Page 95 of Last Chance Christmas

“Just keep moving,” Cole said in a singsong voice.

A genuine smile formed on her lips. He had a way of easing her nerves. And the image of the famous animated fish repeating her mantra almost took her focus off the situation at hand.

Titan whined from the back seat.

“It’s okay, Tite.” Cole glanced in the rearview.

The windshield wipers whizzed back and forth, but they did nothing to clear away the haze of snow that continued to swirl straight toward them.

Red lights appeared in front of them, and Cole hit the brakes to keep a bigger distance between the two cars.

While there were a few reasons she wasn’t a fan of the holidays, winter storms certainly topped the list. “And this is why I prefer sun and sand.” She rubbed her fingers along the glass, as if that would clear the hazy window.

“You and me both.” A muscle in Cole’s jaw twitched, his back straight, eyes continually shifting between the mirror and the front windshield. “I can barely see someone until I’m on their tail.”

Kianna leaned forward. The heat from the vents blew against her cheeks. “Those lights behind us are getting close.” She wanted to slide into the driver’s seat and take the wheel. At least then she would feel like she was being productive. She blinked, and the blur of red in front of them approached quicker.

“Hang on.” Cole twisted his body to check the oncoming traffic as he prepared to veer into the left lane.

Except it was too late.

The impact jerked Kianna forward before her seat belt locked, forcing her body back against the seat. Metal screeched. “Cole!”

The car careened forward.

A horn blared next to them. Titan barked.

Everything blurred around them, and Kianna’s head swam, her eyes unable to focus.

Cole hit the brakes, and the tires slid over the wet snow. “I can’t see who’s in front of me.” He grunted. The vehicle bounced, trying to gain traction. Kianna still couldn’t make anything out against the gray-and-white swirling snow.

The front bumper collided with something, then the car came to a halt. But the vehicle’s antitheft alarm blared.

Each beat of the alarm pulsed through her head, and Kianna plugged her ears with her shaking fingers. Smoke rose in front of her. Or was it snow? Her eyes had a hard time focusing. She needed to undo her seatbelt and get out of the car.

Titan’s barking added to the deafening noise.

Cole turned to her. His mouth moved, but she couldn’t make out what he said.

“What?” She took her finger away from her left ear.

“Are you okay?” he shouted. His face glowed from the interior overhead light.

“I think so.” She swallowed, trying to still the quiver in her voice.

Cole’s eyes scanned her from head to toe.

“You?”

He pinched his lips but nodded. Titan whimpered from his place in the back seat kennel.

Cole turned and locked eyes with Titan. “It’s okay, bud. We’re fine.” He practically shouted over the alarm that still hadn’t ceased. The impact must have triggered something under the hood of the car. “Can you get out?” Cole turned to her.

Kianna gave him a thumbs-up, then pushed open the door. A blast of cold air and snow pelted her face, and she lowered her head. The motion sent a wave of pain down her neck, and she winced. She swung her legs out, but her upper body wouldn’t move.

Right. The seat belt. She leaned back in and unlatched the mechanism, then slid out.

Glass crunched under her shoes.