Poles Apart by Marion Ueckermann Read Free Book Online Page A

hue. Blue Lapland light. After hearing she was headed
this way, Matthew researched the country and pumped them with facts all the way
to the airport.
    Sarah pushed to her feet. She needed to
get started on that manuscript, whack out a few thousand words.
    Wrapping the blanket around herself, she
pulled it tight. Ouch. That hurt. She unfurled her fingers, palm facing the
ceiling. Difficult to see in the dim light, she lowered her head to her hand,
examining her fingertips. No blisters at least, but they were tender to touch.
How would she type today with two fingers out of action?
    Slowly.
    As she stepped toward the table, her
foot kicked against something. The object bounced across the rug that covered
most of the wooden floor. What was that? Spotting the white tube with green
writing, she bent down and picked it up. Aloe vera. How did that get there? And
how did she end up sleeping on the sofa, covered with a blanket?
    Vague recollections of Niklas rubbing
her fingers drifted into her mind. She closed her eyes, trying to remember. His
fingers on her cheek, sweeping the hair from her face, his lips on her brow.
Sarah drew a sharp breath as heat flooded her cheeks. Had he kissed her? Or had
she dreamed it all? She glanced at the cream in her hands. Not hers. Proof it
had to all be real.
    How dare he?
    Chill. It was only a peck.
    Didn’t matter, she didn’t know him. And
that’s what Andrew had said—just a peck. Look how that turned out. Probably
best to steer clear of the landlord. Should be easy enough. Except for some
research visits to Santa and to replenish groceries, she had no intention of
stepping outside this cabin. Oh yes, and to use the toilet, which she now
desperately needed to find.
    But there was the matter of her muse who
wanted Niklas around.
    After suiting up, Sarah headed out into
the cold. She’d definitely watch her liquid intake. Far too much trouble to
make a tinkle.
    She gazed beyond where she’d parked the
small blue car. Between a forest of tall pines painted white, she spotted the
tiny red outhouse standing in stark contrast to its snowy surrounds. With its
peaked roof it resembled an arrow, pointing the way. Though your sins be as
scarlet, they shall be white as snow. Her favorite Bible verse. She hadn’t
thought of it in four years.
    Sarah let out a huff, her breath
vaporizing and dissipating into the air. Tell it to Andrew, Lord. He’s the
one stained with his sin against me.
    Taking care as she stepped across the
small bridge, she glanced to the sides of the snow-covered stream beneath.
Probably frozen solid. She followed the short path, glancing in all directions. Were there wolves or bears living under these trees? She pushed the
wooden door. It swung open and banged against the side wall. Great—a long drop
loo. Maybe she should fast for the next three weeks.
    The call of nature satisfied, Sarah
hurried back toward the cabin as fast as her puffy, snow-pants-covered-legs
would carry her through the soft powder. The sky had lightened, the surrounds
more white now than blue. As she turned the corner she stopped in her tracks.
Her heart thumped faster and harder. Blue pants, red jacket, kneeling on her
porch. What was he doing?
    Niklas glanced back then pushed to his
feet. “Sarah. Good morning. I brought fresh logs for your fire. Did you sleep
well? Warm enough? How are your fingers?”
    Sarah stared, mute. It was only a peck,
and a sweet one at that. She cleared her throat. “Tender, but surprisingly not
blistered.”
    “Good. Aloe vera has amazing healing
properties. You hold onto that tube.”
    “No, I couldn’t.”
    “Please. I insist.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes. Unless you want me to keep the
fireplace in your cabin fed.” He grinned.
    The thought far too appealing, Sarah
pushed it aside. What was wrong with her?
    Bounding up the steps, she brushed past
Niklas, and opened the front door. Fingers on the handle, she turned around.
“Thanks for the firewood.”
    Niklas