Read Hope Falls: Hearts Afire (Kindle Worlds Novella) for Free Online Page B

novelty.” There were times in his life when he contemplated packing up and moving to Florida, but one visit during the summer had killed that idea. His balls might be frozen now, but he’d much rather deal with the cold than with the humidity. He still couldn’t believe people endured that kind of weather.
    “Well, I’d like to experience it at least once in my lifetime.”
    “Are you sure about that? The heater is on and you’re shivering.” Her shoulders were tense and she was rubbing her hands together. One degree cooler and her teeth would be chattering. “You should really get some mittens.”
    Katie looked over at him with wide eyes and rosy cheeks. “Mittens?” She smiled even brighter if that was possible. “I misplaced my gloves. I’m okay for now,” she said, before looking away. “Have you ever caught a snowflake on your tongue?”
    The question made him chuckle. Katie reached over the console and pushed him on the shoulder. “I’m serious,” she said. “Have you?”
    He narrowed his eyes, trying to think back in time. “Yeah. I guess so. When I was a kid we did things like that.”
    Looking satisfied with his answer, she nodded with a smile. “That’s so cool.” It was like he was catching a glimpse of what Katie was like as a kid. There she was sitting next to him with braids in her hair, smiling wide with stars in her eyes. That was so cool.
     

KATIE
     
    The words had been flying from her fingers and she was conquering her daily exercise routine, so Katie decided to treat herself to one of Sue Ann’s sandwiches and a beer at JT’s. She was surprised when she escaped Sue Ann’s usual interrogation. The cafe owner didn’t hint at her friendship with Casey and Katie was relieved.
    She and Casey had hit the trail together every day since he apologized. It seemed that Katie had a new friend and running partner. To be fair, their pace had gotten slower so it wasn’t really running. They were both chatterboxes so it was more of a jog. It was nice to have someone to do something with. She loved talking to Shelby, but that women had to be one of the busiest ladies in town. She was constantly working at the B&B or tending bar. While her time spent with Casey was only on the trail, it did give her some much needed people time.
    Katie loved writing, but she couldn’t hold a conversation with the voices in her head. Though, sometimes it sure felt like she did, but she wasn’t about to admit that to anyone.
    It was packed when she arrived at JT’s. There was a big basketball game on. She heard someone say something about an All-Star game. She wasn’t a fan. Give her football and baseball any day of the week and she’d gladly sit in front of the tube and watch. As she made her way to the bar, she scanned the crowd looking for her friend. Casey had been on shift, so she hadn’t seen him in a few days. She thought she might catch him here. That’s not the only reason she decided to venture from her room though. It wasn’t.
    With a bright smile, Katie looked down at her gloves. Casey had been giving her shit about getting frostbite because she had misplaced them. He tried to convince her again and again to get a new pair, but she refused knowing they would turn up. She couldn’t wait to show him she was right.
    “How’s it going, friend?” Shelby stood at the counter, wearing her usual smile. “You must have hit the keyboard pretty hard. You haven’t been by in days.”
    Katie returned the smile with a soft chuckle. “I’ve also been hitting the beer and food pretty hard since I got here. I had to stay away or I’d have to size up my wardrobe.”
    “Just get some leggings and all will be right in the world.” Shelby did a little twirl, modeling her very own stretchy pants. She couldn’t begrudge her the comfy clothes. The woman could rock a tarp if she wanted to.
    While Shelby poured her a beer, Katie started to peel her layers off. With all the bodies in the bar, it was getting