A lot of snow for christ.., p.1
A Lot of Snow For Christmas, page 1
A Lot of Snow For Christmas
BL Maxwell
Copyright
A Lot of Snow For Christmas
BL Maxwell
Copyright © 2023 BL Maxwell
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All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permissions from the author, except for using small quotes for book review quotations. All characters and storylines are the property of the author. The characters, events and places portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental
and not intended by the author.
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Warning
Intended for a mature 18+ audience only. This book contains material that may be offensive to some and is intended for a mature, adult audience. It contains graphic language, explicit sexual content, and adult situations.
A Lot of Snow For Christmas
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Epilogue
About The Author
Also By BL Maxwell
One
Jack
The day had been great. I’d rented a cabin for the week in Tahoe to enjoy all the fresh snow that had been predicted. Skiing had always been a part of my life, and moving away from the snow hadn’t stopped me from making as many trips to the mountains as I could. Especially when the snow was as fabulous as it had been this season.
“Hey Jack, how was your day?” Jim, one of the regulars at the ski area asked me. He’d been skiing here as long as I had and had started many years before I was even born. I hoped to still be skiing at his age which had to be in the seventies.
“One of the best ever. Great to have this much snow.” The snow crunched under my ski’s as I slid them back and forth while leaning on my poles, waiting for my turn on the lift.
“Unless you have to shovel it,” he grumbled under his breath. “Where are you staying?”
“I rented a cabin near the resort, but I haven’t checked it out yet.” Snow continued to fall as we spoke and all I could think was how incredible the skiing would be while I was here.
“You might want to take off early and make sure it’s accessible. We’ve had a lot of vacation rentals that aren’t. The snow has been so heavy the owners haven’t been able to keep up on clearing the roads.”
“I’ll do that. I got here early so I don’t mind taking off early. I have four more days of skiing and it’s looking like it’ll all be in powder.”
“Be careful. I can’t stress enough how dangerous it is right now. Avalanche patrol has been working nonstop to knock down anything that looks dangerous around the ski area, but they don’t do much to protect the nearby cabins.” Jim’s eyes—which were all that was visible of his face—tightened in worry as he looked around the surrounding area. All the trees were so heavy with snow it looked unreal.
It had been years since the Sierra had received so much snow, if ever, and no one was really prepared for so much in such a short period of time. I glanced at some of the higher peaks and reminded myself it wasn’t a good idea to ski those areas alone. No matter how tempting the powder was.
“I will. I won’t be taking any chances since I’m skiing alone.”
“It’s not just skiing that’s dangerous. I’m not exaggerating when I say this is like nothing we’ve ever seen. The road crews are having trouble keeping the roads clear, and several roofs have collapsed from the weight. I wouldn’t want to find out in June you were stuck in a cabin all that time.” He met my eyes and even as he looked relaxed on his ski’s his eyes showed how serious he was.
“Why don’t I give you a call when I make it to my cabin? Then we’ll both know I’ve made human contact, and someone up here will know where I’m at.” We exchanged numbers just as his turn on the lift came up. He waved me off as he and the three people he was with slowly glided up the hill before they were lost in the heavy snow and hidden from view.
I slid onto the lift with three strangers, and it was snowing so heavy none of us spoke all the way up. The snow muffling our voices and forcing me to duck down into my coat to keep my face warm. I had invested in excellent cold weather gear, but with this much snow, and the temperature being below average, it was truly testing the limits of what would keep me warm, while allowing me to move freely. The farther we got to the top of the lift the uglier the weather was. A heavy mist mingled with the snow and made it impossible to see more than twenty feet ahead. I slid off to the side out of the way of other skiers before locking down my boots and stomping on them a few times to make sure they were locked in enough for the heavy powder.
They’d blocked off a few of the runs out of an abundance of safety, and possibly to prevent anyone from skiing alone outside the boundary which on a day like today could be life changing, and not in a good way. Standing at the top of the first run, I took notice of how few skiers were actually out, and how deep the snow obviously was. No tracks were visible, and I was only able to tell where the trail was from it being cleared of trees.
After adjusting my goggles and zipping my coat I dropped down into the deepest snow I’d ever skied. It was light but above my knees, and the only thing that kept me upright was my speed. I knew if I slowed down at all I’d be stuck in it. Making very few turns I slid to a stop at the bottom and waited with a few other skiers. All of us probably questioning our sanity the way I was.
“How was it?” one person asked who’s knitted hat was already coated with snow.
“Deep. But at least it’s light,” I said, and looked down at the next run. “Hopefully it eases up soon, or we won’t be skiing for a few days.” I knew without Jim saying anything that this much snow wasn’t a good thing when it came to skiing, and too many times that had been proven. I wasn’t one that was interested in becoming a statistic.
