A Winter of Promises

Chapter 4

Daniel tightened his grip on the wheel as he drove Evie and Lily toward the ski lodge. Morning-soft hues of lavender and peach delicately colored the sky; serenity outside, a different story between the three in the car.

The streets of Snow Haven were quiet, devoid of the usual sound of vehicles or the general bustle of people preparing for the Christmas Market.

He leaned across the seat, looking in the rear-view mirror. Lily slept, leaning against Evie's shoulder. But Evie was looking straight ahead, her jaw clenching and telling him that something in her head was wrestling against awful anxiety.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Daniel said softly.

"It's safer." Evie replied, her eyes not leaving the road. "Jack was right—we are so open at the cabin."

"You'll be safe." Daniel said to her. "And I can look after you."

She nodded, but her face was inscrutable. Daniel let it go. He knew equally well that her mind was elsewhere. Greg's ghost overshadowed everything she did, whether she liked it or not.

The lodge sat at the bottom of the mountain, invitingly, as if the large wooden beams and stone exterior reflected warmth upwards. As Daniel rounded the driveway, one of his staff members, Nate, stepped outside to greet them.

"Mr. Pierce." Nate said with a nod. "Your suite is prepared as you requested."

"Thanks, Nate." Daniel said. "Just make sure no one goes up there without my say-so."

Nate's gaze flicked to Evie, his face crossing with a flash of interest before he looked away.

"Got it."

Daniel pushed open the door for Evie, offering his hand to help her out. She hesitated a moment before she took it, her fingers chilled against his palm.

"Let's get you inside." he said softly.

It was one of the lodge's more exclusive and magnificent suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the snow-capped mountains. The fireplace was roaring and the furniture were cosy, but Evie didn't seem to bother.

Daniel watched her approach the glass, arms securely crossed over her chest. Lily, suddenly awake and full of energy, dashed to the couch, squealing with glee.

"Mommy, look!" Lily pointed to the mountain. "Can we go sledding there?"

Evie forced a weak smile. "Maybe later, sweetheart."

Daniel was by Lily's side in an instant, his voice low and conspiratorial. "How about we give it a try after breakfast? There's a sledding trail just for kids like you."

"Really?"

"Of course" he said. He let go of her hand and got to his feet. "Why not get dressed while I make some hot chocolate?"

"Okay!"

As Lily hurtled into the room, suddenly Daniel felt that he was alone with Evie.

"You don't have to do that," she said

staring out of the window in a whisper.

"Do what?"

"Distract her. Pretend everything's normal."

Daniel shifted closer to her; his tone was soft. "She does deserve a bit of normalcy, don't you think?"

Evie turned to him; her eyes shone with unsaid words in their dark depths. "Normalcy doesn't exist when it comes to Greg. He will ruin this, too."

"Not if I can help it."

Her laughter was bitter. "You can't protect us forever, Daniel. He always finds a way."

Daniel reached out, placing a hand on her arm. "Evie, hear me out. You’re not alone in this anymore. Jack and I are here for you. Greg won’t win this time."

For a moment, she appeared close to lowering her defenses. But then her barriers returned, and she withdrew.

"I appreciate your intentions." she said, her tone sharp. "But this isn’t your battle."

"Isn't it?" His voice came out sharper than he had meant. "Do you think I can just stand by and watch him hurt you? Or Lily?"

"I don't need saving, Daniel." she shot back. "I've been taking care of Lily by myself for years."

"And see where that's led you." he said, immediately wishing he had bitten his tongue as her face went cold.

"Leave."

"Evie"

“I said, Leave!”

Daniel faltered, his heart fallen in dismay. But that flicker of defiance in her eyes brooked no debate. With a heavy sigh, he turned and left the suite, closing the door softly behind him.

The elevator opened into the bustle of the lobby, but he barely registered it. His mind was still reeling as frustration and concern seesawed through him.

He'd caught just the merest flash of the old Evie, the one who would never back down from anything, but it seemed emotional manipulation on Greg's part had eventually caught up.

"Trouble in paradise?"

Daniel turned to find Jack leaning against the front desk, a wry smile on his face.

"Not now, Jack." Daniel muttered.

Jack straightened, his expression serious. "What happened?"

"She doesn't trust me." Daniel confessed. "Or maybe she just doesn't trust anyone anymore."

Jack nodded slowly. "She's been through a lot, Dan. You can't expect her to just let you in."

"I don't want her to push me away either." Daniel said, running a hand through his hair.

Jack laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Give her time. She'll come around."

"I hope you're right." says Daniel.

"Because I don't think I can stand by and do nothing while Greg tears her life apart." Back in the suite, Evie collapsed onto the couch, letting her head rest in her hands. Her quarrel with Daniel hung heavily on her chest, but she could not afford to dwell on it. Lily entered from the bedroom, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

"Mommy, I am ready!" Can we go sledding now?"

Evie forced a smile. "In a little while, sweetheart. Why don't you color for a bit?"

"Okay." Lily picked up her crayons and settled onto the floor, softly humming as she started drawing.

Evie watched her daughter, a wave of guilt churning in her stomach. Daniel had been gentle, but she still was pushing him away from them. Trust was one luxury she could not afford—not yet, when Greg was still free out there.

The knock was a sudden jolt along with the door, and in one sudden bound, she was on her feet and running.

"Who is it?"

"It's me." called Daniel's voice.

She did stop to unlock the door before he was there, balancing a tray with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate and a small plate of cookies.

"I thought Lily would like these." he said cautiously.

Evie stepped aside to admit him. "Thanks."

Daniel set the tray on the coffee table and sat next to Lily, who flashed him her brightest smile.

"Look, Mr. Daniel!" Lily showed him her drawing.

“That’s wonderful,” he remarked, his smile sincere. “You have real talent, kiddo.”

Lily beamed before returning to her coloring, leaving Daniel and Evie standing awkwardly by the couch.

“I’m sorry.” Evie spoke softly.

Daniel regarded her, taken aback. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you,” she said. “You’ve only tried to help, and I—”

“It’s alright,” he gently interjected. “I understand. You’re just looking out for yourself.”

She nodded, her eyes shimmering. “I don’t know how to let others in anymore.”

"You don't have to do it all at once," Daniel said. "Just… don't shut me out altogether. Please."

For the first time in years, Evie felt a flicker of optimism that she might not have to fight this war alone.

Meanwhile, a dark figure sat in a car down the road, peering into the lodge with binoculars as he reached for a phone.

"She's at the lodge," a familiar voice said to the estranged person at the other end of the line. "It's time to proceed to the next phase."