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The sun peeked over the horizon in his rear-view mirror as Colt pulled out onto the highway. The GPS said he’d be home just after noon, but he could probably beat that estimate. He gulped the coffee he’d picked up from a drive-through and turned on the radio. Where was the classic country station?

His phone rang in the console. He answered it and put it on speaker. “Good morning.”

“Uncle Colt! Are you coming home?” Abby asked in greeting.

He’d always assumed hearing Remi’s voice first thing in the morning would be the best way to start his days. Turned out, hearing Abby and Ben’s was just as good.

“I’ll be home today.”

“We’re gonna build a snowman in just a little bit, but we’ll build another one when you get home,” Ben said.

“You build Remi, and I’ll build mine. I don’t trust her to get my figure right.”

“I miss you,” Abby said. The pout in her voice did strange things to Colt’s chest.

“I miss you too, sweetie. And Ben.”

“What about me?” Remi asked.

Colt wasn’t seeing the road ahead anymore. In his mind, Remi stood with her hands on her hips and fire in her eyes.

He missed that fire so much it hurt.

“I miss you too, princess.”

“Good to know ‘cause I miss you too. Kids, breakfast will be ready in a minute. Say your good-byes to Uncle Colt and get your teeth brushed.”

“Is it a short minute or a long minute?” Abby asked.

“All minutes are the same,” Remi said.

“Nu-uh.”

Colt was tempted to agree with Abby. Minutes seemed longer this past week. It had everything to do with missing the people he loved. “I’ll be home right after you eat lunch.”

“That means we have two meals to get through before he’ll be here. Let’s eat breakfast and build that snowman.”

“Bye, Uncle Colt,” Ben said. His voice faded away as he ran off.

“I miss you so much,” Abby said.

“I miss you too.” Good grief, this girl had a hold on him. No way was he getting choked up over a few little words.

“I love you from the top of my heart. And the bottom. My heart is so full!”

Okay, maybe there were going to be tears, but only because there was no one around to see. Who was he kidding? He was a total sap when it came to Abby.

“I love you too. See you lickety split.”

“Bye!”

He reluctantly ended the call and gulped more coffee. It was a long drive back to Blackwater, but it might be five hours of quick minutes if he could find Tammy Wynette or Keith Whitley on the radio.

* * *

Colt rummaged through a hamper of clean laundry. Where were those slippers? After a day playing in the snow, Abby had her heart set on the pink-and-purple fuzzy slippers Vera had given her a few weeks ago.

“Are they in there?” Abby asked, clearly on the verge of tears.