Chapter 5

Lily and Noah were outside for exactly forty-seven seconds before Daniel’s truck pulled into the driveway.

I watched through the doorbell camera as he stepped into the snow.

“Ms. Cole?” he called. “I’m Daniel, the property manager.”

Vanessa pointed at the keypad. “Madison locked two children out of their Christmas cabin.”

“The children are welcome,” Daniel said. “Mr. Blake’s access begins at check-in. Until then, Ms. Blake has prepaid a hotel room.”

He opened his truck’s rear door.

“The hotel lobby is five minutes away. It’s warm, and your room is ready.”

Lily looked directly at the camera before helping…