Authors: Cassandra Cole
Chapter Four- Cold Day
Chelsea awoke warm feeling a weight on her. She moved a little and realized a stack of blankets was laid over her. She heard Jeff moving around. She poked her head out from under the blankets and the air felt cold. Uh, oh. She thought to herself. She sat up and looked around. There was some light coming through a skylight she had not noticed the day before, and Jeff was building a fire. He heard her moving and turned smiling slightly.
'The power went in the middle of the night, probably a transformer. I will get the generator going in a moment. I want to get the fire going first,” he explained and Chelsea nodded agreement.
She was cold and reached for her scrubs and underwear. As she dressed he finished the fire and went down a little hall off the kitchen to where the generator was. It had to be mostly separate from the building due to the fuel usage to run it. She then got up and went into the kitchen, setting up the coffee pot so it was ready when the power came on. She drank some water to clear her mouth and then the generator rumbled to life. It sounded strong to her and she plugged the coffee in. She did not go around turning on lights. No point in using energy without a good reason like coffee. He came back in and she had a coffee poured for him.
Jeff told her the snow appeared to have stopped, but they were snowed in. They would have to dig out. He did want to check and see if anyone would answer the radio. He said he could see the antenna up on the roof from the generator. She went with him to the radio.
“Do you think someone will be on the way?” she asked him hopefully.
“Well, if the storm is done I don't see why not. It may depend on if they have a lot of people stuck in these mountains,” he told her.
“This is E2365 cabin to base. Hello base, is there anyone out there, hellooo!” he said cheerfully. It got a smile out of Chelsea and she sipped her coffee to hide it.
“Hello E2365 it is good to hear from you. You made it through the night ok?” the voice sounded hopeful.
“We did, but the power is down this morning. I have the generator up and running. We are thinking about digging ourselves out. It may take awhile. Are any of you good folks going to make it up here sometime today?” he had a hopeful note in his voice. She realized he was worried.
“We are going to try Jeff. We have people out everywhere. There are still some boarders and skiers missing up top. This storm took everyone by surprise, and it looks like another one will be here in an hour or so. We may still be able to get someone up there, but I would suggest you dig out what you can because if you get a lot more snow up their you don't want the extra build up if you can avoid it. How are you with supplies Jeff? We can move you up the list of the most needy. Say the word,” the voice finished. Jeff glanced at her and opened his mouth to answer, and she shook her head grabbing his arm. Chelsea did not know why she was suddenly so adamant about this, other than it just seemed the right thing to do.
“We can make it Jeff. If others need help more, let them be helped. We have food and blankets and can find a way to survive, right?” she asked. He had a sudden look in his eyes, like the night before. She still did not completely understand it, but it was gentle and caring.
“Hello Jeff, you there?” Came the voice over the radio. Jeff put a hand on hers and nodded.
“Ok dispatch, we can survive. Plenty of food so if need be we can make it fine. Help the ones who are out in the cold first,” he told them. The dispatcher sounded relieved.
“Ok Jeff, thanks man. We are swamped with many missing people. Do you have fuel for the generator?” dispatch asked.
“Yes, plenty to last he night if need be. By tomorrow though we are really going to need you guys.” Jeff said.
“Oh you will have us by then you two. Take care and if we can be we will be there. If not today we will be there tomorrow morning first thing!” they signed off. They looked at each other.
“I don't know many people who would do what you did Chelsea. You are an amazing person and I am going to live up to your confidence in me,” he leaned down and kissed her.
“So I should probably start finding shovels and do my part. You are teaching me things Chelsea that I have never considered. Thanks for that,” he reached out and squeezed her shoulder in appreciation. She watched him going down that back hall to look for tools. He was not really the same man whom she had met a few days earlier. She tried to think about how it would be to be with him full time. Then she reminded herself that she was on the rebound from a hard bounce. Whatever happened she had to remember that. Guys changed so fast he may not be the same when they got out of the cabin. In either case she decided she needed to hold up her end and started digging around for something to eat. Once she finished finding something to cook she went down the hall. She had not been down there before but when she went out the door she saw him rearranging tools.
“Find what we need?” she asked. He smiled and nodded.
“Yep, I can start digging us out. I am gonna get my ski clothes first. It is cold out there ya know,” he said.
“How about something to eat first. We are going to need the energy. Can we use the power to cook?”
“Yes, we have more than enough fuel to keep the place going. Breakfast sounds good, need any help?” he asked.
“Sure if you want. I saw some canned juice that sounds good,” they went back to the kitchen. They started breakfast then changed their clothes into what they had on the previous day. She noticed his glance when she came out of the bathroom. She had put her turtle neck and jeans. It was snug and had dried, shrinking up some. So it was tight, showing off her assets. She put her hair into a pony tail and helped cook breakfast.
After breakfast they started in to digging them out from the front porch. She put on her ski boots because it was all they had. She hated those boots, they were heavy and a pain to clamp tight. She ended up leaving to top snaps undone since she was not going far. The snow was higher than her head and it was scary to her to see this wall of snow towering over her. What Jeff decided to do was knock down the front section and then crawl up and through it to push it down. Otherwise there was no place to put the snow they shoveled. Once he made some headway she was able to help. It was hard work and her hands were sweating in her gloves and very uncomfortable. She un-zipped her short jacket to help her cool down. After a while they began to hurt, and she realized she was developing blisters. Since her new ski jacket only came to her waist, it slid up as she worked, as did her turtle neck sweater. She did not notice the problem before she got snow and water on her bare middle. She did not complain and kept going despite feeling colder due to it. Chelsea wanted to make sure she did her part. This was team effort in her mind. They cleared the front area, and then shoveled around the house to make room for snow to slide off the roof and not pile higher. The snow started coming down again, and they decided to quit. Her hands hurt and she was beginning to shiver. She turned to head back along the front of the cabin and she heard a faint whoosh and a bunch of snow slid off the roof and landed in front of her.
