Winter Falls (Evergreen Lake: Under the Mistletoe)

Chapter 19

nineteen

I was getting quite concerned now. It was evident the train was struggling against the snow, which was way deeper out here and coming down like gangbusters.

The mood on the train was still upbeat, festive, and people seemed excited that the snow was falling and making comments like ‘it's so Christmassy’.

It really was; it was beautiful. And if nobody had anywhere to go, it would be even more beautiful and I could relax. But I had a feeling that I should've created a contingency plan when I first saw this forecast last week.

I tried to see out the window and up the tracks in the direction we were going, but the blizzard and the blowing snow from the train ploughing through it made visibility almost impossible.

I had no idea where we were. I checked my watch, and it was closing in on an hour when the trip should've only been 30 minutes. That meant it would be at least an hour trip back so we'd have to cut the visit at Winter Farm short. I was pretty sure the passengers would rather a short trip than be stranded.

Two sharp whistles from the train blasted and I jumped. We must be close. I breathed a sigh of relief. At least we weren't stuck out in the middle of nowhere. The train slowed and came to a stop.

"We are here!"

"Oh look. There’s horses and a sleigh."

"Is that Santa?"

I rubbed the fog off the window to look out and saw two men standing on the platform and a large sled with two huge, beautiful grey horses hitched up.

Before the rest of the passengers gathered their belongings, I dashed off first. It was Amos and another guy. I rushed up to him.

"I'm so worried," were the first words out of my mouth. I turned my back to the wind, and he moved to block it from me. "What are we gonna do? I knew this storm was going come!"

“I’ll talk to the engineer and the conductor and get their opinion. But it looks like the old girl was struggling to get through the snow. It's getting deep fast and I'm concerned that if the train leaves, you'll get stranded before you even hit town." He stared down at me, and his calm, even voice reassured me that everything would be fine and he had it all under control.

"I have no contingency plan for this. I wish I'd cancelled the train when I first saw the snow earlier today."

"There's no point worrying about that now. The first thing we need to do is get everybody back to the bonfire. That's why we hitched the team, so no one would have to walk through the forest."

Caleb who walked over to those getting off the train and herded them towards the sled.

"I'm so glad you did. I wasn't sure what to expect when we arrived and I was half expecting to get stuck way back there on the tracks." I waved my hand over my shoulder, indicating the direction we had come from. “That would've been a disaster." I heard the anxiety in my voice, and I would need to calm myself down by the time we got to the bonfire.

Amos smiled at me. "You’re getting way ahead of yourself. It'll all work out and yes, you're lucky the train made it. So why don't we get everybody on the sled and head back? I'm sure everyone is cold." He glanced over to the engine. "Go get on the sled, sit at the front with Caleb, and I'll be right back. I need to talk to the engineer.”

I was kind of glad he taken charge. He seemed to have it more in hand than I ever could have. My mind was turning over all possible scenarios, and I was grateful for Amos to have thought ahead. I climbed up onto the seat at the front and looked down at the horses. They were covered in snow, but they didn't seem to mind. I bet they were warmer than me with their thick winter coats.

Caleb climbed up beside me. "I'm Caleb, I think we've got everybody seated and we're just waiting for Amos, the engineer, and the conductor. They'll sit on the back with the passengers to keep an eye on things."

I nodded. "I'm Holly, good to meet you and thanks so much for your help."

Moments later, Amos climbed up onto the seat, and I squished between the two men’s warm bodies. I shivered and hunkered down in my coat.

"I know you're cold, just lean against us and we’ll be at the bonfire in no time." Amos clucked to the horses, and I was sure he leaned just a little bit closer to me, and his leg pressed against mine.

Even though I was half frozen, my body was electrified by his touch. If we stayed this close for the remainder of the ride, I was pretty sure I’d thaw out completely.

So far, I hadn't caught any anxiety from the passengers. They still seemed excited and were enjoying themselves. I bet they thought Mother Nature had whipped up this blizzard special just for them. As long as they had a good time and they stayed safe, was all I cared about.

Once the horses moved into a trot, I felt better knowing we were headed in the right direction. I had to admit it was beautiful out here. The trees, tall pines and spruces, were well shaped, and planted in even rows. They shielded us from the whipping snow, and it came down heavily but more gently. It was quiet, hushed, only the muted sound of sleigh bells, the horses’ snorts and creak of harnesses could be heard. Even the passengers were quiet as if sensing this was a special moment.

I glanced at Amos. He held the reins lightly and spoke softly to the horses in words I didn't understand, clucking to them occasionally.

This man was full of surprises. I was glad this was one of them. He looked down at me, our eyes met, and I couldn't pull my gaze away. I licked my lips which was a mistake because they instantly froze. He glanced down at them, and then back into my eyes, causing a tumultuous vortex of heat to swirl in my belly, igniting the long dead embers of desire.

I was the first to glance away. Otherwise, I was sure he would see the emotion on my face. My hair escaped my hat and blew across my cheek. I was able to look at him through the strands. He was still watching me. I sucked in a breath. His leg still touched mine and I didn't move. I liked the intimacy, the rare closeness.

"Here we are," he said, loud enough for just me to hear.

On one hand, I was glad we arrived at the fire pit, but on the other hand, I was sorry the ride had ended.

