by Sarah Fox
Brett and Chloe joined the others on the benches and switched their winter boots for skates. I stood off to the side, wondering if I’d be the only spectator. Footsteps crunched through the snow behind me, and I glanced back to see Ambrose and Lily heading our way. Ambrose was carrying a pair of hockey skates, but Lily was empty-handed.
“Not playing?” she asked me as they drew closer.
“I’m not much of a skater,” I told her.
“Same,” Lily said.
“I’m not the greatest skater, either.” Ambrose pushed his glasses up higher on his nose. “It’s been years since I played hockey, but I’m going to give it a try.”
“You’ll do great,” Lily assured him.
He gave her a grateful smile before finding a free spot on one of the benches.
Zahra arrived a minute later in jeans and a hoodie. She had a pair of skates under her arm and carried several hockey sticks.
“If anyone needs a stick, I’ve got some here.” She addressed Harvey. “Are we okay for pucks?”
Harvey produced three from his coat pocket and held them up.
“Will Rita be playing?” I asked, noting her absence.
“No, she can’t skate,” Zahra said. “She’s helping Cindy set up for the reception.”
I glanced back at the lodge. “Should I go help?”
“They’ve got it covered, but thank you. If you get too cold, though, feel free to head back inside.”
I figured it was a good possibility that I’d have to do that at some point. The wind was even stronger than before. It stung my cheeks and made my eyes water. I tugged my knitted hat farther down over my ears and tucked my gloved hands into my coat pockets.
The cold wasn’t my biggest worry, though. As the players made their way out onto the ice, the first snowflakes of the day drifted down from the gray sky.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Zahra divided the players into two teams and then handed out jerseys—black for one team and green for the other. Brett and Chloe were on the same team, and both donned black jerseys.
“The ice is safe, right?” I asked, trying not to sound too anxious.
Evie was the only person on the ice who heard me. “Don’t worry,” she said. “Harvey tested it earlier. Everywhere the snow has been cleared is safe. Besides, this part of the lake is really shallow. It’s out farther that it gets really deep.”
That was one of my worries put to rest, at least.
I tried to ignore the snowflakes falling from the sky and took a seat next to Lily on one of the benches. Scout came over and lay down by our feet. The game got underway and I did my best to focus on it. Although I didn’t forget about the weather, I quickly got into the game. The teams played three on three, and the area between the two goalie nets was about half the size of an average ice rink, maybe a little less. Harvey was the referee, and from time to time his whistle rang out across the frozen lake.
Despite Brett’s warning on the way up the mountain, he did score a goal, with an assist from Chloe. I jumped up from the bench and cheered, momentarily forgetting that I had any worries about the weather. Evie also scored a goal, and Zahra scored two. After the first fifteen minutes of play, the teams were tied two-two. The players took a five minute break to rest up before going into the second period.
“Nice goal,” I said to Brett as he stood near the edge of the ice, drinking from a water bottle.
He grinned at me. “Not quite as rusty as I thought I’d be.” His grin faded away. “But you look like you need to head inside.”
I tried not to shiver as the wind cut through my multiple layers of clothing. “I’m having fun watching the game.”
“Your lips are turning blue,” Brett pointed out. “You can always watch from the window.”
“True,” I conceded, giving in to the need to shiver.
I glanced up at the sky. The snowflakes were falling more thickly now. Out on the rink, Harvey cleared the fresh snow by pushing a shovel across the ice. I had a layer of fluffy flakes on my shoulders and knees, and probably my hat too. I dusted them off.
As usual, Brett knew what I was thinking. “If you’re worried about the weather, we can head home.”
I got up and stepped closer. “How much longer will the game be?”
“Half an hour or so,” he said. “Two more fifteen-minute periods.”
I turned to check out the pathway leading up to the lodge. Not even half an inch of snow had accumulated so far. A fierce gust of wind picked up some of the fresh powder and sent it swirling.
“I think we’ll be okay to wait until the end of the game,” I said. “But maybe we can leave right after?”
“We will,” Brett assured me.
He skated off to join the others, who were getting ready to start the next period.
“I’m heading inside,” I told Lily as I returned to the bench where she was still seated.
She jumped up. “I’ll come with you. My fingers and toes have all gone numb.”
Scout got up but didn’t follow as we turned away from the lake. Harvey’s whistle blew and the game got underway again. Lily and I headed up to the lodge together, walking briskly. The wind whistled around us and the trees surrounding Holly Lodge creaked and groaned as they swayed and trembled.
I let out a sigh of relief as soon as I set foot in the lodge, even though it would still take time for me to warm up. Simply being sheltered from the increasingly strong wind was a vast improvement.
Lily and I took off our boots so we wouldn’t track snow through the lodge, leaving them on a rubber mat set out for that purpose.
“I’ll stash your coat in the office if you want,” Lily offered as she took off her own jacket.
“Thanks.” I tucked my hat and gloves into the coat’s pockets and then handed it over to her.
