Authors: Cassandra Cole
“You are welcome beautiful Chelsea. It is my pleasure that I can help. I am not used to being of use to anyone and it feels good. I just wish we had different circumstances to get to know one another. I am going to go grab some aspirin and some water. Then you are going to need to sleep,” he told her.
Chelsea nodded as he left and she could faintly hear his feet thumping down the stairs. He was so sweet she thought. She wondered why he had never felt useful to anyone. It was a sad thought and she was glad that if they had to go through something like this, that he could gain a knowledge of his real worth. That thought seemed to become foggy and fade as she began drifting off to sleep. She blinked and looked up when she heard him come back up. She took the aspirin and drank the water. He sat with her until she faded into oblivion, dreamless and deep.
She awoke several times that day and he was there both times. He looked tired and stressed and she wished she could help him but she did not seem to have any strength. She felt drained of all energy. He fed her more soup for dinner and sat holding her hand. It was a greater comfort than she had ever had from anyone other than her mother. It was different coming from Jeff. As she looked up at his concerned features she realized what that look in his eyes was. He was in love with her. It should have been a surprise, but it wasn't. She felt like it had been obvious and she had been avoiding it for selfish reasons. Reasons based in fear. After Joseph she had retreated into denial and fear. She had not wanted to be hurt again. Now though, it seemed like that was unimportant. After the last few days she was realizing what she could be missing in her life if she did not risk at least a little. Considering the risk they had been in from physical harm, a little risk in her emotional being seemed like a small price to pay for what good could come of it.
“What are you thinking?” Jeff asked her. She smiled weakly.
“Just that I think I love you too,” she said softly. His eyes widened and then he closed them.
“I wondered if that was what I was feeling. I have never been in love before this. I was always told I would know when it happened but I was not sure at first,” he said hesitantly.
“What made you sure?” she asked.
“I find myself trying to be the best man I can be. Ever since I met you I became aware that I could be more,” he said as if trying to understand himself.
“I think you always were a good man. Sometimes people need to find this stuff out on their own. If this adventure gave you that knowledge than I am glad we are going through it. For both of our sakes,” she told him honestly. He smiled slightly and sighed.
“I will remind you of that when you protest an idea I have for skiing in the future. Maybe you are right though. I dunno, I just wish if I was going to get this lesson it would have been less harsh for you,” he answered.
“What about our parents?' she asked on a sudden thought. He shrugged.
“I do not know that we have to tell them. At least not right away. Honestly it is kind of obvious we are not related. I am the whitest man you are ever going to meet,” he declared grinning. They both laughed and hers turned into a cough that was heavier than she expected. Jeff immediately got her more water. He also found some cough and flu medicine in the first aid cabinet. It made her drowsy and she soon fell asleep. She dreamed of them both.
They made love on a picnic blanket next to a mountain lake. It was a beautiful summer’s day and they were happy. When they were done she turned to get the wine bottle and when she turned back he was gone. Dark clouds were forming on the horizon and speeding across the sky towards her. She cried out for him, afraid she had lost him. Soon darkness covered the lake and a heavy snowfall started to fall! What, she thought in her dream. There can't be any snow. She felt cold in her bikini as it snowed so fast she was almost instantly up to her waist in it. She cried out for Jeff again as the snow level grew until it was covering her. She was being buried alive again and she tried to find Jeff, had to find Jeff. She began crying because it was not fair that she should gain so much only to lose it all. Then she heard something...she strained to hear it and when she finally did her eyes opened and Jeff was leaning over her in bed.
“I am here Chelsea, right her, it was just a dream sweet heart, easy does it...” he said gently. She cried and hugged him. He came to save her even in her dreams. That was something Joseph never would have done she was sure, she thought in her dizziness. Whatever her plans had been before this weekend, she knew what they were now. Whatever the consequences she was going to stick with this man. No one had ever cared as much as he did. Once she was settled he got up to go downstairs.
“No...don't please...can you stay a little while?” she asked him tremulously.
“Sure Chelsea, whatever you need,” he told her. He sat on the edge of the bed and held her hand. Stroking her brow and murmuring his support. When she fell asleep this time she did not dream.
