She stared at him, willing him to step out of the kitchen and allowing her a modicum of privacy, but he didn’t budge. Taking a deep breath, she quickly punched in the private number to Hope House. When nothing happened, she dialed the number again, this time hearing the requisite beep beep beep as she hit each number. Lifting the phone to her ear, expecting to hear a ring, instead she heard nothing. She tried the number a third time. Still nothing.
“The phone lines go down when there’s snow,” Max offered.
No kidding, she wanted to say but refrained.
“Do you have a cell phone I could use? I really need to make this call. The girls”—Grace nodded toward Ashley and Amanda, who were busy petting the dogs—“they need to…I just need to make a call, then we’ll be on our way.” She was about to explain that the girls’ mother needed to know they were alive and safe but thought better of it.
Leaning casually against the pine-log wall, Max said, “Nope, never bothered with one. Sorry.”
Grace tried the number again, but there was still no dial tone. Realizing it was fruitless to continue trying to make a call on a phone that didn’t work, Grace placed it back on the base unit.
Not knowing what else to say, she hurried past the man with the familiar face to the girls, who were still playing with the lovable Huskies. She rubbed her hands together, trying to warm them. She dreaded what she was about to do, but there wasn’t much choice.
“Girls, tell Mr. Jorgenson thank you for his hospitality. We have to leave. Now,” she stated firmly, hoping the girls wouldn’t question her.
“And just where in the hell do you think you’re going?” Max asked.
Galled that he had the audacity to question her, Grace turned around to face him. “Really, Mr. Jorgenson, it’s none of your business. Thank you for the use of your phone.”
Turning back to the girls, Grace spoke gently to them. “Amanda, Ashley. It’s time to go.”
“But—”
“No buts, girls. It’s time to go.”
Grace took each girl by the hand. “Put your mittens on. It’s still very cold out.”
Thundering footsteps came from behind. “Listen, lady, I don’t know what your problem is, but you can’t take these kids out now! The snow is getting heavier by the minute.” He pointed to the floor-to-ceiling windows that faced the mountains.
Grace realized he was right, but what other choice did she have? “We’re going back to the van. I’m sure a patrol officer will find us.” She realized she should be staying put. Taking the girls back out into freezing temperatures was stupid, but once they got back to the van, she’d crank up the heat. There was plenty of gas. And who knew? Maybe a patrol officer would find them. It wasn’t the greatest plan, but it was all she could come up with given the circumstances.
In complete frustration, Max combed his hands through his messy hair. “Why don’t you spend the night here? I’ve plenty of room. In the morning, I’ll drive you back to your van myself.”
“Please, please, Miss Grace? Let’s spend the night here. We can play with the dogs. Puhleeze?” Amanda asked.
It would be the smartest choice. Really, it was their only choice. She couldn’t take the girls out again in this weather. For the girls’ sake, she swallowed her pride, making a snap decision. “Thank you, Mr. Jorgenson. We accept—but just for the night.”
Grace turned to him. He seemed surprised she’d agreed to his offer. “That’s all I’m offering.”
She wanted to tell him to forget it, but there was more at stake than her pride. She had two small children to consider. “If you’ll show me our room, I’ll take it from there,” Grace insisted, knowing that the invitation had cost him. Though how much, she didn’t realize.
“What about some food?” He stared at the girls. “Maybe something hot to drink?” He shot Grace a questioning look.
Maybe he had a trace of manners after all. Grace turned to him. “I think we’re okay, but thanks for the offer.”
“I’m hungry!” Ashley said. “And thirsty. And I need to use the bathroom.”
“Me too,” seconded Amanda. “Really, really hungry!”
Grace raised a sculpted brow. “I guess I spoke too soon.”
Max didn’t know where this sudden urge to be hospitable came from, but when he saw the excitement on the little girls’ faces, something inside him melted. What kind of man would allow a woman and her two kids to venture out into the wee hours of the morning knowing it was below freezing outside?
Him, he realized. Had it not been dark and cold, that’s exactly what he would’ve done. What he really wanted to do was snatch the invitation back, find another bottle of whiskey, and go back to sleep.
Seeing the expectant looks on the little girls’ faces, he blocked any further thoughts about what he should have done. This was the right thing to do. It’s what Kayla would have done had she been alive.
“Bathroom’s that way.” He pointed to a door beneath the staircase leading upstairs.
“Thanks.” Grace continued her grip on the girls, leading them to the bathroom. Once inside, she helped them remove their coats and mittens. When each had had her turn using the toilet, both girls washed their hands, loving the feel of the warm water.
“I want to take a bath, Miss Grace. I’m as cold as a frog,” Amanda announced.
Grace laughed. “Just how cold is a frog?” she asked the little girl.
“Real cold. Like a Popsicle.”
Ashley looked at her little sister. “Mommy would tell you to mind your manners right about now.”
“She would?”
“Yeah,” Ashley said. “Miss Grace, you didn’t talk to our mom, did you?”
Fearing Ashley would ask this but knowing there was no way around it, she simply told her the truth.
“And first thing in the morning, Mr. Jorgenson will take us to the van,” Grace finished explaining.
“I bet Mommy is scared ’cause she always wants to know exactly where we’re at,” Amanda said.
Grace felt as though she’d been punched in the gut with an extra large fist. “I know she’s worried, but right now there isn’t any way to let her know we’re okay, so let’s just concentrate on getting through the night.” She sounded lame even to herself.
Both girls watched her with fear in their eyes. “What if Daddy…”
“He doesn’t know we’re here. I think it might be a good idea if we didn’t talk about your daddy for the rest of the night. Are you girls okay with that?” Grace didn’t want their host asking any more questions than necessary.
Both girls nodded.
“Then