While she took our coats away, I stood by the crackling fire, holding out my hands to soak in the warmth. I wiggled my toes and the numbness slowly eased. A few minutes later, I heard voices in the dining room, so I headed that way.
Several tables had been pushed together and covered with a white cloth. Food had been set out on top, and just looking at the spread made my mouth water. Even though I hadn’t taken part in the hockey game, sitting out in the cold had given me an appetite.
There were finger sandwiches, veggies and dip, crackers and smoked salmon spread, a variety of hot hors d’oeuvres, mini cupcakes, and cookies. There were also pitchers of ice water, a bowl of punch, and another bowl filled with eggnog.
Cindy set a stack of small plates at one end of the table. Lily was there with her.
“I just love your books,” Cindy gushed. “The romances and the mysteries. I’ve read several and I’ve got your latest in my bag. I meant to bring it the last time you were here, but I forgot. Would you be able to sign it for me?”
Lily beamed at her. “Of course.”
“How exciting! I’ll be right back!” Cindy darted off, disappearing into the kitchen.
“I’m really looking forward to reading your books,” I said to Lily as I came farther into the room.
“Thank you,” she said with a smile. “I appreciate your interest.”
The windows rattled as a particularly fierce gust of wind blew around the lodge.
“I’m sure glad we came inside,” Lily said. “I’m not all that outdoorsy at the best of times. This weather is too much for me!”
“It’s definitely a good day to be inside by the fire,” I said as I wandered over to the window.
The snow was falling so thickly now that I could barely see the hockey players out on the lake. The nugget of worry that had been sitting in my stomach grew heavier. Now I wished I’d taken Brett up on his offer to leave before the end of the game.
Cindy reappeared and smiled brightly as Lily signed her book.
�
�Thank you so much!” Cindy hugged the signed book to her chest. “I can’t wait to show my husband. He’s a fan of your mysteries too.”
Lily’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink. “It makes me so happy to hear that.”
Cindy reigned in her excitement. “Can I get either of you something hot to drink? You must have nearly frozen out there.”
We both requested tea, and Cindy returned to the kitchen to make it for us. When she reappeared minutes later and handed us each a teacup, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to drink it. I wanted the warmth and comfort of the hot drink, but my stomach was so tied up in knots that I wasn’t sure if I could fit anything into it.
I took a few deep breaths, trying to relax. Nobody else seemed anxious about the road conditions. I knew I worried more than most because of the mountain road accident that had killed my stepfather and stepsiblings several years ago, but knowing that didn’t allow me to relax.
Although I didn’t manage to set my nerves at ease, I did take a sip or two of tea. Remaining by the window, I watched the snowflakes swirling and blowing in the wind.
A figure appeared through the snow, heading towards the lodge. Another figure took shape behind the first.
With immense relief, I realized that it was Brett, followed by Chloe. I set down my tea and hurried into the lounge to meet them. They stopped outside the door, brushing snow off themselves before coming inside.
“Wow,” Chloe said as she pulled the door shut behind them. “It sure is wild out there.”
Brett gave me a quick, chilly kiss before working his feet out of his boots. “You okay?” he asked me.
“I’m worried about the roads,” I admitted.
“We’ll head out as soon as we get all our stuff together,” he said.
“What about the game?” I asked.
“We decided to call it quits halfway through the third period,” Chloe replied. “Too much snow and wind now. It was getting to the point where we could barely see the puck. The other team won by two goals, but we all had a good time.”
Rita entered the lounge as Chloe spoke. “I’m glad to hear that,” she said. “That’s exactly what Kevin would have wanted.”
“I wish we could stay longer,” I told her. “But with the weather like it is…”
“I understand completely,” Rita assured me. “Especially since you have farther to go than the neighbors do. I’m so grateful you were able to come.”
We exchanged a few more words with Rita, and then headed upstairs to fetch the rest of our belongings. By then, the other hockey players had reached the lodge and were in the process of shedding all their outerwear.
When we returned downstairs, I tapped on the office door, just in case there was someone inside. There was no response, and the door was ajar, so I pushed it open, immediately spotting my coat draped over the back of a chair.
I dug my gloves and hat out of the pockets, knowing I’d want them on before going outside. A beautiful painting of the lake, as seen from the back of the lodge, hung on one wall. Although I’d noticed the painting the last time I was in the office, I hadn’t done anything more than glance at it, same as with the diplomas and certificates on the other wall. I took a closer look at the painting now, wondering if the artist was someone local.
Zahra Omondi was written in the bottom right-hand corner.
I was impressed by Zahra’s talent. The painting was really beautiful.
Not wanting to linger any longer, I pulled on my coat and rejoined Brett and Chloe in the lobby. We said our goodbyes to the other hockey players, who were now heading into the dining room, and then we dashed through the wind and snow to the parking lot.
I couldn’t relax in the truck. Out on the highway, visibility was poor, the snow swirling around us. The wind had grown stronger and it rocked the truck in an unnerving way.
