Witching You Weren’t Snowed In (Witching You #2)

Chapter 15

Sage

“This is it, folks! Merry Christmas Eve. Get ready to hunker down because this storm is shaping up to be a snowmageddon. Expect blizzard-like conditions later today. Stay tuned for the full holiday forecast.”

I groaned as the radio announcer’s voice blared from the alarm clock next to my bed. Who set that thing for seven a.m.? A better question—who set it all? I flopped onto my back, glaring at the blond band leader on my ceiling.

“If I find out it was you, the poster's coming down,” I threatened as I kicked off the covers and shuffled toward the window.

Dark clouds gathered overhead, promising the snowpocalypse and the wind whistled through the barren trees. The neighbor across the street was already out salting his porch steps, and a snowplow barreled through, leaving a heavy stream of road salt in its wake.

“Talk about a white Christmas. This is overkill,” I grumbled, puttering into the bathroom for a quick shower. After I dried my hair, I wriggled into a pair of black leggings and threw on an oversized cranberry-red sweater before heading downstairs.

A pot of coffee greeted me, but no one else did. The house was eerily quiet. A note on the fridge revealed my parents were next door in the tea shop, and they’d be back soon.

I needed a distraction. Marcy’s tarot reading from the other night still rattled in my mind, and I couldn’t help but glance outside as the snow started to fall and wonder if this was the ‘storm’ in question. The radio announcer certainly made it seem like this was the end of days, and if my weather curse was supposed to lead me somewhere, it had better hustle before they shut down the roads.

The presents were wrapped, and the stockings were hung. There wasn’t much left to do, so I settled for a little pre-holiday baking. If we lost power, I wanted an army of gingerbread men to keep me company through the dark and stormy night. Waking up single and alone on Christmas morning wouldn’t be so bad with a man made of sugar by my side.

My phone jingled, and I licked icing from my fingers before checking the message. It was an email from the agency, informing me Delia had completed her first case. I read through the report, my eyebrows lifting from the unusual mix-up. But Delia had pulled through and earned her promotion—and a little holiday romance on the side. Lucky girl, she’d cut down two Christmas trees with one saw.

“Way to go, Del!” I fist-pumped the air, then tossed a green gumdrop into my mouth in celebration. While the last batch of cookies cooled, I forwarded her the memo, along with my own congratulations. At least Delia’s story had a happy ending. Mine had rapidly deteriorated like the weather conditions wreaking havoc outside.

I had finished cleaning the kitchen when my phone jingled again. Tossing the dishrag over the edge of the sink, I grabbed a cookie, excited for Delia’s reply.

A scowl formed as I read the message.

Valerie: Hey Sage, Leo wants his trophy back. Can you swing it by the lodge before the storm hits?

I scoffed and typed a reply.

Sage: Tell Mr. Grayson, he can eat snow.

My phone jingled at Valerie’s quick reply.

Valerie: He’s very insistent.

Sage: I’ll leave it in the mailbox. If he wants it that bad, he can come get it himself.

My teeth ground together as I pushed off the kitchen stool and stomped up the stairs to my bedroom. That man was unbelievable. I should toss his trophy out the window and let him go scavenger hunting for it in the snowdrifts. Better yet, mail the stupid thing to the North Pole and send him a vague map.

Stuffing the gingerbread cookie in my mouth, I whipped open my closet door and yanked the extra blankets off the trophy. The blanket knocked over a box stacked next to the pile, spilling the contents onto the carpet. Folders and files labeled with the tea shop emblem were scattered at my feet. My parents must have used my bedroom closet for extra storage .

I kneeled and collected the papers, trying to organize them as best as I could before placing them back in the box. One document made me pause for a second look, and I flipped through the sheets of paper, unease coiling in my stomach.

They were the loan papers my parents had signed to repair the tea shop a few months before I left town. I scanned the signature lines; the unease tightening into full-blown disgust. Leo’s father had issued them the loan. He’d nearly bankrupted them, and destroyed the tea shop just like he’d destroyed other areas of town.

My heartbeat pounded in my ears, hands shaking as I sifted through the other papers on the floor. I found a canceled check, my mind reeling as I read the signature line. It was from Leo. He’d written a check to my dad for almost twenty thousand dollars. I checked the date and realized he’d issued it eight months ago.

What was going on? Why would Leo write a check to my parents after he returned to Cold Spell? It couldn’t be an advance for their events at the lodge. It was too much money.

I felt sick. Gathering the forms and the canceled check, I ran downstairs, stuffed my feet into a pair of boots, and rushed over to the tea shop.

My dad looked up as I burst through the swinging kitchen door. His brow furrowed in concern.

“What’s the matter? You look like the cat who knocked over the Christmas tree.”

“Very funny. We don’t have a cat.” I dropped the files onto the counter and jabbed Leo’s check. “What is this? Why did Leo give you money, and how come you never told me his father was the one who held the tea shop loan?”

My dad’s features went as white as the flour dusting his palms. He reached for a rag to clean off, his jaw working as he tried to answer.

“Sage, is that you, honey?” My mom poked her head out of the office door.

