Redemption

t was going to be a very white Christmas. The snow fell softly and swirled around a small house in rural Tennessee, making the landscape beautiful.

So pure, soft, and beautiful, and yet that particular snowfall was about to change the life of young Sara Colbert. Her family was out doing last-minute Christmas shopping, and they’d called her earlier from the mall to say the checkout lines were long and they were going to be delayed. Home after a busy semester at college for the holiday, Sara hadn’t felt like going with them. She had preferred to relax and catch up with her friends after an intense week of exams.

The lights flickered and went out, and Sara sat up in alarm. With the power gone, internet service was down, and the encroaching gloom caused her to abandon her laptop. Shrugging off the warm throw, she looked out the window and did a double- take. While she’d been busy on social media, the landscape outside had changed dramatically. The sun had been shining, and it had just started flurrying the last time she’d checked. Now the outside world looked gloomy and ominous as the snowstorm raged silently. Staring out at the chilling landscape outside, she felt isolated and wished she had gone with her family instead. They’re only an hour away, she reassured herself. Stop being silly, Sara! You’re too old to be afraid of storms and the dark anymore.

Though the interior of the little rural house was warm, she shivered and hugged herself as she watched the white flakes billow and swirl past the window. White drifts were already piling up on the driveway. Strong winds made the trees wave and snap furiously in the yard. A loud crack made her jump as a branch broke off the big oak and fell. She waited for the crash but didn’t hear one. The snow was already deep enough to muffle the sound. Her brow furrowed with worry. Will Mom and Dad be able to drive back in this weather? The forecast had predicted that the snow would pass through later that night. It wouldn’t be the first time that the weather forecast was wrong! Her cell emitted the shrill beeps that signaled that the battery was dying. Great! She set it down with undue force.

Moving away from the window, Sara drank in the quietness of her small-town family home. It was snug but comfortable, and she loved coming back home whenever she could get away from college. It made her feel safe and welcome. Touching the picture of the four of them that was on the mantelpiece, she smiled. The photographer had captured the essence of her family. They were all laughing, arms intertwined, looking as if they had not a care in the world. Mom had her arms around her sister Kate, while Sara had thrown her arms around her dad. He was looking at Mom with an expression that never failed to touch her whenever she saw it. After all these years, they are still in love; imagine that! The picture reassured her and made her smile, dispelling her gloom. Mom and Dad would make it back soon and get the preparations for Christmas dinner started. Mom wasn’t one to let little things like a snowstorm or no power ruin Christmas. No power! I’d better find some candles before all the light is gone. There was just enough light for her to locate the stock of candles in the pantry. The candles and fire made the living room look cozy and inviting. With the lingering fragrance of Christmas cookies that her mom had baked earlier still in the air, she was getting hungry. Heading into the kitchen to make herself a snack, her eyes fell on the pot of soup her mom had left for her.

A sudden, loud pounding at the front door made her jump, rattling the pan she was using to make a grilled cheese sandwich on the stove. There were no headlights visible through the window overlooking the driveway, so it wasn’t her family returning. Who could possibly be at the door in this weather? On her way to the door, she caught her reflection in the foyer mirror and grimaced. Wearing her old baggy sweats featuring her college logo, her brown hair pulled back in a messy, loose ponytail, and with no makeup, she looked—there was no other word for it—shabby. As she hesitated, the knocking continued, more insistent this time. Curiosity drew her closer to the door.

“Who's there?”

“Please, I need help!” The muffled male voice sounded weary.

She peeped through the window at what looked like a polar bear shivering on her porch. Suppressing her misgivings about strangers, she opened the door a crack, making sure the chain lock was in place.

The man wiped the snow off his face and met her gaze with both hope and exhaustion.

“Yeah?”

“Can I come inside, please?”

She opened the door a little wider, a little unsure about letting a total stranger into the house.

“What are you doing outside in this weather?”

“I’m frozen and exhausted, and you’re the first house I’ve seen in hours. Please let me in.” The man was visibly shivering and looked a fright. Sara was torn. She was wary of letting a stranger into her home, and at the same time, refusing to help someone who looked to be in need went against her grain. The thought of her own family out there in the cold, needing to seek help somewhere in the storm decided her, and she unlatched the chain.

