Chapter 1 #2
“Have you decorated the tree yet?” Since her mother’s death three years before, she and her father had made a ritual of placing
the homemade ornaments on the tree together.
“I haven’t even bought one. I thought we’d do that first thing in the morning.”
She closed her eyes, savoring the warm feeling of love and security that the sound of her father’s voice always gave her.
“I’ve got a fantastic surprise for you.”
“What’s that?” he prompted.
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, would it?”
Her father chuckled, and she could visualize him rubbing his finger over his upper lip the way he did when something amused
him. They chatted for another minute, and then she realized she should check on the status of her flight.
“I’ve missed you, Dad.”
“I’ve missed you, too.”
“Take care.”
“I will.” She was about to hang up, but then . . . “Dad,” she added hastily, her thoughts churning as she focused on a huge
advertisement for a rental car agency. “Listen, don’t go to the airport until I phone.”
“But—”
“I’ll be hungry by then, so I’ll grab some lunch and be waiting outside for you. That way you won’t have to park.”
“I don’t mind parking, Shortcake.”
“I know, but I’d rather do it my way.”
“If you insist.”
“I do.” Her brothers claimed that their father was partial to his only daughter. It was a long-standing family joke that she
was the only one capable of swaying him once he’d made a decision. “I insist.”
They said their goodbyes, and she disconnected, feeling light-hearted and relieved. Instead of heading back down the concourse
toward the plane, she ventured in the opposite direction, taking the escalators to the lower level, where the rental car agencies
were located.
To her surprise, she saw Slade Garner talking with a young man at the first agency. Shelly walked past him to the second counter.
“How much would it cost to rent a car here and drop it off in Seattle?” she asked brightly.
The woman on duty hardly looked up from her computer screen. “Sorry, we don’t have any cars available.”
“None?” Shelly found that hard to believe.
“Lots of people had the same idea you did,” the agent explained. “A plane hasn’t landed in Seattle in hours. No one wants
to sit around the airport waiting. Especially at Christmas.”
“Thanks anyway.” Shelly hurried down to the third agency and repeated her question.
“Yes, we do,” the agent said with a wide grin.
“We have exactly one car available.” She named a sum that caused Shelly to swallow heavily.
But already the idea had gained traction in her mind.
Every minute the plane remained on the ground robbed her of precious time with her father.
And from what he’d told her, the snow was coming down fast and furiously.
It could be hours before the plane was able to take off, if it took off today at all.
She freely admitted that another landing at another airport in the middle of the worst snowstorm of the year wasn’t her idea of a good time.
As it was, her Christmas bonus was burning a hole in her purse.
And this was a good cause. Surely there was some unwritten rule that stated every favorite daughter should spend Christmas with her father.
“I’ll take the car.”
She looked up and saw Slade Garner standing a mere six inches away. A wide, confident smile spread across his handsome features,
and his aura of self-assurance bordered on arrogance.
“I’m already taking it,” she said firmly.
“I have to get to Seattle.”
“So do I,” she informed him primly. And then, in case he decided to remind her that she was indebted to him, she added, “But
give me an address and I’ll make sure to reimburse you while I’m there.”
“I’ve got an important meeting.”
“As a matter of fact, so do I.” Turning back to the counter, she picked up a pen and prepared to fill in the rental form.
“How much?” he asked.
“I beg your pardon?”
“How much do you want for the car?” He slipped his hand into the pocket of his coat, apparently prepared to pay her price.
Squaring her shoulders, she exchanged looks with the rental agent, then turned back to Slade and said, “Get your own car.”
“There’s only one car available. This one.”
“And I’ve got it,” she told him with a deceptively calm smile. The more she saw of this man, the more aggravating he became.
His jaw tightened. “I don’t think you understand,” he said, and breathed out with sharp impatience. “My meeting’s extremely
important.”
“So is mine. I’m—”
“You could share the car,” the agent suggested, causing both Shelly and Slade to turn their eyes his way, shocked by his impromptu
peacemaking.
Shelly hesitated.
Slade’s brows arched and he met her eyes. “I’ll pay the full fee for the car,” he offered.
“You mention money one more time and the deal’s off,” she shot back hotly.
“Don’t be unreasonable.”
“I’m not being unreasonable. You are.”
He rubbed a hand along the back of his neck and forcefully expelled his breath. “Do we or do we not have a deal?”
“I’m not going to Seattle.”
He gave her a sharp look of reproach. “I just heard you say Seattle.”
“I’m headed for Maple Valley. That’s in south King County.”
“Fine. I’ll drop you off and return the car to the rental office myself.”
That would save her one hassle. Still, she hesitated. Two minutes together and they were already arguing. How would they possibly
manage three hours cooped up in the close confines of a car?
“Listen,” he argued, his voice tinged with exasperation. “If I make it to Seattle this afternoon, I might be able to get this
meeting over with early. That way I can be back home in San Francisco for Christmas.”
Without knowing it, he’d found the weakest links in her chain of defense. Christmas and home were important to her.
“All right,” she mumbled. “But I’ll pay my share of the cost.”
“Whatever you want.”
For the first time since she’d seen him, Slade Garner smiled.