Page 19 of Light Up
“You’ve walked all that way? And another two miles to get here?”
“Yes.” Corey was shivering as well. He couldn’t get the damn laces undone. His hood was still up and he didn’t even have the strength to shove it down.
“We had no phone s-signal. My car caught fire. Corey pulled me out. S-saved my life.”
“Well done, young man,” Jefferson said.
“There were no other vehicles around,” Tal said. “I’d s-spotted the lights of your tree as I drove past. We decided to take a chance and w-walk.”
Tal was still holding onto his case and Corey wondered why. Then one trainer came undone and he levered it off along with his sock. His feet were bone white. His toes didn’t move when he tried to wriggle them.That’s not good.He grasped them and rubbed as hard as he could.Ouch!
“The signal is bad in this area, particularly in poor weather. The landline is operational at the moment, but I don’t think we’ll be accessible to vehicles until the snowplough comes.”
“Do you have any rooms?” Tal asked.
Please, please, please.Corey was desperate to get warm. Whatever it cost, he’d pay by one means or another.
“Only one, I’m afraid.”
Oh damn. Well, maybe that was for the best. He could never afford this place. “You have it,” Corey said. “If I could just sit in a warm spot until the police come, I’d be very grateful.” He gave a loud groan as his other sock came off. He struggled to his feet, pressed his toes onto the warm floor, biting back the yelp of pain as they started to come back to life.
He stumbled over to Tal who was still holding his suitcase. “Are you stuck to your case?”
“I suspect I am.”
Corey wrapped his hands around the frozen glove and after a moment, was able to pull Tal free. His fingers were as white as Corey’s toes.
“Did you get the number of the truck?” Jefferson asked.
“No,” Tal said.
“Any identifying details?”
“No.” They both said.
Corey fumbled with the buttons of his jacket but his fingers were useless.
“Ah, then I’m not sure the police would be able to do anything. They’d not make it here in these conditions anyway.”
“But he hit us and drove off without s-stopping,” Corey said.
“Which is against the law, but how would they trace him?” Jefferson pointed out. “I assume the truck was damaged but clearly not badly enough to prevent the driver continuing his journey. The police should be notified, but this is an insurance matter.”
“You’re right.” Tal was trying and failing to unfasten the buttons on his coat. Corey gave up with the fastenings on his own jacket, pushed Tal’s fingers aside and helped him. He heard Tal’s intake of breath.
“If you give me the details of your vehicles, I’ll inform the police,” Jefferson told them. “They’ll secure the scene once the road is open. We’re not on a snowplough route, so not a priority for the council. We have an agreement with a local farmer to clear the lane but we’re not a first call for him either.”
Corey undid the last of Tal’s buttons and tried again with his own. When the final button came free, Corey let his jacket slip off his shoulders to the floor. It was completely sodden, as was his sweater.Shit.So he took that off too. His T-shirt was plastered to his skin but maybe the striptease should stop before he got carried away.
“Is there s-somewhere I could warm up?” Corey asked. “A fire? Radiator? An Aga I can sit in? Or is that only lambs? I just need a place to wait until morning, and then I’ll get an Uber.”
“You’re soaked,” Tal said.
Corey looked at him full on for the first time in the light and watched Tal’s eyes widen.Yeah, I know I look like a drowned rat. Probably a poisoned one with my bluey-grey hair.But Tal was…Oh.It was as if he’d stepped straight out of one of Corey’s dreams into the real world. Even more gorgeous than he’d thought. Shortish dark hair, narrow face, the hint of stubble and the darkest eyes Corey had ever seen. Blue but… navy blue.Stop gawping!But he couldn’t help it.
“No Ubers,” Jefferson said.
Corey tore his gaze away and tuned back in. “No?”
