Bella Hart tightened her scarf as she stepped out of the airport shuttle, her breath turning into clouds of white mist in the freezing air. The mountains rose tall and silent around her, covered in thick snow that glittered beneath the early afternoon sun. It wasn't the perfect holiday getaway she had planned, but it was the best she could afford after the heartbreak she left behind in the city.
She inhaled deeply, letting the cold sting her lungs.
A fresh start.
A quiet Christmas alone.
Peace.
That was all she wanted.
The small lodge she rented sat a short walk away, surrounded by pine trees dusted in white. A wooden sign swung gently in the wind, creaking softly.
"Welcome to Silver Pine Cabins."
Bella forced a smile. She needed this. She deserved this.
But her smile faded when her phone buzzed again. She already knew whose name would flash on the screen.
Trevor.
Her ex.
The man she'd caught kissing his coworker two months ago… in their own apartment… on the night she returned early with surprise dinner and a heart full of hope.
Bella pressed the decline button with a shaking thumb.
"Not today," she whispered to herself.
She dragged her suitcase through the snow, her boots crunching rhythmically. Everything was quiet… almost too quiet. The wind picked up, icy and sharp, carrying with it a low distant rumble that made her pause.
Thunder?
No.
Snowstorms didn't sound like that… right?
Before she could think about it more, her phone buzzed again—this time with a weather alert.
SEVERE WINTER STORM EXPECTED TONIGHT. ALL TRAVEL ROUTES MAY CLOSE. SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.
Bella's stomach dropped.
"Oh, great," she muttered. "Perfect timing."
She hurried toward the cabin she rented—Number 6—but the moment she reached the door, she froze.
The lights were on inside.
She frowned and checked her reservation again.
Correct cabin.
Correct date.
Correct number.
Her heart thumped uneasily.
Maybe housekeeping?
She pushed the door open—slowly, cautiously—and stepped inside.
The warm heat of the fireplace washed over her. The cozy interior looked like something out of a holiday movie: wooden beams, plaid blankets, pine-scented candles…
And in the middle of the living room, a little girl with curly hair sat on the rug, drawing pictures of snowmen.
Next to her stood a tall man, his broad shoulders turned toward Bella as he unpacked a grocery bag.
He turned at the sound of the door—and Bella's breath caught.
Dark hair dusted with snow.
Sharp jawline.
Strong, tired eyes that looked like they'd seen too much.
A presence that filled the entire room without trying.
Bella's heart stuttered.
The man's brows furrowed slightly. "Can I help you?"
His voice was deep. Calm. A little guarded.
"I—I think this is my cabin," Bella said, raising her phone. "Cabin Six. Rented under Bella Hart."
The man wiped his hands on a towel and walked toward her, stopping just a few feet away. His height made her tilt her chin up slightly, and his unreadable expression only made her more nervous.
"This cabin is under Ethan Cole," he said. "I've been staying here for a week."
Bella blinked, confused. "There must be a mistake. I booked it for the holidays."
He pulled out his own phone, scrolled for a second, and turned the screen toward her.
Confirmed: Cabin 6. December 18–29. Ethan Cole.
Bella's eyes widened.
Her phone showed the exact same thing—except with her name.
A double booking.
The little girl crawled over and tugged on the man's pant leg. "Daddy, who is she?"
Daddy.
So this was Ethan Cole—and the adorable little one must be his daughter.
He exhaled slowly, rubbing his forehead. "Looks like the office messed up."
Bella looked around helplessly. "Are there any spare cabins?"
He shook his head. "The storm warning just went out. Everything's fully booked. The staff left early to prepare their own homes."
Panic curled in her chest.
She had nowhere else to go.
No transport.
No warm shelter besides this.
Ethan studied her quietly, eyes softening just a little. He was evaluating—calculating, maybe—whether he could trust her, whether she was trouble, or whether she was simply a freezing stranger about to get snowed in alone.
Finally, he spoke.
"You can stay in the spare room," he said gruffly. "At least until the storm passes."
Bella's heart skipped. "Are you sure? I don't want to impose."
"You won't survive out there tonight." His tone left no room for argument. "The storm's coming in faster than expected."
The little girl smiled shyly at Bella. "I'm Lily."
Bella managed a soft smile back. "Hi, Lily."
Ethan cleared his throat. "I'll call the lodge office tomorrow. They'll fix this."
"Thank you," Bella whispered, relief washing over her. "I really appreciate it."
He nodded once, stiffly, then walked past her toward the fireplace, adding another log.
Bella stood there for a moment, suddenly aware of how small she felt inside this warm, unfamiliar space with two strangers who didn't expect her at all.
Snow began tapping harder against the windows. The wind howled.
The storm had arrived.
Ethan glanced at her again, his face unreadable—but his voice unexpectedly gentle.
"You're safe here, Bella."
Something in the way he said it loosened a knot inside her chest she didn't realize she'd been carrying.
Safe.
Something she hadn't felt in a long time.
She closed the door behind her, shutting out the storm and stepping into a new chapter she never expected.
A chapter that began with two simple words from a man she'd just met—
And the snowstorm that changed everything.
⸻
End of Chapter One