Abreak-in?
Things like this didn’t happen in Kringle Falls.At least it didn’t used to happen.
Colin couldn’t help but think of Belle Sinclair’s dog being stolen right out of her house.Was this some sort of crime wave breaking out in his hometown?The thought left an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.
He glanced over to see Holly’s hand already on the door handle.He needed to stop her, but he couldn’t do that and keep the pickup from sliding out of control on the icy roadway.
“Holly, you can’t go rushing in there.We need to call the sheriff.”Colin pulled the pickup to the side of the road.
“You call.”With Tater Tot tucked under her arm, she opened the door before the truck was stopped.
“Holly!Wait!”He tramped the brake.The pickup slid across the sheet of ice on the road.
Without bothering to park, he threw the pickup into Park and jumping out.By then, Holly was already across the street.What did she think she was going to do?
He rushed to catch up to her.His finger had barely grazed her upper arm when the door to her apartment opened.In the glow from the light next to the doorway, he was able to make out a man and a woman.They didn’t appear to have anything in their arms.He supposed that should be a relief.
Holly came to a halt on the sidewalk.Tater Tot started to bark while Holly remained silent.Was she afraid?Perhaps.It wasn’t every day you find strangers walking out of your home.
He stepped past her.“You need to stop right there.”He pulled his phone from his pocket.“I’m calling the sheriff.”
“Don’t.”Holly’s voice was soft but firm as she stepped up beside him.
“Holly, do you recognize us?”The woman wore a too-bright smile.
He turned to Holly.He wondered if she knew them, because he sure didn’t.In fact, he’d be willing to swear that he’d never seen them before.
He still had his phone in his hand.He was ready to call his big brother Parker, who was the town’s sheriff.His gaze moved between Holly and the people claiming to know Holly.
After a few awkward moments passed, Holly said, “You look like your pictures.What are you doing here?”
Pictures?Wait.Were these her parents?His gaze moved back and forth between Holly and those people.
The woman stepped toward Holly.Tater Tot growled.
Colin instinctively took a sidestep, as though to stop these people if they got too close to Holly.The woman’s eyes lifted to meet his.Her displeasure with his interference was obvious on her thin face.
Her face was covered with deep lines, as though she’d lived a tough life.And when she smiled once more at Holly, the smile didn’t look natural.It was as though she weren’t used to smiling, and so her face looked as awkward as she must have felt.
“I just want to talk to my daughter.”Her unspoken intention was to tell him to get out of her way.
He crossed his arms.He wasn’t budging.“You can talk from there.She isn’t hard of hearing.”
The woman’s friendly mask slipped, and a scowl came over her face.Her eyes were filled with anger.But in a blink, she resumed her fake smile.“Holly, can we go inside?It’s cold out here.”
“I’m good here.”Holly’s voice didn’t sound like her.It was deeper than normal, and there was a firmness to it.“What are you doing here?”
The man stepped forward with a frown on his face.“That’s no way to speak to your mother.After all, we came all of this way to see you.”
Holly’s voice was matter-of-fact.“You’re six months too late for Gran’s funeral.”
While Holly’s voice was devoid of emotion, her eyes were telling a different story.Colin wasn’t sure if she was in shock or if she was afraid of them.Either way, he was there for her.Whatever she wanted, he would make sure it happened.
“Uh… We meant to make it,” her mother said.
“But we had a business opportunity present itself, and we couldn’t say no.”Her father lifted his chin, as though their excuse couldn’t be challenged.
“How did you get in my apartment?”Holly’s gaze shifted between her mother and father.
