“You just said Michael makes the decisions. That doesn’t sound like ‘together’ to me. It sounds like you need his permission. And you’re chattering again.”
I cross my arms and pout at him. Damn him! He’s right. Why do I need Michael’s permission to get a new car?
We wait some more and I start to doze off until Storm shoves me awake again. “I think I heard a truck.”
“You think?”
“I’m going to walk up to the road. I’m going to leave Niko here with you.”
“What? Why?” I sit up straight, fully awake now. “Why are you leaving him here with me?”
“I don’t want you here alone. I may be gone for a while. I want him to sit back here with you and keep you warm.”
I shake my head. I don’t mind the dog at all anymore, but I don’t like being left here. “Storm, what if something happens to you?”
“I’ll be fine. I have to go out there and see if that’s the truck. Don’t worry, okay?” He actually leans over and ruffles my hair. “I’ll be back and we’ll be outta here. Call Niko back here when I’m gone, okay? Promise me.”
I nod nervously. I don’t want him to go. “I promise.”
And with that, he’s gone.
I watch him walk out into the white and up the hill until I can’t see him anymore. I stare at the space where he disappeared for a few moments and then turn to the dog in the front seat.
“Niko... Come here.” I pat the space next to me. The fluff monster stares at me for a few minutes like he’s not sure if he should or not. “Come on.” I raise my voice a bit to sound happier, and that does it. He wags his tail and leaps into the back seat and snuggles up right against me. The size of this animal is immense. He must be over a hundred pounds. I gently stroke his head and he lays his head on my leg. To think of someone abusing this beautiful dog and starving him almost to death just sickens me.
I have no idea what time it is or how long Storm has been gone, but it feels like forever. Not having a watch or any way to tell time is a really disturbing feeling. This experience has really shown me how much I rely on technology.
Niko’s head suddenly pops up and his ears tweak around like little fuzzy antennas. Off in the distance, I can see Storm walking toward the truck. My hearts starts to race a bit. Please let the plow truck be here! His boots and jeans are covered in snow up to his knees. The poor guy has to be freezing his butt off.
When he opens the door, he has a huge smile on his face. “See? I told ya I’d get us out of here.”
“The plow truck is here?” I’m so excited I want to bounce up and down.
“Sure as shit is, and it’s my buddy John driving it. He’ll take us to my cabin and plow my driveway, too.”
“Thank God!”