Chapter TWELVE

Ariel watched as Ethan shuffled into the cozy kitchen, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The scent of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee lay heavy in the air. He glanced at the antique farmhouse table, laden with platters of fluffy waffles, crispy hash browns, garlicky eggs with cheddar cheese, toast with assorted jams, and a tower of bacon. His stomach rumbled audibly.

"Morning, sleepyhead," Ariel chirped from her perch at the stove. Ethan mumbled a reply and slid into an empty chair. Bradford was already at the kitchen table, tucking into a stack of waffles drizzled with syrup.

"Can you believe how much snow we got overnight?" Bradford asked between bites. "It"s still coming down out there."

Out the frost-lined window, fat flakes drifted lazily from the steel gray sky, already blanketing the yard in a thick layer of powdery white.

"Good thing we stocked up on supplies," Ariel said as she transferred more sizzling slices of bacon from pan to platter. "I don"t think we"ll be going anywhere for a while."

Jessica nodded, chewing a mouthful of eggs from her seat beside Bradford. "Roads are probably pure ice under all that snow. Not worth risking an accident."

Ariel brought two empty plates to the table and sat one down next to Ethan and one in front of him. As if called, Katie suddenly appeared, bleary-eyed but smiling.

"Snow!" she exclaimed. Then, seeing Ethan piling up waffles and eggs, she said, "Ooh, breakfast." She quickly took a seat beside him.

"Well, I don"t mind being snowed in here. At least we"ve got delicious food, cozy beds, and excellent company." Ariel smiled warmly at Jessica and Bradford.

They were soon joined by Miles, and Ariel waved away his offer to make her a plate—despite their level of readiness, the anxiousness over the snow was making her stomach churn. Miles and Bradford chatted lightly as they ate, comparing notes on the weather report and making small talk. Ethan and Katie focused on each other, only half-listening. Ariel's gaze kept drifting to the window, watching the mesmerizing swirl of snowflakes.

After a few minutes, Miles set down his fork. "I"m gonna go out and start shoveling. Maybe we can at least clear a path from the door."

Bradford swallowed a sip of coffee. "Good idea. I"ll join you. Many hands make light work, right?"

"No, no. You're a guest," Miles protested. Aiel nodded, but before she could add her voice to argue, Bradford held up a hand.

"I'll be Jessica's hero if she can easily get out into that Winter Wonderland for some photos. Give a guy a break."

Miles nodded, lips quirking into a grin. Katie nudged Ethan, who stood up, volun-told.

They all bundled up in heavy coats, hats and gloves before venturing out into the winter wonderland. Snow crunched under their boots as they trekked to the shed to grab shovels. Silently, they began working, starting with the front steps and a pathway to the driveway. The snow was powder-soft and feather-light, but inches rapidly accumulated with each passing minute.

After thirty minutes, Ariel stuck her head out onto the front porch to check on them.

"Parents are up. The dads want to know how it's going."

"You mean Vivienne is fretting?" Bradford asked. He leaned on his shovel, chest heaving. "Don"t think we"re making much progress here. Snow"s falling faster than we can clear it."

Miles exhaled, breath fogging the air. "You"re right. And the driveway is buried. We"d need a snowplow to get through that deep drift."

They retreated inside around the front, stomping snow from their boots. Ariel met them in the mudroom, holding out mugs of steaming cocoa. "No luck, huh?"

Miles gratefully accepted the mug. "Thanks. And nope, we"re snowed in for the foreseeable future."

Ariel smiled sympathetically. "Well, I already put a big pot of chili and a few loaves of cornbread on for lunch. We might as well settle in and enjoy some comfort food on this cold day."

Miles nodded, cupping his hands around the warmth of the cocoa. Ariel led Miles, Ethan, and Bradford back to the cozy kitchen, where the rich aroma of simmering chili filled the air. Vivienne and Hugo were now seated at the farmhouse table, chatting over steaming mugs.

"There you are," Vivienne said, smiling at the snow-dusted men. "No luck with the shoveling I take it?"

Darcy shook his head as he pulled out a chair. "The snow"s really coming down. We"d need heavy machinery to clear the driveway at this point."

Bradford looked around. "Where are my folks?"

Hugo shrugged. "they took breakfast to their rooms—so did Victoria, and we haven't seen Randall yet."

Bradford frowned.

Vivienne tutted, her brow creasing with concern as she looked at Hugo. "I suppose we"ll just have to make do here then. At least we have plenty of food and supplies."

"I could help if you think it"s a matter of manpower," Hugo said.

Viv leaned towards Hugo, gently patting his arm. "But you have to be careful with all this exertion in the cold, dear. Don"t forget what the doctor said about your blood pressure."

