One Snowy Night

by Patience Griffin

  He tried to keep the fear at bay but he couldn’t. They’d been calling for Ella for the last twenty minutes. They’d checked all the cabins. They’d walked to the road and didn’t see her. God, let her be all right was the only prayer he could think of. He couldn’t lose Ella now. She meant so much to him. “Hope, the snow is really coming down hard.” What if they didn’t find her soon?

  “I know. I’m worried, too. At least she didn’t take the car.” Hope was eerily calm. The only other time he’d seen her like this was when Izzie and Beau died.

  “Did you notice that Ella nicked a bottle of wine from the table?” It was his fault. He should’ve locked up the wine the second he arrived home. Alcohol lowered the core body temperature, making alcohol and cold weather a dangerous combination.

  Ignoring his question, Hope asked, “Do you have your keys on you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Let’s hurry and drive to town to see if we can find her along the way. By now, Lacy could’ve picked her up and the two could have gone off together.”

  With the bottle of wine! He didn’t say it, didn’t want to alarm Hope further.

  They rushed to his vehicle and got in. The second Hope was latched in, he peeled out, buckling his seat belt as he sped out of the driveway.

  The car slid this way and that on the snow and ice as he raced to town. He had to get to his daughter! He had to fix everything.

  “Donovan! Slow down!” Hope yelled. “Getting us killed won’t do Ella any good.”

  But as soon as the words were out of her mouth, he hit another patch of ice and careened off the road, down an embankment, the vehicle bouncing, jerking them around. Out of nowhere a tree appeared, as if sprouting suddenly from the ground. Bang! At the instant of impact, the airbags exploded. He was dazed for a moment, then—“HOPE!”

  She didn’t answer him. He reached for her, pushing the airbag away, checking for signs of life by the dashboard lights. Her eyes were closed, but she seemed to be stirring.

  “Hope! Hope! Are you all right?” He couldn’t pull her closer as the steering wheel had pinned him in and his leg was hurting like crazy. Probably broken. “Talk to me, Hope.”

  “I think you took a wrong turn,” she said, her eyes fluttering open.

  “Are you injured?” he asked.

  “My right arm. I can’t move it. And my head. I think I banged it against my window. It really smarts.”

  “Oh, Hope, I’m sorry!” But he was relieved she was conscious. “You were right. I was driving too fast. Sweetheart, can you ever forgive me?”

  Her laugh was strained. “Accidents happen. I promise that as soon as the headache subsides, I’ll forgive you.” She groaned. “Well, maybe.”

  He took her hand and kissed it, laughing. “I’m never letting you go. You know that, don’t you?”

  Gingerly she turned her head to look at him. “What?”

  He should’ve realized it sooner. “Hope, you’ve gotta know that no one has ever occupied this heart of mine but you. I love you.” It felt so good to say it.

  “I must be in worse shape than I thought.” She closed her eyes again. “I thought I heard you say you love me.”

  “You heard right,” he said. “And it’s way overdue. I love you, Hope.”

  Hope opened her eyes, stunned. “Really?”

  “Really.”

  She smiled, her eyes glistening with love for him, but her furrowed brow showed she was still in pain.

  “Please forgive me for running away after Beau and Izzie died. I had to blame someone, so I blamed you. I’m so sorry.”

  “You’re forgiven,” she said.

  “Thank you.” Although he was pinned in the car, a huge weight was lifted, like an elephant had been hoisted off his chest. He kissed her hand again. “I love you so much.”

  “Does this mean that you’re not leaving?”

  “I’m not leaving you and I’m not leaving Ella. Ever.” And he had to find Ella. “I’m sorry I screwed everything up. I’d give anything to keep you and Ella safe.”

  Suddenly a light shone in his window, a very bright light. But he wasn’t going toward it, even if St. Peter himself were there to take him away! Because he finally had Hope back.

  Hope squeezed Donovan’s hand. “It’s Ella!” The exclamation made her wince.

