All participants in this story are over 18 and any resemblance to people living or dead is fully in the mind of the author. Another story I wish was actually me but is just a product of my imagination.
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The long drive had been tiring for both of them. Leaving early in the morning to beat the snow they were now only a short distance from the rented lodge but the weather had made a sudden turn for the worst a short while ago. It was heard to see and he was forced to hunch over the steering wheel looking out through the windshield as the defroster labored to keep the ice off and the wipers fought the sleet.
"Not much farther now I don't think" Ryan said looking over with a tight grin at Violet. She was bundled into her heavy ski-jacket, hands white knuckled and clenched in her lap. She hated driving in bad weather and these mountain roads didn't help matters.
They had been coming on ski vacations like this every few years since they were in high school. This was their first time back since they had finished university over two years ago. They were meeting two other old friends up at the chalet so it was planning to be a great weekend. If they could just get there through the inclement weather everything would be great. The trips were an exciting time with many great stories still being brought out years later at the few times when the friends could all get together.
The tires slid along the road as he coaxed the rental Jeep around a slow curve. For a moment they locked and put the car into a slide but Ryan managed to correct the skid and force the car around. Over the sound of the laboring wiper motors the radio was giving the weather report.
"The Cascades are seeing record snowfall and there is a storm warning for the Groom Mountain area. If you are traveling in this area please drive carefully and if you can stay off the roads until tomorrow when the plows have had a chance to get through..." the reporter was saying, merely confirming what they already knew.
"We are almost there, Vee. No reason to worry." Ryan said, trying to stay positive even though he was a bit nervous about the drive as well. Vee was what he had called her since they had taken French together and he had heard the teacher call her Vee-oh-let. It had stuck.
"I'm okay Ryan, just keep your eyes on the road" her feet were pressed stiffly against the floorboards and he could see she was very tense. He resolved to get them there as safely and as quickly as possible. He put his mind on the road and powered on through the snow. The 4x4 more than was able to handle the last few inclines and within about ten minutes he saw the sign for the rental lodges.
"We made it!" he grinned. "I told you there was nothing to worry about."
They pulled up to the main cabin and Ryan left the Jeep idling while he went in to confirm the reservation and get their keys. He came back about five minutes later and climbed back in.
"Well I have good news and bad news..." he said, "The good news is that they already have a fire going in the cabin to warm it up, the bad news is that Kris and Kate called ahead and they got stuck at the bottom of the mountain and can't make it up until tomorrow. So it's you and me, lady. Good thing we left early."
They pulled the Jeep around the bend and stopped in front of the cabin. Within a few minutes they had the skis, groceries, and their other essential gear unloaded and inside the cabin. It was nicely appointed. It had thick rugs thrown across hardwood floors, a cheery fire burning behind a glass screen in the fireplace. There was a small fridge and freezer in the kitchen that was quickly filled with groceries, beer and the wine Violet liked.
Once they settled in Ryan started putting together a meal. They had been on the road most of the day and both needed to recharge. He expertly chopped vegetables for a salad and threw frozen lasagna into the oven for them to eat. He then cracked a beer for himself and a bottle of wine for Violet and brought her a glass.
Violet had finally begun to relax from the stress of the drive up. She accepted the glass of wine with a nod of thanks and went to poke at the fire while he worked. She wasn't much of a cook and knew to leave him to his own devices. Their friendship had long since gone past the point of needing to fill the air with chatter so they worked and sat in comfortable silence while the fire crackled and they waited for dinner to be ready.
Dinner was soon ready and they moved to the small table in the kitchenette to eat. They chatted about their lives and pretty much everything under the sun. As old friends often do they began to talk about much more intimate things in great detail. They talked about their most recent sexual experiences and dating mishaps. It turns out neither of them had been seeing much action with their active jobs taking up so much of their time. The drink and trusted companionship served to loosen them both up immensely and it felt almost like high school again. This added to the strangeness of just the two of them in the cabin instead of part of a larger group added an air of newness that had them both feeling charged.
Hours later, by around 9PM they were both seated in the living room. Violet was covered with a soft blanket lying on the small sofa with Ryan holding a beer leaning back against the front of it. He got up to go check the fire again, poking at the logs. A loud pop startled Violet and she started awake, sitting up, looking around blearily before again pulling the blanket up over her and curling up.