Hugo waved her off good-naturedly. "Ah, Vivienne, you worry too much. I"m fine, fit as a fiddle."

But Vivienne fixed him with a stern look. "Now, don"t be stubborn. You know you need to take care of yourself."

Hugo held up his hands in mock surrender. "Yes, ma"am, I promise I"ll take it easy."

Ariel smiled at their exchange as she took a seat. "Viv"s right though, even if we dig out it won"t do any good. The main roads are totally buried, there"s no way we"d make it into town right now."

She glanced out the frosted window at the whiteout conditions. "I know we all might feel a little trapped, but for now I think we"re just going to have to settle in and make the best of it here."

Miles nodded in agreement. "Ariel"s got a point. It"s too dangerous to travel in this, we"ll have to ride it out together."

"Well I can"t think of better company to be snowed in with," Hugo said, raising his mug in a toast.

They clinked mugs, the warm liquid fortifying them against the cold outside. For now, the world was reduced to this haven, this small circle of newfound friends. And as they launched into easy conversation, the storm seemed to fade into the background.

The clinking of forks and knives soon filled the cozy dining room as everyone dug into their hearty breakfasts—or second breakfasts. Ethan happily started round two. Piping hot waffles were passed around, syrup bottles making the rounds. Sizzling bacon disappeared quickly from platters as the group fueled up for the day ahead.

Ariel smiled as she watched them enjoy the food. It was so nice to cook for people who truly appreciated it.

"These waffles are incredible, Ariel," Bradford said between bites. "The vanilla bean in the batter really takes them to the next level."

"Why thank you," she replied. "Jesica made them."

Jessica beamed, and Bradford grinned at her. As the meal wound down, the group started clearing plates and cups, bringing them to the kitchen. Ariel rinsed dishes while Miles loaded the dishwasher, and the guests went to the formal living room to start a fire in the fireplace.

"So what"s the game plan?" Miles asked. "Katie and Ethan are going outside to play in the snow. Maybe Monopoly? I think I"m ready for a rematch after last game night"s crushing defeat."

Ariel laughed. "You"re on. We"ll ask the group." She was so thankful that Cliffside had a backup generator and plenty of supplies. And that she had Miles. They had everything they needed to ride out the storm together.

She touched Miles"s arm warmly. "We make a good team."

He covered her hand with his own. "We really do."

Their eyes met for a moment, a new understanding passing between them. Momentarily, after Miles had headed that way, she could hear the others chatting and laughing in the living room as they set up the board games. The old house creaked pleasantly against the howling wind outside.

Soon, the chili was simmering on the stove, filling the inn with warmth and the smell of spices. Ariel checked the cornbread and wiped her hands and went to join the others.

Hugo had gotten a fire crackling in the stone fireplace. The group—now including Victoria and Randall, though both scowled in opposite corners—was gathered on the floor around the game board, focused intently on their turns. Ariel paused in the doorway, taking in the scene. There was something profound about this moment, she thought, all of them drawn together on this snowy day, kept safe within these walls.

She moved to sit beside Jessica on the braided rug. Outside, the snow swirled past the frosted windowpanes.

"Who"s winning?" she asked, glancing at the game board.

"We just started," Jessica replied with a laugh.

Miles gave Ariel a warm smile from across the game circle. She returned it, feeling a familiar spark between them.

"I hope you"re ready to lose," Bradford teased Hugo lightheartedly. "I was reigning champ at game night all through college."

Hugo scoffed in mock offense. "We"ll see about that!"

The group continued their game, conversation flowing easily. They recounted funny stories from their pasts, like the time Jessica got her head stuck between two fence posts as a kid. Laughter rang through the room.

"Believe it or not, this princess was once a tomboy," Jess admitted, laughing along.

Outside, the wind howled, but inside, joy and camaraderie filled the spaces between. A log collapsed in the fireplace, sending up a burst of sparks. Ariel leaned into the warmth, grateful to be sharing this snowy day with new friends. There would be time later to dig out the cars to return to real life. For now, she was content to enjoy the unexpected gift of connection that the storm had brought. There would be logistics to handle soon - digging out the cars, maybe rescheduling flights and possibly next week"s guests. But for now, Ariel let the warmth of connection wash over her, grateful for the gift of this moment.

She even ignored the sour looks that Victoria and Randall were shooting at the group—no small feat. Halfway through the game, the oven timer beeped, reminding Ariel with a start that lunch was ready.

But she hadn't even begun to think about dinner—and her kitchen wingman was currently snowed in at his apartment in Endless Habor, miles away.

Uh oh.