Devoted to the Blizzard: A romantic winter thriller (Tellure Hollow Book 3) (28 page)

Janet nodded and crossed her arms. “I actually just got off the phone with your mom, Bryan. Woke her up, poor thing, and I think scared her half to death. But she’s fine now, knows you two are okay so…” She turned to Liz and frowned slightly. “Of course, I didn’t get a chance to talk directly to your dad. After getting bounced around for half an hour, I finally managed to contact someone who said they’d let him know straight away.”

“You can just admit you didn’t know the country code for Iraq, it’s okay,” she giggled again.

“I’m sure he’ll write you as soon as he can,” Janet smiled.

“Any news on Josh?” I asked tentatively. The memory of his head hitting the floor still made my stomach churn.

“He’s going to be all right. They’re flushing his system, and he’s got a pretty nice gash on his head. Apparently, she gave you boys a nasty dose of Rohypnol, but you obviously didn’t get as much.”

“Psycho roofied the orange juice,” Liz muttered with surprise.

We chatted for a few more minutes, our conversation unable to break away from the horrific events still unfolding all around us. The more we talked the more sullen and withdrawn Liz became. When Janet offered to get us something from the cafeteria, I took the opportunity to talk with Liz privately. She sat up as I stood in front of her.

“What’s going on? The pain meds wearing off?” I asked as I studied her face.

“No. It’s just… it’s all of this. All of this because of me. I know it’s stupid, but I feel so fucking responsible. If I’d just pulled out of the race, none of this would’ve happened. All of these people would be fine. I’m so selfish,” she choked out.

I crouched in front of her and grasped both her hands tightly, ignoring the bandages wrapped around my wrists. “You can’t think like that. No one had any idea she would go this far. Honestly, Liz, look at me.” She looked up, a sharp sadness behind her eyes. “It’s not your fault.”

I stood and hugged her close, wanting to take the pain away from her.
Are these scars ever going to heal
? I wondered. I kept the dark thought to myself, fighting to stay strong on the outside. I knew that yes, they would, but in those dark moments, it’s difficult to believe.

Someone cleared their throat behind me. I turned to see Henry standing there, back in uniform, his hat in his hands. “Sorry to interrupt…” he said.

Liz’s face immediately brightened. “Anything for the hero of the hour!”

Henry blushed a little and smiled. “I wanted to let you two know we got her. She’s in custody.”

“So she’s alive?” Liz asked flatly. I shared her lack of excitement.

“Banged up but breathing, yes.”

“Good. I already heard someone around here say New Zealand doesn’t have the death penalty, but I’m happy enough she’ll rot in jail.” Liz’s voice was cold, but not bitter. I can’t deny I felt the same way about Angie.

Janet returned to a somber scene, a tray full of coffee melting the icy mood.

Henry changed the subject. “So, what are your plans now? Healing of course, but what then?”

And in a moment I will never forget, Liz smiled up at me with hope in her eyes. “To become Mrs. Blizzard as soon as I possibly can.” I knew everything was going to be all right.

So many women start planning their weddings when they’re young. By the time they’re teenagers, the color scheme has been chosen. Their dress earmarked. A list of venues compiled based on a complex order of classiness, size, and price. The cake design and flavor are a foregone conclusion. Every little decision has been made, and there sits an empty space where the groom slots right in.

I’m not knocking women who plan, but my wedding was obviously nothing like that.

Bryan and I were married six weeks after we got home from New Zealand. It would’ve been sooner, but I wanted to make sure my dad could be there to walk me down the aisle. I bought my dress off the rack at Macy’s, the cake came from a box, and we said to hell with a color scheme. Everyone looks good in happy.

Bryan and I, along with a few friends, had set up the altar and seats early in the morning. I rushed off to get my hair and makeup done, the only real splurge I allowed myself. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, warm with a breeze. Puffy clouds dotted the blue sky as far as you could see. The entire wedding party and guests took the gondolas up to the top of Powder Mountain.

With the Rocky Mountains as our backdrop, our friends and family at our sides, Bryan and I became husband and wife.

____________

The reception at the lodge was in full swing. A great local band had everyone on their feet, and the open bar was close to running dry. Bryan and I had barely gotten a chance to speak since exchanging our vows. Mingling through the crowds, thanking guests, dancing with anyone who grabbed my arm.
Where is my husband?
I thought with a thrill.

I managed to duck away from another dance with Uncle John. “I’m so sorry, but I really need the bathroom!” seemed to be a good excuse. I found a dark spot along the wall and tried to remain inconspicuous. Bryan’s younger cousin Sandra had cleared a circle on the dance floor to perform what might be interpreted as the robot. Dad was off to the side, dancing with some of the younger family members, twirling them like he’d twirled me at that age.

My heart was so full I thought it might burst.
This is my family. This is my safe spot to fall.
For the hundredth time that day, I resisted the urge to put a hand to my belly.

I gasped as someone touched my shoulder from behind. I spun around to see Bryan grinning at me from the shadows.

