ABBY couldn’t believe it. From one moment to the next, they had gone from very likely not to survive the night, to crisis averted. It was one of those mini-miracles that she had never been familiar with, but remembered praying for one before her mom had passed away. Here they were, finally safe, indoors, and warming up in the spacious home of this handsome stranger. The second she had looked into his eyes, she felt something. Was it relief? No, it was something else. Something more potent but harder to express. Something elemental.

Her breath hitched thinking back to when he picked her up so effortlessly into his arms. In her exhaustion, she had let herself lean onto his warm chest and rested her head on his shoulder as he carried her inside. She had not been this close to a man—let alone a complete stranger—since she broke up with Cole two summers ago, not a difficult breakup because they had dated for only six months.

Cole was the only male student in her undergraduate nursing program, and for whatever reason, he had gravitated to her. After six months of dating, there was still no spark. At least, she didn’t feel one. It was the sensible thing to do, and when she barely missed him after the breakup, she knew she had done the right thing.

“Is he hot or what?” Barb declared as Andrew left the room with Rob. It made everyone uncomfortable.

“Shhh,” Ruth said softly, stepping out of her jeans. They were soaked all the way up to the knees.

“I’m positive he heard that, Barb,” Trina agreed, picking up a set of clothes and removing the wrapper to check the size.

“So what? The guy’s fucking hot,” Barb added. “And a doctor, too? In this massive house? Let me be the first to say, I think we hit the mother lode.”

“Seriously, Barb.” John was apprehensive as he continued. “I might be treading on thin ice here, but I’ve got to side with the ladies. This guy just let six complete strangers in his house. Can you lay off so we don’t get kicked out and back into a blizzard? As a dude, even I think you were hitting on him hard. Give the guy a day or two to get his bearings or something. Sheesh.”

“And anyway, he looks like he’s hot for Abby,” Trina added snidely.

“Why would he like her over me?” Barb was already agitated. She tugged off her jackets and layers of sweaters before ripping opening the wrapper of one of the plaid pajama sets. “God. Plaid and flannel? Now I really feel like we’re out at the cottage.”

The rest of them looked at one another and shrugged off Barb’s impossible behavior.

“I’ll help you get out of those wet clothes, Abby,” Ruth said, seeming to want to change the subject.

She pulled jammies out of their wrapper and placed the pieces and the comforter beside the fireplace.

“It’ll help you warm up faster, as you can’t stand close to the fire.”

“Thanks, Ruth.” Abby was grateful for the help.

Her hair was soaked so she pulled the pins out of the bun and let her hair cascade down her back. It was a wonder Rob wasn’t interested in Ruth. From everything Abby had seen, she was a kind person, not just on this trip, but since she had gotten to know Ruth when they traveled home together for the holidays, there were more examples of her thoughtfulness. Yes, she was a little quiet, and maybe somewhat enigmatic. But to think Rob was more attracted to Barb defied any logic.

“Turn around, John,” Trina covered his eyes as Ruth gently pulled off Abby’s wet jacket and layers of t-shirts and sweaters.

“You know it’s only your body I want to see tonight, baby,” John answered softy.

He made point to turn and face the fire and Trina snuggled up closer. The two had picked out matching pajamas, so they looked like a plaid-clad Siamese twin standing together.

Abby made a concerted effort to stand on one leg so Ruth could help her get out of the wet jeans without hurting the ankle. As Ruth pulled the jeans off the other leg, Andrew re-entered the room. Standing there in only a bra and panties, barely able to balance on one leg, all Abby could do in the split second was wrap her arms over her breasts and stomach.

“Oh sorry,” Andrew said, turning away quickly but gingerly with the tray of soup bowls and sandwiches. “I’ll just place the food over here and come back later with the drinks.” He set the tray on one of the end tables and quickly retreated down the hallway.

“It’s okay,” Abby called out to him as he left.

Ruth giggled and her laugh made Abby chuckle a little. Yes, it was embarrassing that he saw her almost naked, but she didn’t mean to make him uncomfortable in his own home. Still, it was strange for a former doctor to react that way to a semi-naked body.

Ruth rushed over to the fireplace and took the comforter to drape over her. “Here. Sit and cover up with this. I can get the pajama pants on first while you’re seated, then you can just slip on the t-shirt and top after.”

“What’s the big deal?” Barb said in a huff. “He saw you naked. I’m sure he’s seen lots of naked women before. Why would he run for the hills like that?”

“It’s not a big deal, Barb.” Abby defended him, standing up to pull the pajama pants to her waist. “Maybe he just wanted to be polite.”

