Carly cupped Seth’s jaw. “I love you.”
“Back atcha.” Seth wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her. His green eyes were filled with worry. “Is someone staying with your mom today? She shouldn’t be alone here right now.”
“Nell and a few other women from town will be here in an hour to help get the house sorted out. Debra is coming to finish the prep for Christmas brunch.” Because not even a break-in would keep Patsy from delivering all her children’s favorite holiday dishes. “Stevie is coming at noon to shuttle her to the hospital to visit Bruce.”
“How is he?”
“I texted with him an hour ago. He wants to come home, but the doctor is keeping him one more night. The nurse who connected me to his room said he was in a lot of pain.” Carly was sure every inch of her brother hurt this morning, especially his heart.
“Be careful.” Seth kissed her and left.
“Where did Daddy go?” Brianna stood in the doorway. Her hair hung in a knotted tangle to her shoulders.
“He had to go to work.” Carly smiled. “How about some French toast?”
The little girl nodded.
“Get dressed while I make breakfast,” Carly said. “And later we’ll go see Santa.”
Brianna brightened. “Is Daddy coming?”
Carly hesitated. Seth had said he’d be there, but who knew what would come up during his day? He was chasing a killer. “He’ll do his best.”
“But he promised.” Brianna’s voice rose to a whiny pitch that made Carly’s teeth ache. But she could hardly expect the best behavior from a child who’d gotten only half her usual amount of sleep. A nap for Brianna went on Carly’s mental schedule, right after the trip to see Santa.
Carly dragged the portable crib into the main room to use as a playpen. Her cabin was not babyproofed. It took her a ridiculous number of hours to feed, wash, and dress the two girls. By the time she had them ready, they were hungry again. Charlotte definitely did not like being confined, and her repeated cries for her mother cracked Carly’s heart. Lacking appropriate baby toys, she handed her a wooden spoon and a pot, then showed her how to play drum. An hour later her head felt like a gong and she regretted her choice of impromptu toddler entertainment.
Carly tucked both kids into winter coats and hats, then checked the supplies in the diaper bag.
“We’re going to be late, Mama.” Brianna propped her hands on her hips.
“No, honey. Santa will be at the firehouse all day.” Carly shrugged into her parka and tugged the hem over her gun. Between her heavy sweater and her down coat, the weapon was invisible.
Finally Carly loaded both kids into the Jeep. After tossing the diaper bag behind the seat with her purse, she drove into town.
“Did Daddy call?” Brianna asked.
“No, sweetheart.” Carly handed her phone over the seat to her daughter. “Why don’t you call him?”
“Daddy?” Excitement raised Brianna’s voice as she talked to Seth.
Charlotte babbled in a singsong voice from the backseat. Grateful that the baby wasn’t crying, Carly turned down Main Street. Wreaths decorated streetlamps. Lights and garlands were strung across the road. The plate glass window of the Dairy Queen had been painted with images of Santa, his sleigh, and all nine reindeer. Carly spotted James walking down the sidewalk with Donald the pharmacist/realtor and Andrew, the potential buyer of the O’Rourke resort. James was working hard to make the sale of the O’Rourke property happen. Too many people were out of work in Solitude, and the business was sorely needed.
Carly cruised past the firehouse but didn’t see any parking spots.
“Mama, Daddy says he’s almost here,” Brianna said from the backseat. “Daddy, there’s the puppet show!” she squealed.
Charlotte clapped and emitted an ear-piercingly happy shriek in response.
The Rotary Club had put up the usual hot cocoa booth and puppet show to entertain the kids while they waited in line. Scanning the curb for parking spots, Carly turned down a side street. Everyone was here to see Santa today. She stopped at an intersection.
“Mama,” Brianna said. “Daddy wants to know where we are.”
With his official vehicle, Seth could park behind the firehouse.
“Tell him Third Street,” Carly said to her daughter’s reflection in the rearview mirror. She spotted an empty space at the curb and glided the car into it. She eased closer to the bumper of a minivan.
Something tapped on her window. Carly turned, and her heart stopped.
A man pointed a gun though her passenger window. “Get out of the car.”
No. No. No. She couldn’t let anything happen to the children. Terrified, she froze.
“I said get out of the fucking car,” he screamed. From the tight distance, the muzzle of the gun looked huge.
Carly’s heart thudded against her sternum as she shifted into reverse. No matter what happened, she would not leave the children.
“Now!” He shifted his aim to point directly at Brianna.