Blue Mist of Morning by Donna Vitek Read Free Book Online

hill. It's been ages since I've been sledding."
    "Your wish is my command, Miss Fairchild," Ty replied to
her astonishment, gesturing toward a small shed beside the multi-car
garage. Still holding her hand, he strode away in that direction,
walking at such a brisk pace that she had to nearly run to keep up with
him. At the shed, he opened the door, leaned inside, then brought out a
well-used sled, its red frame scratched and its wooden slats somewhat
bleached, but still strong and sturdy. "Ellie's grandchildren use it,"
he explained. "But I don't think they'd mind if we borrowed it for
awhile."
    Anne eyed the sled. It would be fun to go swooshing down a
snowy hill again but… She looked up at Ty. "We don't really
have to do this, you know. You did say that you wanted to start working
early this morning."
    Pulling back the sleeve of his coat, he looked at his thin
gold wristwatch. "It's only eight o'clock. And since Kirt probably
won't get up until after ten or so, you and I will still have time to
have breakfast and get organized after we go sledding. You said a sled
ride would make you ecstatic, and I would very much like to see you
ecstatic, Miss Fairchild."
    His tone was only partially teasing, and Anne felt warmth
tingle in her cheeks. Following, as he pulled the sled toward the
slope, she wished she had never mentioned sledding. She did love snow
and it did make her happy, but perhaps she shouldn't have expressed a
desire to go sledding. It certainly wasn't in keeping with the
dignified, strictly businesslike image she tried to project in the
office. When Ty stopped at the top of the slope and handed her the rope
attached to the sled, she smiled wanly.
    "Well, what's stopping you?" he prompted. "There's the
hill and here's the sled. Go ahead."
    She wanted to go, but felt too self-conscious. Shaking her
head, she handed the rope back to him. "I'd feel silly, knowing you
were standing up here watching," she told him candidly. "So, I don't
go, if you don't go with me. Besides, it's no fun sledding alone."
    "But you won't be alone," Ty replied wryly, inclining his
head toward Goldie. The dog was sniffing the sled with avid interest
and, at last, politely hopped up onto it and sat down, obviously ready
to go. "She always rides down with Ellie's grandchildren, so she'll go
with you."
    "Look, why don't we just forget the whole thing?" Anne
murmured weakly. "I was really half kidding when I said I'd like to go
sledding. I didn't expect you to take me seriously."
    "Oh, but I did," Ty persisted, catching her hand again and
impelling her toward the sled. "And if I have to go with you to get you
to go, then so be it."
    Goldie was not happy about this new turn of events, but at
Ty's command, she jumped off the sled, her ears drooping in
disappointment. But, as Anne sat down on the wooden slats and Ty got on
the sled behind her, the dog began to watch with alert excitement.
    A most curious sensation weakened Anne's limbs as Ty
placed his feet on the steering bar, then reached around her for the
rope. She felt surrounded, and the fact that her back was pressed
against his hard broad chest did nothing for her equilibrium. His hands
lightly brushed her thighs as he held the rope out of the way of the
runners, and she impulsively reached out for it. "Let me hold that,"
she said, her voice slightly squeaky. "Since you don't have gloves on,
your hands must be freezing."
    "And what do you suggest I do with them, Miss Fairchild?"
he asked softly, very close to her ear. There was a hint of amusement
in his low voice. "I don't suppose you'd allow me to put them in your
coat pockets so I can hold onto you and keep them warm at the same
time, would you?"
    Anne turned her head to look at him and, finding his dark,
lean face disturbingly close to her own, she unconsciously moistened
suddenly dry lips with the tip of her tongue. Knowing she would look
foolish if she refused his request, she swallowed with some difficulty,
then forced herself to say,