“Don’t worry,” Barb retorted with a devious smile. “I can help him get over that issue real quick.”

“Get over what issue?” Rob asked, walking in with a second tray with bottled waters and mugs of steaming hot tea.

“Never mind Barb, Rob,” Trina answered. “I’m dying of thirst. Let me at one of those bottles.”

“Whatever,” Rob said distractedly. “Guys! You have to see this place! The house is definitely a mansion. I got changed in the powder room down the hall. It’s no powder room, it’s freaking massive. And you could fit my whole house in his kitchen. Hurry up and eat, guys. He showed me the bedrooms upstairs and all we have to do is make the beds. All the bathrooms have fresh towels, spare toothbrushes, and pretty much anything we need.”

“What, he’s not showing us to our rooms?” Barb asked.

“You probably scared him off, Barb.” Trina didn’t sugarcoat the assertion. It was safe to say everyone was tired of Barb by then.

Rob sat and had something to eat with them. “I think he turned in. He told me to leave the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and he’d take care of it later. It didn’t sound like he was planning to come back out.”

“That’s too bad,” John remarked pensively. “Did we even thank him?”

“I did,” Rob said. “Several times. He’s cool. Just a little quiet, is all. By the way, I call the master bedroom upstairs. It’s spoken for, so don’t any of you even bother to try and claim it because we’ll have to throw down for it.”

“If it’s that nice, maybe you want to give it to me, Rob?” Barb purred, twirling the end of her hair, still wet and slicked down on her head from the melted snow.

“Nope.” He smiled. “Not even you can wrestle that room from me, Barb.”

“Does he have a working phone we can use?” Abby felt she should call her father to let him know about the car, and where they were staying.

“Yeah,” Rob said between bites of his sandwich. “He said there are landline phones in every room. If they’re not working because of the storm, he’ll leave a sat phone in the kitchen tomorrow.”

“That’s a relief,” Abby answered. Her dad could wait a night to hear from her. Slumping back in her chair, she slurped up the vegetable soup, relishing each spoonful. Thankfully, the only news she’d have to share with her dad was about the car, not about almost having to brave the elements camping outside on a night like that.

Abby noticed the room had become quiet. Everyone seemed trapped in his or her respective thoughts, just as she had been. We’re all counting our blessings too. The night could have ended in a thoroughly different way. She shook her head, trying to chase away the images of them huddling together in some snowy clearing, or breaking into a vacant cabin, if Andrew had not found them. Looking at each face in the room, she seemed to see a communal relief at their good fortune. She smiled when she noticed all the plaid pajama sets. We must look like a comical bunch.

“Come on, Rob. Show us our rooms,” Trina and John stood up and set their dishes back on the tray. “We’re beat.”

“Me too,” Barb conceded. “I hope I don’t have to share with anyone.”

“No need,” Rob answered. “There’s like eight bedrooms up there. I lost count after I saw the master bedroom. Deep soaker tub with jets! And yes, I still call it.”

“I’m just grateful for a roof over our heads and a bed to collapse in,” Ruth added.

“Speak for yourself,” Barb snapped. “It’s bad enough you got us in this mess. And shit, we’re in these flannel getups. I had better be sleeping in at least three hundred count Persian cotton tonight.”

Ruth looked away, her expression somber and apologetic. “I feel so bad putting you all through this. I’m sorry, everyone.”

“You don’t need to apologize, Ruth.” Trina walked over and rubbed her shoulder. “We all agreed we’d take this route, and none of us knew the storm was coming.”

“I’m with Trina, Ruth.” Abby tried to console her as well. “Who knows what would have happened if we had gone across Highway eighty? We’re fine now, and that’s what matters.”

“I guess.” She was still as morose as before.

“Abby’s right,” Rob agreed. “Come on, let’s all head up. I’ll take care of the trays after. And Abby, I’ll show them upstairs and then come back to help you to your room, okay?”

“Sure. Thanks, Rob,” Abby answered. “Good night, you guys.”

After they left, Abby removed the ice pack from her leg. She leaned back in the easy chair and pulled the covers up around her shoulders. Her body ached and her ankle throbbed. She couldn’t keep up the strong facade now that she was alone. As she closed her eyes, a powerful wave of fatigue came over her. Images of gripping the steering wheel replayed in her head.

It was a fight against the storm, trying to keep control of the SUV as she drove though the blinding blizzard. Slowly, those thoughts were replaced with images of Andrew holding up his lantern, his familiar eyes piercing through to her mind, and then carrying her over his threshold. A light sleep welcomed her for a few minutes.