Twelve Days of Christmas

by Debbie Macomber

  He glanced her way and frowned, his look darkening. “I can’t take the chance. I need to be in Seattle.”

  “I do, too,” she insisted. “It’s almost Christmas.”

  “This is for a job interview.”

  “A job?” Ashley echoed. “And you have to be there right before Christmas?”

  Instead of answering, he returned his attention to his phone, frowning once again. Apparently, he wasn’t interested in making conversation with her. Fine. Whatever. That being the case, she wasn’t interested in talking to him, either.

  Turning back around, Ashley noticed that the line had progressed forward and that it was her turn next.

  When the agent became available, she reached the counter and offered the man a warm smile, hoping not to have the same experience as she had with the clerk from the airline. “Merry Christmas.”

  The man looked harried and tired. Ashley didn’t blame him. It was a hectic time of year.

  “Merry Christmas,” he returned without a lot of enthusiasm.

  “I need to rent a car,” she said, stating the obvious. “I’m headed to Seattle.”

  The agent looked down at his computer screen. “This is your lucky day. You have the last car in the entire lot, and my guess is it’s the last vehicle in the entire airport.”

  “I’ll take it,” she said, beaming him a smile.

  “Excuse me,” the man behind her said. “Did I just hear you say that this is the last car you have available?”

  It was all Ashley could do not to revel in her good luck and his lack of fortune. “And it’s all mine.” She couldn’t resist rubbing it in. She was about to suggest he use his power-schmoozing techniques on the ticket agent upstairs again but didn’t. This car was hers. There was no need to taunt him any more than she already had.

  “I’m sorry, sir, but I’m afraid it’s all we have.”

  Ashley narrowed her eyes and glared at the handsome stranger.

  “Okay, fine,” he said, none too pleased. “Then I say we share it. That makes perfect sense, seeing that we both want to get to Seattle.”

  “It’s not happening.” Did Mr. GQ think she was stupid? Others might be influenced by his good looks and his charm but not her. “For all I know, you could be a serial killer.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” he countered. “It’s the perfect solution. I need to get to Seattle and so do you.”

  “I am not sharing this car with you!” Better safe than sorry.

  “Miss,” the agent interrupted. “If you’re going to rent the car, I’ll need your credit card and driver’s license.”

  “I fully intend to rent this car,” Ashley said, glancing at the arrogant man standing next to her. She slapped her driver’s license and credit card on the countertop and whirled around to face him.

  “You’re unbelievable,” she told him, letting him know she wouldn’t be pushed around. Some people might be taken in by this alpha male but not her. It took more than a pretty face to win her over. “I’d be crazy to consider traveling with a complete stranger.”

  “Come on,” he pleaded. “I’ll pay for the car, accept all the responsibility, and you can ride for free.”

  “Oh sure. That’s what you say now.”

  “It’s a workable solution,” the agent suggested. “It’s a long drive to Seattle, and you’d both get what you want.”

  Ashley hesitated. It would be nice to save the money. And it was a good distance. Still…

  “You’ll pay all the expenses?” she asked the other man, eyeing him again, gauging his serial-killer potential.

  “Gladly.”

  “Rental fee, insurance, gas? Everything?” If she agreed, she’d use her Christmas bonus for spending money.

  “I’ll pay for everything,” he reiterated.

  Still, she wasn’t sure she should trust him. “How do I know I can trust you?” she asked, eyes narrowing as she studied him. Sure, he looked decent enough, clean cut and all, but she’d seen enough true-crime shows on television to realize the killer was often the charming, handsome man no one suspected.

  “You want references?” He made it sound like a big joke.

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, fine.” He exhaled as if completely put out, as if she was the one being unreasonable. “Who do you want to talk to? Will my mother do? What about my sister?”

  “What about your wife?” If there was dirt to be had, the wife would be in the know. Besides, it made sense to alert the unsuspecting wife that he was about to travel with her.

  “I’m not married.”

  “Okay, your girlfriend.”

  “I’m not involved at the moment.” Just the way he spoke told her his patience was wearing thin. Too bad. She wasn’t about to team up with someone she didn’t know without a whole lot of assurances.

  “Yeah, right.” Men this good-looking never stayed out of relationships for long.

  “Come on, lady, you have nothing to lose.”

  “I don’t think so,” she said.

  “Miss Davison?” the agent said, returning her credit card and identification.

  “Yes?”

  “If I were you, I’d reconsider.”

  “You really should,” Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome reiterated. “I’m taking on the responsibility and you’ll ride for free. That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.”

  Ashley hesitated and looked to the agent. “You really think I should do this?”

  The agent nodded.

  Ashley inhaled and did her best to size up the other man.

  “Dash Sutherland,” he said, and extended his hand. “If you want to talk to my mother, then I’d be happy to call her. You’ll find I’m no evil threat to you or anyone else. We both need to get to Seattle, and this is a viable solution.”

  Ashley had to admit she was tempted; still, she wasn’t sure. “We’ll drive straight through?”

  “Whatever you want.”

  She chewed on her lower lip, indecision gripping her.

  “Having a companion will make the drive easier,” he said, encouraging her.

  Ashley sighed. What tempted her most was the idea that he was willing to pick up all the expenses. And despite everything, she found herself attracted to him, which she wasn’t entirely happy about.

  “What more can I say to convince you?” he asked, growing impatient.

  “Miss.” The rental car clerk focused his gaze on her. “Take his offer.”

  Ashley studied the agent, not understanding why he was siding with this stranger. “Why do you care?”

  The clerk met her look head-on. “Because I can’t rent a car to anyone under twenty-five.”

  “Ah…” Ashley swallowed hard.

  A smile slowly took over Dash’s features as understanding came. “And you’re not twenty-five, are you?”

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