Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual, probably because I’d gone to bed earlier than usual. Waking up early from the storm, coupled with the lack of things to do, had me falling asleep on the couch shortly after we had the rest of the soup for dinner.

I decided to head downstairs and cook something for breakfast. I knew I didn’t have to do all the cooking, but I felt like I should contribute something since Jake was taking care of everything else.

As I was getting started, I realized the trash needed to be taken out. I grabbed the bag and took it outside without bothering to put on a coat or extra layers since I was only going to be out there for a second. I also wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings. Why would I? We were snowed in at the top of a mountain with no way in or out. So, when I came face-to-face with a black bear digging through the trash can, I nearly died right there on the spot. I’m not sure who was more surprised— me or the bear . We both froze and stared at each other for several long seconds. Finally, my brain registered what was happening, but I wasn’t sure what to do. Was I supposed to stand my ground and try to scare it away, or was I supposed to pretend to be dead? Was screaming and running away an option?

Thankfully, King came to my rescue before I had to make a decision. I don’t know if I left the door open or if he opened it himself, but King came running outside barking and growling. I swear, the bear’s eyes widened comically before it turned and took off running. That’s when I screamed. Not at the bear. I was glad it was gone, but I was terrified King would continue to chase it. While the bear initially ran from King, there was no way King would win that fight.

A sharp whistle sounded behind me, followed by Jake’s deep voice. “King!” He ran past me and glanced back over his shoulder. “Get back in the house. I’ll get King.”

I didn’t want to go inside without knowing King was safe, but I was shivering.

A few minutes later, King and Jake came through the back door. I ran over to King and dropped down to the floor to hug him. “You are such a good boy,” I said and kissed the top of his head. “I’m making some extra bacon for you.”

“What happened?” Jake asked, somewhat out of breath.

“I took the trash out and found a bear at the trash can. It scared the shit out of me. I didn’t think they were normally out when there’s snow on the ground.”

“They’re not, but it’s early for us to have snow, so maybe that’s why.”

“Can King open doors?”

Jake laughed. “Yes, he can.”

“Okay. I was pretty sure I closed the door behind me.”

“I’m not sure how he learned to do it, but he can open most doors. It would be a pain in the ass if we lived somewhere with neighbors nearby.”

“Well, I’m certainly thankful for his skills. I didn’t know what to do,” I admitted and involuntarily shivered at the thought of what could have happened. “One of my lifelong goals is to not end up as some kind of animal poop.”

Jake laughed and shook his head. “I’m sure a lot of people have that goal, whether they know it or not.”

I clapped my hands together and tried to change the subject. “I’m going to get started on breakfast.”

“Have you made coffee yet?”

“I haven’t done anything yet. I was just getting started when I noticed the trash. I’m not sure I need coffee. I’m wide awake after that encounter.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. I had no idea what was going on, but I know King’s barks, and that was definitely his something is wrong bark.”

“I’ll work on the food if you’ll make the coffee,” I said, once again trying to change the subject. I didn’t want to talk about the bear anymore.

Once again, we cooked in silence, though it was less awkward than the first time. I made a few extra pieces of bacon and dropped a small piece into King’s bowl, along with some scrambled eggs.

“He’s going to be so spoiled by the time you leave.”

“Maybe not. This was a reward for saving me from the bear. I’m hoping that won’t happen again, or any other wild animal encounters.”

“You should pay more attention to your surroundings. You aren’t in the city anymore. Besides bears, there are plenty of other dangerous animals out there, like bobcats or wild pigs.”

“I’m well aware of that, Jake. But, seriously, neither one of us thought a bear would be out there.”

“True, but there are plenty of other animals that could have been. We have plenty of coyotes, bobcats, and elk.”

“I’ll just put the trash bag in the garage and let you take it out. Will that work?”

“Yes, actually, it would.”

“Great. I’m glad we got that settled.” It was all I could do not to roll my eyes at him. Even if I was paying better attention, I still would have encountered the bear.

“Look, I’m sorry. That situation could’ve been very bad.”

“I’m aware.”

“I guess it scared me a little,” he admitted. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Neither do I.”

“Damn it, Sarah. Can we call a truce while you’re here? Then you can go back to hating me.”

“Fine by me,” I agreed. “For the record, I don’t hate you.”

“You don’t?”

“No, I don’t. To hate you would mean I still had feelings regarding you, and I can assure you I got over any feelings I had years ago.” Lies. It was all lies. I may have buried my feelings for Jake, but they resurfaced with a vengeance the moment I saw him standing at the front door to my parents’ cabin.

“Thanks for the explanation.”

I could have continued with my smart-ass responses, but I chose not to. If he wanted to call a truce, then I needed to keep my mouth shut. Sniping at each other wasn’t going to change anything, anyway.

I finished my breakfast, cleared my dishes, and went back upstairs to the room I was staying in. I wasn’t sure what to do with myself, but spending the day watching movies with Jake in front of a cozy fire didn’t seem like it was in the best interest of my mental stability.

Glancing at my phone, I decided to turn it on and not look at the screen. If more messages came through, I would know the service had been restored. After a few minutes of silence, I knew it hadn’t been. I didn’t like being cut off from the rest of the world. We had no idea what was going on with the weather. I thought I remembered hearing something about more snow a few days after the first storm, but I wasn’t sure.

With nothing else to do, I opened my laptop and started working. I was halfway through my next book and thought it would be wise to use the time to get ahead. However, I found myself staring at the screen, unsure of what to write next. The two main characters had found their way back together after being separated for years. It felt too similar to what was actually happening in my life.

Sighing, I closed my laptop and flopped back onto the bed. It couldn’t have been more than five minutes later when I heard Jake call my name from downstairs.

“Yes,” I answered without bothering to get up.

“I’m going to take the snowmobile and go check out the road.”

“Okay.”

“I shouldn’t be gone long.”

“Okay.”

Moments later, I heard the garage door open and close, followed by the sound of the snowmobile’s engine.