Snowbound (8 page)

He gave her a peculiar look that she couldnt read. It mightve looked better if Id just tattooed one side of my face, or put ten hoops through my eyebrow instead. A scarI dont know.

She eyed him suspiciously. Youre teasing me, arent you?

No. His voice was flat, hard. I see people look away quickly. It makes them uncomfortable. They wonder what happened, but they dont really want to know.

Her voice dropped to a near-whisper. I want to know.

He nodded. That makes youunusual.

They seemed unable to look away from each other. His eyes searched hers with an intensity that shook her.

Sounding a little breathless, she managed, The scar just gives you that brooding, Heathcliff look.

Dont say that. He sounded disgusted, the electricity abruptly broken.

It was, um, meant to be a compliment.

I detested
Wuthering Heights.

Actually she wasnt crazy about Brontes classic, either, although there was something about being forced to analyze theme and characters endlessly for an English class that could ruin the best of books.

Heathcliff does epitomize the romantic hero, you know, she pointed out.

The guy was rude and self-pitying. Am I that bad?

He sounded so appalled that she had to laugh.

I was just trying to say that a scar doesnt make you any less attractive to women. In fact she tilted her head it makes you look just a little dangerous.

Attractive, huh?

Darn it, her pulse began to bounce again.

You know you are.

Its been a long time He stopped, obviously wishing the words unsaid.

Was he admitting that he hadnt made love to a
woman since he was wounded? Maybe, since before he went to Iraq?

Fiona asked the only thing she could think to. Did you have a girlfriend before you left?

I was seeing someone, but we were drifting apart even before I shipped out.

Oh. I, um, havent actually dated more than casually in a long time, either. Oh God. Why did she tell him that? Maybe he wasnt interested. If she saw boredom cross his face

He didnt look bored. His voice was low, a little rough. Why?

Well, Ive been busy. Working full-time and going to grad school at the same time is a challenge.

He waited.

Okay, I guess I just havent met anyone who interested me enough to bother. Which is
not
what I tell guys calling to ask me for a second date!

He smiled. Really smiled. Break their hearts, do you?

Oh, thats me. A femme fatale.

I think again his voice had roughened you could be.

They were flirting, she realized, not just dancing around the possibility, as theyd been practically since she stumbled over the lodge doorstep yesterday. Her heart was pounding, her cheeks felt warm, and despite all common sense she wanted to be snowbound here until she found out if this attraction to him meant anything.

Suddenly a giggle escaped her, as irresistible as a hiccup.

His eyes narrowed. What?

I suddenly realized Im having this intense conversation with a man whos holding a basket of sanitary napkins.

He looked down. Uh, yeah. Here.
You
take them. He all but shoved the basket into her hands.

Another bubble of laughter in her throat, she said, Feel manlier now?

He was getting better at the whole smiling thing. This one was positively rakish. Hey, you kissed me because of those pads.

I
can
be bribed, she said with as much dignity as she could summon.

And with so little.

She laughed. Ill take these upstairs.

You do that.

Fiona backed up a step or two. And see whether Amy has reappeared.

Good idea.

The boys are probably getting hungry again.

With resignation, John said, Undoubtedly. Ill see what I can find.

Okay. Even so, it was all she could do to make herself turn away. Pushing through the swinging door, she felt a little flutter of alarm along with plenty of flutters of excitement. Was it really all that smart to be even thinking about falling for a man whod had to move out into the woods so he could decompress? Orhorrorswas that the real attraction? Did she think she could somehow fix him? Lord, was she that arrogant?

Perturbed, she took the basket upstairs and left it in
the bathroom, then returned to her book downstairs. She couldnt hang out in the kitchen
all
evening.

If she kept finding herself rereading pages, at least no one else could tell.

The poker game seemed to be winding down. Maybe betting on wood and bark chips was losing its zip. Dieter and Willow were talking now, rather than playing Chinese checkers, and, as Fiona surveyed the room, Troy took off his earphones and sat up.

With an apparent gift for timing, Amy chose just then to come down the stairs.

Fiona felt as much as saw John come from the kitchen and stop in the shadow of one of the rough-hewn pillars.

Everyone looked at Amy, who paused on the bottom step, tears seeming to sparkle on her lashes.

Willow? she whispered. Then, as she rushed forward, Oh, Willow! Im so sorry!

Looking wary, Willow rose to her feet. Amy hugged her.

I have
such
a big mouth. I was mostly annoyed at Hopper she cast him a half-stern, half-flirtatious look before turning back to Willow and I just wanted to tell him to mind his own business. But I didnt
think.
I never meant to embarrass you. And Im really sorry I did.