Chapter Five- Holding On
Chelsea awoke slowly and stretched. She was not feeling the ache anymore and her mind seemed clearer. Her memory of the previous day was foggy, but she did remember it and smiled. She looked around and saw it was day. Light filtered through the snow on the skylight. She was glad she felt better although was very weak. She heard movement downstairs and sat up. Her breath could be seen in the air. Uh oh she thought. She immediately got dressed and wrapped herself in a blanket before going downstairs. Jeff came rushing to the stair when he came out of the kitchen.
“Damn, sorry, I was hoping to make it back up in time. Are you ok, should you be up?” he said in a rush. Chelsea took his hand.
“I feel much better. I don't think I will be running any marathons. Did the generator go?” she asked. He shook his head.
“Not yet. I am looking for spare parts right now, most emergency stations keep those. We still have enough fuel though, I just have to get it running. I just woke up a little while ago, I meant to be up earlier but...” he shrugged embarrassed.
“Don't worry. You have exhausted yourself taking care of me, if you needed sleep, you needed sleep. What can I do?” she asked.
“Uhm, how about getting the fire going good and hot. I don't know how long before I can have the generator going. It may until afternoon before anyone gets here. There has been a cold snap and several emergency all-terrain vehicles were in a wreck coming up the mountain. Everything is frozen and cold now according to the dispatchers. Fortunately there are a huge amount of volunteers so someone will get here!” he sounded like he was forcing himself to be optimistic. She went along and started on the fire. She could see he was nervous and so was she. It was not good news. She reminded herself they had plenty of food, blankets, firewood and every essential they would need.
Jeff went back to work on the generator and she went into the kitchen and got a pot full of water and the instant coffee she had seen in the cupboard. She got the water placed on a little rack next to the fire, presumably for this sort of cooking then went for cups. She bundled back up amazed at her weak she felt. She was glad though her head was clear and she felt better otherwise. Whatever fever she had was gone, burnt out of her hopefully. She did not want a relapse. Jeff came back in after a half hour or so.
“I think I have it ready to go. I just want to shut off non-essential things. We need to conserve as much of the fuel as we can,” he explained.
“I agree. Would you like some coffee?” she asked and help up the boiling water and a cup.
“You are a life saver and brilliant. I would love some coffee. Thank you,” he told her honestly. They sipped the hot bitter liquid in front of the fire for a few minutes.
“I was thinking of shutting everything down except the hot water heater and the cabins heat, although we should keep that low. Enough to warm but not overdo it. We can eat, or cook over the fire. We have a huge storage of wood for the fire. What do you think darling?” he asked.
“I think I agree and I love hearing you call me darling sweetheart,” she replied. He hugged her and got up to go get the generator going again. It was not long before it was running. She sighed in relief. It lasted for about 15 minutes and it went out again. After another half hour of cursing over it Jeff came to a conclusion.
“It is done. There is nothing more I can do for the damn thing. It was not meant to go for days on end. Shit! OK, it is not the end of the world. We still have the fire and food so if we take it easy and just wait for the rescuers we should be ok,” he finished.
Chelsea was a little disappointed. She wanted a shower. Getting cleaned up always made her feel better. They heated up some canned chili on the fire, and ate that with some slightly stale bread. She was surprised it tasted so good. She had to keep blowing her nose but she decided if that was the worse it got she was fantastic. Then she had a thought.
“You know I was hoping for a shower. I know we have to conserve and all so how would you like to join me? The insulation on the heater should have kept the water hot shouldn't it,” she tried to play innocent but he wasn't buying it.
“I can't believe I am saying this but are you sure Chelsea? You had a rough night and I know you are feeling better, but you still are weak, I can see it,” he pointed out. She nodded.
“I am getting used to you being courteous, but it might energize me too. No way to know until we try. And a shower does always make me feel better,” she said. So they went for a shower.
“How does the cabin get water?” she asked as she turned on the shower.
