Page 49 of The Holiday Gift

She burst into tears and Faith instantly went to her side and wrapped her arms around her. Her younger sister was normally so controlled in any crisis. Even when they had been kidnapped, Hope had been calm and cool.

Seeing her lose it like this broke Faith’s heart in two.

“What do you need me to do? I can call Rafe. I can run you into the doctor’s. Whatever you need.”

“I just called Rafe.” Hope wiped at her eyes, though she continued to weep. “He’s on his way and we’re running into Jake Dalton’s office. It might be nothing. I might be overreacting. I hope so.”

“I do, too.” She whispered a prayer that her sister could endure whatever outcome.

She wouldn’t let herself focus on the worst, thinking instead about what a wonderful mother Hope would be. She was made for it. She loved children and had spent much of her adult life following their parents’ examples and trying to help those in need around the world in her own way.

Really, coming home and running The Christmas Ranch had been one more way Hope wanted to help people, by giving them a little bit of holiday spirit in a frazzled word.

“It’s the worst possible time,” Hope said, her eyes distressed. “Within the hour, I’ve got forty kids showing up to practice for the play.”

“That is absolutely the least of your concerns,” Faith said, going into big sister mode. “I forbid you to worry about a single thing at The Christmas Ranch. You’ve got an excellent staff, not to mention a family ready to step in and cover whatever else you might need. Focus on yourself and on the baby. That’s an order.”

Hope managed a wobbly smile that did nothing to conceal the fear beneath it. “You’re always so bossy.”

“That’s right.” She squeezed her sister’s fingers. “And right now I’m ordering you to lie down and wait for your husband, this instant.”

Hope went to the low sofa in the office and complied. While she rested, Faith found her sister’s coat and her voluminous tote bag and carried them both to her, then sat holding her hand for a few more moments, until Rafe arrived.

He looked as pale as his wife and hugged her tightly, green eyes murky with worry. “Whatever happens, we’ll be okay,” he assured her.

It took all her strength not to sob at the gentleness of the big, tough former navy SEAL as he all but carried Hope out to his SUV and settled her into the passenger side. Faith handed her the tote bag she had carried along.

“Call me the minute you know anything,” she ordered.

“I will. I promise. Faith, can you stay during rehearsals to make sure Ella has everything she needs?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t tell Barrett and Lou yet. I don’t want them to worry.”

“Nothing to tell,” she said. “Because you and that baby are going to be absolutely fine.”

If she kept saying that, perhaps she could make it true.

She watched them drive away, shivering a little until she realized she had left her own coat in Hope’s office. Before she could go inside for it, she spotted Chase’s familiar pickup truck.

How did he always know when she needed him? she wondered, then realized he must be dropping Addie off for rehearsal.

She didn’t care why he had come. Only that he was there.

She moved across the parking lot without even thinking it through. Desperate for the strength and comfort of his embrace, she barely gave him time to climb out of his vehicle before she was at his side, wrapping her arms tightly around him.

She saw shock and concern flash in his eyes for just an instant before he held her tight against him. “What’s going on? What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice urgent.

Addie was with him, Faith realized with some dismay. She couldn’t burst into tears, not without the girl wondering about it and then telling Lou and Barrett, contrary to Hope’s wishes.

“It’s Hope,” she whispered in his ear. “She’s threatening a miscarriage.”

He growled a curse that made Addie blink.

“It’s too early to know for sure yet,” Faith said quietly. “Rafe just took her to the doctor.”

“What can I do?”

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