“You can’t trust that kind of stuff around here. If you don’t know the area, maps are the only friend you’ll have.” He peered out the window and rolled slowly towards a turn.
“Where are we going, anyway? Is there a police station in Wolf Creek?” I asked.
“There’s a sheriff, but you won’t find him at the station. He’s at home in bed, like everyone else except for the ones out near Lake Rutherford looking for you. I’m sure most of them have given up by now. I’m taking you to my cabin. I’ve got a radio we can use to let people know you’re safe and when the storm breaks, I’ll get you to town so you can get a tow for your car.” He looked over at me again. “I’m sorry about your window.”
“It’s fine.” I muttered, not really caring much about the car itself, but my father’s reaction wouldn’t be quite as nonchalant. “My dad’s going to kill me.”
“Probably, but he’ll want to hug you first.” He pointed at the windshield. “Just a little bit further.”
“Thank you... Um, what’s your name?” I asked.
“Shane.” He replied. “Shane Black.”
“Thank you, Shane.” I forced a smile across my frosted lips that were slowly thawing out.
He is...wow. I’m not sure if it is the delirium in my frozen brain or if he’s the hottest man I’ve ever laid eyes on.
It was a lot to take in all at once. I had been lost in the snow, nearly dead from the cold, or at least it seemed that way. Shane had saved me and now we were on the way to his cabin. It occurred to me that I really had no idea who Shane was. He seemed nice enough and he said the right things, but I was probably delusional from the cold.
Should I really be going with him to a cabin in the woods—alone?
For all I knew, I was on my way to be raped, murdered, and possibly even eaten. I looked over at him and tried to determine if he looked like the kind of man that would eat people. He looked like a mountain man, the kind of man you would expect to live in a cabin, but he was clean for the most part. His dark brown hair was a little long, but it was trimmed. His beard was thick, but it was groomed around the edges and not totally out of control. He looked over at me with a peculiar arch in his brow and I looked away quickly.
I really hope he can’t read my mind—that isn’t possible, right?
No, he didn’t look like a murderer, but what did one look like anyway? It wasn’t like I had researched them or studied them. The truck rolled through the snow, climbing the incline in the mountains easily, and then the headlights illuminated a moderate sized log cabin. It was quaint, but it was a lot better than my car.
“We’re here.” He said as he put the truck in park. “I’ll help you down.”
He pushed on his door and found it frozen shut, so he gave it a hard nudge with his shoulder which quickly dislodged the ice and allowed him to exit the truck. It was a rather large four-wheel drive pickup, so I was happy I didn’t have to get out of it on my own considering I still felt a little weak. He walked around the truck and pulled my door open easily, swinging it wide like it was nothing even as the ice cracked and fell against the ground when he broke the seal that had formed while he drove.
Wow, very strong.
I handed him my bag and then braced myself on the edge as I tried to step out. He took my hand and tried to guide me down the side to the running board, but I felt my feet give way. They were still cold, even with the time I spent in the heat. I went tumbling towards him and grimaced at the thought of hitting the cold ground below, but instead I felt straight into his arms.
Very, very strong—and great reflexes.
He caught me easily, one hand around the back of my neck and one hand firmly on my bottom. I looked in his eyes in shock and he laughed with a shake of his head. He sat me down on my feet and picked my bag up off the ground.
“Thank you. I’m sorry, I am a little out of it.” I held my hand to my head for a moment.
“No problem. Can you walk to the cabin?” He kept his grip on my arm.
“Yeah, I think I’m fine.” I nodded.
I followed him towards the door and he opened it, which cause a wave of heat to rush out towards me. The walk from the truck to the cabin was already giving me chills again, so I was happy to find a fire roaring inside. I walked to it immediately and held my hands out. He walked behind me and put his fingers on my coat. I let him take it from my shoulders and I rubbed my arms, trying to force the chill away.
Murders aren’t chivalrous—I don’t think.
“First things first, let’s use the radio and let everyone know you’re okay. There could still be some people out there searching for you and it would be nice if they could go home to their families.” He motioned me over to an old desk that had a rather ancient looking radio.
“Good idea, thanks.” I walked over.
I didn’t understand half of the lingo he used, but a few minutes later he had someone on the radio who said they had been in communication with my family and friends. I let them know I was safe and Shane gave them my location. They suggested I stay where I was since I was safe, at least until the storm was over. The roads had been closed and travel wasn’t recommended at all.
I could only imagine how worried everyone was. It made me feel sick to my stomach thinking about the repercussions of that wrong turn. The radio went quiet and I walked back to the fire. I was feeling a little better overall, but my toes ached and my joints were still a little sore from the cold. My ears were ringing as well.
I felt like I should be tired, but I just didn’t have the energy for sleep—it was a strange feeling. I sat down in the chair and started removing my shoes. They were not made for walking in the snow, and my heavier bag with actual winter wear was in the trunk. Shane poured both of us a glass of what smelled like whiskey when he handed one of them to me.