One Snowy Night

by Patience Griffin

  “Aside from the clothes she leaves all over the floor? I’ll go check.”

  As soon as she left the kitchen, he pulled out his phone. Rick picked up on the second ring. “Can you and Sparkle come to Hope’s house right away? Bring a bunch of empty boxes from the Hungry Bear.”

  “What’s going on?” Rick asked.

  “Hope and Ella are moving in with me.”

  * * *

  • • •

  “WHAT?” HOPE WAS this close to blowing a gasket. “Are you crazy?”

  Startled, Donovan turned around but then spoke into the phone. “I’ll tell you everything when you get here. Hurry.”

  She slammed her hands on her hips. “Call back whoever that was. I’m not moving in with you!”

  “It was Rick. We’re going to get your stuff out of here. Tonight.”

  Hope’s mind was spinning. Maybe Piney had room for her and Ella. But who was she kidding? That apartment was tighter than Hope’s minuscule house. “Just give me a minute to think.”

  “Okay.” But his voice sounded as if her taking a minute wasn’t going to change his mind.

  He had most of Izzie’s drawings spread over the counter—the fairy world Izzie loved to jabber about, the secret woodland home for animals who spoke, and drawings of a magical kingdom with a whimsical castle.

  “What’s the damage in Ella’s room?” he asked.

  “It may be a total loss.”

  “Really?”

  “Her clothes are soaked as expected. I’m going to have to reintroduce that girl to her dresser drawers and closet and what they’re used for. But I did find the culprit . . . the water heater. The ceiling has partially collapsed, making it a complete disaster.”

  “What about her schoolwork? Is it okay?”

  “I didn’t see any papers or books on the floor. Her desk is piled high so I assume everything is there or with her.”

  “Do you have any trash bags to put Ella’s wet clothes in? We could get them in the washing machine as soon as we get to the lodge.”

  “I really don’t think it’s a good idea,” Hope said weakly. She could feel herself beginning to cave—just like the ceiling in her daughter’s room. She didn’t have any other options. There was no hotel in Sweet Home, and even if there were, she didn’t have the cash for a room anyway. Plus Ella had school in the morning. “I guess we could stay at the lodge for one night. But not in the main house.”

  “You’ll have to stay in the lodge, it’s the only place with beds. Unless you didn’t throw out the other mattresses this past week?”

  Which reminded her that he’d left and hadn’t said a word. How many times in her life had she told herself to quit worrying over Donovan Stone? Too many! “Yeah, I lugged the mattresses to the road for Dewey Winkle to pick up over the weekend.” Thinking about Donovan’s absence this last week reminded her of something else. “You need security cameras at the lodge. You never know who might be lurking about when you’re not there.” Like someone clipping a note on your door!

  “That’s a good idea. I want to make sure you’re safe when I’m not around.”

  That wasn’t the point.

  “So you’re okay with staying at the lodge?”

  Ella wasn’t going to like it. She’d probably want to stay at Lacy’s until their little home dried out. Yet again Hope felt like a failure as a mother. “We’ll stay.” What other choice did they have?

  There was a knock on the front door, and then Rick and Sparkle came in, their arms loaded with boxes. They both looked aghast at the waterlogged floor.

  “What happened? A tidal wave?” Rick gave her a sympathetic smile.

  Hope pointed up. “The water heater. It’s in the attic. Totally dumb, as it flooded the house.” She looked back into the kitchen to see Donovan carefully repositioning Izzie’s pictures. She knew it was silly but those pictures meant a lot to her. She was kicking herself for not framing them long ago and hanging them on the wall.

  “Where do you want us to start?” Rick asked.

  Hope pointed to Ella’s bedroom. “Ella’s desk would be great. I’m going to collect some trash bags to put all her wet clothes in.”

  “Is there someone I should call about getting things repaired?” Rick asked.