“I guess you’d better step inside. Though why anyone would be wandering about

in this weather beats me.”

“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.” The man came in, bringing a blast of cold air and snow with him. Shutting the door, he stood dripping snow, looking around in the dimness of the candlelit room before turning to stare at her.

Sara stared back, and when he didn’t say anything further, she raised an eyebrow at the puddles he was leaving on the hardwood floor. He removed his gloves and extended his hand with a hesitant smile. “My name is Darren Ha … Trent, and I’m stranded.”

Sara noted the pause in his response. “Darren Hat-Trent? Where were you

headed?” She hoped she sounded businesslike.

“It’s just Trent, and please call me Darren. Any chance I can get warm first before I answer that question?” His hopeful smile allayed Sara’s lingering reservations, and she moved aside and let him into the foyer.

“I'm Sara Colbert.” Grasping the ice-cold hand he extended, Sara inspected his face. In the dim light of the fire, it was hard to make out his features. He appeared to be in his mid-twenties with dark eyes, though she couldn’t tell the exact color in the dim light. His damp hair was dark as well. His face was all angles and planes, and his rather thin mouth was set in harsh, cynical lines. Even tired and disheveled, Sara thought him handsome. She realized she was staring and looked away.

“Did your car break down?” She bent and straightened the pillow on the couch to

cover her confusion.

“Something like that, and my cell wouldn't work either.” He looked around. “You don't have any power?”

“It went out a little while ago. I guess it’s true when everyone says that Tennessee isn’t quite equipped for a snowstorm.” She realized she was rambling to hide her nervousness about letting an unknown man into her home. He could be a rapist or serial killer. Ted Bundy was supposed to have been a handsome charmer, wasn’t he?

“Can I use your phone, please?” “It’s dead, and so’s my cell.”

He ran a hand through his hair in a distracted fashion before turning to her.

“Are there any other houses around, or any other place that may have a working

phone?”

“There are plenty of homes in the neighborhood, but since we’re all on the same power and phone lines, going elsewhere won’t help you. Besides, we live in the country, and our nearest neighbor on either side is at least a half-mile away.”

Darren hesitated for a moment. “Do you have a car I can borrow?”

“What? No, are you crazy? To drive out in this?” Sara paused, not knowing what to do next. The weary look in his eyes helped her make up her mind. “You might as well wait for the storm to blow over. You aren’t going to get far right now. When my folks return, you can make a call on one of their cell phones.”

“You’re right. No sense going back out into the storm.” Sighing, Darren removed his soaking coat and shoes and carried them to the fireplace, spreading the rest of his things on a chair in front of the fire. The suit he wore under his coat told her that he was a businessman.

“Where were you headed before the storm?” Sara asked, curiosity piquing her

interest in the stranger.

“California.” He looked sheepish. “I was supposed to fly out, but I became stranded out here in the middle of nowhere. I thought about seeking help from a gas station, but the visibility was too poor, and I got lost. I've been walking for what seems like hours.”

“Well, you have a long way to go then.” She had the feeling that he wasn’t giving her the whole story, but she didn’t want to pry. Knowing there was more to his story did nothing to dissipate her nervousness. She grew silent and looked out the window.

“Are you by yourself here?” he asked, breaking the silence.

“My parents and sister are out Christmas shopping and should be back soon.” “Will your family be able to drive back in this weather?”

“They are used to these roads. I’m sure they'll make it back,” Sara insisted, wanting him to know that she wasn’t going to be alone for long.

He sniffed the air. “Do you smell something burning?”

Sara yelped and headed back to the kitchen where her forgotten grilled cheese sandwich charred on the stovetop. Tossing the burnt sandwich into the garbage and the hissing pan into the sink, she turned back to see him standing in the doorway, watching her. “Are you hungry? I have soup.”

“That would be wonderful.” His smile lit up his face and wrought such a dramatic

change that her heart gave a weird little flip, and she smiled back.

Silence reigned as Darren wolfed down his meal. She watched, fascinated, as he scraped the last morsel of soup from the bowl and set it down at last. He saw her watching him and smiled, looking abashed. “My manners aren’t always this bad, but I skipped breakfast and lunch, and I was famished.”

