Page 16 of Scoring the Mountain Man

“We are in for a winter blizzard like conditions starting this afternoon. Looks like it’s going to be a white out that will last at least for a full day, maybe a day and a half.”

“Shit,” I mutter.

I pick up the phone and call Jaxon without thinking.

“Aubrey?” he answers gruffly and his voice sends shivers down my spine.

“Hey, sorry to call so early, but I just heard that we may be getting a blizzard this afternoon and I wanted to make sure you have everything you need before I come up there today. They are calling for a white out and that means that the mountain may be impassable for the next few days,” I tell him.

“You’re coming up here today?” he asks, shocked.

“Yes. I need to make sure you are good before you get locked into the mountain and I’m unable to get up there. Do you have enough candles and water should you lose power?” I ask him.

“Ummm, I’m not sure,” he says and I hear him rustle around.

Did I wake him up?I wonder to myself, but don’t voice it aloud.

“I see some flashlights in the pantry, but I don’t know how good the batteries are,” he tells me, before continuing, “I have half a case of water.

“Okay, I’ll pick up some fresh batteries and water before I come up there. Do you need anything else? How’s your canned food supply?”

“I’m good on food. Your brother just took me grocery shopping a few days ago.”

“Great. I’ll see you in a little while,” I tell him as I hang up.

I grab some supplies in case I get stuck before getting home this afternoon. I would prefer to be prepared instead of unprepared. I make sure there is a thick blanket in the backseat and I have a full gas can, flashlight, emergency kit, and flares in case I get stranded on the side of the road.

I call Emily.

“Good morning Brey,” she says, chipperly.

“Morning Em, did you see the weather report for today?”

“No, I haven’t turned the tv on. What’s going on?”

“The weather man says we are in for a winter blizzard like conditions starting this afternoon. Looks like it’s going to be a white out that could last a day, maybe a day and a half,” I inform her.

“Oh, wow. Are you going to see Jaxon?” she asks.

“Yes, I already called him and plan to stop by the store to pick him up some fresh batteries and water. I’m hoping to be off the mountain before the storm hits this afternoon. I've packed my vehicle with the emergency essentials just in case, but I wanted to let you know where I would be in case I lose signal somewhere and get stranded.”

“Good point. Be safe and let me know when you leave his place,” she tells me and I can tell she is worried something might happen.

“I promise if it looks too dangerous to drive, I will stay put at Jaxon’s, but hopefully it doesn’t come to that,” I tell her to ease her worry.

“Either way, keep me updated,” she says and I agree.

I drive to the local grocery store and stock up on batteries, candles, and water, needing to ensure Jaxon is going to be okay through this storm.

I make the drive up the mountain and the roads are currently clear, but I can see how low the clouds are and I know it won’t be long until the snow starts falling. If I don’t stay long, I should be able to make it home before anything happens.

I get to Jaxon’s cabin and unload everything from the car. I can feel the wind picking up and the cold goes through me, straight to my bones.

I walk into Jaxon’s place and lay down the bag of candles and batteries, before going back out to the car for the three cases of water. I bring them in one at a time and put them on the kitchen floor.

Jaxon is at the island in the kitchen, replacing the batteries in all the flashlights he found. I close the door when I bring in the last case of water.

“Do you think this will be enough?” I ask him.

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