“You should go to bed, Little Owl.”
She shook her head no. “I wait hewe, wif you, fo Mommy.”
“Seth might wake up and worry.”
She giggled, shaking her head once more. “No. He sweeps yike da dead, Mommy thay.”
I chuckled and leaned over, grabbing a pillow. I laid it on my lap and patted the fabric. “Lie down and watch the game with me, then.”
She snuggled down, and I drew the blanket around her shoulders, not wanting her to get cold. I glanced at my watch and frowned. I couldn’t believe Alex was still out. The wind was stronger, and snow had started falling.
“Do you know where Mommy went, Noelle?”
“Da pwane pwace,” she mumbled sleepily.
I frowned. Plane place? My heart started to pound. She was at the airport? My gaze flew to the window where the snow swirled and the wind flung it against the glass. She was driving in that weather?
I glanced down, but Noelle was asleep. I started flipping channels, wanting to find the local news, fear filling my chest. Was she out on the highway? The news channel talked about the worsening conditions, the storm hitting harder and faster than expected.
Carefully, I slipped Noelle’s head off my knee and stood, looking out the window. Thick, heavy snow was falling, the wind kicking it around. The tree branches were already laden with the weight. I peered toward the parking lot. I could barely make out the shape of the lone car sitting in the corner. I began to pace, tugging on my hair, unsure what to do. I couldn’t go find her—I had no way of doing so. I didn’t know whom to call. I couldn’t even call Alex since I didn’t know if she had a cell phone, or if she did, I had no idea of her number.
I glanced toward the elevator. If she had one, Seth would have the number. I had to try to find her. Make sure she was safe. I hurried forward, pressing the elevator button. As I stepped in, I heard the crunch of tires on snow and raced to the front, fumbling with the lock and flinging open the door.
Alex stepped from the van, looking exhausted, and somewhat alarmed. Her eyes widened as she took in my frantic appearance standing in the doorway. “Dylan?”
I was in front of her in three strides, ignoring the snow and the wet seeping into my shoes. I dragged her into my arms and lifted her up. “Thank God you’re back safe.”
“Dylan, it’s snowing and you have no coat!”
Without releasing her, I pivoted and entered the inn, shutting the door firmly behind me. Setting her on her feet, I pushed the damp hair off her face. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It took me longer to get back—the storm hit earlier than I anticipated.”
“Why were you on the roads?”
She frowned. “Two guests had to get to the airport. They wanted to get away before the storm socked them in. I couldn’t get a driver to take them, so I had to.”
She shivered, and I unzipped her coat, pushing it off her shoulders. I pulled her toward the fireplace and pushed her into the chair beside it. I grabbed her hands, rubbing them briskly. “Where are your gloves?”
She looked down. “Oh. I lost them when I was checking the tire.”
“Checking the tire?” I hissed.
“Something felt off with the van, so I pulled over to check I wasn’t getting a flat.” She shrugged. “It was just ice buildup. I guess after I cleaned the tires, my gloves must have dropped out of my pocket.”
I stood and pulled at my hair.
“What’s wrong?”
I turned sharply, leaning down, my hands on the arms of her chair, effectively pinning her in. “You risked your life to drive some people to the airport in a snowstorm, you left your kids here, and you didn’t tell me you were going! No one knew where you were!”
She stared at me, blinking.
“You could have had an accident! Been hurt! All to please a couple of guests who wanted to leave, despite all the weather warnings? What were you thinking?”
She glared up at me, placing her hand on my chest, pushing me back—hard. She stood, her eyes narrowed. “First off, I’ve driven that route countless times, Dylan. I have all-wheel drive in the van and winter tires. Second, they weren’t normal guests. They were some of our best customers who give us lots of business, and I knew they had somewhere to be tomorrow. If I’d had any other choice, I would have chosen it, but I didn’t. As it was, they might not even get out since the storm hit sooner than we expected.”
I started to speak, but she held up her hand. “Susan knew I was going to the airport, and if I had any problem, she would have been my contact. She would have come back to the inn to look after the kids if I needed her.” She huffed. “I drove slow which is why I was gone so long, and I’m back safe and sound. I didn’t say anything to you because, you, Mr. Maxwell, are a guest, and I would have no reason to inform you of my whereabouts since I wasn’t aware you would care. Did you get your dinner?”