The Dead of Winter (Seasons of Jefferson: Book 2)

by Julie Solano

  “You’re an ass.” She struggles to move on her own, dropping back down to the ground. She wraps her arms around her chest. “Owww,” she wheezes, finally propping herself up on her elbows. “You knocked the wind out of me.”

  “I’ve been known to take a girl’s breath away a time or two, but I didn’t do it to YOU. How do you figure I knocked the wind out of you?” I pull my helmet off my sweaty head and toss it off to the side. Her eyes meet mine, and I hear a sharp, sudden breath. Her mocha cheeks blush pink. Interesting reaction. I can’t help but smirk.

  “You jumped out of the bushes and cut me off. Are you trying to kill me today?” Tangles mumbles a few more words under her breath. Her dainty eyebrows bounce up and down and her perfectly round lips babble away, popping her dimple as she mutters. At one point, I think I catch the words, “come in here with your sexy a…” as I watch a faint smile play at the corners of her lips. I struggle to hear the word that follows sexy, but she turns her head away a little too quickly. Damn, missed it.

  It’s funny watching her struggle to put on the tough girl act, but I can barely handle letting her go on in obvious discomfort. My mom raised me better than this. “I don’t bite. Take it!” Exaggerating the movement, I extend my hand again.

  She looks my arm up and down, “Are you sure you’re strong enough? I do weigh 95 pounds.”

  I have to throw my head back and take a breath. I can’t speak through my deep chuckling. I bring my eyes back down to meet hers. “What makes you think I’m a city boy?”

  “Well, for one, you don’t know how to drive in the snow …”

  I don’t hear another word. She’s right. I don’t know how to drive in the snow. If I did, I’d be here with Peyton right now, not chasing down some spicy, spitfire country girl all afternoon. She’s not even nice. She’s the polar opposite of Peyton. Shit. Peyton. Again, my girlfriend’s crystal blue eyes haunt me. I think back to the day on the cliff. I can picture her face as we tumble down the canyon. Sheer terror. I couldn’t stop us. All I could do was wrap myself around her … until the blackness came. I pry my mind away from the memory and look back at the mocha-skinned beauty at my feet. It would kill Peyton if she knew how much fun I was having tangling with this girl.

  The sound of fingers snapping, draws my eyes downward. “Where’d you go? Geez, I was only kidding.” Tangles raises her hand to mine.

  I take it gently and tug her to her feet. “Let me get that sled turned back over for you. Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you wreck.”

  An incredulous look comes over her face. “What? No kiss my ass? It’s your fault? Nothin’? Yep, you’re a city boy alright. A country boy would’ve never taken that kind of crap from me.”

  “Guess you’ve never met a country boy whose mama raised him right.”

  “Mmhmm.” She rolls her eyes as I watch her struggle with her chin strap.

  “Here. Let me help you with that.” I brush her hair away from the snap. At my touch, she pulls her lips together, and freezes in place. Her only movement comes from her big, brown eyes, which intently watch my hands as I work to secure her strap. Are her lips turning blue?

  “It’s okay, you can breathe,” I chuckle.

  Her piercing, brown eyes narrow in on my gaze, as a slight blush of pink softens the tan of her cheeks. I can see I’ve embarrassed her by insinuating that I took her breath away.

  “I would breathe, but I don’t like the smell of wet dog.”

  Not bad. She’s quick. With the pop of her dimple and the upward tug of her lip, I can tell she’s hiding a smile under her snide remark. Her combination of spunky, wit and country charm have left me bemused. I have no comeback.

  “I’ve gotta get back to my friends, no more time for arguing. You want to lead the way?” My voice rattles, as I slip my helmet back over my head.

  “If you think you can keep up,” she laughs, as she mounts her snowmobile.

  “Oh, I can keep up,” I smirk, climbing on and starting my engine. I take off, passing her, but then ease off the gas so she can catch up. We ride for what seems to be hours. No words are spoken. No gestures are shared. Though we ride together, we are alone in our thoughts. It’s comforting really, knowing she’s there beside me. I don’t know this girl. I don’t even know her name, but I feel a deep connection to her that I can’t explain. I needed this time, and something tells me she did too.

