With a heavy sigh, she turned away from the mirror. She looked once more at the tiny tree with its flickering glitter, then she turned the light out. Back in the bedroom, Abby had the lamp on beside her bed, but she was tucked under the covers, her eyes closed. She was about to walk around the bed to turn out the lamp when Abby’s eyes fluttered open. There was a hint of fear in them.

“Sorry I woke you.”

Abby stared at her for a long moment. “Are you okay?”

She nodded.

Abby reached an arm out and flicked off the lamp. “Come to bed,” was all she said.

Nic took care to stay on her side of the bed, leaving ample room between them. She lay on her back, listening to the silence. Abby’s even breathing indicated she’d fallen asleep again. She pulled the covers up a little more and closed her eyes. If she thought she would have a hard time falling asleep—a strange bed, a strange room—she was mistaken. She let herself drift away into a peaceful sleep, the long day finally catching up to her.

Chapter Twenty

She wasn’t sure what woke her, but her eyes popped open as if someone had shaken her. She rolled her head to the side, finding Nic still sound asleep. The room was quiet, but cold, and she turned toward the window, seeing the first glimmer of daylight peeking through the curtains. She got out of bed quietly and went to the window, moving the curtains aside. She stared as big, fluffy snowflakes drifted about. Judging by the amount on her dark Explorer, it had been snowing for a while.

She turned to the bed, wondering if she should wake Nic. Would she enjoy the sight? Would she want to go outside? She took a step toward the bed, then stopped. What was she expecting? That Nic would be as excited as a kid and want to go out and play in it? Maybe. She had been quite enthralled with it yesterday on the drive up.

But instead of waking her, she went into the bathroom. She’d brush her teeth and get dressed. If Nic was still asleep, she’d slip downstairs for an early cup of coffee and a visit with her mother. Judging by the tracks she’d seen outside, her father had already left.

When she came out of the bathroom, though, Nic was indeed awake. She was standing at the window, much like she had been earlier, only Nic had the curtains pulled wide apart, letting in the morning light. When Nic turned to look at her, her eyes had that look of wonder she’d seen in them yesterday.

“It’s…it’s snowing.”

“Yes, it is.” She moved closer to her. “Several inches, judging by the amount on the cars.”

“It looks cold.”