Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Minnie, her feline majesty, sits before the fireplace like a queen overseeing her domain, casting a judgmental glance our way, as if breakfast has yet again failed to meet her high expectations.
“Look at her.” I nod toward the cat, my voice dripping with playful disdain. “Does she ever approve, or is everything just beneath her?”
Scarlett glances over and chuckles. “Minnie’s waiting for us to realize the world revolves around her. Clearly, we haven’t earned her approval.”
“The story of my life,” I grumble, keeping one eye on the bacon, earning a laugh from Scarlett.
“What do you think, Minnie?” Scarlett calls over, shooting the cat a look that is met with a disdainful flick of her magnificent tail.
“She’s plotting. Probably something involving world domination,” I muse playfully.
“It wouldn’t surprise me in the least.” Scarlett laughs as we dish up our food.
After we eat our breakfast and feed the finicky feline, we head to the storage room to find coats heavy enough to ward off the chilly Colorado weather.
Chapter 10
Scarlett
Stepping outside feels like plunging into a frozen, twinkling wonderland where every tree branch is draped in powdery white like in some kind of snow globe. The air is brisk, nipping at my cheeks, but I can’t help but bounce on my feet a little, excitement bubbling up.
Noah stands beside me, bundled up in a hefty jacket that only seems to emphasize how solid his frame is. The wind tousles his dark hair, and he looks at me with a grin that suggests he knows a bit of trouble is just waiting to unfold. “Ready for some real fun?” he asks, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Only if you’re ready to lose!” I scoff back, knowing snowball fights are serious business.
With a quick pivot, Noah picks up a handful of snow, shapes it into a perfect ball, and before I can react, he launches it at me. I see the white projectile flying through the air, but I don’t have time to duck.
Splat! It hits me square in the chest, and I burst out laughing, the shock of the icy impact jolting through me. “Oh, it’s on!” I shout, gathering snow in my own gloved hands, my competitive spirit igniting like a spark in a dry forest.
Almost immediately, I return fire, and we become two competing snow warriors, arms moving like tennis champions as we dart around the backyard, desperately trying to dodge incoming projectiles while launching our own. I can hear Noah’s laughter ringing out over the whirling wind.
Minnie, ever the aloof queen, watches from the window, her eyes wide with a mix of disdain and curiosity, as if baffled by our chaotic antics. I catch her gaze, feeling a little guilty that she’s stuck inside while we’re out here causing a ruckus.
As we continue to pelt snow at each other, the wet snow begins to seep through my gloves and heavy jacket.
“This is your last chance to surrender!” I shout, grabbing another handful of snow to fashion into a ball for my next attack.
“Never! I shall fight to my last snowball!” Noah’s theatrical response has me giggling as he crouches low behind a mound, clearly plotting, his eyes narrowing with playful determination.
I can feel my cheeks turning a brilliant shade of crimson, and the thrill of the snowball fight suddenly clashes with the realness of the cold. “Okay, okay, I think I’m starting to lose all feeling in my face! Maybe we should take five?” I shout, holding my hands up in surrender, or at least negotiating for some much-needed warmth.
He appears around the corner just then, eyebrows raised and a satisfied smile curling his lips. “Definitely can’t have you freezing.” Noah grins and steps closer, the heat of his presence washing over me and warming my frozen body from the inside out.
The storm finally breaks, releasing its icy hold on the world outside. Each day, the winds calm and the sun punches through, revealing more of the landscape as the snow melts away, transforming the ferocious winter wonderland into a serene, postcard-perfect scene.
Over the past few days, Noah and I have settled into a pretty normal routine. We read, check work emails, and keep the wheels turning on the work bus. We’ve also watched more holiday movies than I thought humanly possible. Plus, our snowball fights have become the stuff of legend. But today feels different.
“You ready to conquer the last of this snow, cowboy?” I ask, leaning against the kitchen counter with a playful challenge in my tone. The prospect of getting into town bristles with my excitement.
“Are you kidding? I was born ready!” he replies, a wide grin spreading across his face like sunshine after a long winter.
The plan is to make a supply run to the little grocery store in the small town a few miles away. We’re running low on essentials for us, and chicken, eggs, and tuna fish to feed my picky cat. Besides, it seems like a good excuse to take Noah’s trusty rusty, old, four-wheel-drive pickup truck for a spin.