Her voice was tremulous, her expression tragic.

What could Willow do but say, Its okay. It was dumb of me to be embarrassed. I justI never talked about stuff like that before in front of She bit her lip. But its no biggie, okay?

Amy gave a breathtaking smile. Ive been feeling so awful! Thank you.

Everyone smiled with approval. The performance was beautiful. Fiona was a little bit shocked at her own cynicism.

She turned her head and saw the way John was watching the scene, his expression a mixture of incredulity, admiration and disgust.

Maybe, she tried to tell herself, Amy had learned something from this other than how to feign remorse, assuming she hadnt already known how to do that. Could it be that shed become just a little more aware that nastiness didnt win friends?

Fionas inner teenager murmured,
Yeah, right.

Amy was weepy, glowing with relief and reveling in being the center of attention. Willow, once again colorless, had slipped to the periphery as if trying to vanish. Dieter, bless his heart, had gone with her and was ignoring Amy.

Fiona was exhausted. She had never before appreciated so much that classes were only fifty minutes long. She also discovered that, while she didnt want to go home, she wanted
them
to go home.

Meanwhile she was having a debate with herself about whether to take Amy aside and tell her a little went a long way and she really, really didnt have to lay it on so thick.

She was saved by the necessity by John, who took a few steps forward, cleared his throat and said, Anyone hungry?

The boys forgot Amy
and
Willow.

Yeah! they said, almost in unison, and stampeded for the kitchen.

Hot chocolate, John added.

Even Erin put down her book.

Cool! Amy said brightly. She looked around for Willow. Shall we go get some?

Willow blushed, as if flattered at the attention. Sure.

Fiona sighed and followed.

J
OHN AWAKENED
in the morning before anyone else. Hed let the small woodstove in his apartment burn down and, swearing, he yanked on clothes with clumsy haste. Hed get the fire in the great room burning again to supplement the old furnace, then make some bread. Theyd gone through more than he had anticipated yesterday.

It wasnt until hed passed through the kitchen and was in the great room of the lodge that he looked outside. The sky was just lightening, and it seemed to him that he saw some pink.

He unlocked the heavy front door and stepped out onto the porch. No white blur of falling flakes. The morning was bitingly cold, the stillness absolute. He walked to the side of the porch, where he could see to the east. Above the treetops, Thunder Mountain reared as a dark bulk, but around it the sky glowed orange and pink and yellow.

It would be a while before the sun was far enough up for him to be able to assess how much snow lay on the ground, but he knew digging out was going to be a job. Maybe he could put the boys to work today. Or
would that constitute child abuse to these private-school kids?

He mixed up bread dough, kneaded it, gave it time to rise and had the loaves in the oven before he heard any stirrings at all upstairs. Willow and Erin were the first to come down.

It quit snowing, Erin said in her serene way, making it an observation rather than an exclamation.

Yep.

How long do you think before the road gets plowed? Willow asked timidly.

Probably a couple of days, anyway.

Oh. Her voice was small. That smells really good.

Nothing like bread baking. Want to start with some cereal or eggs, or would you rather wait until the bread comes out of the oven?

Wait, they agreed.

Anybody else up yet? What he really wanted to know was whether their teacher was up. Hed been thinking about her when he fell asleep, and he hadnt even opened his eyes before he pictured her face this morning.

With faint shock, he realized he was in trouble. Hed be foolish to imagine that any sensible woman would want to traverse his bad moods and flashbacks long enough to build any kind of relationship with him.

I dont think so, Willow said, in answer to his question.

He got some blackberry jam out of the freezer and set it on the table to thaw.

The two girls continued to hover. After a minute, John felt obligated to make conversation.

You looking forward to getting home?

Its been fun here, Erin said, not really answering his question.

And we might miss some school, Willow added.

Dont you have to make up snow days in the spring?

Only if the whole schoolOh! The younger girls mouth formed an O. Do you think it snowed enough in Hawes Ferry that school will be canceled Monday?

From what your principal said, its a real possibility. He put hot water on for tea. You think your parents are worrying?

My dad will be, Willow said softly, her head tilted forward enough that her hair veiled her expression.

Erin shrugged. As long as they know were safe, minell be okay.

John checked the oven. A couple more minutes.

Do you get snowed in a lot here?

A couple of times a winter, Im told. Not usually so early. Im guessing this is a record.

We were so lucky. Willow shivered.

Good thing you had Dieter with you. He kept an eye on her, aware from what Fiona had told him that the skinny boy with the goofy smile had been Willows knight-errant yesterday.

She obligingly blushed.

More drama in the making.

