Clutching her phone, Tegan watched as two cars skidded off the icy road and disappeared into the snowy ditch.
"Yeah, seems like it," she muttered to herself.
Given the current situation, it would take more than a few tow trucks to get those
cars out of there. She shook her head in disbelief at how slow her brain was processing the obvious. "I''m calling for a tow truck right now," Tegan said decisively.
Hearing that, Ste nced out the window, noting the snow was heavier. "Why don''t youe to Mist Bay in the meantime?" she suggested.
It was clear that Tegan''s car wouldn''t go anywhere for a while, even if they could pull it out of the ditch. And even then, there was no guarantee it would start up immediately.
"But how am I supposed to get there? The car you guys came in is down in the ditch, too," Tegan pointed out, frustration creeping into her voice. The scene was nothing short of a disaster.
"I''lle get you," Ste offered.
"Are you sure about that? If your driving skills aren''t top-notch, maybe you should stay put. The roads are like a skating rink today," Tegan warned, a hint of worry coloring her words.
Ste chuckled. "You underestimate me, don''t you?"
Her driving skills were nothing to scoff at, honed to perfection during those intense training sessions with Yvonne. It wasn''t just physical training but about mastering the art of a swift escape.
Taking another look at the wintryndscape outside, Ste knew she had to make the trip herself.
Tegan said, "I''m not underestimating you. I''m just worried. The roads are icy today."
"Just wait for me," Ste replied confidently before hanging up.
She turned to her butler. "Get a car ready."
"Are you nning to drive yourself, Miss? That''s out of the question," the butler said without missing a beat.
Ste raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"Mr. Quinn would disapprove. I''ll arrange for a car to fetch Dr. James instead," the butler insisted.
"Are you sure there''s a driver who can handle these roads right now?" Ste challenged.
"You''re underestimating Mr. Quinn, miss. His team is full of skilled drivers. That was just an unfortunate ident earlier," the butler reassured her.
Ste remained skeptical. Indeed, Ronald''s team was full ofpetent people, but what if they sent another rookie who couldn''t handle the ice?
Sensing her hesitation, the butler quickly added, "Rest assured, Miss. We''ll bring Dr. James back safely. You needn''t worry."
Before Ste could argue further, the butler hurried off to make the necessary arrangements.
Ronald wasn''t around, and the butler wouldn''t let Ste drive in this weather. If anything happened to her, there''d be hell to pay when Ronald returned.
Not long after the butler left, Ste''s phone rang. It was Ronald. "Hey, Ronald." "The weather''s terrible today. Stay inside," Ronald instructed firmly.
Ste sighed. The butler was quick; it hadn''t even been five minutes before Ronald was on the phone.
"This kind of road is nothing for me," Ste mumbled.
"Still, you''re not going out," Ronald replied, leaving no room for argument.
"Fine," Ste grumbled. She couldn''t understand why he was so strict She''d managed just fine on her own for the past three years, but now that he was back, he treated her like she was helpless.
"Be good, and I''ll bring you something tasty when I get home," Ronald promised,
his tone softening as if he were coaxing a child.
"You brought me somethingst night, and I haven''t even eaten it yet," Ste pointed out.
"Oh?"
"You''ll just have to bring me more," she demanded yfully.
Last night he''de home from night out, and she''d been so busy taking care of him that she''d forgotten all about the chestnut cake he''d brought.
Ronald chuckled. "Today''s treat will be different."
"Okay then," Ste agreed with a smile.
They chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up.
Ronald was just like he had been when Ste was a little girl, always bringing her treats whenever he went out, treating her as if she were still the sweet-toothed child she used to be.