A CEO Was Stranded in a Snowstorm, The Poor Dad Who Saved Her Would Capture Her Heart
The Stranded CEO and the Carpenter’s Rescue
The blizzard struck without warning, turning the mountain pass into a treacherous white void. Zara Evans gripped her steering wheel with manicured fingers that had never known real hardship.
The CEO of Pinnacle Technologies had been advised against taking the shortcut through Pinerest Valley to reach her ski resort meeting. But Zara wasn’t accustomed to following other people’s advice, only giving it.
“20 million in acquisitions and I can’t even navigate a simple snowstorm,” she muttered, peering through her windshield as her luxury SUV slid sideways.
The vehicle’s tires lost their battle with the ice beneath, sending her into a graceful spin before coming to rest against a snowbank. The engines sputtered once, twice, then died with an expensive whine.
Zara tried her cell phone again: no service. The temperature inside the vehicle was already dropping, and night would fall soon. Wearing only her designer suit beneath her wool coat, she knew hypothermia would become a real threat.
The nearest town was 15 mi back, and her GPS had stopped working 20 minutes ago.
Just as panic began to set in, headlights cut through the wall of snow. An old but sturdy pickup truck pulled alongside her stranded vehicle. The driver’s window rolled down, revealing a man with kind eyes and a weathered face.
“Need some help?” he called over the howling wind.
“My car slid off the road,” Zara replied, trying to maintain her composure despite her rising relief.
The man nodded.
“I’m Hank Edwards.”
“Hop in before you freeze; this storm’s getting worse by the minute.”
10 minutes later, Zara sat in the passenger seat of Hank’s pickup, her hands gratefully wrapped around a thermos of coffee he’d provided. The truck’s heater worked better than it looked like it should, and country music played softly from the speakers.
“I appreciate the rescue,” she said.
“I was beginning to think I might be spending the night in my car.”
“Nobody should be out in this. I was just heading home from picking up supplies when I spotted your car.”
Hank navigated the treacherous road with practiced ease.
“My place is about 3 mi ahead. You can stay there until the storm passes and we can get your car out.”
“I really need to get to Alpine Ridge Resort; I have an important meeting.”
“Madam, nobody’s getting to Alpine Ridge tonight. The pass is completely closed now. Radio says this storm’s dumping 3 in an hour.”
Zara sighed, knowing he was right. She’d have to call and reschedule, assuming she could even get a signal.
“I’m Zara, by the way. Zara Evans.”
Hank glanced over, a flash of recognition crossing his features.
“From Pinnacle Technologies?”
“That’s right.”
She was used to being recognized; her face had been on the cover of Business Weekly twice in the past year.
“My daughter did a school report on you last month: ‘Women Changing the Business World.’ She’ll be pretty excited I met you.”
Zara smiled despite her predicament.
“How old is your daughter?”
“Lily’s 10. Smart as a whip.”
Pride filled his voice.
“It’s just the two of us.”
The truck turned onto a snow-covered driveway leading to a modest cabin nestled among towering pines. Warm light glowed from the windows, and smoke curled from the chimney.
“Home’s sweet home,” Hank said, bringing the truck to a stop.
“It’s not fancy, but it’s warm and safe.”
As they trudged through the deepening snow to the front door, it flew open. A young girl with her father’s eyes and long brown hair tied back in a ponytail stood in the doorway.
“Dad, you’re late! I was getting worried.”
The girl stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening at the sight of Zara.
“Lily, this is Miss Evans. Her car got stuck in the storm; she’ll be staying with us tonight.”
Lily’s jaw dropped.
“Zara Evans? The Zara Evans? Dad, she’s the lady from my report!”
Despite her exhaustion and frustration at the derailed plans, Zara couldn’t help but smile at the girl’s enthusiasm.
“It’s nice to meet you, Lily.”
