“Now you’re laughing at me,” Quinn commented, but he, too, had a slight grin on his face and a twinkle in his eyes.
“I would never laugh at you, Quinn, but I promise I will laugh with you.”
“I like that answer. And let me say something before we land, because something tells me it might be a while before we’re alone again. But before I say anything else, I just want you to know that Kelly and Paddy, and, of course, her mother now have a brand-new home, courtesy of Flynn Financial. That’s the name of my private company. And Kelly will no longer be cleaning other people’s homes to earn a living. A little bird told me she’s always wanted to go to school to become a nurse, and, of course, I made sure that this will happen. I did save that for Christmas Day, though. I thought the house was enough for now. And Paddy. He’ll never have to worry about a college education because that’s been taken care of, too.”
Claire was truly at a loss for words. And here she thought sending Kate Spade shoes and Uggs was a grand gesture. A house? An education for Kelly and Paddy? No, she didn’t even want to try to top that. Stunned that he’d managed to accomplish all this while she slept, and aboard an airplane! If ever there was a true Santa Claus, it was Quinn Connor.
“You know what? From now on, I think I’m going to call you Mister Christmas.”
Chapter 8
When they arrived in Denver, Claire called Patrick as soon as they were on their way to the city. “Bet you don’t know where I’m at?” she asked as soon as Patrick picked up the phone.
“Now, let me guess. Kissing the Blarney Stone? Having a Guinness? No, scratch that, you wouldn’t like that. Too strong for a wimpy kid like you. Let me see, maybe you’re about to jump off the Cliffs of Moher?”
She laughed. “Wrong on all accounts.” She placed her hand over the phone. Whispering to Quinn, she said, “He thinks I’m still in Ireland.”
“What did you say?”
“Oh for crying out loud, Patrick, I’m back in the States. As a matter of fact, I’m about to head out to I-70 tomorrow. Wanna give me a road update?”
She heard her brother laughing. “Seriously? You’ve been to Ireland and back in two days? I take it the place wasn’t up to your standards?”
“It’s beautiful there, but I had to leave. I’ll explain it to you when I see you. Tomorrow. I’m spending the night in a hotel tonight. I’ve hardly slept since I last spoke with you. Make sure to tell Stephanie and the girls that I’ll see them tomorrow, okay? And the rest of the gang, too. They’ll all be there right?”
“Yep.”
“Good, because I’m bringing a guest along. Someone special that I want to introduce to my family. Okay, I’m about to lose what’s left of my battery. See you tomorrow.” Claire clicked END, then turned her phone off before it rang again. Knowing her brother, he was probably calling the rest of the gang right about now. Since there were so many, Claire knew it would take at least half an hour for the news to spread throughout the O’Brien family. Once the news was out that she was bringing someone for them to meet, her cell phone would never stop ringing. She explained all this to Quinn. “And that’s why I won’t turn my phone on until we arrive.”
“And you say they’re in Telluride?” Quinn asked as he exited off the interstate.
“Yes. Where are we going?” She assumed they would stop at a motel along the way, share some private time together, maybe she’d jump his bones, but apparently he had other plans. He drove down Sheridan Boulevard and pulled into a McDonald’s. “I have a confession to make. I’m addicted to Big Macs. I treat myself once a week, no more, but it’s been almost two weeks since I’ve had one. Do you mind?”
She busted out laughing. “I learn something new about you by the minute. And for the record, I like a fish sandwich from Mickey D’s myself now and then. Minus the cheese, though. A large fry, extra ketchup, and a large Dr Pepper.”
“Now that we have that out of the way, let’s go inside. I’m starving.”
Claire was tired to the bone but in a good way. She’d slept on the plane, and it’d been a good, deep sleep, but she still longed for a bed, a hot bath, and a steaming mug of Earl Grey tea. But for now, she planned to enjoy every minute of her time alone with Quinn.