  “Thanks, but no. I’ll have to email the owner. He moved to North Carolina six years ago when his wife passed away. With the time difference, it’s too late to call him now.” For all the good it would do. True, Mr. Morse was obligated to pay for a new water heater, but how soon would he send the money? And she didn’t have spare funds to replace all the stuff that was ruined.

  Rick gave her a concerned look. “Well, just know that I’m here to help. As an employee of Stone Enterprises, I’m completely at your disposal.”

  Sparkle beamed at her man before taking a box into Ella’s room.

  Hope only nodded. Stone Enterprises, indeed. She wasn’t used to having any backup besides Piney and Sparkle. Her mother, the town, and even Donovan had shown her their backs. She was alone in this world and she was scared to death of letting anyone in. Especially Donovan.

  Before she could get to the kitchen for the garbage bags, Donovan appeared, holding them in his hand. “I found them under the sink.”

  Hope took them as graciously as she could and was proud for not barking at him that she could’ve handled it herself. “I’ll get started.”

  “Do you want help?” Donovan asked.

  “I’ve got it.”

  As boxes were filled, Donovan and Rick carried them out to their cars. Hope made sure to carry the box with Izzie’s Memory Tree pieces herself. When she started to drag Ella’s wet clothes to Donovan’s car, though, he reached to take them from her. She wanted to snap that she wasn’t helpless, but they were in a hurry. The temperature was dropping and the bags would probably freeze if they waited much longer.

  Within about an hour most of their things were packed.

  “Hope and I will head to the lodge to start washing Ella’s clothes,” Donovan said.

  “No worries,” said Rick. “Sparkle and I will be right behind you, after we pack up the fridge.”

  As Hope slid into Donovan’s car—ready to text Ella—Ella pulled up in front of them and hopped out.

  “What’s going on?” she asked.

  Hope rushed over to head her off at the pass. “The water heater broke and flooded the house.”

  “So where are you going? Why are you leaving?” Ella looked panicked, as if Hope were abandoning her.

  “You and I are going to stay at the lodge for a little while.”

  “No! We should stay with Piney,” Ella argued.

  “Sweetie, there isn’t room. You know that,” Hope said.

  Ella looked over at Donovan, her expression guarded. “I don’t want to live with him. It’ll be weird.”

  “You’ll be with me. I promise it won’t be weird at all. And as soon as the new mattresses arrive, we’ll have our pick of cabins to live in.” Of course, after the windows and holes were fixed. And the plumbing and electrical were checked.

  “How soon will that be?” Ella looked as if she were working out the upcoming negotiation in her head. “How soon until we have our own cabin?”

  “I don’t know, but I’ll ask him to put a rush on it, okay?”

  “All right, I guess.”

  “I’ll ride with you,” Hope said.

  “No. I’ve got my stuff all over the front seat. I’ll meet you out there.”

  But when Ella pulled out, she kept driving straight instead of turning left toward the lodge.

  “What’s the matter?” Donovan said, making Hope jump.

  She frowned. “Don’t sneak up on me.” She pulled out her phone. “Ella said she’s going to the lodge, but my car just drove past the turn.”

  “Maybe she’s
taking a different route,” Donovan speculated.

  “Going down the wrong path is more like it.” Hope speed-dialed her daughter but it went to voice mail. She sighed into the phone as the message played and beeped. “Where are you headed?” And then, “Call me!” Hope hung up.

  “Give her a minute,” Donovan said. “I’m sure she just needs time to absorb this. She’ll probably beat us out to the lodge.”

  But Donovan was wrong. Ella wasn’t waiting for them. Hope left two more messages before she put the first load of Ella’s clothes into the washer. Rick and Sparkle carried the boxes to the hallway upstairs.

  As promised, Donovan spread out Izzie’s drawings on the large table in the sewing studio and brought in a fan. Hope headed upstairs to unpack. She took her old room—the one she always used when she stayed over at the lodge—and she put Ella’s things in the bedroom next door.

  Finally she headed downstairs to put in another load of laundry.

  “I’ll do that,” Donovan said. “You go to bed.”

