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Christopher started the engine and began the careful drive back to Hearthside Cottage, gripping the steering wheel tightly, scanning every shadow and movement along the roadside even though he knew the chances of spotting Layla from his truck were essentially zero.

There was nothing else he could do. The fire department would conduct their search, and he had to believe they would find her and bring her back safely. His job now was to get back to his other guests, to keep them safe and comfortable and unaware of the drama unfolding in the storm.

But as he pulled into the cottage’s driveway and parked the truck, he sat there for a moment watching the snow accumulate on his windshield. He couldn’t shake the worry that had settled into his bones.

Layla was out there somewhere, in the dark and the cold and the snow. And all he could do was wait.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The December wind howled against the front windows of Artisan Chocolates, rattling the glass in a way that made Imogen’s stomach clench with worry. She stood behind the counter as she watched the snow swirl in thick, angry gusts down Main Street. The storm had picked up with a ferocity that seemed to have come out of nowhere, transforming the gentle snowfall of an hour ago into something menacing. She’d known there was a storm coming, but she hadn’t realized it would be so intense. It had strengthened very suddenly.

Imogen pressed a hand to her abdomen. Pregnant. The word kept echoing through her mind, as it had ever since she’d left the doctor’s office. She kept vacillating between joy and nervousness, and she’d been trying all afternoon to figure out the perfect way to tell Lincoln and Katie, rehearsing different scenarios in her head while she’d gone through the motions of serving customers and restocking the display cases.

The pregnancy hormones weren’t helping matters. Every time she tried to settle on the right words, the right moment, her emotions would surge and she’d find herself second-guessing everything. What if Katie felt replaced? What if Lincoln was overwhelmed? What if she couldn’t handle being a mother to two children? The questions spiraled through her mind, each one more anxiety-inducing than the last. She’d wanted this, but now that it was a reality, the prospect of so many changes and so many variables were making her nerves spiral out of control.

She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was time to close up, especially with the storm growing worse. No more customers would be coming in; she could see the few remaining townspeople hurrying to their cars or homes before the storm worsened. Through the window, she could see the Christmas lights that Henry Cline had so carefully installed swaying in the wind, their cheerful glow doing little to dispel the growing darkness of the early winter evening.

The sound of laughter from the back room pulled her attention in that direction. Katie was back there playing, and had been since the Frosty the Snowman event had ended that afternoon. The thought of her oldest child, so full of innocent joy, made Imogen’s heart swell with love and fresh tears threaten to spill over. She still couldn’t settle on the right time to tell her. Should she wait until after Christmas, and let Katie enjoy the magical season without the distraction of such big news? Or would that be keeping something from her that she’d want to know sooner rather than later?

Imogen shook her head, trying to clear the fog of overthinking that seemed to have taken up permanent residence in her mind. She needed to get Katie home. The roads were already looking treacherous, and if they waited much longer, they might not be able to make it safely. The thought sent a fresh wave of anxiety coursing through her, stronger than before. She had two children to protect now. The responsibility felt enormous.

She locked the front door just in case of any customers foolish enough to be out in this weather, and walked to the back room. Katie was seated on the floor, surrounded by a small village of toys, her dark hair falling forward as she concentrated on arranging them just so. She looked up when Imogen entered, her face breaking into a smile that made Imogen’s heart ache with love.

“Mama, look! I made a Christmas parade,” Katie announced, gesturing to the line of toy animals and people she’d created. “The reindeer are leading, and then comes Santa, and then all the townspeople following behind.”

Imogen crouched down beside her daughter, smiling as she looked at the arrangement. “That’s beautiful, sweetheart. You’re so creative.” She paused, glancing toward the small window that showed the storm still raging outside. “But we need to head home now. The storm is getting worse, and I don’t want us to get stuck here.”

Katie’s face fell slightly, but she nodded. “Okay, Mama. Can I bring the reindeer home with me?”

“Of course you can.” Imogen helped her daughter gather the toys, then stood, offering her hand. “Let’s get our coats on and get to the car as quickly as we can.”

Imogen helped Katie into her winter coat, wrapping her scarf snugly around her neck and pulling her beanie down over her ears. Her hands trembled slightly. The hormones were making everything feel more intense, more urgent, more frightening than it probably needed to be. She took a deep breath, trying to center herself, but the knot in her stomach only tightened.

Through the front window, she could see the parking lot, and her heart sank at the sight of her car. Snow had already accumulated on the windshield and hood, and the pavement looked slick with ice. The wind was strong enough that she could see it pushing against the other parked vehicles, and the thought of driving in these conditions with Katie in the car made her feel physically ill.

She pulled out her phone, her fingers fumbling as she tried to call Lincoln. But when she held the phone to her ear, there was nothing. No signal. The storm must have knocked out a cell tower, or the weather was simply too severe for the signal to get through. She tried again, then a third time, but each attempt met with the same result.

The tears she’d been holding back finally spilled over. She turned away from Katie, not wanting her daughter to see her cry, and pressed a hand to her mouth to stifle the sob that threatened to escape. This was ridiculous. She was being ridiculous. It was just a storm… she’d lived in Fir Tree Grove her whole life and she’d weathered plenty of them. But Katie’s presence combined with the knowledge of the new little one she was carrying made everything feel so much more intense.

“Mama?” Katie sounded worried. “Are you okay?”

Imogen wiped at her eyes quickly, forcing a smile as she turned back to her daughter. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Just worried about the weather. But we’re going to be just fine. We’ll take it slow and careful, and we’ll be home before you know it.”

She was reaching for her own coat when she heard the sound of a vehicle pulling up outside. Through the window, she could see Lincoln’s truck, its headlights cutting through the swirling snow. Relief flooded through her, and she pressed a hand to her chest. Of course he was here. Lincoln always seemed to know when she needed him.

The door opened, bringing with it a gust of frigid air and swirling snowflakes. Lincoln stepped inside, his coat dusted with white, his cheeks red from the cold. His eyes found hers immediately, and she saw the concern in them.

“I tried calling, but the signal’s out,” he said, closing the door firmly behind him and stomping the snow from his boots. “I figured you two might need a ride home. The roads are getting bad fast.” He looked at Imogen more closely, and his expression shifted to alarm. “Imogen? What’s wrong?”

She shook her head, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. Katie, oblivious to the tension, ran to Lincoln with her usual enthusiasm.

“Lincoln! Look what I found in my toys!” She held up the wooden reindeer. “It’s for our Christmas parade at home.”

Lincoln smiled at her, ruffling her hair affectionately. “That’s perfect, Katie-bug. Do you have everything you need? We’re going to leave your mom’s car here and all ride home together in my truck. It’ll be safer that way.”

Katie nodded, then a second later, her eyes rounded. “Wait!” she exclaimed. “I forgot my doll! I’ll be right back, okay?”

She scampered toward the back room, and Lincoln turned to Imogen, his face creasing with concern as he took in her expression. He reached up, brushing the tear tracks away from one cheek.