Joshua glanced to the sky. Daylight was fading as though on a dimmer switch.
The woman ran from the house with a flashlight in each hand, hesitating before passing it to him. “Here.” For a second, her eyes narrowed as she scanned his face. “I’m Faith Brennan. Who are you?” She stepped back. “What are you doing back here?”
Of course she’d be alarmed. A strange man comes out of nowhere and wants her to go into the woods with him. “I’m Joshua Carlson—I’m a guest at the inn.” He followed behind her as she tossed quick glances over her slender shoulder. Leaves crunched underneath his Burberry leather shoes. Massive Fraser firs canopied the trampled path. Fraser fir, the only type of tree his father ever brought into their lavish Bethesda, Maryland, home at Christmas time. They’re the best tree, and we will only allow the best in this house. He forced his father’s voice from his head. “Is Bella familiar with the forest?”
“No. The path leads to the Shenandoah River. I’ve told her the force of the water is strong since we’ve had some heavy rains, but if Plato took off down the path, she’d go after him.” Faith shook her flashlight and rammed it once against her thigh. “The batteries—they’re going dead.”
With a slight movement, his shoes slid on a patch of ice. “It’ll be black as ink soon. Let me go ahead, I can move faster alone. You head back toward the inn, but keep calling her name.” Thoughts of the path leading to the river propelled him deeper into darkness.
“Joshua!”
He came to a sudden halt and his feet skidded on the slushy leaves. “What is it?” Joshua turned and headed back in the direction he’d come.
Faith stood frozen. “It’s one of her pink hair ribbons. She wanted her hair in ponytails this morning.” Her hand flew over her mouth and tears erupted.
“Keep calling for her. I’ll head toward the river.” Faith’s cries faded as he trekked farther into the forest. He turned on his flashlight and pointed it to the ground. Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Please keep Bella safe until we find her.
Moments later, and deeper into the forest, the sound of rushing water filled his ears. The river was close. His pace quickened as tree branches smacked his face. His shoe caught on an exposed root and he went flying. His hands jammed into the frozen ground, breaking his fall. Springing to his feet, he wiped his hands down the front of his slacks.
“Mommy, help. It’s so dark, and I’m cold.”
At the sound of the tiny voice, Joshua halted in his tracks, his racing heart slowing. She’s safe, thank You. Your timing is always perfect. “Bella, your mommy and I are here. Keep yelling so we know exactly where you are.”
“My mommy says I shouldn’t talk to strangers.”
Relief washed over him as he moved closer, allowing her voice to guide him through the darkness. “She’s right, but she’s here, too.”
“I can’t see her.”
“She’s just up the path, Bella.” He shoved a branch from his face and darted toward the fearful voice. His breath caught in his throat when he spotted a mass of brown sugar curls on one side of her head and a ponytail tied with a pink ribbon on the other side. She was crouched on the cold path, her face snuggled against a snow-white puppy.
“Who are you?” She pushed the curls from her face to reveal the biggest blue eyes he’d ever seen. “Where’s my mommy?”
Her voice, sweet as honeysuckle, clutched hold of his heart. “She’s here. I’m Joshua, a guest at the inn. I heard your mommy yelling for you when I arrived.” He reached for her hand to help her off the frozen ground.
She kissed the top of Plato’s head and sprung to her feet, holding the puppy tight. “She always worries. She thinks I’m still a baby.”
At the sound of leaves rustling and twigs snapping along the path, Joshua turned and saw the girl’s mother.
“You’ll always be my baby,” Faith proclaimed and pulled Bella into her arms, smothering her face with kisses. “You know you’re not supposed to wander into the forest. We’ve talked about the dangers.”
“Mommy, you’re squishing Plato.” Bella nuzzled her face into the white ball of fur. “I had to. Plato chased a squirrel. He can’t be alone—he’s too little.”
Faith swiped a tear. “So are you, young lady. Now promise me, no more venturing off alone.”
He studied mother and daughter. The discernible love between Faith and Bella brought a slow smile to Joshua’s lips as it reminded him of his own relationship with his mother before she went to be with the Lord. “You must get your striking blue eyes from your daddy.”
Faith’s face turned to stone.
He glanced toward Bella. Her lower lip quivered. His chest constricted. What had he said? A squirrel scurried past, stirring the frozen leaves.
Bella squirmed loose from her mother’s arms. On the ground, she stepped toward him. “I don’t have a daddy anymore.” She looked up, and the flashlight caught a beacon of hope in her eyes. “How did you know he had blue eyes? Did you know him?”
Bile rose in his throat and he shook his head. “No, I’m sorry.” He cupped his hand under her chin. “I didn’t know your daddy.”
Her shoulders dropped, and she kicked the ground with her neon-pink tennis shoe. A northerly gust of wind tousled her hair. “Oh.”
Faith cleared her throat and picked up the dog. She reached for her daughter’s hand. “We better start back.” She took a few steps forward. Bella pulled loose and stepped toward Joshua.
His breath was slow and easy when she placed her tiny hand inside of his own.
“I want to walk with Mr. Joshua. He smells like peppermint.”
He eyed Faith, who hesitated, but then gave him a cautious nod. “Peppermint is my favorite chewing gum.” He smiled and gave Bella a wink.
“Mine, too,” she said with a giggle. “How long are you staying at the inn?” She skipped along at his side with one ponytail still intact.
Joshua paused when he noticed Faith turn her head the tiniest bit. Was she curious, too? “Well, it all depends.”
“On what?”
He laughed. “I have some business to take care of.”
“What kind of business?”
“Bella!” Faith stopped in her tracks and whirled around. “What have I told you about asking so many questions?”
The little girl bit down on her pouted lip. “I’m sorry.”
As they neared the edge of the forest, the light from the inn flashed along Bella’s rosy cheeks. She gave her mother a sly glance. “Are you married, Mr. Joshua?”
“Bella! That’s enough. Take Plato inside and see if Mrs. Watson needs your help with dinner.” She placed the puppy in her daughter’s arms.
“Okay...but will you make some hot chocolate for me and Mr. Joshua?”
Faith rubbed the back of her neck. “Well—”
Joshua sensed the last thing she wanted to do was have hot chocolate with a complete stranger. “That’s nice of you to offer, Bella, but I should get checked in.”
“Please, Mommy.”
The two grown-ups exchanged a quick glance, and he nodded.
“Maybe—now go on inside.” Faith turned to Joshua as Bella darted through the back door. Her forehead puckered. “I apologize for my daughter’s rude behavior. I don’t know what’s gotten into her today.”
He shook his