Journey Back to Christmas. Leigh Duncan

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СКАЧАТЬ spot Sue preferred. A basket of chew toys stood beside a cozy dog’s bed in one corner. Hanna swallowed hard. This, she said to herself, this was the kind of home she’d hoped to make for her and Chet.

      “I couldn’t. Really.” Putting her best effort into maintaining her smile, she backed toward the door.

      A baby’s thin wail floated down the stairs.

      “Oh, that’s little Clara.” Sue’s face fell. “I didn’t have the heart to tell her that Ruffin was missing.”

      “I’ll go up and tuck her in.” Before anyone could argue, Hal headed for the stairs. “I can give her the good news about her puppy.”

      Sue took another quick peek out the window. “Won’t you please stay the night? The snow is really coming down.”

      “Thanks for the offer, but I don’t live far. Just over on Elm Street.” Hanna pulled on her gloves. With a young child, as well as an active dog to take care of, Sue needed an overnight guest as much as they all needed another snow storm.

      “Are you sure there’s no way we can thank you?” Sue trailed her to the door.

      “You already have.” Knowing that Ruffin would share the holiday with his family was thanks enough. “Merry Christmas.”

      “You, too. Drive safe.” One hand clutching Ruffin by the collar, Sue waved goodbye.

      “I will,” Hanna promised as she let herself out.

      On the front porch, she sucked in a surprised gasp. During the short time she’d spent inside, the storm had transformed the landscape into a winter wonderland. Tall trees bent under the weight of the falling snow. A thick layer of white made it difficult to see where the driveway ended and the street began. Overhead, cloud cover obscured the stars.

      “Oh!” With the storm raging, Toby wouldn’t get to see the De Vico Comet tonight after all. She hoped her favorite patient wouldn’t be too disappointed.

      She hesitated for another second, wondering if she’d made a huge mistake by turning down Sue’s hospitality. But the thought of spending the night with the Bunces, of watching the family enjoy the life she’d dreamed of sharing with Chet, was too much, so, steeling herself against the cold, she headed for her car.

      With several inches of snow on the ground, getting out of the driveway presented a challenge, but she overcame it. Creeping along well below her normal speed, she half expected conditions to improve once she reached the center of town. But a gust of gut-tightening wind buffeted the car as she turned onto Main Street. The wiper blades lost ground against the mix of snow and ice that fell harder and thicker with every passing moment. She urged the blades to swish back and forth faster. Her breath fogged the windows, reducing her view of the world beyond the glass to two small half circles. Thunder rolled above her. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened until her hands ached.

      Even though it meant she didn’t have to worry about traffic, the fact that hers was the only car on the road made her heart race. Forcing herself to stay calm, she overruled the little voice in her head that goaded her to drive faster, faster. Instead, she eased her foot from the gas pedal until the big Hudson moved at a snail’s pace. Still, that wasn’t enough. Her breath froze in her chest as the tires skidded across an icy patch. The car shimmied. The steering wheel slid beneath her fingers. She grabbed for it and held on tight, but the big car only spun in a lazy circle. It landed with a metal-rending thump in a snow drift. The engine ticked.

      Hanna shuddered out a breath. She flexed her fingers, wiggled her feet. Nothing hurt. She hadn’t been injured; she had that much to be thankful for.

      She goosed the gas. A loud whine came from the rear of the car. The tires spun in useless circles on the ice.

      With a groan, she shifted into reverse and, offering up a little prayer, pressed on the gas. The car didn’t budge.

      She drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. Sitting here wasn’t the answer. Long before morning, she’d run out of gas. Without gas, the heater that barely kept the cold at bay would quit altogether. If that happened, she’d freeze to death while the blizzard howled around her. Much as she’d rather stay put, she needed to get someplace warm and dry.

      A deep pile of snow blocked her door. Unable to open it, she slid across the front seat, forced the passenger side door open, and climbed out into the drift. Ice spilled over the tops of her shoes and melted onto her hose. She shivered as the harsh wind whipped her hair. Clamping a hand on her hat, she struggled through the snow bank to an area where the wet powder lay only a foot or so deep. With everything covered in a thickening blanket of white, nothing looked familiar. Though she couldn’t identify any landmarks, she knew she had to be near the center of town. In the distance, a halo of light broke through the darkness.

      That has to be the gazebo. If she could just make it that far, she’d be all right. Though the swirling snow made it hard to see, she trusted that there’d be people on the square, people who could help her. Not more than an hour earlier, she’d seen the gathering crowd. Surely, they’d still be there singing carols and drinking hot chocolate. She only had to make it that far to find help. To find warmth.

      The blinding snow made even a short walk heavy, treacherous going. Her head down, she cautiously studied every step. Bit by bit, she forged a path. Ice crunched beneath her shoes. Her leather soles skidded. The punishing wind tugged and pried at every opening, every seam in her coat. Wet, cold droplets pelted her brow, clung to her hair, and sent chills down her back.

      She pressed on, determined.

      Her foot struck a wooden step, and her head jerked up. After what had seemed like an eternity of trudging through the snow, she’d finally reached the gazebo. She turned in a slow circle without seeing another soul. Doubt landed a solid punch to her stomach.

      Had she come all this way for nothing?

      She wasted no time in taking stock. What was the use? Her fingers had already grown so numb she’d had trouble looping her purse over her arm. The cold seared her lungs with every breath. Her feet had turned into blocks of ice. If she didn’t find shelter soon, she’d be frozen stiff by morning.

      Through the clouds, an odd light lit the sky. She squinted in the dim glow and spotted a storage barn she’d never noticed before. It stood not more than fifty yards from her. Could she make it that far? She had to. Pulling her coat as tightly about her as she could, she set off, determined, if nothing else, to get out of the wind, out of the snow.

      Ominous thunder rolled overhead. Lightning flashed in the distance. The sky grew brighter. A faint glow cast an eerie light on the snow. A shiver ran straight down her spine. By sheer force of will, she made her feet move faster.

      It took every ounce of strength she had left, and then some, to reach the barn. Wrenching the door open, she stepped inside. She barely had time to shut herself in before, trembling with exhaustion, her legs gave out. She sank to her knees. Just as she did, a sudden burst of lightning clapped the building. The air pulsed with such force, it flung her across the tiny space. Blinding pain seared through her as her head struck something hard and unforgiving.

      And everything went dark.

Chapter Three

      December 2016

      Parked СКАЧАТЬ