Frigid Affair(6)

“Everything is frozen. We can’t bring a plane in because of the weather conditions. Lucky for you, my buddies and I were at our lodge for some hunting. I work for the New York Fire Department as an investigator. It’s a good thing too, because I’m pretty certain you would have died without my assistance.” He almost seemed like he was smiling when he said it. “It took us a good twenty minutes on ATV’s to get to you, and we don’t have much equipment except for what we brought for the weekend. Right now all we can do is maintain the area and hope the wind doesn’t pick up.”

I placed my hands over my face and began to sob. I’d been stupid to go back in the home. “I shouldn’t have gone inside. I was trying to save some of their heirlooms.”

“This isn’t your house?” He asked, seemingly confused.

“No. I live up the mountain a ways. This is my neighbors’ property. The couple spend the winter months in Florida.”

“Shit.” He looked over at the blaze. “Do you need to call them?”

“I already did. I’m sure they’re trying to get here, but it will take forever, even if they manage to book a flight, it will probably get cancelled.”

“Yeah, they’re calling for it to pick up later tonight.” He looked over at his friends. They were standing around watching the blaze. At the same time a huge crash occurred. I watched the center part of the roof caving in. From the light of the flames, and the melted snow on the shingles, steam started coming up out of the exposed hole. The handsome gentleman shook his head. “Damn. What a shame. It was a nice place.”

“Yeah, I always enjoyed visiting.”

He changed the subject. “Whatever you had under your arm is over there in a pile. I figured if it was important enough to risk your life over, I could at least try to salvage it.”

“Thank you.” It was very kind of him to do that, especially since it was a dangerous situation. “Could you see the flames from your lodge?” My throat felt like razor blades were scratching it.

“Yes.”

“Thank God.”

“I’m sure they’ll send out a plane when the weather breaks. For now it’s contained. The trees are far enough away it shouldn’t spread. Unfortunately, it means your friends are going to lose everything.”

“Sadly we take that risk when we move here. Being off the grid means we need to fend for ourselves.”

He smirked and looked at me with inquisitive eyes. “Ma’am, you could have died out here tonight. Is there someone I can call to come help you get home?”

I shook my head, feeling the wet snow beneath me seeping into the fabric of my pants. “No. I live alone,” I lifted my finger. “Up there, on the top of the mountain.”

He peered in the direction of where I’d directed, though it was entirely too dark to see. “You live alone? You’re kidding, right?”

“No.” I wished I could see the humor in it, but as time passed I was feeling miserable. “I’ve been here for four years now.” My coughing became unbearable. Before I knew it he was picking me up again, carrying me over to sit on his ATV. “You’re suffering from smoke inhalation.”

“I’ll be fine,” I insisted.

“No,” he argued. “You need to be monitored. I’m going to take you back to your place before you become hypothermic on top of it. Let me tell my companions what’s going on.”

“I’ll be fine,” I defended.

“Ma’am, I’ll feel better about it when you’re inside your home, and not soaking wet out here in this mess. This is what I was trained to do. I get that I’m a stranger, but I won’t forgive myself if I left you for dead.” He turned his attention to his friends that were too far away for me to see them clearly. He seemed worried, a smug look plastered across his face. “Hang tight. I’ll be back in a sec.”

I heard arguing. One guy was telling him to stay with the group. The wind was ripping, making it hard for me to make out the rest. When the man came back he seemed like he just wanted to get away from them.

“Is everything okay?”

“It’s fine. Are you ready?” He was short and to the point.

I hated feeling weak, as if I were unable to care for myself. If I wasn’t in bad shape I would have refused his assistance, but I knew maneuvering up the mountain on the snow mobile was going to require more energy and strength than I currently had.

Against my better judgment, I decided to let the man help. There was nothing else he could do to manage the fire, and since they thought it wouldn’t spread, I felt better about being able to not worry. “Yeah. I’m freezing.”



Ava followed us the whole way up the mountain. The guy had to stop three times on account of having to pull my snow mobile. It would slide off to the side and prevent the ATV from being able to continue on.

Finally, after an uncomfortable ride where I clung to the warm body of a stranger, we made it to my cabin. Smoke was coming out of the chimney, and this time I knew it meant warmth.

Walking was difficult. I felt like someone was standing on my chest. The gentleman turned and offered me a hand to get me inside. After he let Ava in, he closed the door and rubbed his hands together. “Wow it’s bitter cold.”

I assumed he was going to leave, but he kept standing there, breathing warm air into his fisted hands.