Two snow boarders pushed off and slowly made their way down the next slope. Every turn was an effort, and I knew from experience they’d be in the lodge soon. I pushed off without another word and after making as few turns as possible I kept going until I was at the lift again.
“How was it?” Jim asked.
“Not easy,” I said making him laugh.
“Wait until you’re my age. I’m more comfortable with the groomed slopes myself, but I wanted to experience this since it’s so rare.” He tapped at his skis with his poles making sure his boots were still all locked down and his bindings were holding up. Deep snow was a workout for us and our equipment, and you didn’t want to break a binding halfway down and have to wait for ski patrol to pick you up. Not in this weather.
“I’m going to make a few more runs and then call it quits. The snow just isn’t letting up, and I don’t want to be driving around in the dark looking for the place I rented.”
“Good call. You wouldn’t be getting much help either. The tow truck companies, and everyone involved with emergency services are all swamped. So, you getting lost might not be seen as an emergency until you’re stuck in the snow somewhere.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. I was hoping since this is the weekend before the holiday it wouldn’t be so busy before the schools are out.” Christmas was coming up fast, but I had planned my vacation around it. Once the schools were out this area would be packed. “I’ll take another run then leave.” I looked up at the sky as the snow seemed to fall even heavier than it was when I’d arrived.
Light, fat flakes that floated down so heavy that visibility dropped to about twenty feet. As I rode the chairlift up for my final run it was difficult to make out the chair ahead of me. I knew then I’d made the right decision to make this my last run.
“Chairs are closing in thirty,” the lift operator yelled as I slid off at the top.
I waved at him to answer and after checked my boots were fastened before pushing off. The snow slowed my descent a lot more than it had on my previous run, and I noticed I was the only one on this run. Normally I’d love to have it all to myself, but not today. The heavy snow falling on the already heavy snow was ominous.
Skiing was challenging, and when I got to the bottom of the run, I continued down to the parking lot and as close as I could get to my car. Usually, I’d be on the lookout for a shuttle to take me to the parking lot to avoid carrying my skis and walking in my boots, but not today. It only took me a few minutes to get my skis in the rack and be behind the wheel of my SUV.
“I’m glad this place has a spa, at least I can warm up once I get there,” I mumbled to myself as I crawled out of the parking lot and made my way to my rental.
Two
Ronnie
It sounded like such a good idea. I had never had a white Christmas, and with all the snow in the Sierra this year, I thought this was the perfect time to do it. Even if I’d never actually driven in snow before, and it ended up taking me six hours to get to Truckee where normally it was around two.
“I hope the snow lets up so I can see enough to find the hotel
My family was big and loud and didn’t understand why I didn’t want to spend the holidays with them. But the past year had been full of changes for me, from getting a new job to deciding it was time I made sure I was happy and stopped playing the field with all the available men Sacramento had to offer. Not that they didn’t make me happy, most of them did. But I wanted more than the one-night stands. I wanted love.
“Pay attention Ronnie before you end up in the ditch,” I said to myself and clenched the steering wheel tighter.
“Do not travel to the Sierra if you can avoid it. They’re predicting several feet of snow over the next twenty-four hours and interstate 80 is unlikely to stay open. There’s just too much snow for the snow removal crews to keep up on it,” the guy on the radio said, interrupting the music I’d been listening to.
“It’s really bad out Chewie, we might have to find a place that’s closer to stay if it’s snowing this hard the whole way.” I wiped at the windshield, but it was so cold out my defroster wasn’t keeping the window clear, and since the sun was beginning to go down visibility was getting even worse. I stayed close to the car in front of me and we all snaked along the road following a lead car with emergency lights that flashed amber on the snow.
“Oh, what now?” Traffic slows to a stop and after waiting a few minutes, some cars turn around and head back to Truckee. While I sit and wait, night falls, and when some of the vehicles ahead of me turn off their engines, I realize they’re planning to wait it out.
“Chewie, I think we need to see where we can stay for the night. I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to sit in the car.” He grumbles from the back but doesn’t move. I notice there’s a turn ahead where the emergency vehicle has stopped. Without thinking I threw on my jacket and stepped outside my car. “This has to be the worst idea yet.”
Blowing snow hit my face like tiny shards of glass, but I ignored it and hurried to the vehicle that was stopped at the front of the line. A man sat inside talking on a phone, and jumped when I tapped on the window. “What is it?” he asked as he cracked it open enough to hear but not let out the heat.
“Is there someplace nearby I could stay for the night? I drove up from Sacramento and I’m not sure I can drive all that way tonight.”
“You could try at the ski resort there on the right. I doubt they’re fully booked with this weather.”