John hadnt expected to feel as comfortable as he did with these kids. He supposed it was because they had become individuals to him, taking on personality. The only two he still mixed up were Kelli-with-an-i and
Tabitha, both blond and perky, neither yet the center of a drama that would bring their personalities into focus.

Give em time, he figured, resigned.

Fiona appeared next, wearing the jeans and turtleneck shed arrived in, borrowed wool socks that he thought were his and a bright smile. Did you see what a beautiful morning it is?

Ms. Mac! It quit snowing!

I know, I saw. She hugged both girls.

Her cheek was creased from a wrinkle in her pillow. John thought it was cute. She, too, exclaimed over the bread coming out of the oven and waited expectantly.

John sliced the first loaf hot and watched with amusement as they slathered on butter and jam and ate with murmurs of delight. Fiona actually went so far as to close her eyes and moan, a sight and sound that forced him to turn away to hide his jolt of longing.

The others gradually came downstairs, begging to go outside after breakfast.

When John suggested the boys take turns wielding a snow shovel, they all shrugged and nodded.

Yeah, sure. I mean, I never have, but

Yeah, whatever, Troy agreed.

I have snowshoes, John said. Then, seeing that they were less than thrilled, he held up a hand. To get a couple of us up to your van. The snowplow always turns in and clears the road to the lodge. But they wont be able to get past your van. With the snow so deep, itd be a heck of a trek back up there.

Everyone nodded, remembering that the lodge road descended steeply from the highway.

I keep my own snowshoes on the back porch, but the ones I own for guests are in the shed. We wont be able to get to them if we dont dig out in front of the doors.

That made sense to them, he could see.

A path around the lodge to where the wood is stacked would be a big help, too. Oh, and the steps, so no one falls.

We could take turns, too, Erin suggested.

Small as the girls all were, he couldnt imagine theyd get far lifting heavy shovelsful of snow, but why not?

What a good idea. Fiona beamed at her. I think all of us should help.

What could he do but say, Fine.

As they all bundled up after breakfast, John was reminded that some of them wouldnt be able to stay outside long, not in athletic shoes instead of decent winter boots. Hed come up with pairs for all three boys, two from his own closet. Hopper had to double up on socks to keep his feet from sliding around, and Dieter was clearly scrunching to get his feet in his borrowed pair. Only Troys seemed to be about right.

There were oohs and aahs all around when they stepped outside to a now-bright morning, the unblemished blanket of snow sparkling. It had become heavy enough at some point to slide off the peaked shed roof and likely the lodges as well. Hed have to check the cabins later.

Every tree limb bowed under a cloak of snow. At a thump, Willow jumped.

What was that?

Snow falling off a tree branch, he said. Youll keep hearing that. Gets worse once it warms up and the snow starts to melt.

Oh. Hugging herself, she still looked spooked.

Wow! Can we just, like, dive? Troy asked, staring at the white expanse.

I doubt youd get hurt, John said.

Over the top of his words, Fiona started to say, But I dont think its a good

Too late. With a whoop, Troy let himself fall backward from the porch.

The girls let out squeaks and gasps and peered over the railing. He rose as if from lake water, looking like the Abominable Snowman, shaking snow from his hair and face as he grinned and called, Dare you!

Pretty soon they were all thrashing around in the snow as if theyd never seen any before. Even those who skied were probably used to groomed slopes, not five feet of newly fallen snow. Their shrieks and bellows and squeals shattered the mountain stillness.

Only Fiona remained with him on the porch, watching her charges.

Dare you, John murmured.

Ugh. It would go down my neck.

Come on. Arent you a little bit tempted?

Maybe a little. Her nose was already red, her cheeks glowing. I will if you will.

He was going to be sorry. Real, real sorry. His hip gave a warning twinge, but he ignored it. He couldnt resist the laughter in Fionas clear gray eyes or the mittened hand held out to him.

He took her hand and nodded toward the north corner of the lodge. Wed better find ourselves some fresh snow.

Yeah, nose first on frozen ground wouldnt feel so good, would it?

Twenty feet from the front steps, he said, You first.

Together? she challenged.

They stood on the edge with their backs to the snowy landscape.

One, he said.

Two.

Three, he finished, and they fell, still holding hands.

It was like sinking into a giant container of feathers that slowed but didnt stop them. He lost his grip on her hand, and couldnt see her or anything else. Some primitive instinct kicked in and he immediately started fighting the snow that closed over his face. Within seconds, hed reared to his feet and surfaced.

Laughing, she did the same, although only her head appeared over the top. That was fun!

The kids were hollering, She did it! Yay, Ms. Mac!

I give her a ten, Dieter called.

