The Coldest Winter

Summary

When the car pulled over onto the highway shoulder, I thought Caleb Thorne needed to use the restroom.

"Lily is asleep, try not to wake her," I whispered, pulling my daughter's small blanket up to her chin.

Caleb didn't turn around. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the steering wheel. "Grace, take Lily and get out of the car."

I froze. "What?"

From the backseat, Vanessa spoke in her soft, syrupy voice. "Caleb, honey, it's fine. We can squeeze."

Her daughter, Bella, immediately started wailing. "No! I don't want to sit next to the dirty kid! She coughed earlier!"