by Nan Sampson
Josh’s face colored darkly. “Damn it, Link, you’re not my mother. Matt, get me a damn beer.”
Sierra stood as well, put a hand on Josh’s arm. “Come on, Josh. Link is right, you could use some rest.”
Josh shook her off with a glare and the mousy little thing looked like she was ready to cry. Matt stood frozen, and Ellie wasn’t sure what if anything she could do to diffuse the increasingly combative situation. Help arrived in the form of Arabella Kemp, who came in pushing a squeaky metal cart loaded with dishes and wafting unbelievably enticing aromas. “Evening folks. Thought you might just want to eat in here, where it’s casual. Have you taken a look outside lately? Looks like that dang ground hog was right again this year.”
Marg went over to the windows and peered outside. “Holy cow! There must be three more inches of snow on the ground already. It hadn’t even started when we got here.”
Arabella nodded as she set up a mini-buffet table with serving dishes full of pasta in basil pesto, garlic mushrooms, sautéed kale and almonds, an enormous fresh salad and a butternut squash soufflé. Food fit for a vegetarian king.
The last dish she put out contained the one non-veg dish, a container of piping hot andouille sausages, simmered in carmelized apple juice. She winked at Charlie. “This one’s just for you.”
He grinned at her. “Thanks, Bella. You’re the best.” Moving to the window, he peered out as well. “That’s looking pretty nasty, Ellie. I’m sorry we left your van in town.”
She came to stand beside him at the window. The snow was coming down so thickly, it was hard even to make out individual cars in the parking lot. It would be a nightmare getting home tonight in Charlie’s little Nissan. The Birches stood on the top of a large hill and the sloping drive down to the main road would be like a ski slalom.
Biting her lip, she looked back at the lovingly prepared food on the buffet and gave an inward sigh. She hated to offend Arabella, and the food looked delicious, but if they waited any longer, they’d wind up with the Nissan in a ditch and walking home. “Arabella, I’m so sorry, but we really can’t stay for dinner. Charlie’s Nissan does terrible in the snow and it doesn’t look like it’s going to let up anytime soon. Besides which, we promised Josh we’d drop him off at the farm.”
Arabella shook her head. “Ellie Gooden, you’re crazy to try to drive that little import in weather like this. You’ll wind up in a ditch.” She gave a shrug, knowing how impossible it would be to try to change Ellie’s mind. “But if you’re going, then you better do it now. Seth just sanded the drive, for all the good that’ll do anyone.” She eyed Josh critically. “But you, young man, are going nowhere. Your momma would have me locked in the town jail if I let you go home in the state you’re in. It’s a nice hot dinner for you and then bed. I’ll make up the Hilliard Room for you just as soon as I see you sitting down and putting some food in your stomach.”
It was clear Josh wanted to protest, but he’d been too well brought up to argue with a woman who’d was like a second mother to him. He shut his open mouth and sank down into a chair, whereupon Arabella dished up a plate and stuck it in front of him. “Now eat.” She turned to the others. “Please, everyone. It’s all vegan with the exception of the soufflé, Ms. Thorsen, no need to worry. My husband and I have been vegetarians since long before it was popular, and while we’re not vegan ourselves, I completely respect your beliefs. We did try the vegan thing, but Seth and I grew up around here, and cheese is practically…” She gave a little laugh. “Well, I suppose it actually IS in our blood! But of course, with Patti and Earl producing such great cheese without animal rennet, we can eat cheese in a responsible fashion.”
Realizing she was the only one talking, and becoming aware, Ellie thought, of the tension in the room, Arabella wound down. “Well. I’m just standing here babbling when I need to be making up a bed. Please, help yourself, and don’t hesitate to call if you need anything else. There’ll be fresh apple pie for dessert, and ice cream for anyone who wants it, too.” She gave a little bow, hands clasped in front of her. “Toodles! See you in a little while! Ellie, Charlie, let me walk you out.”