I dont know, one of the blond girls argued. Didnt you see the break in her form?

Ms. Mac stuck out her tongue at her students. Brats!

She looked comical covered with snow, her ponytail and eyebrows white. Snow slid from his nose, reminding John that he looked the same. He reached up, pulled off his ski hat, shook it out and put it back on, icy flakes slithering down his neck.

This is so amazing! As if she were standing in
water up to her neck, Fiona peered around. I can see how skiers fall and smother.

Yeah, not a good way to go.

She shuddered.

He picked up a handful of snow and tossed it into the air. Lighter than usual for around here, though, he commented. Its damn cold. Western Oregon wasnt known for powder snow; whatever fell was usually wet and therefore heavy. Operators at Timberline and Mount Hood Meadows must be rejoicing today.

Yes, it is. Fiona flailed her arms in front of her. Umhow do I walk?

You just shove forward. Or follow me. He stepped into the well her body had created, then bulldozed his way forward toward the kids and the still-hidden porch steps.

By feel he located the steps and climbed to the porch, where he collected the two snow shovels.

Who wants first turn? he called.

Bummer, somebody complained.

Youre going to get cold and want to go in.

Ill go first, Erin offered. My feet are already getting cold.

She was one of the girls without boots, he remembered.

Me, too, said Tabitha. Or was it Kelli?

They groped their way up the steps, too, and he showed them how to wield the broad, flat-bladed shovels.

They cleared a few steps while the others romped. He kept an eye on the two wielding the shovels, and when they started struggling, he had them hand off to two of the other girls. Meantime, he called the boys over.

Deep as this is, we just need to trample paths. Lets get a good one to the woodpile around the corner first.

They started, half working, half roughhousing. Fiona stood beside John near the foot of the porch steps. She was the only one close to him when two things happened almost at once.

The roughhousing reached a peak, with one of the boys falling to one side and another of them swinging around and taking a step as if he was going to run back toward John and Fiona. At the same time, there was a loud crack.

Not the whine of an incoming artillery shell. Damn, somehow a sniper had gotten a range on them. They were on base and he didnt even have his weapon. John saw blood spurting as the running man took another step and then in seeming slow motion toppled. Get down! John bellowed at the one standing soldier, then turned, grabbed Fiona and threw her into the soft snow, going after her to shield her with his body.

She struggled under him. He held her down, listening for the next crack of the snipers rifle. Where was he? In the stand of trees?

A thud sounded like far-off bombing.

What are you doing? she spat.

Ms. Mac got tackled! someone called gleefully.

Hed never seen snow in Iraq. Why were they in a snowdrift, waiting for the deadly fire of a Russian AK-47 to find them? Body rigid, he tried to think.

One second, they were under fire from insurgents. The next, he lay atop a furious, frightened woman in the snow outside the lodge.

Crap. Oh, crap. Hed heard a tree limb snap. Thats all.

But hed seen blood. A jet of it, spraying the snow with red. God. Maybe not. More dazed than he usually was when he snapped out of a flashback, he stared at the face of the woman he held pinned down.

She saw something in his eyes and went still. Are you all right? she whispered.

No. Yes. Damn. Voice guttural, he rolled to one side.

Its okay, she whispered. Just stand up. No one noticed anything.

Adrenaline still pumping, physically battle-ready, he got up with her. All three boys were on their feet laughing. They werent soldiers; they were kids. No blood dyed the snow a shocking crimson. He reached up and scrubbed a gloved hand over his face.

Ms. Mac, were going in, Erin said.

Fiona had been staring worriedly up at him. He couldnt make himself meet her eyes, but he felt her gaze. Now she turned her head.

Cold?

My feet are
ice
blocks, one of the girls said.

Mine, too. Willow, he thought.

Im going in, Amy declared.

His brain was moving sluggishly, but he realized that Amy wore boots,
and
hadnt taken a turn with the snow shovel.

Shed have been useless anyway.

Give me just a few minutes and Ill be in as well, Fiona told them.

First bath! one of the voices claimed, as feet thudded on the porch boards.

Had to be Amy. Who else?

Fiona laid a mittened hand on his arm. Ill organize Tabitha and Kelli to start trampling a path toward the shed. If youre okay.

Im fine, he said automatically. It was just, uh

Just?
You had a flashback, didnt you? She shook her head in warning and he heard the squeak of booted feet coming toward them. Well talk about it later, she murmured.

John could hardly look at the boys. Theyd been the cause of his episode. Okay, he didnt do well with loud noises, especially ones that sounded like gunfire. But he didnt usually lose it completely. Not like that. But the boys, the way they pushed and shoved and laughedAnd, God, when the one went down