“Thanks, is it okay to drive past you?” I wasn’t sure what the protocol was, and I didn’t want to end up with a ticket if I didn’t have to.
“Sure, just be careful, it’s nasty out. Visibility is nonexistent and it’s only going to get worse.”
I thanked him and hurried back to my SUV, never more thankful for all-wheel drive. After shaking off the snow, and getting settled in my seat, I backed up enough to go around the vehicle in front of me.
“Don’t worry Chewie, we’ll find a safe place for tonight.” I tried to believe my own words, but thoughts of the Donner Party played on repeat through my mind. They were only looking for a safe place too and look what it cost them. A shudder ran down my spine as I inched along, and finally was able to turn right past the lead car.
This road was not any better than the one I’d turned off on, but I was relieved to catch a glimpse of lights from what I hoped was the hotel for the ski resort. “I swear it’s snowing even harder now. Sorry Chewie but don’t worry baby, I’ll take care of us.” I hoped my words were true, but I was really worried.
The road had only been plowed at the entrance, and since it was snowing so heavily it was hard to tell what road was and what—wasn’t. Lights from a car flashed in front of me, and I worried we’d be hit. The back of the car fishtailed as I fought to keep us on the road. The car that had startled me continued in the other direction back to where we’d just come from. I hit the brakes, and I knew it was too hard as soon as the tires lost traction and we slid sideways.
I fought the wheel and forced myself not to close my eyes as I braced for the impact. The snow was already piled higher than the car on both sides of the road from where they’d been plowing it in an attempt to keep the roads clear. The passenger side collided with the mounded snow. The sound leaving no doubt there was going to be damage. I turned to check on Chewie and just then snow from the top of the mound plopped on top of the car burying us completely underneath.
Diving over the back of the seat I unhooked Chewie from his harness and pulled him into my arms. “Are you okay?” He was trembling slightly but was otherwise unharmed. “Let me get us both wrapped up then we’re getting out of here. I saw some lights ahead. I’m sure we can walk that far.”
I bundled Chewie up in his flannel jacket I’d bought for when we got here and tucked him inside my coat. “Don’t worry we’ll be warm soon,” I whispered before kissing the top of his head. He snuggled inside my coat, and I pulled my hood up and zipped my coat all the way to the top.
The door held fast as I pushed as hard as I could to open it. I’d considered taking my backpack with us, but I couldn’t see how I could handle it when I couldn’t open the door. I put my shoulder into the door and pushed as hard as I could. It gave a little and gave me enough hope to push harder just as I was about to give up and try something else, the door opened.
“Hey, are you okay?” A man peered inside; his face was mostly covered except for his eyes which were visible through the clear goggles he wore. Ice blue, fitting for this mess we found ourselves in.
“Yes, we’re—” Chewie moved to put his head out of the top of my jacket and wiggled in glee at the man who had possibly saved our lives. I knew it was dramatic, but Donner Party! “We’re not okay, we need some help.” I tried to stay calm but even I didn’t miss the hysterical edge to my voice. Probably a combination of the driving conditions and being completely buried in snow.
“Well, come on then. I have a cabin just down the road. I had just arrived when I saw the lights of your vehicle disappear. I was worried you’d slid off the road.”
“Someone was driving toward us and lost control. I swerved to avoid hitting them and hit the snowbank instead.”
“Are you alone?” he asked, and leaned down to look into my car.
“Yes, well except for Chewie.”
“Who?” He noticed Chewie then and reached out to scratch the top of his head. “Let me help you get your things. You’ll have to stay the night, the storm is too strong to try to drive anywhere tonight,” he yelled over the wind that had gotten stronger just since we’d been here.
“I can’t ask you to do that,” I said, and was horrified at the thought of a stranger needing to let me stay at his place in the middle of nowhere in a snowstorm.
“You didn’t ask, I offered. Now come on before Chewie becomes a furry popsicle.”
I gasped and pulled him closer before reaching into the backseat to get my backpack and Chewie’s duffle. The rest of my things would have to stay in the back, there was no way I was hauling an artificial tree and ornaments through the snow. I loved Christmas, but I had my limits. I shimmied backwards out of the car and right into a wall of a man.
Three
Jack
I knew something was wrong as soon as I saw the lights of the car reflected through the snow. But I didn’t expect to find it nearly buried under the mounded snow on the side of the road. I shivered to think what could have happened if I hadn’t seen him.
“Oof, sorry,” he mumbled, and I barely heard it over the storm as he backed into me.
“It’s okay, I was holding the door, so it didn’t slam shut on you. Give me some of your things and I’ll carry them.” I took the backpack and duffle bag from him before he could react.
He leaned back to look up at me, still tucked inside the car while I held the door open. “Thank you,” he finally said. “I’m Ronnie Diaz”