Grateful for the cue, Ellie grabbed Charlie by the arm and they hurriedly made their goodbyes. Link clasped their hands effusively while Sierra and Matt merely smiled and waved.
In the lobby, she and Charlie looked at each other, but neither said a word as they bid Arabella a good night.
“Now, Ellie, you have your cell phone? And it’s all charged? If not, I can lend you mine.”
“Thanks, Bella, but between Charlie’s phone and my phone, we should be covered.”
“Charlie, where are your gloves and your hat and scarf?”
“I—”
“Ellie, you need to learn how to knit. Or at least how to nag. Here.” She ran behind the counter of the reception area and rummaged about underneath for a moment. “I always keep a handful of extras, just in case guests come unprepared for our weather.”
She handed Charlie a pair of hand knit mittens, a grey and red plaid woolen scarf and a deer hunter’s hat. “They don’t match, but they’ll keep you warm.”
“You are a wonder Arabella. I’ll have the missus wash them and return them.”
Ellie raised her eyebrows. “Exactly which missus would that be? Are you keeping a woman in town then?”
Charlie laughed. “Ah, yes, I forgot. Very well then, I’ll just take them down to the crick after the snow stops and bang them on a rock myself. But I’ll get them back to you.”
“You keep them as long as you need, young man.” She patted Charlie’s arm familiarly. “Now are you sure I can’t convince you to stay? I could fix up the Schuler Room, it would be on the house. I’ll even throw in a nice dinner.”
With a glance in Ellie’s direction, Charlie shook his head. “That’s very sweet of you, Bella, but we better head out. One day, though, we will take you up on your hospitality.”
“Now, you be sure to do that. Alright then, you be careful going down the drive.”
She opened the door for them with one hand and pulled her sweater tight around her with the other as a blast of frigid air swirled in, carrying with it a torrent of big, fat snowflakes.
Charlie grabbed her hand as they hurried outside, both of them bent over against the wind that buffeted them around like they were dry leaves. They minced gingerly down the icy front steps and crunched and squeaked their way through the snow that drifted over the freshly shoveled sidewalk.
By the time they reached the relative warmth of Charlie’s car, Ellie was beginning to have doubts about their decision. Still, she’d rather white-knuckle it home through the snow and sleep in her own bed than spend the night on a chair in a guest room at The Birches. Or make Charlie spend the night in a chair. Or on the floor.
The worst part, she thought, was that she wasn’t behind the wheel. “I don’t suppose you’d let me drive. I’m better driving in the snow than you are.”
“No, you’re better driving your big old VW bus in the snow. The weight and the size gives you an advantage. Besides which, I’m more familiar with how my car handles in the snow. In case you’ve forgotten, we get our share of it in Chicago.”
“Fine. Let’s just go then.”
He paused, with the key in the ignition. “Are you sure we shouldn’t just stay?”
“Positive. Start the damn car.”
“Fine.” He turned the key, got the engine going after a couple of tries, then sat there for a moment.
“What are you waiting for?”
“She needs to warm up a bit. Will you just relax?”
A snotty retort was on her lips, but she managed to bite it back. “Sorry. It’s just that that was all rather…”
“Hideous? I agree. There was so much subtext going on, I had trouble just keeping up with the spoken words. Did you get the feeling that none of those guys really like each other?”
“Well, Matt seems to worship Link and I think Sierra is rather fond of Josh, in a ‘
friend’ sort of way. But Link doesn’t seem to care about anyone but himself, and Josh clearly has a bug up his ass about something where Link is concerned.”
“What’s up with Sierra and Josh? I felt like she was going to start groping him any second, but he looked as though he’d rather be standing next to a crocodile, yet he stood there and let her.” He adjusted the heater, turning up the fan, even though it was still just blowing cold air.
“I don’t know. I do know that Link and Josh used to be… well, maybe not a couple, but I know they were involved. There was a time, not so many months ago, that Josh thought the sun rose and set on Link.”
“I think that ship’s sailed.”
The windows were steaming up. Charlie switched the heater to defrost the windshield and turned on the wiper blades. “Well? Shall we hit the road, Nanook?”