  “Ella!” Donovan tried to open his door, but he couldn’t.

  A second later, the back door was yanked open. Ella climbed in and latched onto their shoulders. “Mom? Dad? Are you okay?” She was out of breath.

  She’d called him Dad!

  “You scared me! I saw you run off the road.”

  Hope unlatched her hand from Donovan, reached back, and clasped Ella’s hand. “We’re banged up but we’re going to be fine.”

  “Your mom was knocked out for a second. She may have a broken arm and I think I have a broken leg.” Donovan desperately needed to get Hope to the hospital to make sure she was going to be all right. He was frustrated that he couldn’t move.

  Ella took a deep breath as if centering herself. She let go and rummaged through her backpack, then leaned over the front seat with a penlight. “Mom, let me check your pupils.” She flashed it in both of her eyes. “She might have a concussion; I’m not sure. We can’t let her go to sleep, okay?”

  “I’ll do my best,” Donovan said.

  Again, Ella dug around in her backpack. “Here. It’s Advil to help you with the pain for your leg.” She handed over a couple of pills, plus a bottled water. “After you take that, I need to fix the gash on your forehead.”

  “I’m bleeding?” he asked.

  “It’s pretty gnarly,” Ella said.

  From nowhere, it seemed, wet wipes appeared and soon she was bandaging his head.

  “Mom, you awake?” Ella asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Good. I’ll be right back.”

  Before he could tell Ella to stay put, she was gone.

  “Where’s she going?” Hope asked.

  “No clue,” he said, taking Hope’s hand again. He had to keep her awake and talking. “I hate to pressure you, but do you have something you’d like to say back to me?”

  “What? About the weather?” Hope asked. “Or about how you should sign up for a course on how to drive in winter weather?”

  He sighed with relief, so happy she had her wits about her . . . a good sign. “No jokes right now. You know what I want to hear. I said I love you but you didn’t say whether that was good news or bad.” A moment ago, he’d been sure she loved him back, but now a niggle of worry came over him. Maybe the concussion had caused her eyes to glisten. Maybe she didn’t love him at all.

  Hope laughed. “You should see yourself right now. Stop panicking. You have to know I love you, too. There’s never been anyone in my life but you. It’s always been you, and I don’t want to scare you, but it’s always going to be you. What is that you used to say to me? Oh, yeah, You rock my world.”

  Though it hurt, he stretched over and kissed her on the lips. This moment felt more intoxicating than any whiskey he’d ever drunk.

  They were interrupted again by the back door opening and Ella sliding in once more. “I made a flag of sorts by tying my orange hunting vest to a post, marking where you ran off the road. And, Dad, thanks for the satellite phone. I used it to call for help. I could’ve hiked into town from here but there was no way I was going to leave you two.”

  “Speaking of leaving—” Donovan started.

  But Hope took over. “Isabella Beau McKnight, if you ever scare us like that again by running away, I promise you’ll be grounded for life . . . and then some.”

  “Beau?” he asked.

  “Yeah. Ella needed to have your family in her name, too.”

  “That’s nice.” Donovan’s throat was tight.

  “Y
ou know I really loved Beau,” Hope said.

  “I know,” Donovan answered, all feeling of blame gone with love taking its place.

  Ella laid her hand on his shoulder again as if she were connecting to him and his family.

  He took hold of Ella’s hand. “Your mom’s right. You can’t ever run away again; you really scared us. Really scared me.” He wasn’t sure when his heart rate was going to return to normal, if ever. He kept telling himself that Ella was okay. “You’re my daughter and now that I’ve found you, I can’t lose you. I’m sorry I yelled. In the future, I’ll do better and try to explain first, instead of raising my voice. As far as the email you saw, I’m not going to send it. I’m not selling the lodge or the hardware store. There’s no way I can leave you and your mom. My dad will just have to move to Alaska, or at the very least, spend his summers here with us.”

  “I’d like to get to know him,” Ella said.

  “He’s eager to know you, too,” Donovan said.

