Chapter 291
The blast of cold hit Dorothea the second she stepped off the plane. Minus twenty degrees. Even her breath turned into little clouds the moment it left her lips.
Latham was waiting by the car. He rushed over and wrapped her up in a tight hug. “Are you freezing? Come on, let’s get inside.” His arms felt like the warmest place in the world.
They still had five hours to drive before they’d reach the spot to see the northern lights. Latham had planned everything, even renting a luxury RV for the trip.
The second Dorothea stepped inside, the heat wrapped around her, and she felt her body start to thaw. She peeled off her heavy down coat and pressed up against the window, her finger-still red from the cold-tracing Latham’s name into the foggy glass.
Latham’s gloved fingers twitched, and he smiled, a little crooked and lazy. “Let me add something.” He pulled off his gloves, leaned close, and wrote her name right next to his. Even on the window, his handwriting looked sharp and confident. Dorothea’s eyes sparkled as she stared at their names side by side. She grabbed her phone and snapped a picture, extra careful not to smudge the letters.
“Babe, send that to the family group chat,” Latham said, grinning.
She raised an eyebrow at him. “Seriously p>
“Hurry up. My dad’s been teasing me. You do it p>
A minute later, Ladd had to squint at his phone, holding it at arm’s length to make out the picture Dorothea sent.
[Latham: Dad, Happy New Year. Did you see the photo? My wife took it. She said she just wants our names to be together p>
Even Garth couldn’t take Latham’s smugness. “That’s so cringe p>
Pauline just laughed. “Your handwriting’s nice. Really nice p>
Latham and Dorothea curled up together on the bed, his down jacket tossed over both of them. They held onto each other, warm and close.
They’d come all this way just to see that magical show in the sky.
Latham glanced at his watch, keeping his voice quiet, gentle, almost like he was afraid to wake a kitten. “We’ve got half an hour. Try to get some more sleep p>
Dorothea relaxed into his shoulder. “Alright. But you have to wake me. What time is it at home p>
“It’s probably daytime now p>
“We’ll take photos later and send them to everyone p>
Latham studied her face. “Are you still cold p>
“I’m fine.” Dorothea tipped her head, pointed at her feet. “My calves are a little numb, though p>
He shifted her gently, propping her up with pillows, then moved to sit at the foot of the bed. “Let me take care of it p>
He was already lifting her left leg onto his thigh. “Which foot p>
Dorothea was always ticklish. She squirmed, trying to pull away, but his big hand held her ankle steady. She bit berlip and whispered, “The left one p>
Latham nodded, fingers wrapping around her cashmere sock, pressing into her arch. “Your feet are like ice Here, warm them up.” Without hesitating he slid her foot under his sweater so it pressed right against his abs.
Dorothea gasped. “Hey, stop messing around p>
He just grinned. “What? I’m just warming you up. Why are you so shy p>
She rolled her eyes. “You think I’m about to strip off your long johns, socks,
undershirt, vest, and sweater right now p>
Her cheeks turned pink as she gave him a gentle kick.
Latham’s eyes got darker. He kept his grip on her ankle. “Go ahead, dare you to kick
a little lower p>
Dorothea felt her face heat up. Now she was almost nervous.
“Weren’t you supposed to be massaging my leg p>
“I am.” He started working his
thumbs up from her ankle, slow and strong, kneading her calf muscles paying attention to every knot and sore spot, even finding just the right
places to press so the tingling fade away.
would