“There is a cistern up in the hills. It has hundreds of gallons of rain water and snow melt. We are not going to run out of water,” he told her. They stripped and got into the shower together. After washing themselves thoroughly she could not help running her hands down to between his legs. He jumped when she did it. Then as he had done for her she lowered herself down, kissing his chest, then his stomach, and finally his hardening sign of his desire. She got him going until he was ready to explode, but by then so was she. Chelsea stood up and pressed against him and he lifted her up with his hands under her rear. She wrapped her legs around him and then positioned his member for the entrance they both were primed for. When he delved into her ready womanhood they both went off like Fourth of July fireworks, hot and fast. Gasping the crying out their mutual pleasure. She was spent, but invigorated as well. It was a strange thing but she reveled in it, and them.
They got dressed in their snow clothes that he had dried the night before and got comfortable in front of the fire. She still felt weak but her spirits were better. Jeff was the tired looking one. She urged him to take a nap and it was a sign of how truly tired he was that he agreed. She had him put his head in her lap and cover up. Once he was comfortable he was asleep in no time. She felt at peace. It wasn't snowing anymore and hadn't been all day. Rescuers were sure to find them soon. She sipped cold coffee and watched the fire, wondering what life was going to be like for now on. She still held to her thoughts of the previous night and she was going to give this surfer bum a shot. It was going to be complicated and different, but she was up for it and she felt he may actually be ready for it too. They both had changed over the past few days. It was amazing what a dangerous adventure could do for a person. After the third time her stomach rumbled she eased herself out from under Jeff, putting a pillow under his head. Then she went to the kitchen and foraged for food. She found enough to last a while and went back to the fire and began cooking. He awoke several hours later and she was munching some chips.
“I was barely able to wait for you dude. You sure were tired,” she told him. He sat up and pushed his hair out of his eyes. Smiled at her and then grinned at the food.
“You take good care of me, thank you. I could eat a horse,” he said reaching for a bowl and the pot of a rice dish she had whipped up.
“Then I guess it is a good thing we do not have a horse huh?” she answered laughing. He joined her and they happily ate everything she had cooked. They were both stuffed when it was gone. They were relaxing when they heard something miraculous.
“Hello, Jeff Roberts, Chelsea Cooper! Are in there!” They looked at each other in complete surprise and were on their feet rushing for the door. He jerked it open and the drift was again taller than she was.
“We are here! Hello, it is good to hear from you. Glad you made it!” They jumped up and down and hugged in their excitement. Saved, they were saved.
“Stay back and we will dig you out!” came the instructions which they obeyed. It took about a half hour and by then they had all their stuff ready to go. The ski patrol came in and insisted on checking them out first. Jeff told them what Chelsea had been through and she got a trip down the mountain on a sled being pulled by an ATV. She had told them how little sleep Jeff had, so he got a ride too. It was long trip down and the world was completely white and frozen. Chelsea was glad for the layers of blankets they wrapped around her.
When they arrived back at the lodge both of their parents were waiting for them. Since other than being tired, they were both fine they were not shipped off to the hospital. Instead the lodge comped a night in high end suite for them. Chelsea felt wonderful being able to dress in a clean clothes and use decent hair products again. They had dinner with her mom and his dad. They had a good time retelling their tale with a few details left out of course. Their parents decided to call it a night and Chelsea went back to her new room. Which coincidentally was next door to Jeff's.
She changed into her silk nightgown and watched the connecting door to his room. She grinned and ran over unlocking her side. When they both opened them they stood looking at each other with a smile. He was wearing flannel pants and nothing else. His wonderfully muscled body called to her.
“My room has a hot tub,” he said.
“So does mine, what else ya got?” she asked coyly, unable to suppress a big smile.
“I have a free courtesy bar, some snacks and a very interested suitor who would like to spend some time with you out of the cold,” he propositioned. She pretended to think about it.
“I dunno. I have a king sized bed!” she teased. His eyes widened.
“What! Mine only has a queen sized. Your room it is,” he said coming into her room and getting a big hug.
“This has been a weird weekend dude. You know that.” Chelsea told him as they raided the mini bar. He nodded.
“Tell me about it. Weird but important don't you think?” he asked in a brief serious moment. She agreed.
“Very important to me. I have a feeling life with you is going to be interesting,” she said as they clicked their glasses.
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