Free Holiday Wishes by Nora Roberts Page B

the snow calling. Jason had barely stopped when Faith was out and running toward the sheriff.
    “We haven’t found them yet, Faith, but we will. They won’t have gone far.”
    “You’ve searched the barn and the outbuildings?”
    The sheriff nodded at Jason. “Every inch.”
    “How about in the other direction?”
    “I’m going to send some men that way.”
    “We’ll go now.”
    The snow was blinding as he weaved through the other cars. He slackened his speed even more and started to pray. He’d been on a search party once in the Rockies. He hadn’t forgotten what a few hours in the wind and snow could do.
    “I should have made her wear another sweater.” Faith gripped her hands together in her lap as she strained to see out the window. In her hurry she’d forgotten her gloves but didn’t notice her numb fingers. “She hates it so when I fuss and I didn’t want to spoil the evening for her. Christmas is so special for Clara. She’s been so excited.” Her voice broke as a ripple of fear became a wave. “I should have made her wear another sweater. She’ll be— Stop! ”
    The car fishtailed as he hit the brakes. It took every ounce of control for him to deal with the swerve. Faith pushed open the door and stumbled out. “Over there, it’s—”
    “It’s a dog.” He had her by the arms before she could run across the empty field. “It’s a dog, Faith.”
    “Oh, God.” Beyond control, she collapsed against him. “She’s just a little girl. Where could she be? Oh, Jason, where is she? I should have gone with her. If I’d been there she—”
    “Stop it!”
    “She’s cold and she must be frightened.”
    “And she needs you.” He gave her a quick shake. “She needs you.”
    Struggling for control, she pressed a hand to her mouth. “Yes. Yes, I’m all right. Let’s go. Let’s go a little farther.”
    “You wait in the car. I’m going to walk across this field for a bit and see if I spot something.”
    “I’ll go with you.”
    “I can move faster alone. I’ll only be a few minutes.” He started to urge her toward the car when a flash of red caught his eye. “Over there.”
    He gripped her arm as he tried to see through the snow. Just at the edge of the field, he saw it again.
    “It’s Clara.” Faith was already struggling away. “She has a red coat.” Snow kicked up around her as she ran. It fell cold and wet to mix with the tears that blinded her vision. With all the breath she had she called out. Arms spread wide, she caught both girls to her. “Oh, God, Clara, I’ve been so scared. Here, here now, you’re frozen, both of you. We’ll get to the car. Everything’s going to be fine. Everything’s all right now.”
    “Is my mom mad?” Shivering, Marcie wept against her shoulder.
    “No, no, she’s just worried. Everyone is.”
    “Up you go.” Jason hauled Clara up in his arms. For one brief minute he gave himself the luxury of nuzzling his daughter. Looking back, he saw Faith gathering up Marcie. “Can you manage?”
    She smiled, holding the still-weeping girl close. “No problem.”
    “Then let’s go home.”
    “We didn’t mean to get lost.” Clara’s tears ran down his collar.
    “Of course you didn’t.”
    “We just went to look at the horses and we got all turned around. We couldn’t find anybody. I wasn’t scared.” Her breath hitched as she pressed against him. “Just Marcie.”
    His child. He felt his own vision blur as he wrapped his arms tighter around her. “You’re both safe now.”
    “Mom was crying.”
    “She’s okay, too.” He stopped at the car. “Can you handle them both on your lap in the front? They’ll be warmer.”
    “Absolutely.” After Faith had settled in with Marcie, Jason handed her Clara. For one long moment, their gazes held over her head.
    “We couldn’t find the lights of the house with all the snow,” Clara murmured as she held on to her mother.
    “Then we couldn’t find the road for the longest time. It was