night before last and said you were riding with someone named Alex. The cops put it together, and my parents and your mom have been in touch. She knows we’re all out searching.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate it.” At least that was one bright spot in this mess.

“No problem.” Jason gave Katie a warm smile, which was a nice change after Trina, the pint-size, arrogant snit.
 

Jason left them alone in the chilly cabin. Katie sighed in relief. What a way to wake up. She longed for a couple pain relievers and a gallon of water.

“Merry Christmas.” Alex grimaced.

She gave him a reluctant smile. “Merry Christmas.” She slipped into the bathroom and finished changing. When she came out, Alex had dressed in his jeans and pulled his sweatshirt back on. He was folding the sofa bed back into the couch.
 

“Let me help you.” She put the cushions back in place and folded a blanket.

“I know things are really messed up right now with Trina and everything, but I really enjoyed spending time with you.” Alex looked so earnest as he rolled a sheet into an unruly clump.

“So did I.” All Katie could think about was the hours she’d spent in his arms, making out in front of the crackling fire.

 
“I’m sorry Trina was so…”

“Bitchy?” she offered. Despite Trina’s little performance, it was clear she didn’t care about anyone other than herself.

He laughed. “Yeah, that’s about right. She had no right to talk to you that way.”

“That’s okay. She’s nothing to me. I’m glad you’ve figured her out and aren’t going to marry her. You’d be very unhappy.” Katie prayed he still planned to break it off.

“I dodged a bullet with her. That’s for sure.”

“When are you going to do it? Break up?”

“As soon as possible. Not at my place with my family. I need to go to her place where her parents will be there to pick up the pieces. She tends to be high drama.”

“Gee, I didn’t notice.”

They picked up the dishes and empty bottles. “I feel terrible about leaving behind a mess. I wish we could do something about the broken window and all the stuff we ate.”

“Don’t worry. My dad will call it in to the cops, and we’ll figure out whose place it is and let them know. Dad will probably be over here tomorrow installing a new window.”

“What about your truck? I forgot all about it. I hope it’s okay.”

“If it’s still there, I’ll have it towed out. Hopefully it didn’t suffer too much damage.”

“This has been quite the Christmas. And to think how mad I was about having to come up north. If I hadn’t, I never would have met you.”

“I’m glad you did.”
 

They gathered up their bags, her candle tucked safely in her backpack. It was Katie’s only proof of her time with Alex. He hadn’t said anything about seeing her again. She heaved her pack over her shoulder and pasted a smile on her face. “Well, I think that’s it.”

“Yeah, I guess we’ve got everything.” His eyes turned thoughtful. “You know, maybe after…”

A loud blast of the truck horn sounded.

Her heart dropped. She wanted him to finish his sentence, but he didn’t. “I guess Jason’s ready.”

“No. That was Trina.”

“Ah.”

“I guess we better go.”

She grabbed her remaining bag. At the door, Alex paused with his hand on the knob. He seemed about to speak, but another blast from the truck sounded. He opened the door. Katie passed inches from him, more aware of him than ever before, his scent, the angle of his jaw, and his mussed hair.
 

She crossed the threshold, then glanced back one final time. When she thought of Christmas, she’d always remember their time here.
 

Katie turned and entered the chill reality of a new day.
 

Chapter 14

Alex smiled in satisfaction as Katie’s mom hugged her tight. She’d run outside without a coat the moment Jason pulled up in his truck.

“Thank God, you’re safe,” she said.
 

Katie didn’t pull away. Alex was glad to see them together and happy. Her younger sister hugged Katie from the side while
Not the Boyfriend
stood by looking pleased.
 

“It’s okay, Mom. I’m here.” Katie patted her mother’s back.

Her mom stood back and held Katie’s face. “You have no idea how terrified I was. Seriously. I swear I’m never letting you out of my sight again.” She pulled Katie into another bear hug.

Alex waited silently, his brother at his side, while Trina sulked in the truck. Thank God she didn’t get out to meet everyone. After her obnoxious behavior during the ride over, he wanted to throttle her. During the trip to drop Katie off, Trina insisted on sitting on his lap in the crowded truck cab. She kept glaring at Katie. He couldn’t get her off his lap fast enough.

Katie’s mom finally released her. Katie turned, and with a sweet smile Alex liked to think Katie reserved only for him, said, “Mom, this is Alex Walker. If he hadn’t found that cabin, I don’t know what would have happened. And this is his brother, Jason.”

“Thank you so much for taking care of Katie. Is it okay if I hug you? I’m a hugger, and I’m thankful to have her back.”

