Angels in the Snow by Rexanne Becnel

sister. “Want to help me beat them in Monopoly? You can roll the dice for me.”
    Josie smiled, but shook her head no.
    â€œCan I get you something, puddin’?” Joe asked. “Are you hungry or thirsty? Do you need to go to the bathroom?”
    Again she shook her head. “Everybody in my dream was so nice. There was a gate to keep out all the bad people.”
    â€œWell, there’re no bad people here,” Marilyn answered.
    The child frowned in concentration. “Is it still Christmastime?”
    â€œOf course it is, honey. You’ve only been asleep a little while.”
    â€œWell, where’s the Christmas tree?”
    The other three children looked up from their board game.
    â€œYeah. We need a Christmas tree.”
    â€œWe can cut one down.”
    â€œWe have to have a Christmas tree.”
    Joe laughed and laid the old guitar aside. “You’re right. We do need a Christmas tree.” He reached for his coat.
    â€œShouldn’t you wait until it stops snowing?” Judith asked.
    â€œI doubt it’s going to stop snowing today. Robbie and I will just go out past the driveway. We won’t go out of sight of the house.”
    â€œCan’t I go too, Daddy?” Lucy implored.
    â€œIf it weren’t snowing so bad I’d say yes. But those drifts are probably getting pretty deep. They might be over your head in some places.”
    She frowned in disappointment, but didn’t pout as Jennifer would have.
    â€œWe can get the ornaments ready,” Jennifer said. “Do you know where they are, Mom?”
    â€œIn the basement,” Charles answered.
    Joe looked at him while buttoning up his jacket. “Want to join us?”
    â€œI’ll help,” Alex interrupted before Charles could reply. He pushed past the curtain, already dressed in coat and hat. His nose was red from the cold upper floor of the house, and he deliberately avoided his father’s eyes.
    Joe paused and glanced again at Charles. So did Judith. She saw him stiffen at Alex’s entrance, and though there was no physical manifestation of it, she sensed his emotional withdrawal. Joe must have recognized it as well, for without further word he headed for the kitchen, followed by both boys.
    â€œWell.” Marilyn squeezed Josie close. “Looks like you’ve set the ball rolling, sweetheart. I better start some lunch, though, because they’re going to be hungry—and cold. Shall we make sandwiches and soup, Judith?”
    â€œThat sounds good. I’ll help.”
    â€œTerrific. Girls, come with us. You can get those ornaments.” Then Marilyn looked at Charles. “Do you think you could watch Josie?”
    Charles appeared lost in thought—unpleasant thoughts, judging by the expression on his face. But at Marilyn’s request he looked up. “Watch Josie? Uh, sure. I can do that.”
    He stood up and crossed to the couch adjacent to them. When he sat down, Marilyn stood up and, to his obvious surprise, placed Josie squarely in his lap.
    â€œWe won’t be in the kitchen long,” she said with a smile. “Thanks.”
    Judith could barely stifle her amusement as she and Marilyn entered the frigid kitchen. Charles hadn’t held a little child in years. He could handle powerful bankers, union bosses, and irate contractors with grace and assurance, yet just now he’d looked completely undone because of a five-year-old girl.
    â€œThey’ll do fine together,” Marilyn said. “Josie is at that age—you know—precocious and yet still innocent.”
    â€œShe’s an adorable child. All your children are delightful.”
    â€œWhy, thank you. So are your two.”
    Judith pursed her lips ruefully as she headed for the pantry. “No, delightful is hardly the word for my two. They’re smart and talented. And they can be funny and entertaining, and sometimes even charming. But not for