  “And, Hope.” He paused. “If I could get down on one knee, I would ask you to marry me.” He already had the perfect ring to give her.

  Ella gasped and Hope laughed but stopped. “Ouch, that hurts.”

  “Well?” he asked expectantly.

  “Oh, was that a proposal? Then I accept.”

  Ella put her arms around them and gave them a gentle squeeze. “I’m so happy.” She giggled. “Does this mean I get a car? Aberdeen said you’re loaded and that I’d probably get all kinds of stuff.”

  Donovan was so happy that he started to say yes but Hope beat him to answering.

  “Absolutely not!” Hope said. “You get two parents instead.”

  Ella leaned her head against Hope’s. “I can live with that.”

  For the next twenty minutes, the three of them talked about nothing and everything.

  “I guess this means you’ll be moving back to the lodge,” Donovan said, knowing he would rest easier when they were all under the same roof together again.

  “Not until we’re married,” Hope answered.

  He squeezed her hand. “It’s going to be a very short engagement, then.”

  “Fine by me,” Ella said. “I’m tired of traipsing back and forth between Wandering Moose and the lodge.” Suddenly she stopped talking and turned left and right, searching the back seat.

  “What are you looking for?” Donovan asked.

  “Where’s Boomer?”

  “We left your dog back at the lodge,” Donovan said.

  “Are you kidding me?” Ella was incensed. “What would’ve happened to him if I hadn’t saved you two?”

  “Another reason you better not run away again,” Donovan said.

  A second flashlight shone in the window.

  Ella cracked open her door to the man standing outside.

  “Are you folks all right?” he said. “I saw the orange flag from the road.”

  “I already called 911,” Ella responded confidently, “but could you wait at the road to show them where we are?”

  “You bet. Can I do anything else for you in the meantime?” he asked.

  “No,” Ella said. “We’re going to be okay.”

  Chapter 21

  TWO DAYS LATER, Hope and Donovan were recovering on the couch, watching as the Wines of Alaska tasting kicked off the Christmas Festival. Jesse had hung all of Izzie’s artwork, making the lodge feel that much more like home. People—Sweet Home residents and visitors from other towns joining in the celebration—packed the living room, dining room, and kitchen . . . just like the old days.

  “I feel like a couch potato,” Hope said a little glumly. She was used to staying busy and it was downright painful sitting here—though leaning against Donovan’s strong body was heavenly.

  “Really? I’m quite enjoying it.” Donovan had his broken leg propped up on a chair. “You know, doctor’s orders specifically included couch potatoing until your concussion heals. Try to enjoy the break. We’ll be busy soon enough. Rick said reservations are pouring in on the website. Besides, it’s nice to just sit here with you next to me.” He wrapped his arm around her.

  Hope smiled. “I am relishing in that part of the recovery.” She played with the ring on the chain around her neck. It was like back in high school, but instead of Donovan’s class ring, it was his grandmother’s engagement ring. They hadn’t told a soul yet, so she dropped the ring back inside her shirt and went back to scanning the happy faces around them. “They really didn’t need us to bring the Christmas Festival back to life.”

  He kissed her forehead. “Yeah, they did.”

  Hope understood. Miss Lisa had let it slip about Piney’s plan to get her and Donovan back together . . . which in a way had brought the town together, too.

  “I’m really grateful,” Hope said, “that the Sisterhood of the Quilt swooped in and took over. Everything looks great.” She touched the bandage on his forehead. “If it’s okay with you, I hope it leaves a scar. Scars can be sexy. You know, like Poldark.”

  “Stop fantasizing about other men,” he said with good humor.

  “I’m not. It’s just that Poldark . . .” She sighed. “But I’ve never seen you look more handsome and rugged.”

  He laughed. “I think either the concussion or the painkillers have gotten to you.” Then he got serious. “How are you feeling? Maybe it’s time for you to lie down and rest.”

  “I’m good. With you by my side, everything feels perfect.”

