Snow Blind

By Kara Lynn Russell

A woman scarred by the past... Spurred by obligation, Robin Spencer drives through blizzard conditions to find the one person she never wanted to see again: Shale Anderson. When her trip turns deadly, Robin's only hope is to trust this man who broke her heart. But can she, when he's more like the dark, reclusive hero in the graphic novels he creates than the caring Shale she once knew? A man in need of forgiveness... Shale Andersen is poison. When the only woman he's ever loved shows upon his doorstep, he'll do anything to send her away. If he doesn't, he will end up ruining her life, or worse, killing her”just like every other woman who's ever gotten close to him. A danger so complete, it threatens to consume them both... Robin's only chance at happiness lies in acceptance. Shale's only chance at freedom lies in forgiveness. Can they weather the storm and begin their lives anew, or will someone with a thirst for revenge destroy their future? Snow Blind was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale The Snow Queen. Like the hero in that tale, Shale's view of the world has been distorted and he is tricked into following a beautiful but cold woman into imprisonment and enslavement. Like The Snow Queen's heroine, Robin must endure great peril to break the woman's hold and rescue her true love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: White Rose Publishing
• Release date: Jan 21, 2011
• ISBN: 9781611160673

Book preview

5:7

Snow Blind

1

Robin peered ahead, straining to see the road—to see anything—through the swirling white snow. Her eyes stung from constant watch, and her hands ached from gripping the wheel. The never-ending wail of the wind played on her nerves like a bow across violin strings.

This is ridiculous, she muttered to herself. Why am I doing this? But she already knew the answer.

Too late, Robin realized the road curved sharply. She yanked the steering wheel. The car slipped and spun but, thankfully, made the curve. The sound of blood pounding in her ears momentarily drowned out the wind’s whine. She slammed on the brake, and the car skidded to a stop. A book flew off the seat next to her, hit the dashboard, and fell to the floor. A good place for it, she thought. It could just stay there. She couldn’t understand how he could write something like that. He can’t be the same person he was when I...when we...

A gust of wind shook the car and reminded Robin of her predicament. She needed to concentrate on her driving, not wonder over the likes of Shale Andersen. If she hadn’t been traveling at a snail’s pace, she’d be at the bottom of the ditch that ran along the road.

 Robin took a deep breath and set the car in motion again. She continued on for a while and then realized she was no longer sure where she was. Her heart sank. She’d left the highway far behind, and signs were scarce on this deserted road through the woods.

Checking the gas gauge, she noted that she still had half a tank. No worries there. If she kept going, surely she’d come to...someplace. She slowed and carefully pulled over, hoping that she was on the shoulder of the snow-covered road. Robin rummaged through her purse and took out her cell phone. No signal. Setting her purse back on the floor, she glimpsed the book again. Why had she bought it? She didn’t normally read graphic novels, but thought since she was going in search of Shale Anderson, it might be good to know what he was working on these days. She knew his work was dark—it was very popular with her high school art students, and they had told her a bit about it—but she’d never expected it to be this bad. The evil-looking person—monster?—on the cover seemed to be smirking at her. With a cry of annoyance, Robin leaned over, picked up the book and flipped it over. The picture on the back cover wasn’t much better.

For a moment, she was tempted to fling it out the window into the storm. Then she laid it back on the seat and covered it with her purse. I’d have to roll down the window and the snow would blow in, she told herself.

The snow was still falling hard and probably any signs that existed along this road were covered with it. Should she go on or turn back? Towns were few and far between in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the last one must have been twenty miles back. Tears of frustration pricked at her. Here she was, in the middle of the storm looking for a man she didn’t want to see and who didn’t want to be found. It’s for Granny, she whispered to herself. I wouldn’t do this for anyone else.

Technically, Granny was Shale’s relative and not hers. But Robin owed a lot to the elderly lady, and she wasn’t about to let Granny down now. Not even if it meant seeing the man who broke her heart so many years ago.

Another gust of wind shook the car, and Robin laid her head on the steering wheel. There was only one thing she could do now. Dear Lord, I’m lost, I’m freezing, and I’m scared. Please help me find the way. Not fancy, but all she could come up with at the moment.

The wind’s intensity built, rocking the car and filling her ears with its terrifying shriek. For a moment, Robin was afraid she would be blown away, car and all. Then, abruptly the wind stopped. Completely.

The sudden silence hurt. Robin raised her head from the steering wheel and saw a sign ahead. Not a road sign, but a painted wooden sign—a providential  mark of civilization. Robin quickly put her car in gear so she could move close enough to read it.

The top of the sign was covered with snow but the face was clear. Curling letters spelled out Winter Haven. With a jolt, Robin realized she had arrived at her destination. Thank you, God, she muttered as she put the car into gear and turned onto the long, winding drive. She caught a glimpse of the ancient lumber baron’s mansion-turned-vacation home before the wind picked up again and swirling snow obscured the view.

****

Shale Andersen stared out the window into the blizzard. His latest project was laid out on his drawing board, but he’d given up trying to work. The house was as dark as if it were night, and the wind was rattling the windows, shaking his concentration

Most of the time he could forget. He could block her memory from his mind. But not when the wind howled and the snow flew. Everything came flooding back, in sharp detail. The argument, the feel of the car sliding out of control, the crash. Blood and broken glass on the snow. And Allison...

Involuntarily, he raised his hand to his cheek, to the scar there. It had healed well, and he felt only the slightest ridge when he brushed his fingers across it. I’m sorry, Allison. I wish it had been me. He’d uttered these words, aloud and to himself, a thousand times. He could say them a thousand more, and it would make no difference.

There was a knock at the door, and he groaned. Not Ivy. Not now. He didn’t move.

The knock came again, harder this time. There was no avoiding her. Shale walked to the door and opened it.

Ivy. As expected. By the glazed look in her eyes, she had been drinking, but he’d expected that, too. Snow storms had the same effect on her, but she didn’t have the strength to face them.

She leaned against the door frame. Enjoying the storm, Shale? On days like this, Ivy didn’t even try to hide her nastiness.

About as much as you, I expect. Do you need something, Ivy?

Her laugh was harsh and brittle, like ice. I need a lot of things, but we both know I’m not going to get them. I brought you a visitor.

A visitor? Visitors were a rarity at Winter Haven, which was one of the few things he liked about the place. Who would want to see him so badly they’d come out during a