“That was close,” she told Jeff who was waiting be the front door. He grinned and then looked up. His eyes widened and he started moving forward shouting for her to move. Chelsea looked up in time to take a full load of snow in the face and she went down. She could feel more and more snow landing on top of her and realized she could not breathe. She panicked and began trying to push her way out, but the snow was heavy and she could barely move. She felt like she was in a freezer without air and she in inadvertently opened her mouth in desperation for air and took in a mouthful of ice cold snow that she began choking on. She stared to see red spots and her lungs felt like they would explode when she all of the suddenly felt air on her face.
“Jesus, Chelsea, easy girl, easy. Let me get you out of there. Just breathe, just breathe,” Jeff told her. She could hear the desperation in his voice. She got a breath down and began choking and coughing. Jeff had her uncovered quickly and cradled her as she coughed and got her breath back. He scooped her up and carried her into the cabin, kicking the door shut behind them. He took her over to the fireplace and got her wrapped in blankets.
“You are soaking wet Chelsea. We need to get you in some hot water to bring your core temperature up,” he declared to her. He helped her up, but now that she had her breath back she was feeling a little better. Still freezing but better.
“I can take a shower Jeff. That will do it. I wouldn't mind some soup or something hot when I get out though if you could,” she said. She could tell he badly wanted to help her, but she did not like feeling helpless and wanted to take care of herself as much as she could.
“Ok I can take care of the soup. You need to get warm. The soup will be waiting when you get out,” he said.
He escorted her to the shower and made sure she had everything she needed and went to do the soup. Chelsea undressed shivering and realized all of her clothes were soaked. She cursed herself for not securing her boots better because even her feet were cold now. She got into the shower and her limbs and face tingled almost to the point of pain as the hot water poured over her body. Within a few minutes though she felt better and her shivering stopped. It felt like a luxury and she was very glad for Jeff. He had saved her several times over the past two days and she could feel her attraction to him strengthening. It felt stronger than it had with her ex, Joseph, and she did not know what to do about it. As she washed her air she tried to push the whole idea away but it was hard to do. There had not once been a sign of selfishness in him since this happened. Since he had made that stupid joke she had got mad about two nights earlier. As she pondered this she began feeling almost euphoric in the warmth and steam. She lost track of time trying to clear the confusion of how she thought about Jeff. She heard the door open.
“You ok Chelsea?” Jeff asked, concerned. She smiled. Her body was tingling and flushed at the sound of his voice.
“I am fine, I feel much better. Thank you Jeff. You have been very kind to me. Especially since you could probably use the shower too, “she said.
“I can wait until after lunch. The soup is on low and will keep if you need more time,” he offered.
“You shouldn't have to wait though. You could shower now?” she questioned without thinking. “There is room for two,” she was a little shocked at her offer, but her body’s response and euphoric feeling was calling the shots.
“Are you sure Chelsea? I know it has been a rough two days,” he said hesitantly. Jeff being a gentleman always made her want to giggle.
“Is has been rough on us both, your presence would be welcome,...”
It was only a minute before he was naked and stepping into the shower with her. She helped him scrub down eagerly and they were soon giggling and embracing each other. Maybe it was the fear and uncertainty of being stranded, she thought to herself. It was just that look in his eyes and sound of his voice that drew her in and she had no resistance. They kissed and he began moving his lips down to her throat and she sighed happily. His lips and tongue made their way lower to her breasts and she arched her back in pure enjoyment and need. She was becoming dizzy in reaction to his touch as she gripped his shoulder. It was not long before his lips wandered to her belly and the below causing her to gasp and squeal in her rising passion. His tongue performed a kind of magic that had her body stiffen as an orgasm rocked her world. Her legs felt weak as he stood back up with his arms around her and she could feel his hot, stiff shaft of glory rubbing against her waist. Ready to fulfill her raging desires. It came over her stronger than before and she was trembling as he lifted her up in his strong arms and she was pressed against his muscular chest like a safe haven for her soul. As he entered her opening to bliss she cried out with him, in a union that was all encompassing. The shared explosion once again sank deep into her in a way that she vaguely was aware would never go away. When it passed they were leaning against each other as hot water streamed over their naked, sated bodies.
They dried off and dressed. He had found some long underwear for her as well as a robe. He made sure she was bundled up before they went out into the main room of the cabin. He served her soup and cheese with crackers. By the end of the meal she felt disassociated with the world around her. Everything looked brighter yet distant somehow. Jeff was more than just concerned for her as she shivered despite the layered clothing.
“Ok Chelsea the past few days are really hitting you hard. I think you are going to need a nap,” he told her gently. She shook her head.
“I don't understand why I am getting sick?” she said. She could hear the childlike cry in her voice and it was then she realized she may really be sick.
“You were wet and cold yesterday, you got soaked today. The shock and fear can really slam our immunities. Don't worry though. I will take care of you until we get out of here,” he told her firmly.
“I know you will, I know you care...”she did not understand where those words came from and gave a gasp as he picked her up and began carrying her upstairs to the loft.
'What....Jeff...” she asked confused.
“Heat rises darling. The loft is the warmest place in the cabin. Trust me, you are going to be fine,” he said. The fear in his voice was evident. But she felt like she was in a fog as he placed her on a bed and covered her with multiple blankets. He turned on a lamp on the bedside table. It was not bright, just enough so it did not hurt her eyes. She blinked up at him and thanked him.