Frost by E. Latimer Read Free Book Online

flick past as we drove onward. We were back in Grande Prairie, but we must have been on the outskirts, because I didn't recognize the area.
"We're here."
We pulled into a long, winding driveway at the bottom of a snow-laden hill. The van's tires crunched and squeaked on the way up, spinning uselessly a couple of times, and we almost didn't make it. Finally, we crested the hill, finding an empty spot alongside several iced-over cars in the tiny parking lot.
"It's a bed and breakfast. I know the woman who owns it," Loki explained. "I figure they'll be checking all the hotels, and this place is pretty tiny and out of the way. We'll wait here for a day or two. I'm betting they'll expect you to hightail it out of town right away, so they'll be watching the roads."
"Okay, great." I paused in the doorway and glanced down. My dressing gown was embarrassingly thin, and it only went to my knees. It was bad enough that I was wearing it in front of him. "Um, Loki?"
"Crap." His cheeks colored, and he shrugged out of the jacket he was wearing and handed it to me. "Here. Zip that up over your nightgown. It'll kind of look like you're wearing a dress." He chewed his lower lip. "I don't have any shoes for you though. Damn."
"It’s fine. I don’t get cold." I looked at my feet. Blue toenail polish.
How prophetic.
We climbed out of the van and walked to the door together. Sure, they wouldn’t notice a pair of teenagers—one in a dress and no shoes in below-zero weather. Not weird at all.
Loki rapped on the door. After a moment, there was the soft pitter-patter of footsteps inside, and the door creaked open to reveal a short woman in a yellow dress.
"Hullo, dear. How lovely to see you again." She beamed at Loki then transferred her bright smile to me. "Nice to meet you, love. I’m Debbie. Come in. Do come in!"
As we entered, she surveyed me with interest, no doubt taking in the disheveled clothing and bare feet. Whatever her conclusions might have been, she simply blinked and sang out, "This way!"
It was a beautiful house full of dark, curling chairs and couches, dusty bookshelves and standing antique lamps with red-tasseled lampshades. We followed Debbie up a long, wooden staircase and entered a hallway.
"Your room is just here on the left." She smiled warmly at us, reaching out to pat Loki on the hand. "You have a lovely stay, dear. Let me know if I can help you with anything. I'm downstairs within shouting distance."
"Thank you so much." Loki gave her a charming smile and then turned and placed a hand on the small of my back, ushering me inside the room. "We'll be sure to call if we need something."
Debbie's footsteps retreated down the staircase as we surveyed our room. It was similar to the living room downstairs—dark, antique furniture. There was even a huge, old canopy bed in the middle.
"Oh wow. It's beautiful." I sat down on the bed, tracing one finger over the pattern on the worn-out posts. It looked about a hundred years old, but the mattress was firm and comfortable. Obviously not an antique. As a little girl, I’d always imagined myself sleeping in one of these. It was what princesses slept in. "This room is amazing."
Loki sat down next to me, his eyes bright with amusement. "I'm glad you like it." His knee brushed mine as he adjusted his position, sitting cross-legged.
I couldn't help noticing how close he was.
"Cool." He pointed at the nightstand beside the bed. "There's even an old-fashioned washbasin." He brightened, turning toward me. "I have an idea." 
My heart gave a surprised lurch when he grabbed my hand. Again, his skin felt warm against mine. He stood and pulled me off the bed. "Come on. I'll show you something."
I let him lead me toward the nightstand. Gently, with his hands on my arms, he guided me in front of him so we were both facing the water basin. A white, porcelain jar sat inside it. Blue painted flowers wrapped around the base of the jar and up the spout.
Loki grasped the handle of the pitcher, reaching