Inside, they placed their orders. As soon as the food was ready, they sat by the window overlooking the parking lot. It wasn’t much of a scene outside. It had snowed in Denver two days ago, but now the sun had melted it, and it was nothing more than brown slush. Cars with rust from the salt on the roads were parked haphazardly throughout the lot. Snowdrifts were banked against the curb. A few kids jumped around in the play area, and Christmas tunes could be heard from hidden speakers. A fake tree decorated with empty french fry boxes and the paper boxes they now used in place of the styrofoam ones for the variety of sandwiches they carried hung from the tree. Cookies and the tiny toys that came inside the kids’ meals were strung across the branches. It wasn’t much of a tree, Claire thought, but it was quite appropriate for McDonald’s.
Silent for a change, they were both focused on eating when Claire suddenly had an epiphany. “This is the first time we’ve been out to dinner together.”
Quinn raised his eyebrows in surprise. “I believe you’re right. Now my Big Mac cravings will be even more meaningful. And I’m serious, Claire. This isn’t a joke, or small talk. You’ve become very special to me, and I hope you feel the same about me.”
Claire’s heart did another dance, the rumba, from the way it was beating out of control. “I do, Quinn. It’s just a bit unexpected, that’s all.”
“Why? You never planned to fall in love?”
More rumba dancing in her chest. “I’d always hoped to, I just never met the right person. Trust me, I tried; it just didn’t happen for me.”
“And this means?”
“That it’s happening for me. Hard and fast.” Crap! I didn’t say that, did I?
“And it will be the first time. After that, it’s slow and easy, all the way.”
Good grief, Quinn was verbally seducing her in McDonald’s! She almost choked on her french fries. She felt her face turn red, glad the few customers in the place weren’t mind readers. “If you keep talking to me like that, I will not be responsible for my actions,” Claire stated, then dipped a fry in her pile of ketchup.
“I’ll hold you to that.” He wiped his mouth with a paper napkin, then stuffed it inside his empty Big Mac box. “You told your brother you were staying in a hotel tonight. Did you have a particular place in mind?”
More rumba from the dancers in her chest. “Not really. I usually stay with my family when I’m here, and they’re in the mountains. Except for Colleen and Mark. They live in Washington State, but they’ll be here. They’re the ones who lost a daughter, my niece, Shannon. They’re always sad during the holidays, but it’s to be expected. We all are in our own way, but we try to make each other happy. I really should warn you, though. They’re a great group of people, but my sisters are incredibly nosy, and my five brothers, well, they take protecting their sisters seriously. Mom and Dad, they’re the best. You’ll like them.”
“They raised you, so how could I not?”
“If I didn’t know better, I would think you were trying to butter me up.” Claire ate the last of her french fries. She neatly wrapped her empty boxes together, then added Quinn’s pile to her own. She watched him as she did this. Togetherness.
“Actually, there is something I want you to know. It’s nothing major, but I should have told you.”
Here goes the bomb, she thought. “What’s that?” She wanted to appear calm, as though nothing he might tell her could affect her, but she knew better, and so did he. They’d moved fast and furious, but whatever it was, it was very real for both of them.
“That Beechcraft belongs to me.”
“What?”
“The airplane. It’s mine.”
“That’s it?”
“I’m afraid so,” he said, a smile in his eyes and a grin
the size of the moon on his handsome face.
“Somehow, I think I can live with that.”
“How would you feel about flying to Telluride rather than us driving? I don’t want to force you to do something you’re not comfortable doing, but you did say you weren’t afraid.”
“Oh. I don’t have a problem, as long as you’re with me,” Claire said.
“Then let’s fly. We can surprise your family.”
Claire had never been excited about flying in an airplane. Ever. Until now. She was sure it had something to do with the man and not the plane.
Chapter 9
They all agreed to meet at Snow Zone at ten o’clock. Claire’s entire family plus a few extras had all accepted her invitation when she asked them to come skiing last night. Part of her was beyond excited for her family to meet Quinn, and another part of her was afraid they wouldn’t like him. She hadn’t told them about his wealth, and she certainly hadn’t mentioned they flew to Telluride on his private jet.