“Hi,” he said, the dimples deep at the corners of his mouth.

“Hey,” I replied as I matched his smile. “I’ve been looking for you. Figured you’d be out there showin’ them how it’s done.”

He pulled me around the corner, obscured from the party in a large, dark window. He pressed me against the wall and moved for my mouth. Our kiss as husband and wife had been demure, respectable even. This kiss was devastatingly intense. Bryan’s tongue swirled with mine, leaving me dizzy and almost intoxicated. With a final parting nip, he met my eye and smiled again.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look?”

Still buzzing from his greeting, I kissed him on the cheek. “Only a couple hundred times.”

“Well, you do. I brought you some food. Figured you probably haven’t had a thing to eat all night,” he said as he turned.

Despite the blooming lust he’d awoken, my stomach grumbled in response. “Oh, yes please. All I’ve had was the cake you fed me earlier… which I owe you for, by the way.” My chin was still sticky with frosting.

Bryan returned with two flutes of champagne. “I wanted to make a toast first, just between the two of us.”

My stomach flip-flopped as I took the glass, hoping my smile didn’t waver. I’d managed to avoid drinking to any of the toasts, but how was I going to get out of this one? “Love it,” I covered.

He took my hand in his. “Elizabeth Marsh, you have made me the happiest man on Earth today, like every day. I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to wake up every day to such a beautiful woman, to work beside my best friend, and fall asleep with my lover. We have been through so much, scary moments together and apart…”

“Ya’ think?” I half snorted and sniffed. Tears were already welling in the corners of my eyes.

Bryan grinned and continued. “More than any two people should have to live through, so that’s why, on our wedding day, I have a favor to ask of you.”

I laughed and wiped a tear from my cheek. “Sure, anything.”

“Can we please have a nice, normal, quiet life from now on? I don’t think I can handle any more. It’s too much. I’m not getting any younger and like I said on that bridge, we’re even now. The scales are balanced.” I laughed through the happy tears as he pushed on. “White picket fence, maybe a dog who barks a little too much, weekly grocery shopping and fights over white versus wheat bread… a normal, dull, uneventful life. Just you and me.”

I bit my lip and decided I couldn’t contain the secret any longer. I forced my expression to grow serious and met his eyes with a hard gaze. “I’m sorry, I can’t promise that.”

Bryan squeezed my hand, suddenly concerned I’d taken his joke the wrong way. “I know you can’t, I was just…”

“No, I mean the last part. About it being just you and me…” I wiggled an eyebrow at him and glanced down at my stomach.
Come on… you can figure this out.

He blinked at me and frowned in confusion for a couple heartbeats before his eyes went wide with surprise. “You’re pregnant?” he practically shouted.

I grabbed his arm in surprise and looked around the room to make sure no one else had heard. Thankfully, the rockin’ band had drowned it out. “Kinda, yeah,” I grinned.

“You’re kinda pregnant?” he whispered this time. His gaze traveled to my belly as if trying to imagine what I’d look like fully loaded with a baby. “I guess you don’t need this, then,” he said plucking the champagne from my hand and setting it down.

“I’m definitely pregnant. I took six tests to make sure.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close. “I’ve only known for a couple days and with the wedding coming up… I don’t know. I wanted to take one thing at a time. I hope you don’t mind.”

Bryan was starting to come through the shock, his lips curling at the corners. “But how? When?”

“Best I can figure is the night before the race.”

“Oh shit! The condom broke and you never got the pills because of all the…”

“Right. Completely forgot and
poof
. Baby.” I patted my stomach, butterflies of fear and excitement fluttered in my chest.

“
Poof.
Baby,” he repeated. It might be a little cruel, but I enjoyed watching him struggle to catch up. I knew he was going to make an incredible father, even if he needed time to come around to it. The thought of him teaching our little kids how to ski made my heart swell.

“What do you think?” I prodded.

Bryan’s hand rested over mine, deep in thought. The look he gave me took my breath away. “I think I’ve never been so happy in my entire life. Oh my God, Liz,” he cried as he pulled me close. He buried his face in my neck and let out a shuddering breath. When he pulled away, he wiped his eyes dry with the back of his hand. “I take it back,” he said shaking his head.

“What’s that?”

He let out a half laugh and cry. “This is the most terrifying thing we’ve ever faced!”

“But at least we’re in it together,” I grinned.

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Troubled
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November 29th

My stomach dropped when I saw the ambulance out front, lights flashing, doors wide open. It wasn't for the possible medical emergency but because all my hopes of sneaking into the house unnoticed disappeared.

I leaned forward into the front of the car and tapped Gem on the shoulder. "Go a little further," I pointed up the road. Lights burned bright in every trailer and in some, a dark silhouette stood in the window, silently sticking their nose in our business.

"I gotta go. Hey! Can you at least say goodbye?" I nudged Fitzy with my knee. His head rolled back and forth on the back of the seat, eyelids fighting to open. His shaggy hair covered his face.