The carriage slid forward, and we glided down the drive. I groaned inwardly and tried not to bang my head against the window. Where was my sleeping powder when I needed it? A coma sounded nice right about now. Instead, I faked it, closing my eyes against the image of Derrick poring over files in the seat across from me.
Did he have to look so good while preparing for his new job?
It was brutal.
Time became an endless loop of passing snow and steep inclines followed by dips as we streaked across the frozen landscape. I must have fallen asleep for a little while because my neck ached, and I stretched in my seat.
Derrick’s coat slipped from my shoulders and fell into my lap. When did he drape that over me? I curled my fingers in the thick fabric, bringing it discreetly to my nose to breathe in his scent.Sucker for punishment that I am.
“You’re awake! We’re making great time. The weather is nice today, isn’t it?” he asked, frowning over something in his folders.
“Yes, it’s delightful.” I snuggled under his coat, pulling my legs beneath me. I wanted to gag on the pleasantries but forced a cheerful smile and returned to stare out the window. “I hope you get a paper cut,” I grumbled under my breath.
“What was that?”
“I hope we get a beautiful sunset.”
A smile curved his lips as if he’d heard what I really said but was politely ignoring it. “After the storm we had, it’s likely.”
“How wonderful.” My upper lip twitched into a snarl.
The carriage shook, and my stomach dropped as I gripped the armrest. It shuddered again, then we skidded to a stop among a growth of trees at the edge of the forest. Out the other window was an endless expanse of snow and rolling hills, not a house or village in sight.
“Did we break down? Why’d we stop?” I swallowed, but my mouth had gone dry.
“I’m not sure. Let me check with the driver.” Derrick closed the files, and I threw his coat at him with a little too much force. Angling his head, he gave me a strange look while he put it on. “Are you okay? Why are you so upset?”
“Because the sleigh is stuck or broken, and it will be night soon. The last thing I want is to be stranded out here in the middle of nowhere with—”You.I sucked in a breath. “The horses.”
“Relax. I’m sure everything is fine. There’s probably just something on the road. I’ll help the driver move it.” He stepped out into the snow, then he shut the door firmly behind him.
I craned my neck, trying to watch him out the window, but he rounded the front of the carriage, and I lost sight of him.
A few minutes passed while I fidgeted in the seat.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and Derrick popped his head inside.
“Well, you don’t have to worry about being stranded out here with the horses.”
“Why not? Did you fix the problem?”
“Nope. The driver’s gone. He took the horses.”
“What!” I shouted, shooting out of my seat and leaning in the carriage doorway. Derrick was right. The horses were gone, and there wasn’t a driver in sight.
“We’ll have to walk from here.”
“Walk?” I scoffed. “Through the snow? It’s the middle of winter, and my cloak isn’t warm enough for an endless trek through the wilderness.”
He shrugged, completely unfazed by our missing driver. “You can wear mine.”
“I’d rather freeze.” Stomping from the carriage, I almost fell face-first into the knee-deep snow.And he expects me to walk in this?It was official: we were going to die in the frozen tundra.
“Don’t worry—it’s not far.” He held out a hand, but I waved it away and took a clumsy step down the road.
“I don’t need your help. I can take care of myself.”
“So I’ve heard,” was his sarcastic reply.