On the slopes, everyone was having a good time. Claire assumed Quinn could ski since he knew how to do most everything else, and he hadn’t said otherwise. The downside: He’d insisted they have separate hotel rooms when they arrived yesterday. She’d told him about Max’s owning the resort. Though she’d fantasized about spending the night in Quinn’s arms, it would wait. And they both decided it wouldn’t look good if someone were to catch them sleeping in the same hotel room. Claire had thought it old-fashioned and courtly. She hadn’t met a man quite like Quinn, and she didn’t want to take a chance on anything. If he wanted to wait a while before they took their relationship to the next level, she was perfectly fine with it, however much her hormones said otherwise.
So here she was, all decked out in the latest ski fashions, courtesy of Stephanie and Patrick. When she realized she was planning a ski meet with no gear, they’d opened up the shop after hours and let her choose whatever she wanted and insisted it was on the house. She seemed to be getting a lot of things on the house lately.
But now here she was. Almost ten o’clock, and there was no sign of Quinn or her family members. Had she said ten o’clock? And they were all supposed to be here at Snow Zone. She went inside, expecting to see Stephanie but saw a young girl working the register. She must be Candy Lee. Amanda and Ashley talked nonstop about her whenever she spoke with them on the phone.
Bing Crosby billowed throughout the ski shop. The scent of warm chocolate filled the air. A giant Douglas fir was decorated with mini skis, tiny scarves, and hats. Red and green lights twinkled on the tree. Claire took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of fresh pine. This was almost too perfect, she thought as she walked up and down the aisles. All the jackets and ski pants were perfectly stacked in neat piles. Mittens, hats, and the usual ski supplies filled up the shelves next to the register. Claire knew the office was in the back of the store. But it wasn’t much larger than a closet, so there was no way everyone could fit in the office. And why would they be in there in the first place? There was no reason for any of them to hide. She’d simply got the time mixed up. She was a few days shy of her normal sleep pattern, plus the high altitudes. She’d spend her time looking at all the goodies the place had to offer. Briefly, she thought of purchasing a few gifts while she was here, but no one would appreciate them since they all had their own gear, and it was always top-of-the-line. She wished she could send for those three suitcases packed with gifts, but she’d have to wait and send them when she returned to California.
The thought actually depressed her. For the first time in her legal career, she wasn’t excited about her work. While she would always practice law—it was in her blood—she didn’t want to go back to work for Brock Ettinger. He’d betrayed her when he’d given out her personal information to Donald Flynn. There was no way she would work for a man like him anymore, not the new Claire.
As she poked around the shop, she suddenly realized that Quinn’s last name was different than his uncle’s. Shouldn’t they share the same last name if his father was Donald’s brother? She really hadn’t thought that much about it until now. She was sure there was a reasonable explanation for the difference in their names. Checking her watch, she saw that it was already ten thirty. Taking her cell phone from her pocket, she called Patrick since he seemed to be the one who always answered his cell.
“What’s up, Claire?”
“Aren’t we supposed to be meeting this morning? I thought I said ten o’clock.”
Silence. Unusual for her brother. “Patrick.”
“Uh, yeah, you did.”
“Then where is everyone? I’m usually the one who’s late.” Claire felt the first stirring of fear. Something wasn’t right, she could feel it in her gut. It couldn’t be good if her entire family was missing.
“I take it you haven’t seen the news.”
She’d slept in, not bothering with the television. “Patrick, if you don’t tell me what’s going on right now, I’m going to kick your ass. You’re scaring me.”
His intake of breath sounded raspy as though he were congested, or maybe he’d been . . . crying? “Okay, some whack job is in the main dining hall right now. Look around you.”
She did. The lifts weren’t running. The usual array of skiers who dotted the mountainside were gone. As a matter of fact, the only person she’d seen since she’d been up was Candy Lee. “Hold on, Patrick.” Claire went to the girl, who sat behind the register reading Suzanne Collins’s latest. “Aren’t you Candy Lee?”
