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Sure enough, my worst fears were answered when Nan appeared about five minutes later. She was wearing a hot pink velour tracksuit and held a leopard print coat with a fur collar draped over one arm.“C’mon, we’ve got to get going a little early today. I have a quick stop-off to make before we hit the trail.”

I doubted there was a trail, unless she’d woken up early to shovel one herself. A giant yawn pushed its way out from my chest as a massive shiver racked through my body. “You and Paisley have fun out there!”

“Oh, no. Today you’re coming too,” Nan insisted, reaching for my hand and attempting to pull me from my seat.

I ripped away as if she’d scalded me with her soft touch. “Ha, ha. Nice try. Today’s answer is the same as it’s been every other day you’ve asked me. Octo-Cat and I will hold down the fort here. See you when you’re back.”

“Nope. I’m not taking no for an answer this time.” She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her gaze threateningly.

“Why not? You’ve taken it every other day.” I was pushing my luck and I knew it.

She motioned toward the galactic space cats calendar that hung on the wall above my desk, then groaned and marched over to it. Flipping the page up, she pointed to a calico kitten flying through the stars in a giant cartoon taco shell.“It’s the first day of a new month. February.”

I stayed silent, accepting that the more I argued the harder she’d come down on me in the end.

Nan, however, refused to be dismissed.“You may have completely flubbed up January, but a new month means a new start.”

“Can I maybe start in a warmer month?” I glanced out the window again. Everything was white—the ground, the sky, my reflection as all the color drained from my face in fear. She meant it this time.

I was doomed, but I still had to give my resistance one last illfated shot.“I don’t have anything to run in,” I complained and forced a sad look.

“Ahh, but you do.” A giant smile lit Nan’s face. “You’ll find a new jogging suit that matches mine exactly. I also picked up some sport boots and thick wool socks. Everything’s waiting for you in your room. Chop, chop. Like I said, we have a quick stop-off to make before hitting the trail.”

Not even cute corn shell taco cats in outer space could save me now. I lifted my eyes to meet her, telepathically pleading for her to have some mercy.

It did not work.

“Five minutes,” she said firmly and then began tapping her foot, already beyond the limits of her patience with me. “Then I’m dragging you outside, whether or not you’re ready.”

We both knew she’d push me butt naked into the snow if I took even a second longer. We also both knew that she was the stronger of the two of us.

I raced out of the library and up to my tower bedroom to get ready. Octo-Cat’s smug laughter followed me every step of the way.

Chapter Three

I gripped the handle for the passenger side door of Nan’s little red sports coupe, but it didn’t budge. Normally, Nan not only unlocked the car in advance but she also remote started it so the interior would be toasty warm by the time we took off.

“We’re taking your car,” she called from the porch as she locked up then descended with Paisley in tow.

My car, however, was not where I usually parked it.

Noting my hesitation, Nan pointed toward the far side of the house.

My breaths burst out in icy puffs. As much as I didn’t look forward to running, at least it would make me warm. Right?

The moment I spotted my car, an indignant groan ripped right through me. My once-modest sedan had been outfitted with a hot pink snowplow.“What’s this?” I screamed.

Nan passed by me, opened the door, and situated herself in the driver’s seat. “For making the trail, of course.”

Oh, of course.“Why is it hot pink?”

She shot me a proud grin.“Because that’s my favorite color. You know that. I had it custom made.”

“And did you put it on all by yourself, too?” I managed. Even though my grandmother was in fantastic shape, it was hard imagining her heaving this enormous thing around single-handedly.

She waved off my question with a deft swirl of her hand.“Don’t be silly. I called Cal over to help.”

Great. The next time I saw our favorite local handyman, he’d be getting a very stern talking to. I climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up.

Paisley immediately put her paws on the door and stared out the ice-covered window. I couldn’t imagine she saw much.

“Why are we in the car? We don’t need the car for running. We use our feet!”

Personally, I had other questions in mind.“Are you sure my car can handle this? There’s a reason these things are usually on trucks.”

Nan snorted.“This one’s made of plastic instead of metal. I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

Uh-huh. Famous last words.

Besides, how else are we supposed to carve out our running trail?” She turned the key in the ignition and my tacky, made-over car sputtered to life. We jerked forward, then stopped again just as suddenly.

“What happened?” I demanded of my grandmother.