Chapter Three
Laurie
I stare out the car window watching the snow dance across the night sky. It looks so beautiful. I haven’t seen snow in two years. Even in winter, LA is hot as hell. I’ve missed the changing seasons, cool fall breezes, and the way the world looks covered in a blanket of snow. Images of wearing big cozy sweaters and enjoying cups of hot cocoa by a roaring fire, I can already tell this trip is going to help. The moment we drove out of LA, I could feel the stress and sadness melt away. The spiked eggnog Josie packed in the cooler definitely lent a helping hand. The further we get away from California, the better I’m beginning to feel. I gave so much of myself to William that I lost sight of who I was and what I wanted. This is my chance to do something for me. I’m excited and scared shitless about the next chapter of my life.
“I think I’m going to pull off at the next exit. This storm is getting worse, I can barely see the road,” Josie says, breaking the silence in the car. She’s been white knuckling it for the last twenty miles. She’s driving so slow, semi-trucks have been passing us. Growing up in LA, Josie has never had to drive in snow before. I offered to drive this leg of the trip, but she insisted she could do it.
“The last sign I saw said the next town is just a couple miles up this road.” I could use a hot shower and a chance to stretch my legs. We’ve been in this car since six this morning. We drove about eight hours yesterday before we stopped in a small town outside of Sacramento for the night.
We pull off the main highway and onto a two-lane road. Around the bend, the dark road gives way to a tiny town. We pass a sign that says, “Welcome to Wolf Creek.” Our path is lit up with hundreds of gold twinkle lights strung high above us. The way the light flickers off the falling snow makes it look like the sky is full of fairy dust. The storefronts are decked out in Christmas decorations, and in the center of town there is a massive tree towering over the square. I’m in Christmas heaven.
We pull up in front of a small lodge at the edge of town. Fingers crossed they have a room and a restaurant. From the outside, the Wolf Creek Lodge doesn’t look like much, but inside it’s a whole different story. The moment we step inside it feels cozy and inviting. The main lobby is covered in warm, rich, chocolatey brown tones, and every surface is covered in Christmas decorations. Even the antler chandelier has lights and garlands strung over it.
“Good evening ladies, and welcome to Wolf Creek. I’m Malinda.” The silver haired woman standing behind the check-in desk greets us with a warm smile.
“Hi Malinda, I’m Josie, and this is my best friend Laurie. We were headed to Seattle when the snow storm hit. We’re hoping you might have a couple rooms available for the night.”
“You girls are in luck. We just got a couple of cancelations due to the weather. The rooms are all yours.”
“Malinda, you are a godsend,” Josie gushes, sliding her credit card across the counter. I put my hand over the card and hand Malinda my own.
“The rooms are on me. You paid for gas and food. The least I can do is pay for our rooms and buy us a proper dinner.” I turn my attention to Malinda. “What time does the dining room start serving dinner?” I ask, nodding my head toward the small dining room.
“The kitchen staff is over at Wolf Creek Tavern catering the Lumberjack Bash. All the boys who work at the mill are in town throwing a big Christmas party. The whole town is there. I was just getting ready to head down there myself when you two came along. You are both welcome to join in the fun.”
Josie slowly turns her head in my direction with an evil grin on her face. I know that grin all too well. That grin is why I still can’t remember our trip to Mexico from three years ago, and why I have a tattoo of a unicorn on my ass. That grin always gets us in trouble.
“No way,” I say stopping her from even suggesting we go. I’m not exactly in the mood to deal with other humans right now. I’ve been stuck in a car for two days. I’m tired and hungry and I need a shower.
She clasps her hands under her chin, looks at me with big puppy dog eyes, and pouts her bottom lip out. She’s bringing out the big guns. “Come on, Laurie, please. We’ll just go and grab a bite to eat and have one drink. Please, oh please,” she begs.
“You and I both know you are incapable of having just one drink.” I give her a sideways glance. As soon as the booze hits her mouth all bets are off.
Malinda chuckles from behind the counter. She finishes entering my information into the computer then hands us our room keys. “If you change your minds the tavern is just across the road. If not, there are some sandwiches and a couple bottles of wine in the kitchen you are welcome to have.” Malinda gives us directions up to our rooms and the Wi-Fi password, then pulls her coat on and wishes us a goodnight.
I slip my credit card back in my wallet and turn toward the dining room to find the kitchen and those sandwiches.
“Where do you think you are going?” Josie calls out to me.
“I’m going to go get a sandwich and a big glass of wine, then get my bags and go up to my room, where I plan on watching some cheesy Lifetime Christmas movies until I pass out,” I reply.
“The hell you are Laurie Horsch.” She jumps in front of me, stopping me in my tracks.
“Get out of my way Josie,” I demand. My patience is beginning to wear thin with her.
“No.” She widens her stance and rests her hands on her hips, caging me in between the tables. “I’m not going to let you go back into hiding. We are on a road trip, and the fun of being stranded in a little town is getting out and checking out the local color. Now, turn your little booty right back around, go grab your bag, and slap on something pretty, because we are going to that party. Move!” she orders.
I raise my hands up in surrender. “Okay, fine.” I reluctantly give in, turn on my heels, and walk back toward the lobby. “But I’m not going to have any fun,” I say under my breath. She’s a demanding little bitch sometimes, well, all the time.