Sara smiled. “It's okay.” When she got up, he rose as well and helped her carry the dishes to the kitchen. She boiled water on the stove and made coffee the old- fashioned way. Her fingers brushed against his as she handed him a mug. An unfamiliar jolt of current ran through her at the brief contact. She jumped and almost dropped the mug. Her eyes flew up to his and caught him looking down at her with an unreadable expression in his eyes. Blushing, she turned away and went back to the living room. He followed, and they sat by the fire drinking the coffee in silence. She was aware of him appraising her and felt self-conscious about her appearance. For a fleeting moment, she wished she were beautiful, sophisticated, or capable of scintillating conversation, or anything that would attract someone like him. Then, her practical mind dismissed such notions as foolishness.

“Are you visiting family in California?” she asked, attempting to break the silence.

“Yes, my brother's there, and we always spend Christmas together. I’d hoped to be there yesterday, but work prevented me. What about you? How are you spending the holidays?”

“I’m home from college to spend Christmas with my family.” “Are you a freshman?”

“I'm a senior. I’ll be graduating in May,” Sara replied, her indignation preventing

her from noticing his apparent relief at this information.

“What are you majoring in?” “Computer Science.”

“That's a great field. I work in it myself. What does your dad do?”

“He and Mom work in one of the car plants in Smyrna.” Talking about them reminded Sara that her family was still out in the storm. Her worry must have shown on her face.

“Don’t worry, the roads are probably blocked, and they had to seek shelter

somewhere.” Darren’s voice was a balm to her frayed nerves. “You’re right. I just wish they’d call and let me know.“ “How? Your cell is dead, and the phone lines are down.”

His reasoning was sound and meant to reassure her, but Sara couldn’t help the little shiver that ran down her spine. She had a fleeting premonition that it was more than that.

“Are you cold? I can stoke up the fire if you like?”

Sara shook her head.

“You aren’t afraid of me, are you?” Darren questioned with a laugh.

His words brought her back from her reverie. “No, I’m not afraid of you.” She

was surprised to realize that it was true. Her fear of him had dissipated.

“Good! I don’t want to resume wandering around in a snowstorm because you

tossed me out. I’d be a human ice pop by the time someone found me.” Picturing him as a giant ice pop was so ludicrous that Sara laughed aloud. “That’s better.” Darren grinned at her, and Sara smiled back gratefully.

“So, tell me, what software do they teach Computer Science majors these days?” “A little bit of this and that.” Sara elaborated on some of the projects she had

completed and was surprised when he was familiar with all her technical lingo. Before long, they were conversing like old friends sitting side by side on the floor, shoulders touching, with their backs against the couch and their toes pointed to the fire. A resounding crash interrupted their discussion, making Sara jump. She involuntarily clutched him in alarm. He placed an arm around her and rubbed her shoulder.

“Hey! It’s just a tree.” His touch was comforting, and she leaned into him.

“It sounded awfully close.”

“Don’t worry, you’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Safe. She did feel safe having him there and was thankful that she wasn’t alone. Their eyes met as she looked up, turning her insides to jelly, and she looked away as her cheeks burned bright red. He removed his arm abruptly, leaving her feeling bereft. He checked his watch, and her eyes went to the mantle clock. “Past midnight!” She jolted to her feet. “What am I thinking? You must be exhausted. I’ll make up a bed on the couch. My parents can give you a ride to the airport in Nashville once they get back.” Her words came out in a rush as she tried to regain her composure.

He watched her make the makeshift bed on the couch with blankets and pillows.

“All done,” her smile faltered when she encountered the burning intensity in his eyes.

She wanted to look away but couldn’t. Mesmerized, she took an involuntary step toward him, and the faint fragrance of his aftershave drew her closer. His dark hair had dried in waves that fell forward against his forehead, making him look younger than she’d first thought. She felt an overwhelming need to touch him, brush his hair away from his forehead with her fingers, to trace the line of his jaw. Her eyes dropped to his lips which were unsmiling. How would it feel to have those lips kiss me?

The thought had barely formed when he pulled her into his arms. She stumbled and grabbed onto him for support, watching in fascination as his mouth descended on hers. The charge that shot through her made her toes curl. She’d been kissed before but never quite like that. She closed her eyes and kissed him back, savoring the experience. By the time he finally released her lips, she felt giddy and weightless. Strong arms held her against his chest and kept her from falling. His heart pounded under her ears, echoing her own. The look in his eyes made her feel hot. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and the thrill of excitement and anticipation that engulfed her rendered her speechless. Bewildered, she stepped back from his embrace. He let her go at once.

