SNOWBOUND HEARTS: Chapter Two

She’s at the mercy of a stranger. A rather large and grumpy stranger. Of course, she’s apprehensive about going home with you...

Snowbound Hearts is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations, reviews, and articles.

Copyright © 2024 by Mina Beckett

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-7375127-6-9

Print ISBN: 978-1-7375127-7-6

Published by: CurtissLynn Publishing

Cover design: Shiver Shot Design

All rights reserved.

BEHIND THE WORDS

Writing Chapter Two felt like stepping into the heart of the storm—balancing all the tension between Dwight and Tamara while introducing Anna’s character and her struggles.

Dwight’s stubbornness really comes out in this chapter, especially when Tamara’s voice starts whispering in his head. I love that she knows him so well, and even though he doesn’t want to admit it, she’s absolutely right—Anna’s been through something, and he needs to show her a little more compassion. Of course, Dwight’s not the kind of guy to instantly fold, even when he knows he should. That push and pull between what he feels and what he does? It’s such a big part of who he is, and I had a lot of fun bringing that tension to life.

It was a challenge to weave Tamara’s presence into Dwight’s actions as he instinctively rushes to save Anna’s life. Though she’s not physically there, her influence is undeniable, guiding him in ways that show just how deeply their bond runs. Through Dwight’s thoughts and decisions, I was able to reveal subtle layers of their relationship in a natural, understated way, even as he’s faced with the unexpected challenge of Anna and the injured man she’s protecting.

This scene pushes Dwight to his limits on every level. Physically, dragging two people out of a blizzard and up a steep incline—one of them slung over his shoulder—is exhausting, but the emotional weight is even heavier. The moment he sees Anna, something stirs in him, something he wasn’t prepared to feel. Yet, in Dwight’s mind, he’s still a married man. Tamara’s presence is constant, as vivid as if she were standing beside him, her voice urging him to be compassionate and reminding him of the man she knows him to be.

I wanted readers to feel that, even though Tamara was gone, her love and spirit were still present, quietly guiding Dwight toward Anna—whether he realized it or not. Dwight’s resistance to this new chapter of his life was part of the journey, but it was as if Tamara herself, tired of seeing him stuck in his grief, was gently urging him to let go. She wanted what was best for him, to move forward and open his heart to love again, even if it meant nudging him along every step of the way.

That loyalty, mixed with the way Tamara’s voice pushes him to be gentle and compassionate, creates a battle within him that was both heartbreaking and fascinating to write —and was a powerful, pivotal part of this chapter.

Chapter Two shifts into Anna’s perspective, giving us a stark contrast to Dwight’s headspace. Anna is frozen with fear, her mind consumed with worry over Hogue. Writing those raw emotions made this part of the chapter incredibly intense. The story immediately raises some big questions: Who are these two strangers in danger at Sweet Surrender Ranch? What brought them here on a snowy night? Who is Hogue, and what happened to him? And why is Anna so fiercely protective of him? As new characters like Malachi and John emerge from Anna’s past, the layers of mystery around her deepen, leaving readers eager to uncover who she really is and what’s at stake.

CHAPTER TWO

Dwight tied the rope around her waist, carefully positioned her in front of him, and guided her hands onto the rope. Subsequently, he tied the rope around his own waist, ensuring it was secure, and hoisted Hogue onto his shoulder with a firm grip and shoved the flashlight into his back pocket. They were making the climb in the dark and with winds strong enough to topple trees.

"Ready?" he asked, taking the rope with his free hand.

"Yes!" came Anna’s resolute response, her hands tightly gripping the rope.

Dwight blew the command whistle, the unique sound he had trained Bane to respond to, and immediately felt the rope tighten. The rope began to move, and they began their cautious climb up the embankment, each step taken with deliberate care.

Ascent up the snow-covered hillside was backbreaking. Dwight had to bear the weight of Hogue on his shoulders and prayed the woman was strong enough to keep a hold of the rope. Each step was difficult, an exhausting battle against the icy chill and perilous potential hazards. They continued to inch upwards, slowly but surely making their way towards safety. Bane maintained tension on the rope that was their lifeline.

He watched as she climbed up the steep incline, her fancy black boots with a heel trying to bite into the rocky terrain. Her feet slipped beneath a white blanket of powdery flakes more than once, but she never gave up.

He admired her tenacity but would have gladly traded it for a decent pair of hiking boots with treads.

Finally, they reached the top. She collapsed on the ground. “Thank you, God,” she whispered over and over in panting breaths that echoed into the night.

Dwight laid Hogue on the ground and fell to his knees beside her, his breath misting in the icy air. He was physically fit and used to strenuous activity, but it was a tough climb for him as well. Exhausted but triumphant, he aimed the flashlight down at the creek, the truck now fully submerged.

He'd done it.

Against all odds, he had saved two lives from the icy grasp of death. But with the storm raging, the fight for survival, it seemed, was far from over.

The woman moved to Hogue. “He’s alive, isn’t he?”

“Barely,” he answered.

This was the first instance when Dwight truly took in her appearance. She wasn’t dressed for a blizzard.

Her attire was alarmingly ill-suited for the harsh weather conditions they found themselves in. She wasn't simply unprepared - she was wholly unequipped for even the slightest hint of snow.

Hell, she wasn’t dressed for Montana in February.

Period.