Read Online Deep Freeze Christmas by Marian P. Merritt - Free Book Online

that looked like scissors. Once she found what she thought to be wire cutters, she slipped them into her jacket along with the flashlight and ran back out.
    She closed the cabin door and flipped her visor down while she raced to the snowmobile. A quick turn around, and she was barreling down the trail. The snow had piled higher and the machine worked harder to get through, but she pushed forward. When she came to the spot where she thought Cameron and Max waited, she slowed and pulled the flashlight from her jacket. Adrenaline pulsed through her veins. Her breathing, rapid and heavy, echoed in her helmet. Be there.
    As she scanned the side of the trail with the flashlight, the reflection of the blustery snow filled the lighted path. She inched forward and scanned again. Nothing. Surely, this was where she'd left them.
     
    ****
     
    The more time passed before Leona's return, the tighter Cameron's chest constricted. He never should have let her go off alone in this weather. It was too dangerous, and she didn't know where she was going. How could he? God, please keep her safe.
    The prayer surprised him. It was like he'd bounced back to sixth grade when God was a big part of his life. A time when he'd had friends in Louisiana who believed and encouraged him to believe, too. He'd been in sixth grade and his mom and dad were not getting along. His friends offered support and prayed with him.
    Julian had played a key role in keeping his parents together by praying with them and introducing them to a pastor who showed them another way. Why had they all strayed? Had money replaced God in their lives?
    "It's OK, boy she'll be back soon." He patted a whimpering Max and hoped by saying the words out loud he'd believe them as well.
    He listened closely hoping to hear the whine of the snowmobile engine. She couldn’t be too much longer.
    After a few minutes, the drone of the engine cut through the blistery howling of the wind through the trees. Cameron plodded through the accumulated snow and stood on the path. The lights of the snowmobile shone through the heavy snow. Relief flooded his heart when he saw Leona on the trail. Thank You, God, for keeping her safe.
    As she inched closer, he waved his arms overhead hoping she'd see him. When she reached him, she turned the snowmobile around so it faced up the mountain and then hopped off. She left the engine running. When she handed him the wire cutters, he wrapped his arm around her neck. "I'm glad you made it back. I was getting a little worried."
    She returned the hug. "I'm glad I made it back. How's Max?"
    "Ready to be free."
    They crouched behind the large tree while she held the flashlight so he could untangle Max.
     
     
     
     

Onze
     
    Leona knelt next to Max and took deep controlled breaths. Slowly, slowly, her breathing returned to normal. With one hand, she held Max and with the other the flashlight, as Cameron worked under the limbs of the fir tree. With each clip of the wire, Max struggled to be free, making Cameron's job more difficult. The fear in the dog’s eyes tore at Leona's heart. She bent close to Max's head, crooking her fingers around his collar and whispering in his ear. The action calmed him enough for Cameron to slice through two of the remaining wires and freeing the dog at last.
    She held on to Max’s collar, thwarting his attempt to bolt once freed. Cameron grabbed his collar with his free hand and gave Leona the cutters. She placed them back into her jacket and hiked toward the snowmobile. Once there, she hopped on and slid as far forward as she could. Cameron lifted Max onto the seat and climbed on behind him.
    "Ready." She had to raise her voice so Cameron could hear her through the helmet and above the wind.
    He pointed toward the top of the trail and shook his finger.
    She pulled back on the throttle and climbed back toward the cabin. With the extra weight and pushing uphill against the north wind, their progress was slow. Leona strained to see past