Holiday Wishes by Nora Roberts Page B

widow’s doorstep. “You knew, didn’t you? You knew I was Clara’s father.”
    â€œI had my ideas.” The rocker squeaked gently as she moved. “She had the look of you.”
    That brought a peculiar thrill, one he didn’t know what to do with. “She’s the image of Faith.”
    â€œTrue enough if you don’t look hard. The eyebrows are you, and the mouth. The sweet Lord knows the temperament is. Jason, if you’d known you were to be a father ten years back, what would you have done?”
    â€œI’d have come back for her.” He turned, dragging a hand through his hair. “I’d have panicked,” he said more calmly. “But I’d have come back.”
    â€œI always thought so. But it—well, it’s Faith’s story to tell. You’d best go on back and hear it.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter.”
    â€œCan’t stand a martyr,” she muttered.
    He started to snap, then sighed instead. “It hurts. It really hurts.”
    â€œThat’s life for you,” she said, not unsympathetically. “Want to lose them both again?”
    â€œNo. God, no. But I don’t know how much I can forgive.”
    The old woman raised both brows. “Fair enough. Give Faith the same courtesy.”
    Before he could speak again, the kitchen door burst open. In the doorway stood Faith, covered with snow, face washed with tears. Ignoring the wet she brought in with her, she ran to Jason. “Clara,” she managed to stammer.
    When he took her arms he felt the shudders. Terror flowed from her into him. “What’s happened?”
    â€œShe’s missing.”

Chapter 9
    â€œThey’re going to find her.” Jason held her arm as they both stumbled through the snow to her car. “They probably have already.”
    â€œOne of the kids said he thought she and Marcie went behind this farmhouse to look at the horses in the barn. But when they went back, they weren’t there. It’s dark.” Faith fumbled with her keys.
    â€œLet me drive.”
    She gave him no argument as she climbed in the passenger side. “Lorna and Bill called the sheriff from the farmhouse. Half the town’s out there looking for them. But there’s so much snow, and they’re just little girls. Jason—”
    He took her face in his hands, firmly. “We’re going to find them.”
    â€œYes.” She wiped away tears with the heels of her hands. “Let’s hurry.”
    He couldn’t risk more than thirty miles an hour. They crept down the snow-covered road, searching the landscape for any sign. The hills and fields lay pristine and undisturbed. To Faith they looked unrelenting. But while fear still overwhelmed her, she’d conquered the tears.
    Ten miles out of town the fields were lit up like noonday. Groups of cars crisscrossed the road and men and women tramped through the snow calling. Jason had barely stopped when Faith was out and running toward the sheriff.
    â€œWe haven’t found them yet, Faith, but we will. They won’t have gone far.”
    â€œYou’ve searched the barn and the outbuildings?”
    The sheriff nodded at Jason. “Every inch.”
    â€œHow about in the other direction?”
    â€œI’m going to send some men that way.”
    â€œWe’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.
    â€œI 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.