  Ella joined them. “Can I sit for a minute?” She squeezed between them, laying her head on Hope’s shoulder.

  “Good,” Hope said. “I’m glad you’re here. I was just getting ready to talk to your dad about the hardware store.”

  “I bet I can guess,” Donovan said. “You want to talk about the quilt shop.”

  “You know me so well.”

  “Just get with Rick and have him set up accounts at the fabric companies,” Donovan said.

  “Can I work the counter, cutting fabric?” Ella asked. “I’m pretty good at it.”

  “Of course you can work the quilt counter,” Donovan said. “In fact, if you want, I’d love for you to learn all aspects of the hardware store. It’s in your blood, you know. We’ve all worked there—your great-grandfather and great-grandmother, your grandfather, your uncle Beau, and me.” He paused. “And half the town has worked there, too.”

  “I can’t wait. But what are you going to do about tomorrow, Dad?” Ella pointed at his cast.

  He wrapped an arm around her. “The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the hardware store?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m going to send you to cut the ribbon,” he said.

  “Really? That’s so cool! But are you sure?” Ella asked.

  “Yes, I’m needed right here to take care of your mom.”

  Ella guffawed. “Yeah, right. I’ve seen you with those crutches. You’re so clumsy I thought you were going to break your neck when you were getting the marriage license on the way home from the hospital.”

  “Shhh,” Hope said. “It’s a secret between the three of us.”

  Ella sighed. “Don’t you think there’s been enough secrets, Mom?”

  “Our daughter has a point.” Donovan sounded more and more like a proud father. “Let’s share the good news.”

  Hope gave a little shrug, which apparently was all the encouragement Ella needed. She jumped to her feet.

  “Can I get everyone’s attention, please?” Ella said above the noise. “I have an announcement to make.”

  Gradually the room was hushed.

  Ella turned back and beamed at her parents before pushing on. “I just wanted to let you all know that you’re invited to a wedding. My mom and dad are getting married!”

  The room was stunned for a moment, then clapping broke out. Above the din Piney shouted, “
It’s about time!”

  Donovan pulled Hope closer and they stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment.

  This time Ella plopped down beside Donovan, lighting up the whole room with her delighted grin. “That was easy.”

  Hope nudged Donovan. “Have you ever seen a happier kid?”

  “Never.” Donovan kissed her temple, then kissed Ella on the head.

  People came over to congratulate them and Hope had never been happier either. When it calmed down, she said, “You know, this rush wedding that you want is going to require a lot of work. I’m sure we can arrange to be married at the church, but I’m not sure what we can do about a reception, especially with the two of us banged up.”

  Sparkle and Piney appeared, squeezing in on the couch on either side of the trio.

  Piney pulled out a notebook. “You don’t need to worry about a thing. Sparkle and I have it all planned out.”

  “What? It was just announced,” Hope said.

  Sparkle laughed. “Mom and I made the lists a month ago. We’ve even got some of the food made; it’s in the freezer at the Hungry Bear.” Rick came up behind Sparkle and laid a hand on her shoulder, making Hope wonder when the two of them were going to tie the knot.

  “I’m confused,” Hope said. “I didn’t even know there was going to be a wedding until a few days ago.”

  Piney reached over and squeezed her hand. “Buttercup, haven’t I told you a thousand times that I can predict the future?”

  “Yes, well, you haven’t always been correct with your predictions,” Hope said. “What was it, fifteen years ago when you predicted I’d no longer have to worry about money? That I’d go on an exciting journey? That I’d settle in with the love of my life?” Suddenly Hope was gobsmacked. All of those things had come true.

  Piney laughed. “My predictions always come true . . . eventually.”

  Boomer wandered over and jumped up, putting his paws on Ella’s knees. She picked him up, setting him on her lap. With the growing pup the couch was at more than full capacity.

  Sparkle smiled up at Rick, then back at Hope. “All of us had more than an inkling that there was going to be a happy ending here. You and Donovan are meant to be together.”