“I'm sorry,” he mumbled. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

Heat flooded her face as she ducked her head, unable to respond.

“If you don't mind, I could use a shower.”

She managed to nod and point him in the direction of the guest bathroom. When the door closed behind him with a snap, she was tempted to run and hide in her room but stopped short. The bathroom had no windows and would be pitch-black inside! He would need some towels and dry clothes as well. With reluctance, she gathered pajamas and a robe from her dad's dresser, as well as fresh towels, grabbed a lit candle, and knocked on the door. There was a moment of silence before Darren opened the door, his shirt hanging open. Her eyes locked with his eyes briefly but shifted downward, unable to meet his gaze. The next instant she wished she hadn’t, because she couldn’t stop staring at his hard, muscled chest.

“I thought you could use some light. I’ve brought you towels and clothes as well,”

she swallowed looking at the floor.

“Thank you.” His voice sounded a little strained to her as he reached for the things. Once again, a tingle shot through her, stronger than before when their fingers touched. Her eyes flew upward as he closed the door with a decisive click.

Dragging her feet, she made her way to her own room, shut the door, and leaned against it, conscious of her heart hammering against her chest. Her rapid breathing made her feel as if she had run for miles. At twenty, she had experienced kisses with a lot more physical contact. Nevertheless, it was the first time she had reacted like that to a kiss. She had yet to ‘do the deed’ as her roommates teased her. She hadn't felt the inclination with any of the boys she’d dated before. Darren's kiss had made her ache to explore the desire that he kindled deep within her. She’d been disappointed when he stopped. She told herself she was relieved. What did I expect? That he’d carry me to my bed and make wild love to me like in the movies? With sternness, she recalled herself to the moment. He’s a stranger. I know nothing about him. He could still turn out to be a wanted criminal.

Her bedroom shared a wall with the bathroom, and she found herself lying in bed listening to the faint sounds emanating from there. Images of his hard-muscled chest tortured her and had heat flooding in her belly. Squeezing her eyes tightly proved futile and did nothing to dismiss the image from her mind as she tossed and writhed under her covers, listening to the shower running. She breathed a sigh of relief when, after a long time, she heard him exit the bathroom. For a heartbeat, she wished he would come find her. Not likely after the way he bolted to the bathroom after our kiss. I’m obviously not his type. Even after the house became quiet, sleep eluded her for a long time, and after a restless night spent feeling conscious of the man next door, she fell asleep at dawn. Dreams of being in the arms of a faceless man who plied her with kisses plagued her senses and abandoned her, leaving her wanting more.

The bright morning sunlight streaming in through the windows woke her. A peep through the windows revealed a landscape blanketed in white. The snow sparkled and shone across the pristine landscape. The storm was over. She flicked the switch on the lamp, yet it didn’t turn on. Still no power! Pulling on a robe, she went into the living room, anticipation mingled with trepidation in her step, not sure what to expect from him. The room was empty. The fire had died down, and Darren's coat, boots, and gloves were gone. The blankets were on the couch, neatly folded and stacked on the pillows. She walked over to them and touched them gently. That’s when she saw the note propped up on them. The message was simple. Darren thanked her for her hospitality and explained that he was going to try to walk to the nearest working phone and get help. He would call the telephone and power companies for her too. If she was ever in San Francisco, he asked her to look him up and included his cell number.

It was anti-climactic. Sara was unprepared for the wave of disappointment that washed over her and made her heart plunge. It was dumb to feel hurt because he’d left. He had to get to California for Christmas, after all.

The silence in the house felt oppressive as she walked over to the window and stared out at the snow-covered landscape. The day looked colorless and bleak. Where are Mom and Dad? Why haven’t they returned home yet? Is the snow preventing them from getting home even this morning? Sara felt a vague sense of disquiet. All the unease that Darren’s presence had kept at bay returned to the forefront of her mind. She didn't want to be alone. In the distance, the whine of sirens sounded, shattering the silence. Her feeling of premonition flooded back, engulfing her in fear. Somehow, she knew that life as she knew it had changed overnight.