“Because you’re missing? Duh.”
“I’m not missing, Evie. I’m hiding.”
I turn in the seat to face him. “Hiding? What do you mean?”
“I told you. I was coming up to my cabin to get away from everyone. They all know not to bother me. They know I won’t answer my phone. So no one knows I’m stranded in the snow.”
“What? Are you serious? We could die out here, Storm. What if the truck doesn’t come to plow?”
I burst into tears before I can stop myself. He scoots over and puts his arm around me, puts his hand on my head, guiding me to rest on his shoulder. “Shh... it’s gonna be okay. I promise. You’re just tired and a little stir crazy. I promise I’ll get us out of here. Don’t cry.” He pulls my head up and wipes my tears away with his thumbs. Holy damn, his eyes are green like a cat. “Evelyn, I know it’s hard but we have to keep our shit together, okay? I’ll get us out of here. Just trust me.” I nod, mesmerized by his eyes. I can barely hear him speaking.
“Your eyes are amazing.”
He laughs and hands me a tissue. “Well, thanks. Are you okay? Don’t be having a fucking meltdown on me, okay?”
I blow my nose a little and wipe at my eyes. “I’m sorry. I just want to go home.”
“We’ll get you home soon. I’m sure your family and Michael are missing you a lot. And your cat.”
I blink back the tears and shake my head at him. “I don’t have any family, Storm. Just Michael and Halo.”
“All right, baby. I get it.” He keeps his arm around me, and I rest my head on his shoulder again. I soon fall asleep listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat.
Chapter Four
I’m walking through the snow. Everything is so bright, it’s almost blinding. Up ahead on the trail, I can see Niko bouncing around in the snow. Every now and then, he stops, turns to look at me, comes back to lick my hand, then runs ahead of me again. Snow flurries are falling softly. I turn my face up and open my mouth to catch some on my tongue. Suddenly, a red cardinal flies by my head and lands on a tree branch just a few feet away from me. She is gorgeous, so scarlet red against the snow. As I’m admiring her, another red cardinal swoops in and perches next to her. A beautiful little couple, so bright and vivid.
“Evelyn... Wake up.” I’m being shook. I slowly open my eyes. I’m lying against Storm, still in the back of the truck.
“I was dreaming of red cardinals in the snow. And Niko was there,” I say groggily.
“Really? Was the tin man there, too?”
I sit up and scowl at him. “Very funny.”
“Okay, look. I’m gonna clean off the truck and a little path for you to pee, then we’re gonna eat some breakfast, and then we have to listen for the truck.”
“Did the snow stop?”