The Hunt for Snow Read Online Free Page A

the lame excuse that I wanted to save it as a surprise for the ball, and that I had too much to pack to spend even five minutes trying it on. Now, the morning of the conference had arrived. I hated it when the weather didn’t match my mood. I stood outside staring up at the sky surrounded by luggage and my bad attitude. I frowned. It was beautiful outside and yet all I could feel was a lingering sense of dread. I couldn’t put it off any longer, so the faster I rushed everyone out of the house, the faster we could get to the conference…and the faster we could leave.
    The taxi pulled up right on time. The only thing we were missing was Cyndi. I shouted at her to get a move on and lugged my suitcase and small duffel over to the wizened old driver. Belle rushed out of the house behind me, carrying a laptop case and a small duffel. I eyed it dubiously and gave her a curious look.
    She flushed. “I don’t need that many things.” She gestured to my suitcase. “You can say you’re low maintenance but from the size of that suitcase it looks like you’ve brought some things for dressing to impress.”
    It was my turn to flush. Normally I was a light packer, but I wasn’t sure what was going to happen over the next few days. Plus, Cyndi made me pack all kinds of shoes, makeup and other things I didn’t understand. I glared at Belle. “Shut up,” I finally said when I couldn’t think of an appropriate response.
    Belle snorted and tossed her duffel on top of mine in the trunk. I started to walk back up the drive to drag Cyndi out by the hair when a shrill whistle startled me. I spun around and saw Belle holding two fingers between her teeth.
    “I forgot you could do that,” I said, trying to calm my pounding heart.
    The front door flew open and a frazzled Cyndi stumbled out. “All right, All right,” she said. “I’m not a dog.”
    My mouth dropped open. Cyndi was lugging one hot pink suitcase beside her. On top of it was a matching duffel, but behind her three more suitcases were piled on top of each other. Her eyes dared me to say anything about it so I just raised my hands and stepped away. I wouldn’t say a word, but I also wouldn’t help her get her luggage to the car.
    “Cyndi! I thought we agreed that you’d cut some of this crap out. No one needs three ball gowns and a suitcase full of shoes!” Belle wasn’t as agreeable as I was trying to be.
    “
Everyone
needs ball gowns and shoes. You only—”
    “Get one chance to make a first impression. Yes, we know.” Belle cut her off in a whiny, mimicky voice. She lowered the volume and leaned in. “But we don’t live in the Enchanted Forest anymore. We live in Mystic Falls.” She spread her hands out to gesture at the small suburban neighborhood. “People watch football and eat hot dogs. They shuttle kids to and from extracurricular activities. If you can name one ball you’ve been to in the last two years, I won’t say another word.”
    Cyndi ignored her and did her best to shove the massive amount of luggage into the trunk. The taxi driver gave her a dubious glance, but didn’t say anything about it. “I’ll be in the front waiting for you ladies to figure this out.” He smiled at me, exposing long yellow teeth. “The meter’s running. Take your time.”
    “This is on your dime, Cyndi,” I muttered under my breath.
    Belle shoved a hand through her hair. “This is madness. How are we going to get everything in here without making someone sit on a lap?”
    The driver was making his way back to the driver’s seat when he stopped. “One of you ladies can sit up front with me.” He gestured toward Cyndi. “Since this is your fault, you sit with me. It’s not often I have pretty blonde customers.” He gave us all a creepy smile and winked. From the corner of my eye I noticed Belle shudder.
    I hid a smile behind my hand. Cyndi blanched and appeared to be weighing her luggage tactic against being forced to sit beside the driver.