Page 57 of Declan
After a hearty breakfast that filled them with warmth and energy, they wrapped themselves in layers of clothing and made their way out to the garage, accompanied by Tank, who bounced around them, barking joyfully.
“Is he going with us?” Elise asked, watching the dog’s enthusiastic antics.
“Yeah, he loves it,” Declan replied as he walked over to the snowmobiles. He pulled two helmets and scarves from a shelf. “Wrap the scarf around first and tuck it into the top of your coat, then put on the helmet. Your face will thank you later.”
“Okay,” Elise nodded, following his instructions with a smile.
Declan pressed a button, and the garage door rumbled open, revealing a magical winter wonderland. Elise gasped at the sight of the thick, fluffy snow that had blanketed everything overnight. Declan turned to her, noticing her wide-eyed wonder.
“We don’t have to go if you’re not up for it,” he said.
“Oh, I want to go,” she insisted, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I’m just amazed at how much snow there is.”
“Well, being October, we might get even more, or it could warm up. One Halloween, it was seventy degrees,” Declan said,chuckling as he pushed the snowmobile outside and closed the garage door. “Living so close to the mountains, you never really know. The weather station isn’t always spot-on,” he added with a grin, climbing onto the snowmobile and extending a hand to help her up. She settled in behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist for support.
He started the engine, the machine roaring to life beneath them. He revved it a few times and then they shot forward, carving a path through the pristine snow. Elise let out a delighted scream as they sped across the snowy landscape, her arms tightening around him in exhilaration.
“You’re enjoying this too much!” she yelled over the whirring of the engine, her voice filled with laughter and excitement.
Declan didn’t reply, just increased the throttle, sending snow spraying up around them in a glittering arc. Elise leaned into him, her face pressed against his back, feeling the rush of the cold wind and the thrill of the ride enveloping them both.
As Declan threaded the snowmobile between the towering pines, the engine’s low rumble rolled beneath him like a caged beast. He glanced over his shoulder to see Tank bounding through the drifts behind them. He eased off the throttle so the dog wouldn’t expend all his energy too soon. Branches, heavy with fresh snow, arched overhead, shedding soft white shards onto their path with each gust of wind.
After twenty minutes of weaving downhill and over frozen streams, the trail opened onto a gentle rise. Declan throttled back, and the snowmobile coasted to a halt. Leaning so Elise could catch every word, he swept one arm toward a clearing. There, half-hidden by birch trees, stood a rustic cabin of weathered logs, its dark-green roof frosted with snow. Twenty feet from its porch lay a pond the color of smoked glass, its surface distorted by occasional swirls of wind.
“My cabin,” Declan said after raising the visor of his helmet.
Elise dismounted, her boots crunching in the crusted snow, and stood speechless. She raised the visor, and her wide eyes reflected the scene. “It’s stunning,” she whispered, voice soft as falling snow. “Like something from a Christmas card.”
He nodded. “This pond alone spans over two acres. The ones farther down the ridge are smaller, but this spot…” He squeezed her mittened hand. “I come here when I need to clear my head, especially after a rough day.”
She drew in a breath so deep the crisp air seemed to tingle in her lungs. “I can see why. It’s so peaceful.”
“I’ll pull up to the porch,” he said, tapping the throttle. “We can warm up inside.”
“Does it have a fireplace?” she asked, as she climbed back onto the snowmobile.
“A big stone hearth, huge cedar beams overhead. I’ll get a fire going in no time.”
Elise nodded again and pressed her face into his back, melting into his coat as he guided the snowmobile toward the steps. He killed the engine and the forest fell silent except for the distant creak of ice. He hopped off, reached back, and helped her, then looked around for Tank. He called, “Tank!” but the dog didn’t appear.
“Where is he?” Elise murmured, her breath pluming white in front of them.
“I don’t know, he never wanders—” Declan stared out into the woods.
Elise pointed. “There he is.” Tank burst from the trees, dispersing a puff of snow as he skidded up to them.
Declan exhaled in relief. “Damn, boy, you had me worried. I don’t need you chasing wolves—”
“Elise’s eyes snapped toward him. “Wolves?”
His jaw tightened. He shouldn’t have said it, but the warning slipped free. “They’re out there,” he admitted in a low voice. “But they shouldn’t bother us.”
“Please don’t lie.” Her voice was taut with tension. “If they’re hungry—”
He guided her onto the porch, brushing snow from her coat. “Trust me,” he said, as he opened the door, reached in and turned on a light. Tank padded onto the porch then shook his body, throwing snow everywhere.
Inside the cabin, the air smelled of old pine and the tang of wood smoke. Elise peeled off her mittens and removed her helmet, her hair spilling free in dark waves. She unbuttoned her coat and glared at him as if daring him to hide anything. He resisted grinning.
