Page 72 of One More Yule Log
“He’s okay. He has to be. How about we get the boxes of ornaments out?”
“But we won’t put them on. Not until Daddy comes home.”
“Right. This will just keep us busy. We’ll do this, and then we’ll start a fire, warm the living room up.”
“Okay.” She’d nodded, but now they’d been sitting, then singing carols, then pacing, for two more hours. Gray was about ready to start calling hospitals.
“When is he coming!” Liv stared out the window, tears running down her face.
“Come give me a hug, baby girl.” That was what Ben called her. Maybe it would help.
“I need him to be okay. I need—” She blinked. “I hear him.”
He strained, and sure enough, that was the garage door. “Come on!”
The Land Rover was pulling in, covered in snow and ice, and there behind the wheel was Ben.
Oh, thank God. Relief made his knees weak for a minute, and he sagged a little.
“Hey, guys. I made it.”
“Daddy!” Liv wailed, throwing herself into Ben’s arms.
“Hey. Hey, I told you I was coming home.”
“You took so long. We thought you were dead in a ditch!”
Well, she hadn’t heard that one from him. He wondered if Ben used that one or if Dale had.
“Bah. I had to get gasoline for the generator and milk and butter. Mrs. Bailey was stuck in a ditch and I had to get her out. I brought a bunch of snacks from the party.”
“You didn’t call.” Gray tried for even, but his voice shook.
“I did. I called like a dozen times, but I couldn’t get through. I sent texts too.”
“We waited for you,” Liv said into the front of Ben’s shirt. “What did you bring?”
“Good.” Ben held Liv tight, searching Gray’s his eyes. “I brought a bunch of fancy munchies, some chocolate, milk, and butter and a roast and potatoes for Gray. Champagne and wine and a big thing of apple cider.”
“We’ll be golden.” Gray was shaking, his nerves just shot now Ben was home.
“Can you run upstairs and get me my house shoes, baby. Maybe some dry sweats? I’m wet and cold.” As she ran upstairs, Ben came to him. “Christ. Home. Yay.”
“Hey.” Gray hugged him, because he had to. “You scared the snot out of me.”
“Scared the snot out of me too. It’s bad out there. I’m glad we’ve got a gas fireplace and stove.” Ben was wet. God.
“Yeah. Is Mrs. Bailey okay?” He had no idea who that even was.
“She’s fine. She was Liv’s kindergarten teacher. I’m so glad to be home. I was worried I’d miss the solstice with y’all.”
“You could have been hurt, baby.” He was glad Ben was home, too, but he was— What? Mad?
“Yeah, but I needed to be here before it got worse.”
“I just wish you would have thought about staying in town.”
Ben stepped back, frowning. “Are you bitching me out?”
