Julie and Erik meet literally by accident on a dark, snowy, mountain road. He was her port in the storm and she accepted his invitation apprehensively. She could never have imagined this blue eyed hunk would have swept them both off their feet in the day

"Our Promise"

By Helena Allard

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 Helena Allard
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4772-0465-8

Chapter One

Stranded

Had I known, crashing on as now covered, isolated, mountain road, and being left stranded would have brought such results, I'd have been here sooner.

My drive north had been long and exhausting and I shivered with fatigue, it had snowed all day and now it was accumulating. It was easy to be distracted by the skiers coming down the slopes so much so that it ended for me in this ditch. I hadn't even noticed dusk was quickly approaching. Stunned, with my car almost on it's side, I just sat there trying not to panic. I knew I wasn't hurt so I needed to figure my next move.

I remember seeing a sign a couple of miles back, `Highway Patrol Passes This Area Every Hour', maybe the hour is close. I'll sit and wait. Nothing to do but wait. I hadn't taken my cell phone or laptop, no need for it on vacation. I see now it wasn't such a good idea. Forty minutes had gone by, now it was getting cold and dark, I couldn't stay in here. I opened the door and jumped down about two feet into the snow.

I wasn't dressed for this, heels and a skirt not so good, "yep", the car is stuck good. I looked around, no-one, just more skiers coming down the slopes with lit torches it was a beautiful sight but I was starting to panic. I'll need a tow truck, there must have been a problem or the patrol would have come by here by now, not another car in sight either.

I could see a chalet across the street a little way maybe they had a phone and if I'm lucky they'll be home. So I decided to take a few things out of the car. I was too engrossed in what I was doing or I would have noticed someone walking toward me.

"Can I help you?"

I turned as I spoke and answered, "yes," very eagerly, then I finally looked up. There before me was this tall, blond, blue eyed, handsome, gorgeous hunk, if I had been in the desert I would have thought him a mirage. He looked like he had stepped out of some alpine magazine ad. I was hoping he hadn't noticed how long it took me to answer him.

"Yes, could I use your phone?"

"Sure, I just live here across the street," he said as he pointed to the chalet.

That alpine magazine I thought about, well this two story chalet must have been in there with him. The front was all windows facing the mountain. Could it be my car knew where to go off the road?

He put his hand out to take mine, I didn't have to think twice, he then escorted me to his chalet.

As we walked I was secretly hoping a woman wouldn't be opening the door. I noticed as we walked how slippery the road surface was a good reason why I went off the road.

We went up the driveway to the side of the chalet. I could see flickering lights coming from the window in the door, it looked like an inviting dance. With the advancing darkness of the night the light shown very brightly.

He opened the door. I stepped in and in awe I stopped to take in this beautiful scene unfolding before me. Across the living room on the far wall was a large fieldstone fireplace it took up most of the wall. No wonder the light it threw was so inviting, it lit most of this chalet, or at least what I could see. To my left was a wall of windows, looking out toward the mountain, the opposite wall had a loft that looked like it took up most of the upper floor. Cathedral ceilings and thick white scatter rugs throughout the room, what a sight.

I didn't realize how long I had been standing there.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude, everything is so right." I began taking off my shoes, snow was melting off them.

"Oh please don't worry, these floors are quite used to snow, and I'm glad you enjoy what you see, here let me take your coat."

As he helped me remove my coat, I gave him another glance, he caught my eye and gave me the warmest smile. He then removed his jacket as I watched, clean, well groomed and tan, he must be out in the sun all day.

"I'll be back in a second why don't you make yourself comfortable. I'll put some water on for tea, sit enjoy the view."

He lead me to the sofa in front of the wall of windows, the scene was spectacular, I could see many ski trails on the slopes. The sky now was a dark velvet blue and the starts, too many to count, they shone like diamonds. The moon was beginning to show and it case rays across the glistening snow, like you see on a Christmas card. It's amazing what you can see in two minutes.

"You like what you see?", he asked.

Oh I thought, don't answer too quickly you might say what your really thinking, too easy, be cool you have problems with your car remember. But before I could answer, he said.

"That's why I bought this chalet, the view couldn't be better."

I noticed as he said that he was looking straight into my eyes. I turned, and looking up at him, I said, "I very much like what I see, and I'm awe struck by this whole scene, but I have to call for a tow truck and be on my way."

"You won't need one. My neighbor has already gotten your car and moved it into my driveway. While you were enjoying the view he came to the door with your keys. We patrolmen are pretty smart that way."

"I was way to mesmerized, I'm sorry, again. I've inconvenienced you. I just need to use your phone. It's getting late I need to be getting on my way. You've been more than generous and I really to appreciate everything."

I had already finished the cup of tea he had made me and I thought I best leave soon or I won't find a room in Stowe.

"Of course, I understand, the phone is here on the counter, please make all the calls you have to, let me know if I can help?"

"Thanks I will."

I called a few places up and around Stowe, no availability is what they all said, seems there's a festival going on and all is booked. I was a little upset, I knew he couldn't hear my conversations, so I didn't let him know my results. I'll just go on my way. I'll find something somewhere.

"Well, I guess I'll be on my way. Thank you again. I'll get my coat."

I walked over to the counter and began putting my coat on and as I reached over to pick up my shoes, he spoke.

"Look, please don't take this the wrong way, but I've got a large place here. I'll let you use this beautiful room in the loft with the view of all the slopes. I noticed you enjoyed that view. You could get an early start in the morning. Be my guest."

I didn't want to step on any toes and I must have looked perplexed cause I didn't answer right away. Then he suggested.

"What if I make us some coffee, we'll sit here and you can decide. I'll even drive you into town if you like and you won't have to get into a cold car, in the dark, all by yourself."

"Well, the coffee sounds great, by the way what do I call you?"

"I'm Erik Anderson, and you are?"

"Julie Mitchell, guess we should have gotten that out there before now, but I had things to sort out."

"Being stuck in the snow tends to upset the routine doesn't it?", he commented.

He went into the kitchen giving me time to think over my situation, my very comfortable situation.

Chapter Two

Rescued

Who was I kidding? I was fully enjoying the whole scene but still my head was spinning, should I, shouldn't I. I need a time out. I couldn't answer too quickly. When I set out this morning this isn't what I had expected, none of this. For the last couple of years I was in charge of my situations, now not so sure of what to do?

I wasn't exactly being left out in the cold, but I was out of my comfort zone, too easy to answer. I...