“We’ll see. There isn’t one I would really like to do until next fall, anyway, so we have plenty of time.” I watched as giant, wet flakes hit the windshield and splatted into drops of water. The wipers were on so it was hard to say for sure, but it looked like it was getting worse. “Is it my imagination or is the snow getting heavier?”
“It is, maybe you better check the weather. Do they normally get snow this late in February up here?”
“We haven’t since I’ve been living here, but everyone talks about this snowstorm that blew through in March about ten years ago. Roads were closed and power was off for days.”
“Well, let’s hope this isn’t one of those. I thought Reed said it was only supposed to be a dusting.”
“That was the forecast, but now they’re saying two to three inches. Looks like the storm shifted south, and we’re driving into it. And doesn’t it figure, it’s going to be in the fifties tomorrow.”
Chapter 9
Cap
“I’ve never driven in the snow or ice before, we don’t exactly get a lot of that in River Gorge. How about if we stop for the night and finish the drive tomorrow after the sun comes up?”
“That’s fine with me, but what about the shop?”
“I’ll call and get either Tony or Stacy to open. Why don’t you see if you can find us a room?”
He messed with his phone for a bit and then sighed. “There aren’t many choices around here, but there’s a place about fifteen miles ahead that has a room.”
“You reserve it and I’ll get us there,” I said. “I’m about ready to stop and eat, anyway.”
He booked the room and said, “Well, if you’re hungry, I hope you’re up for a walk because the hotel is across from a couple restaurants, but there isn’t one listed as being in the hotel.”
A bit later he pointed out our exit and I pulled off. Most people probably would’ve kept going, but I was serious about never driving on ice before. The snow didn’t worry me much, but what was falling were big, wet flakes, and I was afraid that as the sun went down, the roads would freeze.
“I’ll let you out near the door. You get us checked in while I park the truck.”
“Sounds good. Will you grab my coat out of the back seat of my car?” he asked holding out his keys. “I didn’t expect to need it.”
“Sure thing.” I pulled up and he hopped out. I parked the truck, taking up two spots, grabbed his coat and both our bags. I rushed through the falling snow into the hotel.
He took his bag and coat and we went up to the room. Once we were situated, I sent a group text to Tony and Stacy and let them know I wouldn’t be there tomorrow. Stacy offered to come in early and open. Next was my mom, and I opted to call her.
“Hey, Devin. I’ve been watching the weather, are you two doing okay?”
“We’re fine, but that’s what I was calling you about. We decided to stop and get a room. I’m worried about driving this truck on the icy roads.”
“That sounds very sensible,” she said. “Annie and I are right as rain here at home, no need to worry about us.”
“Thanks, Mom. Is she where I can talk to her?”
“Sure, just a second.” I waited while she spoke to Annie in the background, and then she put her on the phone.
“Uncle Cap, when are you coming home?” she asked.
“Tomorrow, munchkin.”
“But you said today,” she whined.
I hated to worry her. I knew she had abandonment issues. For the most part, she was a happy-go-lucky four-year-old, but every now and then, something would happen that would trigger her insecurity. “I know I did, sweetie, but the weather is yucky here. It isn’t safe for us to drive. The roads are all covered in snow.”
I heard a slight gasp on her end, and then she said, “Snow?” with wonder in her voice.
“Yeah, big, old, wet snowflakes. Want to see a picture?”
“I do! I’ve never seed snow.”
“Frankie and I are about to go next door and get some food. I’ll send you a picture of the snow to Grans phone in a few minutes.”
“Kay. But you’ll come home?” she asked.
“I’ll be there tomorrow, munchkin.”
I heard muffled sounds, and then my mom was back. “She’ll be fine, sweetie, don’t worry. But don’t be too long with that snow picture.”
“I won’t. Love you, Mom.” I hung up and looked up to find Frankie watching me.
“You’re really good with her,” he said. “She’s a very lucky girl.”
“I want to give her everything. No little girl should have to start out the way she did.”
“Well,” he said grabbing his coat. “Let’s go get her a snow picture.”
I grabbed my jacket and followed him out the door. “Do we know where we’re going to eat?”
“There’s a strip mall right across the parking lot. I figure we can walk over and see what’s there.”
“Sounds good to me.” We set out across the parking lot until we came to a clearing with some bushes that were covered in snow. “Frankie, you go over by the bushes so I can take a picture.”
He didn’t even try to pretend he hated having his picture taken. He ran right over and struck a pose. I laughed at him and took a couple of pictures. “Now you come over here, too,” he said motioning me over.
I rolled my eyes but walked over to him. “I’m horrible at taking selfies.”
“Well, lucky for you I’m a master,” he said with a wink. “You scrunch down so we can both be in the picture.”
I did as he said and bent down. He leaned back against me and held the phone up above us. He snapped a couple of photos and then showed me. The pictures were really good. “How do you do that? Mine always look horrible.”
“It’s all in the angle, sweetie. Now let’s go get some food.”
In the end, we chose Cracker Barrel because I wanted to pick up a gift for Annie, and I knew I could find something for her in the gift shop in front of the restaurant.
The waitress sat us by the window. While we waited for our food, I watched him. He stared out the window, lost in thought. He really was gorgeous. He had curly blond hair, big brown eyes, a little scruff of a beard, and a piercing below his bottom lip that I couldn’t stop staring at. “What has you so deep in thought?” I asked.
“That being stuck here’s just my luck. Did I tell you this is the second time this year I was stuck in the snow?”
“Seriously?”
“I know, right? I mean, we live in Texas for fuck’s sake, but yeah. This time is a lot more pleasant than last time, even though the first time I was close enough to the condo to walk.”
“What happened?”
“My car died and I had to listen to the bakery’s new head chef complain about my car, the snow, the job, me. I got fed up and left my car there and walked home.”
“What about your boss?”
“I left him there. Told him to call a Lyft.”