“Look,” Christina said, shifting around to keep her leg from falling asleep, “before we do anything else, you need to call your mother and tell her you’re okay.”

Wink looked glum. “She’ll be mad.”

“She’s your mother. You disappeared. Of course she’ll be mad.”

With a theatrical sigh, Wink took Christina’s phone and called her mother. The conversation was loud.

“But he did say it, Mommy! Grandfather told me to get out of his house. He really said that. He did! Ask Christina.” After another few minutes of listening to her mother, Wink said, “Okay” and handed the phone to Christina.

“Take my daughter into the house right now,” Delia ordered. “You’ve caused enough uproar in our family already.”

Christina opened her mouth to object but changed her mind. Delia was a champion at arguing and Christina wanted to bark back: Well, your father is ruining my life and the lives of my friends! But Wink was shuffling around, trying to get comfortable, and the nine-year-old was darling but heavier than she looked, and Wink really should let her grandfather and Janice know she was okay. Her Inner Christina hissed, Don’t make things worse!

“Of course,” Christina said politely. “I’ll do it right now.”

She tucked her phone away. “Wink, let’s go in the house. Everyone will be so glad to see you.”

“Oh, Christina, can’t I come stay with you? For just one night?”

Christina hugged Wink. “Maybe another night. Your grandfather is worried and it’s getting late.” She opened the door and twisted around and Wink pretzeled out onto the driveway. Christina took her hand and led her up to the door.

She knocked. Janice opened the door with a worried face.

“She’s fine,” Christina said. “She was hiding in the backseat of my car.”

Janice exclaimed happily and bent down to fold the little girl in her arms. “Wink, we were so worried!”

“I’m cold,” Wink said. “Could I have some hot chocolate?”

“Absolutely. With two marshmallows. Come in now and show your grandfather you’re okay.”

Little girls were like very short secret agents, much more cunning than expected with their sweet innocent faces, Christina thought. “Janice,” she said, “we’ve called Delia and she’s talked to Wink. I’ve got to get home now.”

“Of course. Thanks, Christina.”

Christina hugged Wink and said goodbye to Janice. Her car was waiting for her, still warm. She drove slowly down the hill and through the town.

The shops were busy and the sidewalks were crowded with people heading into restaurants and bars for some Christmas cheer. Couples wore Santa hats and long-tailed, striped elf hats. Some had dogs on leashes, and the dogs wore headbands of reindeer antlers. It was a cheerful scene, but Christina wasn’t touched by it tonight. She had done her best, but she’d been unable to change Oscar’s mind.