Page 2 of Girl in the Snow
“That’s perfect.New York, here I come.”She forced her lips into an approximation of a smile.
This trip would be an adventure.Just what she needed.Deanna nodded, and almost convinced herself.
Chapter Two
Somewhere in New York State, USA
“Sugar!”Thesillynon-swearword her mother had often used popped out of Deanna’s mouth as she drummed her fingertips on the steering wheel.
Deanna was stuck, no two ways about it.She stared out the windshield of the basic Ford sedan she’d rented at LaGuardia.The sky was a whiteout.Snow was predicted and she wanted to get into town before any major falls, but she was in heavy traffic crawling along the I-87 thruway, when she should have been really motoring.
The radio news alert interrupted a classic pop hit: Belinda Carlisle asking someone to leave a light on.
“Time for the weather update,” the radio host announced in an annoyingly chipper voice.“It’s going to be a cold one, and the snow is coming in fast around Lake Placid.An arctic blast is predicted with snowfall of up to six inches.If you have time to stop at the market, be sure to stock up on groceries and water in case of power outages.More updates at five.”
“That sucks.”Deanna stared straight ahead as traffic got moving, and snow started falling right on schedule.The fluttery white snowflakes were pretty, but a little concerning.She had to get to the lodge as soon as possible.
When a space opened in the right lane, she immediately took it, moving up in the line of traffic snaking ahead of her.
Getting into town as soon as possible was a great idea in theory, but not happening in reality.
Deanna finally reached the correct turn-off, and she was so glad to get off the interstate she could have done a happy dance.If she ever got out of the car, and if her legs still worked, maybe she would.The supposed five-hour trip had taken six so far.Luckily, she’d grabbed a coffee and taken a bathroom break a couple of hours ago at some diner.
On the plus side, further off the beaten track, the views were breathtaking.She’d entered the Adirondacks region, and the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the mountains in the distance framed the edges of her personal landscape.Pine trees on either side of the road were already frosted and the ground was white as far as she could see.It was like suddenly being transported to the inside of a magical snow globe.
It was majestic, beautiful, all the descriptive words.But it was hard to appreciate her surroundings at that moment.All she wanted was to get to the lodge and snuggle in for a warm night tucked up under blankets, safe from the cold world outside the walls of her cabin.Preferably after a hot meal.After so much travel, flying from London to New York and then hours of driving, she was exhausted.And ravenous.She’d murder a burger and fries.
Then, something sputtered.A pathetic sound directly from her car’s engine.She put her foot down a little, hoping to rev herself out of any trouble.No such luck.The car bunny-hopped forward as if she had the handbrake on.But she was still going.Slowly.
“Bloody hell!”Deanna took a couple of deep, cleansing breaths.
She revved the engine again.An unholy screech rang out, the car swerved right, and she struggled with the power steering to correct it, accidentally shooting too far in the other direction.
The next sputter shook the car beneath her seat, the wheels locked, and she skidded on the slippery road until the car came to a halt on the gravel shoulder.
Of course, the engine died.
“Oh, no.Nononononooo!”
Deanna tried turning the key.Despite a choked sound, nothing happened.She unbuckled her seatbelt and opened her door.Stepping out onto the road, she slipped in her sneakers and almost face-planted.Grabbing onto the car roof, she righted herself, and leaned on the car for stability.
She looked up and down the road.Deserted didn’t even cover it.It was tooquiet.As in, no people in any direction or even the slightest sign of life.But there were probably eagles or vultures waiting to eat her alive.Orwolveshiding beyond the tree line.
In a hurry to get away from all thenature, Deanna clambered back into the driver’s seat and reached for her phone in the console.She checked it to find…no signal.Panic shivered through her body, like icy pinpricks on her skin.Or it was simply freezing cold.
What to do?Get out and walk a little way and see if she could get phone reception?As she stared blankly out the windshield, that seemed the best option.She held her phone up again and stretched her arms in every direction, trying to catch a glimmer of phone signal to latch on to.
But wait… There had been an email from the lodge earlier.She hadn’t read it properly because she’d wanted to get on the road.Now she opened her email app and read it through.Then she groaned from the depths of her soul.
Dear customer,
Your reservation is not available for the selected time period.Please contact the hotel directly to make a new booking.Your booking fee has been refunded to your nominated credit card.Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Best regards,
Reservations team
The sign-off from the automated message bot made her want to break something.She scrolled back through her emails and found the one she was looking for.The original confirmation of her booking included a direct phone number, email and the familiar name of the manager at the lodge.
