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

by Adele Huxley

  The ledge was only large enough for two people to stand on. I maneuvered myself around so I was at the very end. While precarious, I hoped it would give Henry and the others an opportunity to tackle her back inside. I banked on the hope she truly believed this was a marriage proposal and wouldn’t try to push me over the edge.

  “You’ll have to help me to one knee if I’m going to do this right,” I grinned. “And maybe tuck the knife away? Not very romantic.”

  “Oh! Duh, of course,” she exclaimed as she helped me to my knee. The fact any of that made sense to her is evidence to how far gone her mental state was. “Careful. I wouldn’t want you to fall,” she giggled as she slipped the knife into a coat pocket, the black handle protruding.

  Once I settled into position, I smiled warmly. “Angie. We’ve known each other for so long, been through so much. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without you.”

  Her eyes welled with tears. She brought one hand to her mouth and gasped. “Oh, Bryan. I can’t believe this is happening.”

  Does she really not remember the first time I did this? I could probably say the same exact thing I did then and she wouldn’t know the difference.

  “Over the years, we’ve had ups and downs…”

  Angie sniffed and nodded in agreement. “Totally. What couple doesn’t?” she interrupted.

  In my peripheral vision, I saw Henry and the other men move closer. I had to keep her focused on me long enough they could grab her. “We can never predict where life will take us, but with you by my side…”

  “Bryan!” a voice rang out. I turned towards the sound, my heart leaping as I found her in the distance. Liz stood on the edge of the observation deck, held back by a couple of officers. It might be hard to believe, but for a moment I forgot where I was. Seeing her filled me with such joy, all my fear disappeared. Not only was she okay, she was giving them hell. “If you fucking touch him…” she shouted.

  Angie’s face contorted again. Pure rage turned her once beautiful face into something grotesque. “That little slut,” she growled. “I should’ve killed you when I had the chance!” she yelled back.

  It was now or never. I lunged forward and kicked my bent leg hard against the wooden floor. The split second distraction was enough time for me to whip my hands around and grab her by the waist. Unfortunately, I must’ve telegraphed the move. She moved too quickly. Maybe I still had more of that drug in my system than I thought. I’d intended on throwing her into the main space of the bridge, but she twisted at the last second.

  We both landed awkwardly on our sides, still balanced on the ledge. Time froze. Angie looked at me with shock and disappointment. “How could you ruin this for me?” she asked as her hand slid to the pocket where she’d stashed the knife.

  We moved at the same time, but both miscalculated how narrow the ledge was. Angie tried to roll away enough to get a full swing at me with the knife. Her lower half slipped from the side, the knife skittering away and over the edge as she reached for a handhold. She managed to snatch a fistful of my coat sleeve, pulling me along as she slid out of sight.

  I reacted instinctively. There was no brave moment where she dangled from my hand while I desperately tried to lift her to safety. Those things happen in movies, not real life. In reality, it was her or me. I chose me.

  My free hand shot out and grabbed the base of the railing. Gravity wrenched her weak grip from my arm, but not before pulling me half off the ledge along with her. Her scream echoed through the canyon, dimmed only by Liz shouting my name.

  A couple pairs of hands were on me in an instant, pulling me up and away from the abyss. Even with their fast reactions, I was surprised my shoulder had been strong enough to hold me there in the first place. I landed in a heap, panting like I’d just run a marathon. The horrific scream she’d loosed as she fell echoed in my memory. I briefly thought that anyone living nearby would be freaked out, but swiftly corrected myself. Hundreds of people scream in this valley every day. Nothing new. And probably because of the shock of the situation, I started to laugh.

  “You all right, son?” Henry said with concern.

  I nodded as I tried to pull myself together.

  “Jackson, we need a boat on the Kawarau. Probably call search and rescue,” Henry said into his walkie talkie while giving me an odd look.

  I stared at the sky above as my breathing returned to normal, a pale blue growing darker with every passing second. He helped me to a seated position against the side just as Liz broke through the gate at the end of the bridge. With an obvious limp, she desperately pulled herself along the railing.

  She fell to her knees at my side with a grimace, but immediately started examining me. “Oh my God, are you okay? Your wrists! She cut you? Oh Christ, I thought you were going to…” she sobbed as she flung her arms around my neck.

  “It’s all right, everything’s okay now,” I soothed, a chuckle rumbling in my chest.

  “I remembered that ridiculous Playboy thing I found before we left. It was fate or something. God, Bryan. What a shitstorm.” I couldn’t contain the laugh at her creative curse. Liz pulled back and gave me an incredulous look. “What’s so funny?”

  I licked my lips and slipped my hand behind her head. I pulled her mouth to me for a hard kiss, pausing just before our lips met. “I’ve saved you and now you’ve saved me. Looks like we’re even.”

  All things considered, Liz and I were incredibly lucky. As we sat out in the hallway, patiently waiting for the doctor to come give us the final release, we hadn’t stopped touching one another. The clinic was at full capacity with the gondola crash, so we’d been pushed to a stretcher in the hall. Rumor was, three people had been killed and over two dozen seriously injured. I still couldn’t believe Angie would go to such lengths. And for what? The whole event was beyond comprehension. All we could do was comfort each other and count our blessings.

  Liz rested on the stretcher while I sat at her feet. Once the shock wore off, she’d been in tremendous pain. Between her leg, the concussion, and the reopened wound in her side, I was surprised she could even talk.

  “There’s one thing,” she said as she slid an arm under her head. “If I ever see that girl Paige again, I probably owe her an apology. I was about to slap that bitch down and turns out, wrong bitch!”

  I shook my head at her twisted humor and laughed. “You were right to worry. She tried to come onto me at one point, so it’s not like you were going completely crazy.”

  “I know,” Liz replied flatly. “It was pretty damn obvious.” She sat up quickly on her elbow and gave a shout and wave. “Hey you!”

  I turned in time to see Janet race past in a blur and into Lauren’s outstretched arms. The two women held each other for a long moment before pulling away in tears.

  “They didn’t let me see you after the accident, and then you were gone. I had no idea what was happening.” She reached out and gripped my shoulder. “Oh, thank God you two are okay. I can’t believe any of this happened.” She wiped her bloodshot eyes and tried to steady herself. Seeing the normally stoic Janet so broken up made it all worse.

  “I’m failing to process it all, too. But I think that’s mostly the painkillers,” Liz chuckled.

  “Did you get in touch with our parents?” I asked. I knew the story must’ve been all over the news. The last thing I wanted was for them to wake up and see it without knowing we were all right.

  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 a
s 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.