Page 97 - My FlipBook

T R A I L O F C R U M B S

then into the kitchen, his hands out to test the air. “It’s a little
warmer in the kitchen.”
“We were”—Ash cleared his throat—“cooking something.”
“And the bedrooms?” Elgin asked.
“Colder,” Greta said.
Elgin eyed the kitchen counter with the empty soup can,
a ring of fluorescent yellow goo dribbling off the lid. “Do you
have enough food?”

Greta shrugged. “We have a little.”
Elgin crossed his arms against the cold, his face settling
in a grimace. “I may have a space heater upstairs.” He climbed
the staircase between the suites, leaving the top door open
behind him. Ash raised an eyebrow at Greta, and they both
waited.
No one moved until he came back down again, his arms

empty. “I must’ve loaned it to my daughter.”
“That’s okay,” Greta said, starting to turn away.
“But…” Elgin clasped his hands again. “Um…”
Greta and Ash faced him. His eyebrows worked overtime.
“If you like”—Elgin coughed—“I have a spare room
upstairs.”
Greta leaned forward slightly, her mouth opening.
Ash frowned and flipped his hair from his eyes.
“You could stay there for now,” Elgin continued, “until

your aunt comes back.” His words came fast and clear
now. “It’s warm. I have money for food, but I hate grocery
shopping. I’ve been having groceries delivered and paying
someone to shovel the walk too. I don’t like going outside

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