Snow Angel Read Online Free PDF

midway to her mouth. Stiffening inside, but rising to the challenge, she took a deep breath and nodded. He wouldn’t find out. There was no way he could know that she was running from a detective, Ross Brandon, who had turned out to have tormenting plans for her. No way he could possibly discover that her adoptive parents were searching for her, possibly to pin a claim-jumping murder on her. What other reason could they have for actually paying Ross to find her? She was an adult now; they had no parental rule left over her. The thought of going back to them or seeing that evil detective again made her stomach twist in fear. No, this Noah would learn nothing to give him reason to throw her back into the blizzard.
    The man had begun speaking again, so she concentrated on paying attention.
    â€œI’ve lived up here for seven years now, and you are the first visitor I’ve had show up in the middle of a blizzard. I sure would like to hear how you found me in this storm.”
    Elizabeth shifted with the shadows of truth and deceit, all the while shivering with the memory of the cold. “I can’t really remember very much. I think it was your light.” She pointed to the window. “From that window, I saw a light through the snow, and I followed it here.”
    The man named Noah shook his head. “It’s a miracle you could see anything in such conditions. Experienced men with the strength of ten of you have been found frozen solid, cowering under moldy hay bales in the aftermath of such blizzards. Do you have any idea how lucky you are?”
    Elizabeth did know, and as she looked at the handsomely disheveled man in front of her she felt a flush of gratitude. “I believe so. Thank you for having your lights burning in the window.” She smiled at him. “And for building your cabin here.”
    He looked shocked for a second, and then his laughter rang out in the room and wrapped around her like a warm, comforting blanket. She looked for malice behind the laugh, some sign of sarcasm, the bite of accusation, but it wasn’t there. She couldn’t find anything amiss in those deep blue eyes.
    He was still smiling but with concern as he asked, “You were alone? Where is your family?”
    Elizabeth poked at the food on her plate, sighing inwardly. It was a question as old as she was. He would want to know that she came from a wonderfully fine family, so of course he must not be disappointed. She slipped into the role of solemn orphan,as easily as a woman slips her hand into a well-worn glove. “I was alone. I don’t have any family living.”
    He searched her face. “How did you come to be in this part of the country?”
    â€œMy last home was in Seattle. I heard that gold had been found here and decided to join everybody else going to Dawson City.”
    Noah leaned forward in his chair, “Alone? Don’t you know what could happen to a lone girl in a mining town?” He paused … then his brows rose. “You’re not a prostitute, are you?”
    Elizabeth raised her chin. “Certainly not! I grew up in the gold fields, sir. From Utah to California, I’ve followed rush after rush. I can take care of myself and not by earning my living on my back.” That much was true. She had been gold mining with Margaret and Henry since they adopted her years ago.
    Noah settled himself back in his chair. “I’m sorry. Please, go on.”
    She took a determined breath. “When I arrived in Sitka, I found out, as all of us aboard the ship did, that we were too late to go on to Dawson City. The Yukon River apparently freezes in October. We had no choice but to wait until spring.” This news had been frustrating to most, but it was terrifying to Elizabeth. Most couldn’t feel the hot breath of vengeance breathing down their neck.
    Noah nodded. “More often it freezes in September, in some places anyway. I saw a group heading out