Runaway Love Read Free

scene...well...  
    “It happens sometimes, this time of year,” he explained. 
    “Aren't I the lucky one?”
    “Si.  You were very lucky. It could have buried you.”
    Genie allowed her imagination to consider the prospect.
    He flicked his eyebrows. “Then you would be blocking the pass.”
    “Very funny,” Genie said. “So, how do I get out?”
    “You can't.  There is no other way.”
    “It's only snow.  Can't I dig--?”
    “Impossibile.”
    “But...I can't stay.”
    He shrugged. “You have no choice.  We must wait until the thaw comes.”
    “We?  The thaw?  When's that?”
    He pursed his lips. “It varies.”
    “Can you make a guess - a rough estimate?”  She gave him a wan smile.  “One day - two?”
    “One day...?”  He huffed a cynical laugh. “What I saw this morning, I think, maybe, one month...maybe two.”
    “One month maybe...don't tell me that.”
    “Maybe more.”
    “Don't keep adding more.  Two months is bad enough.”
    “There is even more snow on the ledges above the pass,” he said. “It will be easy for that snow to fall down as well.  A strong wind, a sudden noise.” He shrugged. “Another avalanche. Forse...scusi...maybe we will be here all winter.”
    “Now it’s all winter?.” He sounded far too pleased at that idea for comfort.
    “Forse.”
      “Don’t make any more guesses.” Genie said.  “Next it’ll be all year.”
    “Ah, no.  In summer the snow melts.”
    “Well that is something to look forward to.” She squeezed her palms together in a praying gesture.  “I really don’t want to wait that long. Please tell me there’s a way out – a secret passage, or something, known only to you.  Anything.”
    Another chuckle. “Mi dispiace.  No secret passage.” 
    “Where's a secret passage when you want one?” Genie said.
    “We can do nothing,” he continued. “You're stuck here and...” He shook his head in despair. “I'm stuck with you.” 
    “Wonderful.”
    He frowned. “Not wonderful.  I live here alone.  I'm used to being alone.  Now you are here.  Not wonderful.”
    “You're right...you alone...and me.  Not good at all”
    He narrowed his eyes and appeared to give her comment thought for a few seconds. “You do not need to worry,” he said. “I have no urges for you.”
    Oh yeah.  How long will that last?  “A month is a long time,” Genie said, wondering if her arm would be long enough to keep him at length.  Urges have a way of urging their way to the surface.  “All winter is a long time.”
    “The time will pass.”
    “Okay.  While we’re waiting for the time to pass - and the snow to thaw - how’ll we survive?” she said.  “Are we going to have to eat each other?”
    “No.  I have plenty of food. I will not need to eat you.”
    “That's a relief.” 
    Suddenly, Genie had an epiphany.  When a pass is blocked, it's a two-way problem.
    “Excuse me,” she said. “If I can't get out, then no one can get in, is that right?”     
    His facial expression switched to suspicion mode. “You are running away from someone?” he said.
    Yes she was - from just about every male in the universe - especially the last lot.  But that was for different reasons.  Now's not the time to dump it all out on a perfect stranger - even if he is perfect.  Better to hedge for now. “Not exactly...”  Great start Genie Hamilton.
    “Are you in trouble with the police?”
    “No, no,” she said vigorously, shaking her head vigorously.  That was stupid.  Vigorous is a dead giveaway.  She tried a laugh.  It was a nervous laugh.  Even she could hear it was a nervous laugh. “Not as far as I know, anyway.”
      “What difference does it make?” said her new, unwilling host. “If the police want you, they will have to wait until the thaw comes.” 
    “I promise,” she said wanting him to believe her. “I'm not in trouble with the police.  On the contrary--”
    “As you say,” he said. ”Anyway,