Read Online Angels in the Snow by Rexanne Becnel - Free Book Online Page B

That was one reason Charles had insisted they come here in the first place. No distractions.
    But now it meant no help.
    Her panic must have shown on her face, because Marilyn put a comforting hand on her arm and pulled her to sit on the couch. “Here, sit next to your husband and warm him up,” she instructed as she pushed Charles down as well. “Everything’s going to be fine. You’ll see.”
    While she was there, smiling at them both in such a warm, motherly fashion, Judith believed her. But when Marilyn turned away to show Alex and Robbie where the mattresses were to go, fear washed over Judith again. Then Charles’s arm came around her shoulder and pulled her close, and a whole new confusion swept through her.
    â€œYou’re warm,” he said. She felt him shiver and tuck her even nearer. “I’ve never been so cold as I was out there. The snow has already drifted hip high in some areas. I could hardly see the car. And the wind—” He shook his head, then turned his face and kissed her left temple. “It slices right through you, as if you don’t have so many clothes on that you can hardly move. This is one serious storm.”
    â€œDo you think anyone will come for us?” she asked as his body warmth began to rise.
    â€œNo. Nobody in their right minds will go out in this blizzard. But it can’t last forever.” He sighed, then lowered his voice to a whisper. “But it’ll probably feel like forever, being stuck here with a bunch of strangers. ’Course, I guess it could be worse.” He kissed her temple again, and this time she could feel his tight muscles relaxing. “I guess we’re getting more of a white Christmas than we bargained for.”
    There was something reassuring about sitting in a deep couch with her husband’s arm around her, and Judith let herself succumb to the feeling. Charles wasn’t a bad husband. His intentions were good, and he really did love his family.
    So why was she seriously considering leaving him?
    That eternal debate between her head and heart was interrupted by the tearful appearance of the Walkers’ youngest child, Josie.
    â€œMama!” She barreled headlong into her mother’s arms. All that Judith could see of her was a riot of golden curls. The rest was hidden by her maroon-and-blue sweater and her mother’s surprised embrace.
    â€œJosie, what is it? Oh, lord.” Marilyn pressed a hand to her daughter’s head, then looked at Judith. “She has a fever.”
    Judith was up at once. While she searched the medicine cabinets for a Tylenol, Charles fixed a pallet on a chair near the fireplace. When Joe came in with more wood and spied Josie in Marilyn’s arms, he disposed of his load and crossed to kneel before the two.
    â€œWhat’s this, pumpkin?” He grinned at his daughter as he felt her flushed brow. “You can’t get sick on us now. You’ll miss out on all the fun.”
    â€œWhat fun, Daddy?”
    â€œWell, we’ve got to go out and cut down a Christmas tree. And then decorate it.” He sat on the couch and eased Josie into his arms. “Plus, I thought we’d play charades tonight. Like we always do around the campfire. I know how much you like charades.”
    The five-year-old settled into his embrace. “But this isn’t a campfire.”
    â€œOh, yes it is. It’s an inside campfire. We’re camping out inside ’cause it’s too cold to sleep in a tent.”
    â€œCan she swallow a half-tablet? Or should I dissolve it in something?” Judith asked.
    â€œI’m not a baby.” Josie sat up and took her medicine. Everyone had come into the living room and her eyes swept the group. When her gaze touched on Alex, however, her baby face became fearful. She looked back up at her father. “Can my fingers fall off if they get too cold? Can they?”
    â€œWhat? Where did you get such a