“I’m sorry, Marley,” Brett said, his face grim. “We should have left earlier.”
“It’s okay,” I said, not wanting him to feel bad. “I worry more than I should.”
“I don’t know…” Chloe sounded as tense as I felt. “This is pretty bad. Maybe we should—”
Crack!
A dark shape hurtled toward the windshield.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chloe screamed.
Brett slammed on the brakes.
We all lurched forward and then back against the seat. It took a second for me to realize we hadn’t crashed.
“Are you both all right?” Brett asked, his words tense.
“I am,” I said in a shaky voice. “Chloe?”
She nodded, but she was clearly rattled.
“What about you?” I asked Brett.
“I’m fine, but we’ve got a problem.”
That much was obvious. A huge evergreen lay across the highway, mere feet from the front of the truck. Brett had stopped just in time to avoid a collision with the falling tree. If he’d hesitated for a split second, we might have been crushed.
“Stay here.” Brett was already getting out of the truck as he spoke.
I leaned forward, trying to get a better look at the tree. The trunk was so thick that it would have taken two of us with joined hands to form a circle around it when it was standing.
“I thought we were going to die.” Chloe still sounded shaken.
I was more than a little rattled myself. I put an arm around her and gave her a squeeze. “We’re okay.”
Brett spent a few seconds surveying the situation before climbing back into the truck. Even though he hadn’t been outside for long, a layer of snow covered his coat and hat.
“It’s a mess. There’s no way we can clear a path.” He started the engine. “We’ll have to turn back.”
I was half relieved and half disappointed. Even without the tree in our way, the trip down the mountain seemed too treacherous now, but turning back likely meant we’d have to stay the night at Holly Lodge.
“You don’t think…” Chloe started to say as Brett turned the truck around.
I figured I knew what she was about to ask. “That Kevin’s killer is at the lodge right now?”
“We’ll be fine,” Brett said firmly. He sounded so sure, but I could tell he wasn’t free of concern. That showed in his eyes.
I was worried too. Wilson had left earlier, but several people from my list of suspects were still at the lodge. I tried not to let my fear get the best of me.
“Even if Kevin’s killer is at Holly Lodge, no one was harmed during the service,” I said. “And if the killer achieved whatever he or she wanted by killing Kevin, there’s no reason why any of the rest of us would be a target.” I knew there was a gaping hole in what I’d just said.
Chloe didn’t miss it either. “But we don’t know what the killer was trying to achieve by murdering Kevin. So how do we know they don’t have more people on their hitlist?”
“Speculating will only make you more nervous,” Brett said. “We don’t have much choice but to go back.”
I thought about that for a second. “There are other lodges in the area, right? Maybe we can stay at one of those places instead.”
“That’s a good idea,” Chloe said quickly, relief evident in her voice.
Brett kept his gaze firmly on the road. What he could see of it, anyway. “Let’s start by getting back to Holly Lodge.”
Fortunately, the trip back was short and uneventful. I let out a heavy sigh of relief when Brett pulled into the parking lot and stopped the truck. Since the murder, I never would have thought I could be so happy to return to Holly Lodge. Still, I hoped it would be a brief visit and we’d soon move on to another lodge.
Leaving all our belongings in the truck, we braved the wind and snow to make a dash for the front door. We shook the snow off our coats and boots as best we could before going inside, but we still had plenty of flakes on us t
hat melted as soon as the warmth of the lobby hit us.
Zahra must have heard us arrive. She came into the lobby from the dining room, relief showing in her expression as soon as she saw us.
“Oh, thank goodness. I’m glad you came back. The driving conditions are terrible now.”
“That’s not the only problem,” I said.
“A tree came down across the highway,” Brett explained. “A big one. No one will be getting down the mountain until a crew can take care of it.”
“And in this weather, that’s not likely to happen anytime soon.” Zahra took in the sight of our long faces. “Don’t worry. You can stay here tonight, free of charge.”
“We don’t want to put you and your mom to any trouble,” Chloe protested. “Maybe we could stay at another lodge close by?”
Zahra shook her head. “The only other place you could possibly make it to in this weather is fully booked. Some of the guests we had to cancel on moved over there.”
Brett, Chloe, and I glanced at each other.
“Really, it’s no trouble,” Zahra assured us. “You can’t go out there again. It’s not safe.”
We knew she was right. There was no getting around it.
“Thank you,” I said. “We’re so sorry for the inconvenience, especially when you and your mom are going through so much.”
Zahra waved off my apology. “Really, it’s no bother. This kind of thing happens up here in the mountains from time to time. You three won’t be the only ones needing a place to stay. Ambrose and Lily can’t get down the mountain either. Most of the neighbors already headed home, either in their trucks or on snowmobiles, including Cindy, but Evie’s still here. She’ll stay with Harvey tonight.”
From the smooth way she said that, I figured she knew about Harvey and Evie’s relationship. Had she known all along, or were they no longer keeping it a secret? I gave those questions a firm shove, sending them to the back of my mind.
