“Yes, well, they might. But then there will be a fire, and cookies. Lots of cookies.” Nikki closed her eyes and thought she could taste them on the tip of her tongue. “There will be Christmas music, and we’ll all be together, Kyle, just like we were supposed to be.”
“I wish I could believe that.” Kyle sighed.
“Believe it. With everything you have left in you. Believe it with me.” Nikki started to say more, when she heard a sound that made her heart skip a beat.
“Nikki, I know you’re trying—”
“Shh!” Nikki suddenly stood up and moved towards the front of the cave. “Do you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Kyle frowned as she started to dig at the snow. “Don’t bother, Nikki, we can’t get through.”
“It’s Coco!” Nikki gasped as she heard the familiar bark again. “Kyle, it’s Coco!”
“Nikki, you’re imagining things.” Kyle shook his head. Then suddenly he stood up. “I hear it, too! Hey!” He shouted at the wall of snow. “Hey! We’re in here!”
“Do you think anyone can hear us?” Nikki met his eyes.
“I’m sure going to try to be heard.” Kyle began to shout again.
“Help! We’re here!” Nikki joined in on the shouting.
Coco’s barking got closer. She couldn’t tell exactly where he was, but she guessed that he had stopped, because his barking seemed to come from only one direction. She heard scratching.
“He’s digging.” Nikki’s eyes filled with tears. “He’s digging, Kyle, he’s found us!”
“Good dog.” Kyle laughed and blinked back his own tears. “Come on, Coco, we’re in here.”
“Good boy, Coco.” Nikki dug at the snow from the inside.
“Coco, come away!” A muffled voice called out.
Coco barked, but the sound became distant.
“Oh no.” Nikki’s heart dropped. “Someone’s taking him away.”
“Hey!” Kyle pounded on the snow. “Come back!”
Seconds later, a loud engine whirred to life.
“They’re going to get us out!” Kyle gasped as he looked at Nikki. “They’ve got the equipment to get us out.”
Nikki threw her arms around Kyle and hugged him. As the snow began to crumble away from the opening of the cave, she felt relief more intense than she had ever experienced.
“Nikki?” Quinn’s voice carried through the now thin layer of snow. “Nikki, are you in there?”
“We’re here!” Nikki cried out as her mind spun with the realization that it was Quinn on the other side of the snow. “We’re both here.”
“Stay away from the opening, we’re coming to get you.” Quinn’s voice trembled as he spoke.
Nikki wondered if it was the cold, or the relief of finding them.
“Back farther.” Kyle guided her away from the entrance. “When they break through, more snow could slide.”
“No more snow.” Nikki gulped back a sob and a laugh at the same time. “Please, no more snow.”
Seconds later the snow packed into the entrance finally shattered. A flashlight shone into the cave.
“Nikki?” Quinn’s voice was clear now, followed by his presence as he peered into the cave.
“Quinn!” Nikki pulled away from Kyle and lunged towards him.
“Oh Nikki.” Quinn sighed as he pulled her into his arms. “Nikki, Nikki, Nikki.”
“No lectures, not now.” Nikki rested her head against his shoulder.
“This is sweet and everything, but I’m freezing, in case you forgot?” Kyle rolled his eyes. “Can we save the heartfelt reunion for later?”
“Of course, sorry.” Quinn pulled away from Nikki, smiled at Kyle, then led them both out of the cave. The trip back to the cabin was a blur for Nikki. She clung to Quinn’s waist as he drove the snowmobile down the side of the mountain. As soon as they reached the cabin, Sonia burst through the door.
“Nikki! Kyle!” Sonia ran up to them.
“Sonia, you need a coat.” Nikki climbed off the snowmobile. Coco bolted towards her as he escaped from Kyle’s grasp.
“Oh Coco, my hero.” Nikki crouched down and wrapped her arms around the dog. “I love you so much.”
“I’m so glad you’re both safe.” Sonia hugged Nikki, then Kyle.
“So are we.” Nikki’s mother stepped out of the cabin, followed by her father. “But you two have a lot of explaining to do.”
“Yes, you do.” Sonia smiled as she escorted everyone back inside. “Don’t you ever take off like that without me.”
“Quinn, it’s Ken.” Nikki handed him the box with the pictures and articles. “These should help with the investigation.”
“He’s already in custody.” Quinn pulled her gloves from her hands. “Warm up in front of the fire. We’ll talk it all through in a little while.”