  As the sun sets off in the distance, we take off back over the hill. As we near the main entrance, I catch a glimpse of Jessie May. She sits just beyond the trees, waving to Tangles to join her. I guess it’s time for us to part ways. She doesn’t say goodbye. Our sudden split leaves me feeling a bit empty. I kind of enjoyed my silent riding partner. She must not have enjoyed the same peace I felt riding side by side, or she wouldn’t have taken off without so much as a wave goodbye. I can’t put a finger on it, but I feel like a tiny bit of me just left with her. A bit unsettled, I continue on toward my friends, who are waiting in the parking lot.

  “DID YOU EVER THINK TO check your cell phone once? You had us worried sick,” Brody huffs as he opens the truck door.

  Crap. I didn’t even think about ditching my friends. I was too caught up in the chase. I feel bad. I know if it was one of them that disappeared, I would’ve been frantic. I should’ve checked my phone, it’s just that I’ve been trying so hard to forget for awhile. Every time I look at it, I’m disappointed all over again. Peyton hasn’t texted. Not once. It kills me every time I see her name missing from the list of recent messages.

  “It’s a good thing we ran into Jessie May out by Whaleback. I’m glad she saw that buddy of hers tailing you, otherwise we wouldn’t have had any idea where you went.”

  “So, you talked to the friend?” Tangles was chasing me? “Then you knew I was okay.”

  “Guess so. Well, at first we thought you were fine. But then, we ran into Jessie May and she couldn’t find her friend either.” I can tell he’s agitated. His hands move uncharacteristically as he speaks. “Just don’t go pulling anything like that on us again. You could’ve gone over a cliff or something, and we wouldn’t have known where to find you.”

  Brody’s not the only one who’s upset. The others look worried too. “I’m sorry guys. I guess I just got caught up in the moment. It’s been so long since I felt … happy.”

  Jenna’s grimace melts into a smile. Eyebrows raised, she looks around at the gang. “Okay, let him off the hook. It made him happy.” Everyone else continues to stare at me, scowling in silence.

  Very persuasive, Jenna. Good try.

  Finally, grinning through her closed teeth, she snarls, “Ha-ppy… Let. It. Be.”

  “Happy, okay, happy.” I hear ringing out in different voices as we continue climbing into the truck. Brody jumps into the driver’s seat, while Jenna and Mason pile on top of each other right beside him. Kaitlyn and I spread out in the back, making wisecracks about the sardine sandwich up front.

  As we drive away into the darkness, I pull my phone out of my pocket. “So, you guys tried to call?”

  Kaitlyn answers dramatically, “Only a thousand times. Check your messages.”

  There are so many notifications on my screen, that I can’t see them all. Hesitantly, I open my messages.

  Sadie: Christmas Party @ my place if you’re up for it. Day after tomorrow ~> 7:00. Wear your ugly sweater!!! ;)

  Coach: Let me know if you can still make B-Ball Tryouts (Dec. 13).

  Brody: Dude, you lost us.

  Lennart: Hey, Pres. Got some great video footage of our Christmas foreign ex-change party. Where should I send it for the JHS newscast?

  Brody: Where are you, man?

  Kaitlyn: Caden? Where are you?

  Mason: It’s about 1:30. Try to meet us at the Long Loop by 3:00.

  Kaiya: Movies in Mt. Shasta tonight. Wanna come with our group? Text ME!

  Jenna: 3:30. We’re looking for you. Kinda scaring us Cade Monster!!! >;(

  Officer Marnia: We’ve recovered your tr
uck. No Pistol, but interesting news on that front. Call me for details.

  Brody: Ridiculous! Meet us in the parking lot.

  Kaitlyn: You’re such a brat, Caden! Call us. This isn’t funny!

  Shoot. Missed the movies with Kaiya. That was two days ago. Wow, I’ve been neglecting everyone. I don’t even know where to start with this list. I should get back to some of these people. Where to begin? “I’m really sorry guys. I just wasn’t thinking. It won’t happen again.” Check four people off my list. I skim back up to the top. Sadie? Hmmm. What a sweetie. She must be working with Kaiya on trying to get me out of the house. “Did you guys hear about Sadie’s Christmas party?”

