Page 32 of A Winter Thaw

There was a long pause on the other end, but Elaine knew that it simply meant that Shep was wondering what to say.

“I know it’s inconvenient, but it’s all right,” he said finally. “After all, you could have been stranded at a random airport with nowhere to go. As it is, you’re still snug in Boston.”

“I know.” She sighed, fighting off the tears again. “I just wanted to come home. I wanted to see Michelle, and our puppy, and—and you.”

“I know,” he said soothingly. “I wanted to see you too. But it won’t be too much longer, I’m sure. Did they say how long the flight will be delayed?”

“At least a day.” Elaine bit her lip. “Probably not much longer than that.”

“There, not so bad at all. You get a bonus day in a fun city! Sounds like an unexpected blessing, if you ask me.”

Elaine smiled, loving the way her grumpy boyfriend was sounding so optimistic. “You’re right.”

“I know I am. The important thing is that both you and Audrey are safe, and that you’re together. You’re going to have a great day together, I’m sure of it.”

“I hope so.” She rolled her shoulders back, trying to stay positive.

“Give me an update as soon as you have one, would you?”

“I will,” she promised. “The airline’s email said that they’ll continue to update us throughout the day.”

“Sounds good. Is it snowing there?”

Elaine went over to the small bathroom window and pulled the curtain to the side. “Only a little. I guess the worst part of the storm is between us and Coral Sands, at least right now. That’s what the radar looked like. Is it snowing there?”

“Yes, but nothing terrible. We’ll be all right, Elaine. Winter won’t knock us down. You’ll be home again before you know it, and then it’ll be Christmas.”

Elaine’s stomach gave a pang as she remembered that she still hadn’t found the perfect gift for Shep, but she pushed the thought from her mind. She could think about that problem later.

“Thank you, Shep. I appreciate you helping me to feel better.”

“Anytime. Talk to you later?”

“Talk to you later.”

They said goodbye and hung up. Elaine stood still for a moment, watching the light snow falling down on the streets of Boston.

“Oh my gosh!”

Elaine startled as she heard Audrey’s muffled squeak of alarm from the other room. She left the bathroom hurriedly and found her daughter sitting up in bed, staring at her phone.

“Mom!” Audrey said, waving her phone at Elaine. “Our flight⁠—”

“I know.” Elaine sat down on the end of Audrey’s bed. “I was just calling Shep about it. Sounds like it’ll be at least another day before we can fly back.”

“Oh wow.” Audrey ran her fingers through her messy auburn curls. “I don’t mind staying in Boston another day, not really, but—well, we should call Michelle right away. I’m sure she was banking on us coming home today to help her woman the fort.”

“You’re right, we should. Can you put her on speaker phone?”

Audrey nodded and dialed Michelle’s number, putting the call on speaker phone. It rang a couple of times before they heard Michelle’s voice saying, “Hey, Mom!”

Elaine winced. Michelle sounded much more cheerful than she had a few days earlier, and Elaine guessed that was because she thought the two of them were coming home that day.

“Hey, honey.” Audrey swallowed. “I have not great news. Grandma’s here with me. She’s on speaker phone.”

“What’s the matter?” Michelle asked, sounding worried. “Are you both okay?”

“We’re fine,” Elaine assured her instantly. “But the weather isn’t—we just found out that we can’t fly home today.”