Holiday Wishes by Nora Roberts

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—”
    â€œIt’s a dog.” He had her by the arms before she could run across the empty field. “It’s a dog, Faith.”
    â€œOh, 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—”
    â€œStop it!”
    â€œShe’s cold and she must be frightened.”
    â€œAnd 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.”
    â€œYou wait in the car. I’m going to walk across this field for a bit and see if I spot something.”
    â€œI’ll go with you.”
    â€œI 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.
    â€œIt’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.”
    â€œIs my mom mad?” Shivering, Marcie wept against her shoulder.
    â€œNo, no, she’s just worried. Everyone is.”
    â€œUp 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.”
    â€œThen let’s go home.”
    â€œWe didn’t mean to get lost.” Clara’s tears ran down his collar.
    â€œOf course you didn’t.”
    â€œWe 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.”
    â€œMom was crying.”
    â€œShe’s okay, too.” He stopped at the car. “Can you handle them both on your lap in the front? They’ll be warmer.”
    â€œAbsolutely.” After Faith had settled in with Marcie, Jason handed her Clara. For one long moment, their gazes held over her head.
    â€œWe couldn’t find the lights of the house with all the snow,” Clara murmured as she held on to her mother.
    â€œThen we couldn’t find the road for the longest time. It was so cold. I didn’t lose my hat.”
    â€œI know, baby. Here, get your wet mittens off. You, too, Marcie. Jason has the heater turned all the way up. You’ll be cooked before you know it.” She ran kisses over two cold faces and fought the need to break down. “What Christmas carols did you sing?”
    â€œâ€˜Jingle Bells,’” Marcie said with a sniffle.
    â€œAh, one of my favorites.”
    â€œAnd ‘Joy to the World,’” Clara put in. The heater was pumping warm air over her hands and face. “You like that one better.”
    â€œSo I do, but I can’t remember just how it