Whispers In The Wind

es to find the room bathed in soft, gray light filtering through the frosted window. Pushing back the heavy quilt, she

white wilderness to gaze upon. Sierra grabbed her camera from the nightstand and snapped a few shots

, like maple syrup. Her stomach growled loudly, reminding her of how little she'd eaten the day before. Pulli

y. A large window overlooked the front of the property, offering a view of the snow-laden driveway and surroundin

and. His plaid shirt was rolled up to his elbows, exposing forearms dusted

y," he said, gl

erra slid onto a stool and grabbed a mug from the

s neutral as always. "Plows haven't cleared th

gestured toward the plate, and Ale

eing snowed in. Between bites, she watched Alex move efficiently around the small kitchen, tidying up with precision. H

uests?" she asked, cutting

there are

n't happen

t usually come here in the winter unl

it the bil

e faintest twitch of a smil

see an older man step inside, his cheeks flushed red from the cold. He stomp

carrying a familiar friendliness. "Thought

a nod. "Morning, Joe

e of days before they're passable." Joe's gaze shifted to

f, offering a hand. "I'm stuck

d with a chuckle, shaking her hand firmly. "Name's Joe Parker.

o meet you, Joe. Do

l this snow." He turned back to Alex. "You'll need supplies if this k

x replied, his ton

look before nodding. "Alrig

expectant. Sierra studied Alex as he cleaned th

le person, are you?" she s

et b

too thrilled to

er gaze. "Joe means well, but I don

's just being

ened, signaling the en

. Alex wasn't the kind of person who opened up easily, and she had no intention of p

s. One picture in particular caught her eye-a black-and-white image of a young couple standing in front of the inn, their

voice startled her, and she turned t

," she said, stu

e momentarily giving way to something warmer. "They b

e carrying on

ng like

ld ask more, Alex gestured toward the window. "You wanted adventure, didn't you?

g in her chest. The storm might have trapped her he

moved away from the inn, the camera already in her hands. Trees stretched endlessly in every direction, their b

elicate pattern of frost on a window, the smooth curve of a sn

of animal tracks winding through the snow. She followed them i

tle of branches. Sierra felt a sense of peace she hadn't

ed the trees, heart pounding. It could have been anything-a deer, a

giving way to a longing for the warmth and safety of the fire. By the time she

is expression unreadable.

shaking snow from her boots.

n turn fast, and the wo

It wasn't just concern-it was experien

mised, her curiosity about Alex g

very interaction with Alex felt like a small battle, a slow unraveling of the walls he'd built around h