  “Got the message like two days ago,” Kaitlyn chimes in. “You should check your phone more often.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I didn’t really miss anything.” Still no Peyton. “Just a reminder that I can’t play basketball this year, and some student government stuff that can wait til the weekend’s over.”

  The cab is silent. Even though I try to stifle it, I know everyone senses my depression. It’s weighing heavily in the air, and I can feel the brains around me fumbling for ways to fix it. Jenna is the first to speak. “Hey, I have an idea. I was thinking since you can’t play basketball, you might be able to join the snow sports team. I mean, I know you have to use your arms for balance and stuff, but you don’t have to shoot or anything like you have to when you play basketball.”

  My mind searches through any possible obstacle as to why this wouldn’t work. Got one. I clear my throat. “Problem. Snow sports already started.”

  “I know they’ve already started practicing, but they haven’t competed yet. Besides, cross country kids get to start late. I bet they’ll make an exception for you too.” I take a minute to process the idea. My lack of response has the others jumping in to help convince me.

  “It’s Coach Rico for crying out loud. He’s always looking for new talent.”

  “Remember, he already tried to steal you off the basketball team sophomore year?”

  “I forgot about that. Our team sucked so bad that year that I seriously considered it.” This snowboarding thing’s not a bad idea. Throw another patch on my jacket? “You think they’d let me on Varsity?”

  “Why wouldn’t they, dude? You already kick everyone’s ass on a snowboard anyway. They’ll be stoked that you can’t play basketball this year.”

  “Guess I can talk to the coach on Monday.” I look back down at my phone and remember there’s a message about my truck.

  “Have any of you heard from Officer Marnia?”

  “Not me.”

  “Me neither.”

  The only one who doesn’t speak up is Brody, whose eyes pierce through the rearview mirror. He glares me down, with a silent warning to discontinue the conversation.

  Kaitlyn’s squinting eyes meet ours in the mirror. “What’s going on? Have you heard from her?”

  Brody clicks his tongue and shakes his head. I watch him curse under his breath.

  “She messaged, saying they haven’t found Pistol, but they did recover my truck. She wants me to call for details.”

  I watch my sister’s face drop, as she clutches the seat in front of her. She bows her head against the forward headrest. My eyes reconnect with Brody’s. He looks pissed. He’s kept her in such a protective bubble since the wreck, that her response to the latest update has him agitated.

  “It’s gonna be okay, babe. I swear. I’ll take care of you. Are you okay, Pip?”

  She turns her head and looks out the window. Clearing the foggy glass with her hand, she softly speaks, “I will be when they find him. I just can’t help feeling like he’s out there. Watching. Not all the time, but, here and there. Jenna and I have talked about this. She feels it too. Don’t you, Jenna?” I watch my sister reach through the seat and tug on Jenna’s shirt sleeve. “Right, Jenna? Didn’t you say you feel like someone’s been watching you?”

  “It’s probably just cuz I’m still freaked out about the river. I don’t know who’d be watching me, but I could’ve sworn that last night when I was leaving Ty’s house, I was being followed. They didn’t peel off til I was almost home. I took a different route, just so they didn’t know where my house was.” She shakes her head. “I know it’s impossible. It can’t be him. It wasn’t even a truck. It was a sports car with tinted windows. It doesn’t make much sense.”

  “Maybe I should call Officer Marnia back and see what she wanted to talk to me about.”

  “Call now. That way we all know what’s going on.” Kaitlyn looks at Brody through the rearview mirror as she speaks. “Brody, you can’t keep everything from me. I know you want to protect me. I get it. But please don’t. We’re going back to school the day after tomorrow, and you can’t sit next to me in every class. I need to know what I’m up against. We all do.”

  I take out my phone and dial. As it’s ringing, I hit speakerphone.

  “Officer Marnia here. How can I help you?”

  “Hi Officer Marnia. It’s Caden Woodley. I got your message.”

  “Yes, Caden. I’m glad you called. There are a couple things I want to talk to you about. First, we’ve recovered your truck from the river. Sorry to tell you, it’s a total loss, but your insurance should cover it. If your company needs pictures or a report, give them my number. They won’t be able to see it for themselves. We already turned it over to forensics down in Sac.”

