The Winter Warrior

Eleri Yarwood didn't have many plans for Christmas, or the whole winter in fact. She grabbed a coaster and her mug of black coffee, extra strong, coming out of the kitchen and into the living room. Sometimes, she wondered why she needed such a big winter cabin for herself and her Saint Bernard, Loyd.

Well, it was either the cabin or the horrible family reunion where Aunt Olive would ask if being a fantasy author was a real job or not. It didn't matter, Eleri made good money, good enough money for her ex-boyfriend to steal behind her back and run off. Now, she and Loyd were barely getting on with the bills even with her best seller, The Wonderland's Princess, published.

She truly found that Jack would be her forever love, after all, Eleri herself wrote fantasy romance. However, reality wasn't the same as fantasy, and the first choice sucked. Now, Jack was probably in the hot Bahamas with a new chick, using Eleri's money that she'd been saving for years.

"Loyd," Eleri called, slumping into her big chair. She sipped her coffee, scrunching up her nose when it was cold. "Loyd, Loyd—oh my gosh, where on Earth is that pup—"

Eleri sighed loudly, leaving her mug on the coaster, stood up, and took a long walk around the cabin's interior. She paused, hearing faint growls outside.

Weird, I don't remember letting him outside, it's freezing, she thought.

She opened the curtains, seeing her Saint Bernard outside, barking at the snow. Of course, Loyd had to be barking at the snow. Eleri slipped on her faux fur jacket and UGG boots, heading outside. "Boy, Loyd, I was looking for you everywhere."

Loyd didn't stop barking, nuzzling his nose at Eleri's knees. "Loyd," she warned, petting his head. She shivered, remembering that the remote area of Upper Canada wasn't like Toronto's winter.

Eleri crossed her arms, exhausted. "C'mon, let's go back inside."

Loyd kept snarling, jerking at the mountains that were near their cabin. Eleri crouched down, sighing. "Loyd, let's go—"

She stopped when she heard quick, roaring rumbles. She looked at the mountains, a blur of snow surging forward. Loyd growled as Eleri urged her dog to run. They bolted, stumbling in the snow, as the crashing sound pierced Eleri's eardrums. "Run, r-run, Loyd!"

It was an avalanche and Eleri heard they could be devastating. Her bones ached

They were overtaken by the snow. Eleri was swept away, slamming her into the depths of the frosty snow. She felt squirming in her arms and the horror stepped in. Loyd, there was no way she was letting Loyd die.

She tried to push his furry body up to the surface, out of the snow, but to avail. No, no, she started to cry as pitch black clouded her vision. Not my baby, not Loyd.

Loyd had been there for her and he was an older dog from the shelter, there was no way in hell that she'd let him die a painful death. Eleri couldn't see because of the snow, but she heard Loyd's ragged breathing and whimpers.

Please, I need a miracle, Eleri squeezed her eyes shut.

Suddenly, she and Loyd were lifted out of the snow. A pair of smooth, pale hands grabbed Eleri's wrists, pulling her out of the snow. Eleri blinked blankly as celestial wings wrapped Eleri and Loyd in a warm embrace, shielding them.

Loyd ruffed and Eleri wrapped her arms around her dog. "I thought I lo-lost you, buddy," she whispered, tears running down. She pulled Loyd closer, sniffling. "You're the best dog in the world."

Her body shook as she stood up, pains flaring in every limb. She looked up, wrapping her arms around her waist. She was left speechless as she looked at the godly woman before her.