Chapter 2
The woman at the desk doesn't seem to be too pleased to see us again and so I linger back, letting Christian do the talking. Looking out of the window, I can see that the sky is indeed starting to darken. There's a change in the atmosphere and I know we're in for a rough night. I curse myself for not booking that Australia trip with Kate. How I'd love to be lounging in the sun with koalas right now. A few moments later, Christian turns back around with a list of hotel numbers penned into his phone. We sit in the small café area while he phones and sip unsatisfactory coffee. After the third phone call, he slams his cell down in frustration.
"No luck?" I ask, already knowing the answer.
He shakes his head. "How is it that in a city as big as New York, everything is fully booked?"
I shrug, letting my head rest on my arms. Panic mode has left me and now I'm in despair mode.
"Seems like I'll be spending Christmas day in the airport," I murmur to no one in particular. "Hey, at least there's a café. We can have muffins and mediocre coffee for dinner."
He chuckles slightly at that and seeing him laugh makes me smile a little. He has a really beautiful laugh; it lights up his whole face.
"I'll find us a place," he says seriously then after a moment. "I promise you that you won't have to eat airport cafeteria food for Christmas dinner."
I look at him softly. I'm just a perfect stranger to him and yet he's already making me promises and looking out for me. I guess they are some truly kind people in the world after all.
Just as I'm about to reply to him, a kindly middle-aged woman comes over with a pot of tea and asks if she can sit on the table with us.
"Everywhere else is full," she says apologetically, looking around. Her hair is vivid red which makes her look warm, especially in contrast to the icy war that's raging outside.
"Oh sure, no problem," I assure her, scooting over so that she can sit next to me. She is all windswept and shaking as she lifts her teacup. I give her a smile.
"It's freezing out there," she says with a shiver. "Stopped in here just to get a drink before heading home."
"Our flights are cancelled," I tell her. "We're trying to find hotels to no avail."
A glance over at Christian shows me that he's on the phone once again, frustrated anger etched into that pretty face of his.
"Oh no," the woman says, genuinely concerned for us. "That won't do. You'll have to come and stay with me!"
I can't help but be taken aback by her generosity. What is it with kind people today? I've been here in New York for a while and all I've encountered is barging shoulders and murmurs of disapproval. I look at her with surprise before shaking my head.
"Oh no, I couldn't," I tell her. "Thank you so much though."
"Nonsense," she dismisses me, putting down her tea. "My husband and I, Graham, own a small bed and breakfast down in Cold Spring. Have you heard of it? it's an hour or so away from here, lovely little village. During this time of the year it's very decorative. We have a few spare rooms."
Christian places down his phone at this moment and looks toward the woman.
"Nothing," he says with a sigh.
"Have you ever been to Cold Springs?" I ask him. "This woman says she has a room at her bed and breakfast."
"Call me Lynn dear," she says, holding out her hand.
"I'm Ana," I smile. "This is Christian." I gesture toward him and he gives her a small smile.
"I'm thinking we may have to take you up on that offer Lynn," he says. "Thank you, it means a lot."
"No problem," she grins. "The place is full of elderly couples which is lovely, but it will be nice to have a young couple to brighten up the place."
Now my face flushes red.
"We're not…" I gesture between myself and Christian. "We're not together, we actually just met today."
"My apologies," she says, though I swear there's a twinkle in her eye. "You look good together."
I blush again and Christian laughs. I shoot a scowl at him in response.
Once Lynn has finished her tea, we make our way outside to her car. It's a big wagon and inside smells like candy canes and perfume. Christian sits next to me in the back after bundling our suitcases into the trunk before we set off. As we drive, we watch the sky turn darker shades of grey by the minute and the weather picks up the pace rapidly. Rain starts pouring about half an hour into the journey, lashing against the windows. Dismal is an understatement.
Lynn is a friendly woman. She makes general chatter about her bed and breakfast and how long her and Graham have been together. She also promises that Cold Springs is a lovely village which I will enjoy. Overall, I'm feeling relieved I have somewhere to stay for the night however I'm also extremely anxious. I'm on my way to God knows where with a man I hardly know and no plans to get home in time for Christmas. I call my mom in the car to let her know what's going on and as predicted, she's overly worried.
"Oh honey," she cries, loud enough for everyone in the car to hear her. "I knew you shouldn't have gone on this trip so close to Christmas. What are you going to do? What will you do for Christmas if you can't get home in time?"
"I don't know," I say quietly. "But I'll keep you updated. I'm okay for now though, I have somewhere to stay."
Promising to call her regularly, I hang up and doze for the rest of the drive while Christian works away on his laptop.
When Lynn announces that we've arrived, I blink my eyes open quickly and sit upright. Christian is already out of the car and hauling suitcases. He opens my door for me, letting in a flurry of rain and cold air. I rush out quickly with my head down; I can feel him shielding me with his body, one arm wrapped around my waist. He's a gentleman, that's for sure.
It takes a few minutes for us to follow Lynn to the edge of the ground where the inn lays. When we step inside, we're both soaking wet and freezing but the warm room engulfs me immediately.
"Go and sit down by the fire for a moment sweetheart," Lynn says, leading me into what appears to be a very large sitting room.
The fire in here is roaring and I stand by it gratefully. The room itself is quaint and cosy. Patterned couches and a huge hearth rug. The fire feels nice in my bones but I can't wait to change into my comfy clothes and get dry. Christian joins me soon after with yet another grimace.
"What's wrong?" I ask, looking up at him.
He's so drenched that his hair is plastered to his face and it's hard not to laugh.
"Lynn just checked with Graham and it turns out two families arrived this morning as emergency bookings. There's only one room left."
My heart drops but before I can speak, try and figure out another solution, he interrupts.
"I'm going to give you the room," he says firmly. "I'll find somewhere else."
"There is nowhere else," I remind him, "you said so yourself. Everywhere is booked."
He gives me a faint smile. "It's New York. There must be somewhere. Don't worry about me Anastasia, I'll be fine."
I frown. "How will you get back to Manhattan?" I ask. "We're practically in the middle of nowhere."
He doesn't answer and that's how I know he has no idea. I can't let him go out there in that weather alone with nowhere to stay. Not after all he's done to help me.
"We can share the room," I say abruptly, before I lose my nerve. "It will only be for one night, two max, right? You can sleep on the floor or couch or something."
He looks at me like I'm crazy and I'm starting to feel it myself. First rule my parents ever taught me was never to talk to strangers. Second was never to get in a car with them but since I've already bypassed both of those today, it seems to make sense to go for the full circle.
"The weather is awful," I hurry on, trying to cover my tracks. "I can't let you just go out there."
"I can't infringe on your privacy like that," he says, shifting a little uncomfortably.
He's so sweet, definitely not like any of the boys I know back home. Or at work for that matter. They'd jump at the chance to share a room with any kind of female. "If you don't want to, I completely understand," I tell him honestly. "But just know that the offer is there. I really don't mind Christian, truly."
He considers me for a moment while brushing his hair out of his face. He then shakes his head with a small laugh. "You're unlike any girl I've ever met before," he settles on.
I shrug. "I know you'd do the same."
"I would," he says instantly, coming to stand a little closer to me. He takes my hand in his and gives it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you," he whispers.
I feel myself flushing from the intensity of his gaze and so I break away, heading back out to the foyer where Lynn and her husband are in discussion.
"We'll take the room," I say to her.
"Both of you?" She smiles.
I nod, praying that I don't end up regretting this decision.
A/N Hi guys, hope you all enjoyed! Please leave a review! What do you think will happen next? See you for the next chapter tomorrow xxx