Whispers In The Wind

de, battering the sides of her SUV like an angry spirit, and the headlights barely cut through the swirling snowstorm. She'd read abou

e. She slowed to a crawl, scanning for any sign of civilization. A wooden sign, half-buried in snow, suddenly appe

der the weight of fresh snow. At the end of the path, a rustic inn emerged, its warm, golden lights flickering thro

around her, she grabbed her camera bag and a small duffel, leaving the bulk of her gear be

tall, with broad shoulders and a face that seemed carved from stone-strong jawline,

e was deep, carrying

his intensity. "Uh, yeah. I'm Sierra

immediate and comforting, a stark contrast to the icy gale outside.

ndshake. His grip was firm but not overly so,

one wall, surrounded by plush armchairs and a well-worn rug. Wooden beams stret

tiful," she said, s

nger on pleasantries. "You're lucky you made it here before t

s settled over her. "C

e. This isn't a mild storm." He folded his

had a schedule, a list of locations to photograph, and deadlines to m

he most of it." She forced a smile.

hind the counter and handed it to her. "Ro

but charming, with a quilt-covered bed, a vintage writing desk, and a window overlooking the sn

ing snow higher by the second. Sierra leaned back, her thoughts wand

spent years chasing sunsets, scaling mountains, and venturing into the unknown. Commitment-whether to a person, a place, or even a routine-had never

her from her thoughts. Hunger gnawed at her

n door. Alex stood at the counter, pouring coffee into a pair of

some," he said wi

ng a mug. "Thanks. Do you alwa

e most

ut?" She took a sip,

r of something unreadable cros

couraging further questions. Sierra shifted

n to pry," sh

his gaze distant. "People come here to get

ued by his guarded demeano

Better than th

the crackling fire in the lobby. Sierra wondered wh

guests," he said final

at suppose

e for the solitude. Y

n. "Restless is kind of my default.

at the corner of his lips, soften

quickly the tension between them had eased. Maybe

ide the walls of Windhaven Inn, the crackling fire and