“Please. I just want to get home.”
She sensed Charlie’s grin, even as she was looking out the window. “Okay. But it might have been nice. You, me, a four-poster bed, a bear skin rug…”
“You know, if you’d rather sleep on a bearskin rug, instead of in Per’s nice comfy guest bed, I can pick one up for you next time I’m in Madison.”
He gave an exaggerated sigh. “You just suck all the romance out of things, Gooden.”
“Yeah, I know. Ellie the No Fun Elf. Just drive, will you?”
He glanced behind him, then backed up. “Your wish is my command, your Majesty. Let us be away!”
They drove off into the swirling tornado of snow, Ellie clutching the dash and muttering a protection spell under her breath. Less than ten minutes later, as they rounded a curve in the road, there was a flash of movement as a deer leaped across the road, practically flying over the hood, like Donner or Blitzen. Hell, for all she knew, it could have been Rudolph himself, the way it soared over them. Charlie cranked the wheel to avoid hitting it, sending the little Nissan careening into a spin, then down an embankment to land hood first in the snow.
Chapter Four
There was an absolute and frightening silence once the car came to a sudden, bone jarring stop.
Ellie sat dazed, staring forward at the darkness that must be the dashboard, feeling as though she were hanging head down in space, although she knew they were right side up.
Sound came back slowly and the next noise she was aware of was a ticking sound. Disoriented, she thought for a moment that it must be a bomb, then realized it had to be the engine ticking.
“Charlie?” Her voice was a croak.
There was no answer. She turned her head, finding that the motion hurt a bit. Charlie hung over the steering wheel, although his seatbelt was still fastened. He was motionless.
“Charlie? Charlie!” Feeling panic rise up, she reached out a hand and felt for a pulse and was extraordinarily relieved to find one. “Charlie? Come on. Wake up.”
At her touch, he groaned. “God damn it.”
He stirred then, and his hands clutched the steering wheel, as his head came up. “What the hell?”
“You okay?”
He felt the left side of his head and winced. “Damn that hurts. You alright?”
“Fine.” She braced herself then tried to open the passenger door. Wedged against the snow in the ditch, it didn’t budge. “Shit. We need to get out of here.”
He glanced out the side window. “Then what? Maybe we should just stay inside and call for help.” Reaching into his down jacket, he pulled out his cell phone. “What’s the name of that guy who owns the garage?”
“Tom Schmidt.”
“I don’t suppose you know his number off the top of your head?”
“No.”
“Well, then I’ll just call 911.”
“Goddess, no! Bill already thinks I’m a trouble magnet. Here, just give me that, I’ll call Marg. She can call Tom.”
He handed her the phone. “Why don’t you use your own phone? Damn, it’s cold.”
She looked at him, and although she could barely see him in the darkened car, she wondered if he didn’t look pale. “Because,” she muttered, “I left mine at home this morning.”
Charlie chuckled quietly, then winced and put a hand to his head and closed his eyes. “You’re such a liar.”
Ellie ignored him and dialed Marg’s number, then waited impatiently as the phone rang and rang.
“She’s not answering,” she said as she ended the call.
“Great. Now what?”
“I suppose I could call Per.”
“What do you expect him to do?” Were his words slurring? He definitely sounded weak.
“He can call Tom, you moron.” She punched at the phone again and tried Per’s number, chanting silently ‘answer, answer, answer’, so that when he finally did, it was the first word she said aloud.
“I beg your pardon?”
“I’m sorry, Per. It’s me, Ellie.”
“Ellie! A lovely surprise. However, since you never call to simply shoot the breeze, what is it that I can do for you?”
Did she never call just to chat? At some point, she thought, she really needed to rethink how she managed her relationships. “I’m sorry, Per, sorry for more than you know. At the moment, though, I need your help.”
“So I gather. What specifically can I help with?”
“Charlie and I have been in a little accident, and I need you to call Tom Schmidt for me, so he can send out his tow truck.”