  “No. I’m going to wait up for Ella.” Hope texted her again and then went to the living room to sit on the couch and gaze out the picture window, which gave her a view of the driveway. She stared at it for a long time while Donovan sat in his recliner across the room.

  “Do you need anything to eat or drink?” he asked.

  “No. I’m fine.” But Hope was a big liar. Where was she going to get the money to fix her house? Yes, it was Mr. Morse’s responsibility to fix things, but he had done little for repairs over the years and she had gotten used to taking care of things herself. She closed her eyes and said a prayer, but she wasn’t sure if God was listening, as He certainly had more pressing matters. Like always, Hope was on her own.

  “Hope? Hope?” Donovan was nudging her awake.

  But she was exhausted and just wanted to sleep. “What is it?” she murmured, not opening her eyes.

  “It’s Ella.”

  Hope shot up. “Is she hurt?”

  Donovan grabbed her arms, steadying her. “I’m sure she’s fine. I woke you because she’s been sitting out in the car for at least ten minutes. Should I go get her?”

  “No. I’ll do it.”

  Donovan walked her to the door. He pulled her coat from the old coatrack and handed it to her without saying more.

  Hope hurried out on the porch and headed down the stairs. As she rushed to the car, she saw Ella through the foggy window tipping back a bottle, and not a soft drink bottle either. It looked like a full-size cheap chardonnay.

  Hope slung open the door. “What are you doing?”

  “Not drinking and driving.” Ella grinned lopsidedly. “You should be proud of me, Mom.”

  Hope stretched out her arm. “Give me that.”

  Ella jerked away playfully, sheltering her bottle, then took another quick swig before finally handing it over. “Sorry. It’s all gone.” She giggled. “You’ll have to get your own.”

  “Where did you get the wine?”

  Ella twisted her fingers in front of her mouth, locking her lips.

  “Get in the lodge. You have school tomorrow.”

  Ella slid out of the car, giving new meaning to the word tipsy.

  Donovan held the door open for them and Hope handed him the empty wine bottle.

  Ella looked up at him as she passed. “Hello, Father,” she said sarcastically.

  Donovan gave Hope a questioning look but she had nothing for him. Not even a sliver of bandwidth. He’d have to come up with his own way to deal with his surly teenage daughter. But then she remembered he wouldn’t be here long enough to have to concern himself with the joys of parenting.

  “Just help me get her upstairs and into bed,” Hope said as Ella sagged against her.

  Donovan supported her other side and together they lugged her upstairs. After they got Ella settled on the bed, Hope dismissed him with “I’ve got this.” She was used to taking care of her daughter by herself. Donovan left as she unlaced Ella’s boots.

  “I’ll need to get a rag from downstairs,” Hope muttered to her unresponsive daughter, “to clean up the mess from your boots.” Snow could ruin the hardwood floors.

  After Ella was tucked in, Hope stepped into the hall and was surprised to see that Donovan was wiping up the floor. He stood and gently pulled Ella’s door shut, whispering, “Is this typical?”

  “Don’t judge me, Donovan.” She’d told him she’d tried everything she’d ever heard that could help teens stop drinking. None of it had worked.

  She slipped past him and down the stairs to get a glass of water to put beside her bed. She wasn’t going to talk anymore tonight.

  Once back upstairs, she checked in on Ella to find her snoring quietly.

  God, please help her. This had become Hope’s constant prayer.

  Hope dragged herself to her bedroom, quickly donned warm flannel pajamas, and climbed into bed, deciding to leave the lamp on. She was so exhausted from the emotional upheaval of the evening that she assumed she’d pass out as soon as she snuggled under Elsie’s Flying Geese quilt that she had loved so much.

  But for several moments, she was wide awake, listening. Was she waiting to hear Donovan’s footsteps on the stairs? Ridiculous! No, pathetic. At first there was silence but then she heard quiet male voices. Either Rick had come home or the master of the house was talking to himself. As the deep voices drifted through the floorboards, Hope was lulled to sleep.

