Snowed In With The Grinch

Chapter 4: No Way Out

Holly woke the next morning to a world that looked more like a snow globe than reality. The window next to her bed was completely frosted over, and the small sliver she could see revealed nothing but a blanket of white. The storm hadn’t just buried the town—it had buried her chances of salvaging her plans.

She sat up in the small guest bed she’d managed to snag after a few other travelers had checked out early. The Snowfall Valley Lodge was quaint, sure, but it wasn’t the luxury of the Summit Lodge she’d been expecting. Her suitcase sat unopened in the corner, as if mocking her for ever thinking she’d have the chance to pull out her business attire and make a good impression.

“Okay,” Holly muttered to herself, dragging her hands down her face. “You’ve survived worse. You can figure this out.”

The smell of coffee wafted through the air as she made her way downstairs. The lodge’s main hall was buzzing with activity, though much of it seemed to revolve around families attempting to entertain their kids while the storm continued to rage outside. Holly spotted Marjorie behind the front desk, smiling as she handed a little boy a plate of cookies.

Just as Holly approached the breakfast buffet—determined to at least take advantage of the free food—an unfortunately familiar voice rang out behind her.

“Morning, Grinch.”

She closed her eyes, muttering under her breath before turning around. Jack Winters was standing there with the same lopsided grin he’d worn last night, holding a mug of coffee in one hand and a plate piled high with pancakes in the other.

“Do you not have anyone else to bother?” Holly asked, her tone flat.

“Not really,” Jack said cheerfully, sliding into the seat across from her as if she’d invited him. “Besides, you’re the most interesting person here. Everyone else is too busy enjoying the snowstorm.”

Holly took a sip of her coffee, glaring at him over the rim of the mug. “Glad I can provide you with entertainment.”

“See?” Jack said, pointing his fork at her. “There’s that sarcasm again. You’re warming up to me already.”

She nearly choked on her coffee. “Warming up to you? I don’t even like you.”

“Sure, you don’t,” Jack said, completely unfazed. “So, what’s the plan for today?”

“The plan is to get out of here as soon as possible,” Holly said.

Jack raised an eyebrow. “In this storm? Good luck with that. The roads are still shut down. Even the tow trucks are staying put.”

Her stomach sank, though she tried not to let it show. “So, what? We’re all just stuck here indefinitely?”

“Pretty much,” Jack said with a shrug, cutting into his pancakes. “Could be worse, though. You’ve got food, a warm bed, and plenty of Christmas cheer to keep you company.”

Holly groaned. “Do you ever stop talking about Christmas?”

“Not really,” he said, grinning. “But seriously, maybe you should try relaxing for once. You’re in a cute little town, surrounded by nice people, and the snow will clear eventually. Why not enjoy it?”

“Because I don’t *want* to enjoy it,” Holly snapped. “I want to get to the Summit Lodge, fix my life, and get back to my actual plans.”

Jack leaned back in his chair, studying her with an expression that was equal parts amused and curious. “You know, for someone who seems so determined to fix her life, you sure look miserable doing it.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just that maybe you’re focusing too hard on the wrong things,” Jack said. “I mean, sure, the Summit Lodge was a bust. But you’re here now. Maybe there’s something else you’re supposed to find while you’re stuck.”

Holly opened her mouth to argue, but she stopped herself. As much as she hated to admit it, there was something annoyingly sincere about the way he said it, like he actually believed this whole detour had some kind of purpose.

“I’ll pass, thanks,” she said finally, standing up and grabbing her plate. “Enjoy your pancakes.”

---

The storm showed no signs of stopping, and by mid-afternoon, Holly had run out of things to do. She’d already scrolled through her phone a dozen times—no new job alerts, no calls, no texts. She’d tried reading one of the lodge’s complimentary paperbacks, but the overly cheerful tone of the Christmas romance novel had driven her up the wall.

She was sitting by the fire, staring at her untouched cup of cocoa, when Jack appeared again.

“Come on,” he said, holding up a coat and scarf.

“What now?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

“I’m taking you on a tour,” he said.

“A tour of what?”

“The town,” Jack said. “You know, the place you’re stuck in. Might as well get to know it.”

Holly crossed her arms. “Hard pass.”

Jack smirked. “What’s the matter? Afraid you’ll actually have fun?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m not afraid. I’m just not interested.”

“Too bad,” he said, dropping the coat into her lap. “Because you’re coming anyway.”

Before she could protest, Jack grabbed her hand and practically dragged her out the door. The cold hit her like a slap to the face, and she immediately regretted not putting up more of a fight.

“See?” Jack said, gesturing to the street. “Isn’t it pretty?”

Holly had to admit, begrudgingly, that it was. Snowfall Valley looked like something out of a movie, with its snow-covered rooftops, twinkling lights, and rows of little shops decorated with garlands and wreaths. Children were building snowmen in the square, and a group of carolers was singing on the steps of the town hall.

“It’s fine,” she muttered.

Jack laughed. “Come on, I’ll show you the bakery.”

He led her down the street, pointing out the various shops and landmarks as they went. She tried not to let herself enjoy it, but there was something strangely comforting about the small-town charm.

When they reached the bakery, the smell of fresh bread and cookies greeted them. Holly couldn’t help but smile as the baker, a plump woman with flour-dusted hands, handed her a gingerbread cookie shaped like a snowflake.

“See?” Jack said, nudging her with his elbow. “Not so bad, huh?”

Holly rolled her eyes but took a bite of the cookie. It was delicious, and for the first time in days, she felt a tiny spark of something she hadn’t felt in a long time: warmth.

---

As the sun set, Jack walked her back to the lodge. The cold air had turned her cheeks pink, and her boots were damp from the snow, but she felt oddly lighter.

“Thanks for the tour,” she said grudgingly as they reached the door.

Jack grinned. “Anytime. Let me know if you’re up for round two tomorrow.”

“Don’t count on it,” Holly said, but there was no venom in her voice.

As she stepped inside, the warmth of the lodge wrapped around her, and for the first time since she’d arrived, it didn’t feel quite so suffocating.

Holly’s resolve to hate everything about Snowfall Valley is starting to crack, and she can’t seem to shake the feeling that Jack might have a point about finding something unexpected in this detour.