A/N – Here's another chapter. After today, I'll get back to my normal once a day.
Chapter 4 – Winter Wonderland
Jason had just finished cleaning up breakfast when she entered the living room wearing her original clothes. He smiled at her as she sat on the couch.
"Can we go outside? It's so beautiful out there."
"Give me a minute."
He went into his room and changed into something warmer and then grabbed another sweatshirt and returned. "Put that on. I don't want you to freeze to death."
She smiled and slipped it over her head before retrieving her boots. Luckily, she had changed into them before she had left the hospital. Grabbing her coat, she put it on and then pulled her gloves out of the pockets and slid them onto her hands. "Ready when you are."
Jason opened the back door. He was glad that he had dug a pathway to the shed to get some wood earlier. Just in case, he had also shoveled in the front of the house as well. He grabbed a sled that was sitting there and pointed to it.
"You want me to get on that?" she said hesitantly.
Jason laughed. "That's the plan."
She moved next to it and he helped her get settled.
"Hold on."
He ran back into the house and then came back out with a blanket. It is a little windy, so he doesn't want her to get cold. He tucked her in as she watched his every move and then he grabbed the handle and pulled as the plastic sled easily glided over the snow.
"You do know where you're going right?" Liz asked as the house got further away.
Jason turned to her and smiled. "Yup."
He took her through some trees and then they came to an opening. You could see the valley and other mountains and it is a stunning view. Liz stood and climbed out and ended up falling into Jason when she didn't realize that the snow was a lot deeper than she thought. He laughed and picked her up and walked a few steps and stood her up on a flat rock that jutted out the top of the snow. Standing behind her, he put his arm around her legs as she enjoyed the view. "This would be so awesome to paint," she said in awe.
"You paint?"
She looked down and smiled. "Yes. There was a time that I even considered art school."
"Why didn't you go?"
"I got a dose of reality and decided that a steady source of income sounded way better."
"Do you still paint?"
"Yes. I have a studio in town. It's not the greatest neighborhood, but it has what I need."
"Maybe you could show me your paintings sometime."
She smiled. "I would love to."
A big wind almost blew her off the rock and Jason grabbed her and let her slide down his body. They stared at each other for a moment before he finally looked away. She is beyond beautiful and he is surprised how she is making him feel.
"I better get you out of this cold."
"Okay."
He picked her up and placed her back on the sled and then got her situated and then turned and started trudging his way back.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
When they entered the house, Liz took off her boots and coat. Jason handed her the blanket and she wrapped it around herself and plopped onto the floor in front of the fire.
He smiled at how cute she looked and then went into the kitchen. "Want some hot chocolate?"
"That sounds yummy."
He made some and brought it over to her and when he started to walk away, she called out to him.
"Sit with me..."
Jason turned and laid down on the floor next to her.
"Here," she said motioning for him to put his head on her lap.
Jason did so tentatively. Being so close to her is getting harder for him.
He laid there and she kind of zoned out and didn't even realize she was humming and playing with his hair as she gazed into the fire. Jason closed his eyes and relished her touch.
Their closeness is interrupted by the sudden static on the walkie-talkie that is sitting on the table.
Jason got up and grabbed it. "Hello?"
"Jason?"
"Max? Is that you?"
"Yeah. Listen, Sonny needs you to come home as soon as possible."
"That's not gonna happen, the roads are blocked."
"Can you use the snowmobile?"
"I hadn't thought of that."
"If you can take the main road in about an hour, we can pick you up from there."
Jason thought for a moment. "Okay. I have someone with me though."
Max gazed at the walkie for a second. "Um, okay. Get everything locked down in the next fifteen minutes and head out. We need to do this before nightfall."
"Copy that..."
He turned, but Elizabeth was gone. She had run to the bathroom, so he put out the fire and went into his bedroom and grabbed his bag. Liz peeked into the doorway. "Ready?" She is excited about their little adventure.
He smiled. "Ready..." He put on his coat and went out the back door. "Wait here."
He went to the snowmobile and tied the bag on the back and then drove it to the front of the house and then went back inside. Quickly, he locked the back door and turned off all the lights as Liz took one last look around.
"Let's go," he said before moving her out the door. When they reached the snowmobile, Jason handed her a helmet and she put it on. He climbed on first and then she settled in behind him.
"Hold on tight," he yelled, as he gunned the engine and took off.
Every once in a while, Jason would touch her hand and squeeze to make sure she was alright. It was an absolutely stunning view as he navigated down the mountain. If it weren't for it being so cold, she would have wished it went on longer. Jason finally saw the SUV and trailer up ahead and Max got out of the car and approached them.
"Hey, boss. Good to see you."
"Hey, Max," he said after taking off his helmet.
When he saw Milo jump out of the car, Jason turned and took Liz's helmet off."
"This is Max and Milo," he said introducing her. "This is Elizabeth."
Liz smiled up at them as she shook their hands. Jason helped her stand and then carried her to the car.
Max and Milo glanced at each other with stunned expressions. Jason had come up there alone, so they couldn't figure out how Elizabeth came into the picture.
Jason got her settled into the warm car and then helped Max and Milo get the snowmobile on the trailer. They finally got it secured and then he climbed in next to Liz.
"You okay?"
She smiled. "Perfect."
Max and Milo got in the car and then Max began the slow descent.