  She came awake suddenly, knowing someone was there with her. She rolled over and saw Izzie sitting at the small wooden desk, tapping her fingers.

  “How did you get here?” Hope asked.

  Izzie frowned. “How do you think? You’re here, so I’m here.” She smiled at Hope mischievously. “So, big sister . . . shacking up with Donovan?”

  “It’s only temporary until I can get the house fixed.”

  “But you’re in your old room,” Izzie argued. “It must feel nostalgic.”

  “The lodge only has a couple of rooms decent enough for visitors. This just happens to be one of them.”

  Izzie looked around. “Lots of memories in here.”

  “I know. I’m trying not to think about it.” This room was where Ella had been conceived. That snowy night when Hope slept over at the lodge and Donovan had snuck in to keep her warm. He’d held her close and lovingly gazed into her eyes, saying he was looking at the woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with. Everything had happened so naturally between them. She’d never regretted that one perfect night. That was the last time she’d stayed here, just days before the accident. Which should have been ancient history by now, but it felt like it was yesterday.

  Hope changed the subject. “I’m extremely worried about Ella. Staying here at the lodge seems to have exacerbated the situation.”

  “You know what I think?” Izzie said.

  “If I say no, are you going to tell me anyway?”

  Izzie gave that tinkling laugh that always reminded Hope of bells. “Of course I’m going to tell you. I think you should ask Donovan what you should do.”

  “That’s crazy. I know Ella better than anyone,” Hope said, incredulously.

  “Yet he’s the recovering alcoholic.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yep. You’re going to have to team up with your baby daddy.” Izzie grinned. “Who better than her father to help your daughter with her drinking problem?”

  Chapter 14

  DONOVAN SCRATCHED BOOMER behind the ears while he sat in the old recliner. There was nothing like the unconditional love of a dog to soften his troubles.

  “So the town council has demanded the impossible,” Rick said. “We’re smart guys. We’ll figure out how to get six to eight months’ worth of work done in seven weeks.” He flipped open his laptop. “We’ll start from scratch. You know how much I dig Gantt c
harts.”

  “Freak,” Donovan kidded him. He set Boomer on the floor and went to the dining room table to join his friend.

  “We all have our thing. Mine just happens to be spreadsheets,” Rick said, not offended at all. “I think you’re the freak because you’re all about coding.”

  But no computer code was going to fix this mess or carve an escape hatch into the wall Donovan had been backed into. Maybe rebooting the Christmas Festival’s Wines of Alaska was a dumb idea and he should cut his losses. Hope certainly thought so. She would probably be happier if he just winterized the lodge and left town until spring, when he could put it on the market.

  “What should we tackle first?” Donovan asked.

  “Open up the pictures you and Courtney took of the hardware store and show me what needs to be done. Tomorrow, I’ll drive into town and take a look myself. With Sparkle as my tour guide, of course.”

  “Of course.” Donovan stared at him for a long moment. “I have to say that I’ve never seen you like this.”

  “I know. I’m besotted.”

  “I can’t believe you used that word. You’re sounding like a girl.”

  Rick shrugged, not threatened. “I’m feeling like a man who’s found his one and only. And you?”

  “Let’s get down to work.”

  They stayed up half the night, drinking coffee and planning, but the deadline was still out of reach.

  “There’s no way we can get it done,” Donovan concluded. “Even with the four of us—you, Sparkle, Hope, and myself—working twenty-four hours a day.

  Rick glanced up from his laptop. “We will. I’ll hire workers in Anchorage or whatever big city is the closest.”

  Donovan shook his head. “But how are you going to get them here on such short notice? According to your Gantt chart, you needed a crew here four weeks ago.” Donovan felt defeated.

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of the details. The good news is that you know how to swing a hammer. I bet Hope and Sparkle do, too.” He held up his hands. “I’m much better at typing but I’ll do what I can. You go to bed. I’ll stay up a while longer and order supplies.”