As the sounds of celebration surrounded her, Nikki felt the warmth of the flames, something she thought she might never get to experience again. Tears of relief slipped down her cheeks. Quinn sat down beside her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Nikki whispered as she looked up at him.
“I can’t believe you got yourself trapped in a cave by an avalanche.” Quinn raised an eyebrow as he looked into her eyes. “But we’ll have plenty of time to talk about that later.”
“I don’t ever want to talk about it. Ever.” Nikki closed her eyes, then felt Coco’s nose against her cheek. “Don’t worry, buddy, I’m okay.” She smiled as she pet the dog.
Christmas music began to play. She savored the warmth of Quinn’s arm around her, the crackling of the fire, the sounds of the voices of the people that she loved, and the magic of the miraculous moment.
The End
***
Thank you very much for reading A Merry Murder at St. Bernard Cabins. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. You can sign up for my cozy mystery newsletter to be notified of my latest releases so you don’t miss out on the special new release price at http://www.cindybellbooks.com
Also by Cindy Bell
Wagging Tail Cozy Mysteries
Murder at Pawprint Creek (Prequel)
Murder at Pooch Park
Murder at the Pet Boutique
Sage Gardens Cozy Mysteries
Birthdays Can Be Deadly
Money Can Be Deadly
Trust Can Be Deadly
Ties Can Be Deadly
Rocks Can Be Deadly
Jewelry Can Be Deadly
Numbers Can Be Deadly
Memories Can Be Deadly
Paintings Can Be Deadly
Snow Can Be Deadly
Tea Can Be Deadly
Greed Can Be Deadly
Clutter Can Be Deadly
Chocolate Centered Cozy Mysteries
The Sweet Smell of Murder
A Deadly Delicious Delivery
A Bitter Sweet Murder
A Treacherous Tasty Trail
Trouble and Treats
Fudge Films and Felonies
Custom-Made Murder
Skydiving, Soufflés and Sabotage
Christmas Chocolates and Crimes
Hot Chocolate and Homicide
Chocolate Caramels and Conmen
Picnics, Pies and Lies
Dune House Cozy Mysteries
Seaside Secrets
Boats and Bad Guys
Treasured History
Hidden Hideaways
Dodgy Dealings
Suspects and Surprises
Ruffled Feathers
A Fishy Discovery
Danger in the Depths
Celebrities and Chaos
Pups, Pilots and Peril
Tides, Trails and Trouble
Racing and Robberies
Athletes and Alibis
Donut Truck Cozy Mysteries
Deadly Deals and Donuts
Fatal Festive Donuts
Bunny Donuts and a Body
Bekki the Beautician Cozy Mysteries
Hairspray and Homicide
A Dyed Blonde and a Dead Body
Mascara and Murder
Pageant and Poison
Conditioner and a Corpse
Mistletoe, Makeup and Murder
Hairpin, Hair Dryer and Homicide
Blush, a Bride and a Body
Cosmetics, a Cruise and a Killer
Lipstick, a Long Iron and Lifeless
Camping, Concealer and Criminals
Treated and Dyed
A Wrinkle-Free Murder
A Macaron Patisserie Cozy Mystery Series
Sifting for Suspects
Recipes and Revenge
Mansions, Macarons and Murder
Nuts About Nuts Cozy Mysteries
A Tough Case to Crack
A Seed of Doubt
Roasted Penuts and Peril
Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mysteries
Murdering the Roses
Dead in the Daisies
Killing the Carnations
Drowning the Daffodils
Suffocating the Sunflowers
Books, Bullets and Blooms
A Deadly Serious Gardening Contest
A Bridal Bouquet and a Body
Digging for Dirt
Wendy the Wedding Planner Cozy Mysteries
Matrimony, Money and Murder
Chefs, Ceremonies and Crimes
Knives and Nuptials
Mice, Marriage and Murder
About the Author
Cindy Bell is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author. She is the author of the cozy mystery series Wagging Tail, Donut Truck, Dune House, Sage Gardens, Chocolate Centered, Macaron Patisserie, Nuts about Nuts, Bekki the Beautician, Heavenly Highland Inn and Wendy the Wedding Planner.
Cindy has always loved reading, but it is only recently that she has discovered her passion for writing romantic cozy mysteries. She loves walking along the beach thinking of the next adventure her characters can embark on.
You can sign up for her newsletter so you are notified of her latest releases at http://www.cindybellbooks.com.