  “What kind of stuff are they going to be looking for? I mean, we need answers. Especially these girls. They’re really on pins and needles here, thinking someone’s still after them.”

  “Well, I have more to tell you.” There’s a brief silence. Everyone leans in. “We found Pistol’s truck. It was hidden from view, wedged in a crevice between a huge rock formation. It looks like it took a pretty good roll down the embankment. The cab was completely smashed.”

  Silent gasps fill the cab.

  Jenna whispers over her shoulder, “Ask about Pistol. Was he in it?”

  “And what about Pistol? Your text said you didn't find him.”

  “Well, we didn’t find him in the truck. It was empty. Eddie and his team have been all over the place. They did find some traces of blood around the same area they rescued you. It was scattered along some rocks near the river. It could’ve been yours, could’ve been one of your friends’. We’re still trying to get an ID on that. Worst case scenario, if it was Pistol’s,” Officer Marnia takes a deep breath, “he may be on the run.”

  I throw my head back, “Shit. What are you trying to tell me here? You think he’s alive?”

  “Hold on. Take a deep breath. Judging by the looks of that truck, it’s unlikely, but I don’t want to rule anything out. There’s a remote possibility he escaped before the truck went over the embankment.”

  More gasps.

  “Until we have a body, we’re treating this investigation like he’s still out there.”

  “So, where do we go from here? I’m not going to lie, this is pretty disturbing news.”

  “I know it is, Caden, but I can assure you that we are doing everything we can to find Pistol. In the meantime, keep doing what you’ve been doing. Stick together and stay close to home. It’s unlikely he’d go anywhere we could be waiting for him.”

  “So basically, we’re safe at school and at home. Fun.”

  “For now, yes. Just remember, I really don’t think he could’ve made it through that crash. His body was probably thrown from the truck before it lodged itself into the crevice. It’s pretty rugged terrain. When the snow clears, we may have a better chance of finding a corpse. I’ll let you know the minute I get any new information.”

  “Got it. Thanks again, Officer. I look forward to hearing from you.”

  Our call ends just as Brody pulls into my dad’s store to drop off the snowmobiles. When he kills the engine, silence permeates the cab. Once again, we’re all shaken. A tiny sniffle comes from my sister’s direction. Brody throws open the truck door a
nd comes around to the back seat. “I need to help her, dude. Go see your dad so I can get a minute here.”

  I nod in agreement and slide out of the truck, allowing Brody to take my place. Jenna and Mason jump out and begin to unload the gear.

  When I get back to the truck, all our bags are unloaded. I don’t see Jenna and Mason right away, but Brody and T are sitting on the tailgate. He’s holding her in his lap, rocking her back and forth. They look like they could use a little more time.

  Not wanting to interrupt, I scour the parking lot for the others. I spot them near the big oak tree out in the middle. They look to be in an intense conversation. Their heads are close together, huddled over a glowing phone. I don’t want to scare them, so I stomp my boots as I approach.

  “Shhh. Not another word about it.” I hear Mason’s raised voice.

  “Everything okay here?” I ask, as I walk up on my friends.

  “Everything is just fine,” Mason replies, looking sternly at Jenna. “Girl problems. That’s all. Nothin’ you need to worry about.”

  Something tells me there’s more to it than just girl problems, but I’ve had enough for one day. I don’t even want to know. “I’ll take your word for it. Let’s go.”

  We join the others back at Brody’s truck. We all look at each other, secretly assessing one another’s mental state. Smiles start cracking. Then a few giggles.

  Mason looks at all of us. “We need to have some fun. Take our minds off this mess.”

  I look down at my phone, remembering all of our options. “So who’s up for an ugly sweater Christmas party?”

  Jenna’s face brightens. “I’m in! I’ll call Ty.”

  “Me too!” Kaitlyn grabs Brody’s hand, smiling. He nods in agreement.

  “Sounds good to me.” Mason jumps in. “I might be a little late. I’ll probably have to sneak Marissa out again.”

  “Well, dig out the sweaters, boys and girls. We’ve got two hours to get home and make our sweaters shine!”