Wicked Wonderland Read Online Free Page A

that we’re almost to my cabin.”
    She nodded and looked out the window at the tall pine trees dripping with freshly fallen snow. “It’s beautiful here.”
    “That it is.” But before long it would be pitch-black . . . much different from in the city. Instead of sirens and honking horns, Claire would be hearing the sounds of nature.
    As if reading his mind, Claire turned and said, “I’m thinking I’m in for quite a Christmas adventure.”
    Jesse arched one eyebrow in agreement. “Yes, my little Southern city slicker, I believe you’re right.” Just as he pulled into the clearing where his cabin stood, three deer scampered across his front yard.
    Claire’s eyes rounded and she put a hand up to her chest and stared out the window. “Oh, look!”
    “That’s common. There’s a lake out back. I see deer all the time.” Among other animals that he would warn her about later, but if she was this freaked-out about deer, he had his work cut out for him.
    “No . . . I mean, that’s your so-called log cabin?” She turned and looked at him. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Chapter Three
    “ W hat do you mean?” Jesse asked as he killed the engine.
    “Um, Jesse, this isn’t a log cabin.”
    “Well, technically, it’s a log and timber hybrid with stone accents.”
    Claire shook her head. “No, I mean, cabins are little.” She made a small square with her fingers. “This is a . . . a lodge.”
    Jesse shrugged. “It was my family home and my mother loved to entertain, especially—,” he began, but paused. “Anyway, she wanted plenty of guest rooms. My parents were both artists and designed it from the ground up. It’s more than I need, but I’ll never sell it.”
    Claire looked out of the window through the swirling snow. “Wow, it’s magnificent, Jesse. I don’t blame you one bit. With the pine trees and the mountains . . . wow, it looks like a scene inside a snow globe.” She turned to look at him.“So your parents don’t live here anymore?”
    A shadow passed over his face as he removed the keys from the ignition. “No.”
    Claire wanted to ask more, but he abruptly turned and opened his door. A moment later he was at her side. “Oh . . .” She looked down at her sock feet and winced.
    “We’ve established that I can carry you,” he reminded her with a wry smile. “Just link your arms around my neck and hold on, okay?”
    “But—”
    “Claire, just promise not to wiggle and we’ll be fine.”
    After a brief hesitation she said, “Okay, I promise.”
    “Good. Now, just relax. I’ll come back later for the packages and supplies.”
    Claire felt a bit shy about linking her arms around him, but after she nodded, he scooped her up and lifted her from the truck. He trudged through the deepening snow and, as promised, carried her with apparent ease up wide steps to a wraparound porch.The entryway was a beautiful arch of multicolored stone surrounding wooden double doors.
    “Can you lean over and let us in?” Jesse asked.
    “Sure.” Claire nodded and held her hand out.
    “What?”
    “I’ll need the key.”
    “It’s unlocked.”
    She raised her eyebrows. “You’re joking!”
    “The crime rate up here is . . . well, low unless you count raccoons stealing garbage and deer eating acorns.”
    “No, that doesn’t count.” Claire laughed but then thought about the alarm system on her apartment in the city and shook her head in wonder. “It must be nice not to have that worry.”
    “Yeah, well, there’s a downside. Pizza isn’t delivered either.”
    “Oh, well, that sure has to suck!”
    “Yeah, but it has made me a pretty good cook.” He chuckled and looked down at her.
    Wow, his eyes are blue.
    “Yeah, sometimes it sucks. I guess you can’t imagine living without fast food.”
    “Sometimes I need me some Starbucks.”
    Jesse grinned. “Like about now?”
    “Um . . . yeah.”
    “Sorry about your bad luck.”
    “I seem to be having a string of it.” After she