He climbed down and offered his hand up to me. I was about to take it and jump down, when he grabbed my waist and lifted me down. A small "oh" burst from me and my hands rested on his shoulders, running down his chest as he placed my feet on the ground.

It seemed like an eternity before we let go of each other, and I was shaken to the core.

"Warm up by the fire, I'll bring you a hot chocolate."

Caleb had climbed back onto the seat once the sled was empty. "You stay here with everyone, and I’ll take the horses back and bed them down."

"Thanks, I'll be along shortly," Amos told Caleb.

Caleb clucked to the horses and they continued on through the trees, their sleigh bells getting fainter.

I was suddenly chilled by the lack of his presence, not just his physical presence, but the emotional one too. I walked to the fire and he went to the shack and made two cups of hot chocolate. I watched him through the shimmer of heat from the flames. He was so different, like a completely different man from what I remembered from when I was a teenager and had taken the heat for Alana and faced Amos's anger to all those times over the years that he'd been Mr. Grumpyface as I'd named him because he never smiled, or talked much, just seemed a sour faced, overbearing guy.

He'd proven it to me when I'd come back to Evergreen Lake to live and work. Even more so over the past year during the planning stages of the Christmas Festival. Watching him walk toward me, the old Mr. Grumpyface had disappeared. At least over the last few days.

I thought about how hard Alana and I had laughed when I dubbed him that name the first time. I never told Paulie the nickname I'd given him. It was Alana's and my secret. But, now I had such a profound sense of shame at how cruel we'd been. I'd been. My chest tightened and breathing was suddenly difficult and tears welled up.

Shit. I swept them away with my glove before he was beside me.

"Here you go. With a bit of milk to cool it down a bit." Amos handed me the cup and I bit back a sob. Why was I turning into such an emotional dweeb?

Damn it, Holly. Snap out of it.

"Thank you," my voice croaked. I cleared my throat.

"Are you okay?" He looked down at me, the vaguest hint of concern on his features.

Shit, shit. Where was Mr. Grumpyface? If he didn't come back, I'd be a wreck with this new and different Amos.

"I'm fine, just got smoke in my eye." I lifted the cup and took a sip. The hot chocolate raced down my throat, warming me from the inside. "Oh, that's nice," I commented.

"Asher is on hot chocolate duty today and I think he was a bit more liberal in the use of the chocolate. The crowd seems pleased with it."

I looked around--people were gathered around the fire under the falling snow which was getting continually worse and deeper.

"The train is stuck, isn't it? We're stranded here," I said behind the edge of the cup.

"Appears so. The engineer said the train almost got stuck a few times and it definitely will be snowed in now it's at a stop." Amos was tall, and had he positioned himself purposely to help block the wind or was I imagining it?

"So what now? What do we do with all these people?" I sighed at this unexpected, kinda expected development.

"The way I see it, we tell the crowd the truth, and that the homestead is their safe haven."

"Amos!" I faced him, shocked. "You can't be serious to have all these people in your house." I'd never been in it and only seen photos of the outside. It was large, but I didn't think it was big enough to house this group.

"What else will we do? Put them in the barn?" His smile widened and a dimple I'd never seen before deepened on his cheek.

"Uhm, no. I don't think that would be right."

"I was kidding. How about we corral them up and give them the good news. I did a count earlier and we don't have near as many folks as yesterday. Twenty-three and a puppy."

"Puppy?" I peered through the smoke and snow for the puppy and saw Tess with a group on the other side of the bonfire. Well then, imagine that.

"Excuse me, folks, but if you could all gather at the shack please," Amos got their attention with his loud voice and we all gathered where he indicated.

"I have a bit of bad news and some good news. First the bad. This snow has got the train stuck as it's not equipped to travel on the tracks when it's deep. I don't know about you all, but nature can be a funny thing and she decided to let us know who's boss. This weather is turning into a right rip roaring blizzard, which means we'll have to hunker down."

Murmurs of alarm rippled through the group of people.

Amos held up his hands and they quieted. "Now for the good news. My brother, Asher, and I welcome you into our home for warmth, comfort, and safety. With some doubling up, and if we all pull together, there will be room for us all. If it's too tight, we can warm up the old bunk house where the cowboys used to stay in the old days. Hopefully the snow will end overnight and you can all be on your way in the morning." He paused and some hands raised. "Feel free to make your way to the house now, or stay and enjoy the fire and hot chocolate. I'll be escorting Holly, the Chamber of Commerce Manager, to the house. She is the brainchild behind Evergreen Lake's Christmas Festival and is concerned for you all."

I looked at him, surprised by the shout out, and grateful. I stepped forward.

"Thanks, Mr. Winter, for opening your home in this time of need. I'll be at the house, which is...that way?" I pointed in the direction the horses had trotted, and Amos nodded. "Yes, that way. The snow is getting heavier and I'd feel much more comfortable if everyone was safely in the house before it gets too dark.”

And as if on cue, the Christmas lights around the bonfire went out. The crowd oohed with alarm.

"Looks like the power has gone out," Amos said. "It's not uncommon. We have auxiliary power, so maybe it's a good idea we all go to the house now." He leaned down to me. "I'd rather not lose anyone in the forest. That wouldn't be good."

"No, I agree." I raised my hand and shouted. "This way, folks. Please follow Mr. Winter."

I'd stay back and make sure there were no stragglers, and follow up the rear. I said as much to Amos.