Page 14 of Cold Snap

"No." I sit up, smoothing my hair. "I don't want to get into trouble being seen with you – no offense."

He makes grumbling noises. "I will never hide the fact that we're together. But if it takes some time for Mrs. H. to come around, I get it."

Baz pulls me against him for a deep, lingering kiss. Then he grins. "See you later, beautiful."

He disappears out the door, leaving me with my pants still open and my head spinning.

I don't think this is just physical. Not just an infatuation, either.

I think Baz is really, honestly falling for me.

9

BAZ

Friday morning brings with it the grim realization that I might have to leave the chalet without Rosa understanding just how serious I am about her.

All day long I'm aching to drop by the kitchen to say hello. But that's her workplace. If she worked at an office, I would never consider doing that. Just because I've known her boss for years, it doesn't mean that I have the right to mess up her workflow.

My reading doesn't hold my attention very well in the afternoon. Luckily, Dylan and Moore are in a chatty mood when we're in the library.

"You know," Moore says, "we've all joked with Mrs. H. about coming here for a week in the summer. What if we actually did?"

I smirk at him out of habit. "Gee, I dunno. Could you really leave your chrysanthemums alone for a full week in the height of the growing season?"

Moore sends me a mock death stare.

Dylan's fingers tap thoughtfully on the arm of his chair. "They're used to being booked solid in the summer, I'm sure. Oh, hey, what if we booked out the entire chalet with people weknew? Family, friends, neighbors. Only mellow adults. No hyper toddlers."

"It's a possibility," I nod. The lights dim and flicker for a moment, reminding me that the power has been unsteady all day. I jump to my feet. "Back in a sec."

Marching down the hallway behind the dining room, I reach the butler's pantry and start rummaging around in the cupboards. Sure enough, there are several wide, deep plastic trays, probably used for serving pastries.

Once they're each filled with an inch of water and out on the front porch, I return to the library.

Dylan shoots me a sideways glance. "Off visiting anyone?"

"No, actually." I give him a hard stare that makes Moore crack up.

"We all have our little secrets, I see."

"Yep," I grumble. "And if they were interesting enough for discussion, they'd be in a book like this one." I pick up my spy thriller and try to fall back into the story with mixed success.

We continue reading until it's starting to get dark. When it's nearly dinnertime, we all go back to our rooms to wash up. We've all been wandering into the dining room a bit earlier, in the hopes of seeing the girls, while telling each other it's only so we can start the wine a little sooner. Plus, the cold is really setting in, and the large fireplace in the dining room is super cozy.

On my way back downstairs, I stop by the kitchen. There's got to be a way I can stroll in and make conversation for a moment without it looking strange. People go back to compliment the chef all the time, right? And we're here for the entire week.

Just as I'm about to call out for my girl, the power goes out. I hear a gasp from the corner by the stove. Whipping out my phone, I tap the flashlight and hold it up. "Rosa?"

"Quick – I need the light."

When I turn, I realize the power has gone off at the worst possible time. Rosa has a hot tray in her hands, which she's sliding back into the oven.

She snaps the door shut and slips off her oven mitts. "Thank you." She turns and gives me a beautiful smile that warms me straight through. "The oven should be hot enough to finish off those rolls. Can you please set a six minute timer on your phone?"

"Of course." I set it, then turn the volume up for the first time this week.

Kallie and Maya start setting up candles around the room and across the large farmhouse-style table.

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