“Come here, Suzanne. We need to talk with Sage,” Dad said, leaning heavily on the counter. He flipped through the documents and sighed. “I’m sorry. Leo never wanted you to find out, and your mom and I agreed with him. But it’s too late for that now.”

I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “Find out, what, Dad?”

“The truth about what happened before you left. Leo’s father discovered the two of you were getting close, and he wasn’t happy about it. He expected more from his son than dating the daughter of a family with a history like ours—a lineage filled with witchcraft.” Dad shook his head and exhaled a disgruntled sound through his nose. “So Mr. Grayson used his wealth and power to stop it.

“Your mother and I weren’t aware at the time of the shady loan conditions when we signed the papers. We were excited to get the repairs done and get back on our feet and assumed everything was legitimate. That was our mistake. We should have paid better attention. But after we signed the papers, Leo’s father told his son he would call in the loan early and foreclose on the tea shop unless he stopped seeing you. ”

“Dad…” Tears burned the corners of my eyes. That’s why Leo never showed up for our date. I wiped the tears away only to find more fill their place. “When did you find out?”

My dad placed a hand on my shoulder. “After Leo purchased the lodge and returned to Cold Spell. He came to see us at the tea shop. That’s when he told us the truth and wrote us a check to replace the money we took from our retirement savings to pay off the dirty loan. Leo felt terrible and blamed himself. He also made us promise you wouldn’t find out. He thought knowing the truth was more painful than what happened, and we agreed. Those kids tormented you growing up and we couldn’t have you believing you were to blame for a cruel man’s prejudice.”

I ran both hands over my face, pressing my fingers into my eyelids. I had misunderstood everything and assumed Leo had callously stood me up for our date, and then moved on with someone else the same week. He had refused to see me afterward, and even got himself reassigned to another ski class. But it wasn’t because he didn’t care, but because he’d made a painful choice.

My mother pulled me into a hug, smoothing her hand down the back of my hair. “Shh. It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong. We love you exactly as you are.”

I blinked over her shoulder, spotting the wall of embellished photos. So many secrets and hidden truths. Look where they had gotten me.

“Mom,” I sniffed. “I never won Agent of the Year. I only said I did because I didn’t want to let either of you down. ”

Mom drew back and brushed the hair out of my eyes. “There’s always next year, sweetie.”

A strangled laugh burst from my throat, and Dad coughed to hide his amusement. Some things will never change.

“Yeah, maybe. Right now I’m happy with the way things are. I’m glad I helped with the rink project. An award wouldn't have changed that. And hardly anyone even talks about it anymore. It was stupid to be so obsessed with it. But I wanted you guys to know the truth.”

“We are proud of you either way, and we are so happy you’re home to celebrate Christmas with us this year.” My mother looked over at my dad and frowned. “We should tell her the rest, David.”

“There’s more?”

My dad picked up Leo’s check and stared at it, then smiled. “We never blamed Leo for what happened. That boy cares about you a lot. So I only used half of his money to pay back our savings. We’ll catch up thanks to the tea events we’re hosting at the lodge. The rest of his money, I gave back to him—or at least, I did anonymously to help fund the rink project.”

“You’re the donor?” I asked.

“We felt it was the right thing to do,” Mom added. “Well, now that everything is out in the open, we should close up and head back to the house before this storm gets any worse.”

The storm. Marcy’s words replayed in my mind. I knew what I had to do. No more running away. Not when I could run toward the person, I wanted most. If Leo pushed me away again, it might make for an awkward Christmas Eve, but holiday miracles didn’t come without risk. I’d waited years for mine, and I wasn’t leaving until I got it.

“I have to go to the lodge. I need to see Leo.”

My mother pointed toward the window. “Right now? But it’s already started to snow.”

“I’m taking the car. If I hurry, I can get there before the roads close. It’s not far.”

“Let her go, Suzanne.” Dad gave me a quick hug and planted a kiss on the top of my head. “Text us when you get there so we know you made it safely.”

“But what about Christmas?” Mom said. “You might get stuck at the lodge.”

A warm feeling expanded inside my chest. “I’m counting on it.”

***

The windshield wipers couldn’t keep up with the snow. Huge flakes stuck to the glass, making it nearly impossible to see. I gripped the steering wheel, easing the car over the icy road. Only a little farther. Five more minutes and I’d be parked at the lodge.

There were no other cars on the road. Everyone else was sensibly tucked away in their homes to brave the blizzard. The radio announcer mocked me through the car’s speakers with potential snow totals and threats of massive power outages. But the radio guy wasn’t dealing with a weather curse. One where his future happiness hinged on confronting this beast of a storm and coming out the winner.

The car swerved on a patch of ice, and I yelped, turning into the slide. My stomach flipped as the car jerked to a stop, the wheels spinning without traction. I tried again, with no luck, and banged my palm on the steering wheel.

I’d have to walk the rest of the way. The wind roared as I pushed open the car door and slung my bag over my shoulder. My boots sank into the snow up to my calves, and I lurched forward, raising my arm to block the stinging snow from my eyes.