The girl looked up from her book. “Yes, sorry I just get so involved when I’m reading. Is there something I can help you with?” she asked.
“Where is everybody?”
Candy Lee glanced out the front of the store. “Wow, no one is out there today. I wonder what gives?”
“Patrick, you better tell me what’s up. There is absolutely no one on the slopes, the lifts aren’t moving, and the only person I’ve come in contact with since I got up at nine thirty is Candy Lee. I want to know what’s going on, and I want to know right now! If you guys are playing some kind of silly prank, then just quit it because I don’t like this. I have a very bad feeling.”
“We were supposed to meet at ten, you’re right. Candy Lee was late getting to work. Stephanie and the girls called and said for me to have everyone meet in the main dining hall. I’m still at the house, Claire. The rest of the family is in that dining hall, and there is a man in there. He has a gun. No one has been hurt, but you need to stay inside. The police have the place surrounded. It’s on the news. Tell Candy to turn the TV on. Go on, do it now.”
Claire’s hands shook uncontrollably. “Turn the TV on now!” she screamed.
Candy Lee practically jumped off the barstool she was sitting on. “Jeez, give me a sec.” She found the remote and clicked the portable television set on. The scene on the monitor instantly became familiar. Candy Lee placed her hands over her mouth, her book dropping to the floor.
“This is here! What’s happening? Oh my gosh!” Candy’s eyes filled with tears.
Claire looked at the screen and saw several police cars with their lights flashing yet the sirens were off. It was eerily silent. Her hands continued to shake, but she knew she had to get control of herself. She and Candy were the only two, as far as she knew, who were free right now. Though the anchorwoman’s mouth moved, Claire couldn’t hear what she was saying. “Turn the volume up.”
Candy did as instructed.
“Patrick, are you still there?”
“I’m here, I’m listening. Hang on.”
Claire listened to the anchorwoman, who stood in front of the main dining hall at Maximum Glide.
“Jeb Norris was fired from his job last night at this exclusive ski resort. Manager and operator Patrick O’Brien caught Jeb Norris with cocaine and other drugs though we cannot confirm what they were at this point. All we know now is that when the resort opened this morning, Norris entered the main dining hall, where he had worked in the kitchen. He was arme
d with an automatic weapon, and we’re still unclear as to the model at this time, but we do know the dining hall was full when Norris began firing his weapon. We have no information on the injured at this point, and we’re not clear if there are any injured, but we want to make it very clear, Jeb Norris has fired at least six shots inside the main dining hall. A negotiator is arriving now.”
“Oh my God.” Claire was stunned. Here, in Telluride, at this small but luxurious ski resort. “What happened, Patrick? Why did you fire this guy?”
“First Max has a zero drug policy. If you’re caught with anything, you’re history. No second chances. Last night, when I went to the kitchen to meet with the night manager, I saw Jeb acting strange, like he was trying to cover something up. He was using the table we use to roll out our bread dough to snort coke. He had a mirror and two lines of coke all nice and straight, ready to go right up his nose. When I asked him what he was doing, he looked at me and said, ‘What the F do you think I’m doing?’ I fired him on the spot and slapped the damned mirror where he’d laid his drugs, the coke went flying, the mirror broke. I told him he had two minutes to get off the property before I called the police. He left, and now it seems he’s returned. God, I could kick myself for not calling the cops when I had the opportunity. If something happens to those people in there, and most of them are our family, it’s all my fault. Stephanie and the girls are inside. Mom, Dad. Mark and Colleen, their boys. You and I are the only two, besides Candy Lee, who aren’t in the building. Quinn is there, too, you know that, right?”
Claire could only shake her head. “I assumed he was when I didn’t find him at Snow Zone. Of all days for Candy Lee to be late for work.” Claire lowered her voice when she said the last words. It wasn’t her fault, but had she arrived at work on time, maybe her family wouldn’t be trapped inside with that madman. “Have you heard anything from anyone inside? They all have cell phones. Has anyone tried to contact you?”
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