“Are you okay? Are either of you injured?”
The concern in his voice made her feel both guilty and warm all at the same time. “Charlie bumped his head, but nothing serious.” At least, she hoped so. “You know how hard it is.”
“Ah. Good. You scared me. Okay, so I will call Tom. Where are you?”
“We’re on Martin, a few miles east of The Birches.”
“What on earth are you doing all the way out there?”
“We stopped by there to have a drink with Josh and meet his friends. I’m sure you’ve heard that Josh is in town for a few days.”
“Earl did mention it this afternoon.” She heard a rustling sound. “Okay, and you’re on the Martin Road, just east of The Birches.”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll call now, then ring you back, to tell you when Tom thinks he’ll be out there.”
“Thanks, Per.”
“Stay in the car, Ellie. It is very cold.”
She smiled, then realized he couldn’t see it. “Next you’ll be telling me we should cuddle to share body heat.” She heard him chuckle. “Don’t worry. We’re not going anywhere.”
“I’ll call you back in a moment.”
She hung up and looked over at Charlie, who should have made a smart aleck comment about sharing body heat. His eyes were still closed.
“Charlie?” Nothing. “Hey, McCallum. Come on, now. No sleeping on the job.”
He groaned. “I’m not sleeping. I’m just trying to stave off this god-awful headache. Is the cavalry on the way?”
“Per said he was going to call Tom directly. Then he’ll call back with an ETA.” She was afraid to unbuckle her seat belt, afraid that the steep angle of the car, nose down in the ditch, would case her to drop against the windshield. But she wanted more than anything else to check Charlie’s head wound. “Are you bleeding?”
Charlie felt the side of his head. “It doesn’t feel wet, so I don’t think so. I’m fine. I just bonked my head on the window.”
There was more energy in his voice now, which relieved her. They were quiet for a moment, the only sound the whistling of the wind buffeting the car. She closed her eyes for a moment as well – it was too dark to see anything anyway. When the cell phone rang, she jumped, realizing she’d been on the verge of dozing off herself.
“Per?”
“Yes, it’s me. I’ve got some bad news and some good news.”
Ellie groaned, and Per continued without further preamble. “Tom is about twenty miles out, helping someone who’s stranded, so he’s not going to b
e able to come and pull you out. However, I’ve been on to Seth at The Birches. He’s on his way out to get you now.”
“He’s crazy! It’s slicker than whale snot out here, Per, he’ll never get back up that hill, even in his big old truck.”
“Never fear. Trust me when I say, help is on the way. You just sit tight and wait. Shouldn’t be more than a few minutes. Meantime, you can tell me all about your encounter with Link Fairweather. You met him, yes? What were your impressions?”
“Oh, we met. Although I don’t know that I can really tell you much about him.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, let’s just say that the evening did exactly go as Josh planned. Or at least, I don’t think he planned on getting plastered before we even got there, or that he spent the little time that we were with him trying to pick a fight with Link.”
“Josh was drunk?”
“Smashed.”
“And he and Link were fighting?”
“Correction. Josh was fighting mad – about what I have no idea. Link was either pretending he didn’t know that Josh was upset, or he’s genuinely an idiot. From other things I observed, I’m pretty sure he’s not the latter.”
“Perhaps he was simply trying to avoid a scene in a public place.”
“Perhaps. I think it more likely that he didn’t want Josh giving away his secrets in a public place.”
“Secrets? Which secrets?”
“I don’t know. But whatever they are, they’re making Josh miserable.”
“Sounds like Josh needs to come home for more than just a long weekend.”
“Maybe. Or maybe he just needs to—“
She jumped again as something or someone rapped sharply against the driver’s side window.
Charlie started too. “Jesus wept! Scared me half to death.” He wiped at the condensation on the window, trying to see who had knocked, then said, predictably, “It’s Seth.”
She could hear Seth’s voice, hollering over the wind. “I gotta dig a bit to get the door open. You kids sit tight, I’ll have you out of there in just a minute.”