When the lodge came into view, I nearly sank to my knees in relief. I was freezing and probably looked like a yeti lost in a frozen tundra. My cheeks had to be as red as Rudolph’s nose, and I was positive there were icicles in my hair. If Leo didn’t fall head over heels in love with me the moment he saw me, he had a valid excuse.

I trudged toward the lodge’s entrance and pulled on the massive wrought iron handle. The door didn’t budge. Cupping my mittened hands around the sides of my face, I peered through the narrow window. It was dark inside. The lobby was empty.

“No!” I moaned, pounding on the door with my fist as if someone would magically appear when the lodge was clearly closed. This is why you call first before making a grand romantic gesture !

I sat down on the step and dropped my head into my hands. I was really in a frozen pickle now. My car was in a ditch and I was stuck outside the lodge. I was supposed to be snowed in, not snowed out!

“Sage?” Leo’s voice rose over the wind. I hadn't even heard the door open. “What are you doing out here?”

He hauled me up before I could answer. Which was helpful because my teeth were chattering and an explanation might have to wait until I thawed. Off came my hat and my gloves as he pressed his warm hands against my cheeks.

“Are you trying to freeze to death on my front steps?” Leo led me through the dark lobby and into the great room where the fireplace crackled with warmth. He unzipped my coat, tugged my arms out of the sleeves, and wrapped a thick, cozy blanket over my shoulders.

Then he paced; boots hitting the hardwood in front of me. Back and forth while he opened and closed his fists. It was kind of cute in a menacing, protective kind of way.

He stopped short and kneeled in front of me. “Where’s your car? I didn’t see it in the parking lot. And what were you thinking driving in this?”

I winced. “My parents’ car is on the side of the road. I may have spun out and had to walk from the bottom of the hill.”

Leo closed his eyes as if he needed all his senses to control himself. When he opened them again, I held up a finger.

“Hold on. You can scold me in a second. I have to send a text.” I pulled out my phone and typed a message to my dad. “By the way, where is everyone? ”

“The blizzard forecast called for widespread power outages and our backup generator is broken. Valerie was supposed to have a tech out to fix it last week, but she must have forgotten. So with the possibility of long-term power outages, we relocated the guests to another hotel downtown, and I sent everyone else home.”

“So it’s just us here? All alone? Until the snow stops?”

“Yeah. Just us.”

The wind howled against the windows, slamming into the panes like a monster trying to get inside. I shivered, not from the cold, but from the twist of fate.

“Are you warm enough?” Leo murmured.

I wrinkled my nose. “My feet are cold, and I don’t think I can transfer enough heat through my frozen fingers to warm them up.”

A faint smile curled the edge of Leo’s mouth. He helped me slip out of my boots and placed them by the fire, then he joined me on the sofa and allowed me to tuck my sock-covered feet into his lap.

Leo grunted and shifted deeper into the couch. “We'll have to do this the old-fashioned way. I don’t want you to get hypothermia or something.”

“Yeah. Then we’d have to strip naked so you could save me with your body heat.”

I bit the side of my cheek hard to keep from laughing at Leo’s choked expression. His gaze darkened, and I couldn’t tell if he was imagining that scenario or planning to wring my neck.

“What are you doing here, Bennett? ”

I bent over and reached into my bag, pulling out Leo’s trophy. “You wanted this back, so here it is.”

“You drove through a blizzard to return a stupid hunk of glass? I swear—”

“Fine, you don’t want it?” I pulled my feet from his lap. “I’ll leave. I’m sure I can push the car back onto the road—”

Leo silenced me with a look and dragged my feet back. “You’re staying. I don’t care if I have to tie you up with Christmas lights. You don’t step a foot out of this lodge until the snow stops and the roads are clear.”

“Yes, sir.” I sent him a mock salute. “You know,” I mused after the silence had trickled in. “I’ve never been tied up with Christmas lights. Is that another one of your villainous tricks? I might like it.”

He hissed out a breath. “You’re on very thin ice. Be careful, Bennett.”

We listened as the fire snapped and cracked; the only other sound besides the gusty wind. Leo had lit candles, strategically placing them around the room. The flickering glow was soothing and cast deep shadows across Leo’s profile. Somehow it made him more captivating like a mystery box with no apparent opening.

My original plan had been to burst through the door and tell him I knew everything. But there was something about this moment and this earthshaking clarity that allowed me to see him fully, while he tried to maintain his guard. It was in those cracks I felt his affection, and maybe something more .

We weren’t going anywhere. Not tonight. The snow had been pushing me here to discover the truth, and now that I was standing in its path, I wanted to see everything I’d missed. Leo would not confess. I knew that much. He would have told me at the overlook. Leo was holding onto his secret. Afraid to let it go. I was going to have to draw it out of him.

And maybe have a little fun while doing it.

“So, what should we do to pass the time? It is Christmas Eve. We might as well make the best of an unpleasant situation.”

Leo gave me a side-eye glare. “I think you should sit in silence and contemplate your reckless actions. I’m still upset you drove here.”

“Yeah, I’m not going to do that.” I wriggled my toes against his abdomen, feeling him tense. I lifted a brow in challenge.

“Actually, I was thinking we should play a game.”