“Sure.” Alex smiled and received her embrace. Katie rolled her eyes. He winked at her. What would he do when Katie wasn’t around?

Her mom released him. “Would you kids like to come in for some hot chocolate or something to eat?” She looked to
Not the Boyfriend
as if wanting approval.

“Absolutely. We’d like to hear all about your adventure,” Tom said.

“Thank you, but my parents are waiting and we need to get back,” Alex said, wishing he had more time with Katie.

“Of course. I’m sure they’ve worried sick and it’s Christmas,” Katie’s mom said.

He longed for a private moment with Katie but knew it wouldn’t happen. Everyone watched them, especially Trina.

“I guess we should get going,” Jason prompted.

Alex wanted to tell Katie how the last two days had been the time of his life and that he would never forget their Christmas Eve. But he couldn’t put any of it into words. Would it be okay to hug her goodbye? It seemed too forward, even though her mom had hugged him.
 

Instead of speaking from his heart, he blurted, “Once we get my truck towed out of the river, I’ll bring you your duffle bag and whatever else you left.”

 
“Thanks. That’d be great.” Katie’s eyes searched his, but he knew a simple look couldn’t convey his feelings.
 

“Drive careful,” Tom said, shaking hands with Jason and then Alex. Katie’s mom stood shivering in the cold, her arms folded across her chest to stay warm.

“I guess we’ll be going then.” He nodded to Katie. Her eyes looked troubled. What did she want to say to him? Was she glad to be rid of him? Probably. Especially after Trina’s behavior.

He climbed into the truck. Jason backed out of the narrow driveway. Snow was piled high on both sides. Katie’s mother led her into the warmth of the log home. His heart twisted as she disappeared from sight. Alex’s reality sat next to him, her perfume choking away his breath.

~
 
~
 
~

After a long hot shower, some aspirin, and a nap, Katie felt human again. Wearing her sixteen-year-old sister’s jeans and a hoodie, she joined her mom and sister at the dining room table in
Not the Boyfriend’s
massive cabin. He seemed nice enough, but his taste in decorating was a bit on the wild side for her tastes.

A deer head with a huge rack of antlers adorned the space over the massive fireplace. Another deer head hung in the entryway. Taxidermy fish, various birds, and a fox were mounted throughout the spacious cabin. Worse, they all seemed to be watching her.

Her mom set a bowl of steaming vegetables on the table among the other dishes. Katie didn’t recognize them. “What’s that? It doesn’t look like potatoes.”
 

“They’re root vegetables: rutabaga, parsnip, and beets. Try them; they’re good.” Her mom sat, reached for Katie’s hand, and gave it a squeeze. “I can’t believe all that you’ve been through. It’s a miracle the two of you are okay. And Alex, what a resourceful young man.”
 

“And a total hottie!” Nichole added.

Katie grinned at her sister.
He sure is
. She still couldn’t believe she spent two days with a guy who could be modeling underwear on a billboard.

Tom appeared with a dish towel over his shoulder and a serving platter in his hands. “I can’t wait for you to try the quail. I shot them last fall, and they’ve been waiting in the freezer for a special occasion like tonight.” He gazed at her mom with a loving expression that should have been delivered by Katie’s father.

Katie examined the small, headless birds and swallowed her distaste. “Mom, where’s the ham?” she asked under her breath. Her mom always served honeyed ham and mashed potatoes at Christmas.

“Did Alex put the moves on you?” Nichole asked.

“Nichole!” her mother scolded, glancing at Tom to see if he heard.

“What?” Nichole complained. “They were snowed in for two days. There would be something wrong with the guy if he didn’t.”

Katie glared at Nichole to get her to shut her trap, but Nichole misunderstood and read more into it.
 

“Oh my god! He totally hit on you, didn’t he?” Nichole dropped her fork on her plate, creating a clatter.

Katie thought of Alex kissing her in front of the fire. She’d never experienced anything more romantic in her life. Alex’s hands had roamed as he kissed her. She hadn’t stop him.

“Your face is turning red! I can’t believe it. Spill it!” Nichole pounded on the table.

Tom frowned. Her mom shook her head in embarrassment.
 

Katie kicked her sister. “Nichole, shut up. There’s nothing to tell.”

“Yeah, I bet,” she said with a satisfied grin.

Tom returned with another dish. “And, for the piece de la resistance!” he said in a fake French accent and set down a platter filled with the most disgusting fish Katie had ever seen.

The entire fish. Heads and tails intact, their beady little eyes staring.

Are you kidding me?
She shot a look of disbelief at her mom. Mom didn’t really expect them to eat barely dead fish. They weren’t cavemen. She liked her fish boneless, breaded and baked.