–This isn't going well.
As if the universe had heard Ian's words, the Cadillac Escalade's tires slid on the ice. He corrected the vehicle's erratic movement and put it back on the road. He gripped the steering wheel tightly and cursed, silently thanking his secretary for sending him out early in the morning. Had he left any later, he might not have made it.
The snowflakes made it increasingly difficult to see. By the time he reached the Smoky Mountains, they were all covered in snow.
At the foot of the hill leading to his cabin, he backed up a bit, slowed down, and slowly began to climb the long, winding road that led to the top and the cabin. Upon reaching it, he pulled into the garage.
He grabbed his overnight bag from the passenger seat and got out. He walked to the cabin door, pressed a button, and watched the snow fall as the garage door closed, blocking out the inclement weather he hadn't expected.
He should have foreseen it, since it was just another link in the chain of misfortunes that had plagued him for months.
Ian never went to the mountains in January or February because the weather was unpredictable. And he wouldn't have if it weren't for Missy, his fiancée, who had insisted on taking their engagement photos at the mountain house. He had agreed, knowing it was a mistake.
He placed his duffel bag on the counter and looked out the window at the valley below. It was covered in snow. If it continued like this, it would soon reach several inches.
Missy would be arriving from Atlanta, he was sure she wouldn't be able to get up the mountain in her little Jaguar.
And the photographer...
Fortunately, the cabin was well-stocked. Ian walked around the kitchen, opening the cupboards and the refrigerator to inspect the contents. Just as he had requested, there was enough food to last for several days.

The caretakers were Patty and Rick, a couple who lived at the foot of the hill. They cleaned the cabin and the surrounding land. Before heading there, Ian gave them a list of supplies, and they were responsible for carrying them.
Sometimes Patty added a little something extra to welcome him. That day, there was a bottle of champagne in the fridge and two glasses on the counter, next to a vase of flowers. It was Patty's way of congratulating him on his engagement.
From the champagne, he couldn't have known Missy was two months pregnant. She'd told everyone: her four million Facebook followers and a celebrity gossip columnist. Ian didn't think there was anyone in the United States who didn't know.
They were to be married in March, at a venue Missy had chosen. Ian didn't know the details. He'd told himself, and Missy, that he was very busy and could do whatever he wanted. After all, it was going to be their big day. The reality was that he was struggling to accept what was happening to him, although he hoped he would succeed.
He wanted the baby to be born into a happy, loving family, so he was prepared to put in the effort for that over the next seven months. Both he and Missy would have to do their part. Missy wasn't easy to get along with: she was demanding and capricious, and she was used to everyone telling her how wonderful she was.
There was no love between them, but Ian was beginning to think that love and its pitfalls were a myth. Every marriage requires effort, and even though their situation wasn't ideal, she was going to have his child, and they were going to get married.