Page 25 of The Christmas Catch

“No, I was trying to be in the moment, mindful, eating my sandwich in an aware way.”

Not very helpful. “Where did you last have it?”

Morgan made a humming noise. “In Dave’s van when I was taking his number down.”

They both let that sink in, with all it entailed.

“But I’m sure I put it back in my bag.” Morgan’s tone sounded anything but sure.

“Well, you won’t find it on a dark path in the freezing cold,” Ali told her. “Let’s walk to the town, get in the warm, then you can have a proper look.”

They started walking again.

“Look on the bright side. At least I got us a room at the local bed-and-breakfast, so phone or not, we’ll soon have somewhere to sleep tonight. That’s enough of a win for me today.” It was the first thing Ali had done while they waited for the staff to let them off the train. They were the only passengers who got off.

“Unless the bed-and-breakfast burns down before we get there.”

Ali nudged Morgan with her elbow again. “Hey, you’re the upbeat one of this partnership, remember? The problem-solver.” She waved her phone in the air. “At least I have mine.” She paused. “Although my charger’s in my case.”

Morgan huffed. “If it’s an iPhone, I have a charger you can use. But please, remind me never to think that winter and snow are romantic again. They’ve brought nothing but trouble today. Romance is far more suited to summer, sunshine and beaches.”

“It’s romantic when you’re inside in the warm with a roaring fire and glass of red.”

“Does that only happen in romance books and films, though? Give me a cocktail on a beach any day.” Morgan’s white teeth flashed in the dark.

Ali wasn’t sure if it was via a smile or a grimace.

“Have you ever had a roaring fire, a glass of red and a love interest at the same time?” Morgan asked.

The romantic periods of Ali’s life flashed before her eyes. There hadn’t been many, and none had involved what she’d just outlined.

“No, but I live in hope.”

“You told me there hadn’t been much romance in your life, but I’m hearing flecks of a hopeless romantic in you.”

Ali cleared her throat. “Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to keep up.”

“Your secret’s safe with me. If we survive this path, that is.”

Then a noise made them both stop walking. It sounded like a cow crossed with a wolf. The darkness creaked around them.

Ali flinched and snapped off her phone light. Whatever it was, she didn’t want to startle it.

“What the fuck was that?” Morgan threaded an arm through Ali’s and pulled her close.

Ali was too freaked to register the full impact of being this near to Morgan Scott.

“I thought you said cows don’t come onto the path.” Morgan paused, then whispered, “Is now a good time to tell you I’mterrifiedof cows?”

“Not especially,” Ali whispered back.

They heard the noise again, this time a little closer than before.

Ali’s brain throbbed in her skull. Of all the ways to die, she never thought she’d get trampled by a cow. She strained her eyes to see anything.

Morgan held Ali’s arm with a vice-like grip.

Ali’s heartbeat thumped in her ears. Normally Morgan Scott hanging onto her would be the reason. But right now, staying alive was the primary culprit. She exhaled, but could barely see her breath.