by Claire Adams
My mother's death had changed us all, but having happened so long ago, I would have thought we could all move past it enough to reconnect as a family. Parker and I had, but my father was an island to himself.
"Maybe it's time to forgive each other and help him start dating again. It's been eight years since you lost your mom?"
"Yeah. I was sixteen." I wiped the back of my long-sleeve t-shirt across my face. "I don't even know if he's dated anyone."
"Maybe he's bitter, Chloe." She offered me a kind smile, and I nodded, hating the painful emotions that raged through me.
"Maybe. I'm grateful for his money, but I think I'm just so pissed that he has nothing else to offer." I sniffled and leaned back in my seat, unsure of what to think about the upcoming events that had the power to change my life. "He's all I have, you know?"
"I don't know, but I'm here for you. Find the fun and the good in this trip, okay? I know you, and if nothing else, you're a positive person."
I nodded again and closed my eyes, laying my hand on top of hers and trying to steel my resolve to be the bigger person, no matter what.
* * * *
"I'm sorry about your situation this morning, Miss Burke." The pretty flight attendant glanced up from her computer to me and back down again.
"It's my fault. I should have set two alarms, I guess." I shrugged and offered the woman a warm smile.
"No. These things happen to us all." She pressed her finger to her lips and clicked a few buttons on her keypad. "We have two more flights today. One leaves in three hours and the next around five tonight. It's a late flight, which you might not want, but it's up to you."
"A three hour wait or a nine hour wait? I'm going with the three hour."
I pulled out my phone to text my father, but decided against it. If something happened, God-forbid, and I had to text him again, he would blow a gasket that was likely to hit me all the way in California.
"Sounds good. I'll change your ticket and we'll see you at gate B-25 in a few hours. Let’s get your bags checked in for the new flight, then you can go grab you a good book and try to relax."
She handed me the new boarding pass. Getting my luggage checked in was a nightmare and a half, but everything had to get out of the dorms. They closed down during the week of Christmas for cleaning. Besides, I was done at UCLA, anyway. My time there was over and I was on the road full speed ahead to growing up.
The thought was exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time.
I took her suggestion after getting through security. A romance novel and a Snickers bar would be more than enough fun to get me through the short wait. My father would be angry, but he would get over it. Besides, there would certainly be something else to stoke his angst over before too long. Nothing I ever did was right. How anyone worked for him was beyond me.
I checked my phone again as I slumped down in a cold plastic chair and saw that I had a few texts from Jessie and one from Seth, but nothing from my dad. That I expected him to start caring any minute about how it might feel for me to be stuck at the airport alone was stupid. I was a grown-ass woman, as he had reminded me many times over the last few years, and honestly, he was right. I was twenty-three and had a Master’s degree. I'd say that was pretty much grown.
After spending the first hour trying to get into the romance novel and not getting anywhere, I pulled out my small sketch pad and let out a long breath. I needed to work on a few new designs for my spring line that I wanted to kick off my new venture with. I let my eyes wander around, taking in the styles and color palates of the better dressed females walking through the airport and let my mind explode with options.
My fingers scribbled furiously as I sketched out three new tops and a short summer dress that would only do well in warm weather states.
"Attention all United passengers on Flight 2543. We're looking for anyone who might take a two-hundred-dollar voucher to move to the five o'clock flight. We're a packed flight today and we have a standby passenger who's in need of getting home. If you're willing, please come visit us at the desk."
"Nope," I muttered and turned my attention back to my drawing.
Someone dropped down in the seat next to me with a loud sigh and I glanced over at the young guy appearing to be nineteen or twenty.
He looked my way and nodded. "Hi."
"Hi." I returned to my project, not wanting to start a conversation with a stranger. I didn't like half my friends and most of my family. Strangers were definitely out.
"That's pretty." He leaned a little closer as his dark gray eyes moved across my sketch pad. He was attractive, but in a rock star sort of way. The tats on his arms were done in various colors, some of them beautiful and some not so much. He had to have let a drunken friend do a few of them.
"Oh. Thanks." I set the pad down in my lap and turned to him, resigning myself to a short conversation. "You heading home for the holidays?"
"Trying to." He lifted a can of Sprite to his lips and took a long drink. "My parents are in Maine and for some damn reason, I'm supposed to stop through Colorado to get there. I've been bumped from the flight, so it looks like a long afternoon."
"Sorry to hear that." I crossed my legs and glanced down at my sketch pad, not really sorry at all.
"Yeah. That call they put over the intercom was for me."
That got my attention. "Why are you so desperate to get on this next flight? Are the connector flights all booked up if you don't make this one?"
"There's that, and the fact that my mother is going into emergency surgery at seven tonight." He shrugged, turning his gaze away from me.
"Oh. That's not good." I didn't want to dive into her personal business, but he was leaving me little choice in the matter.
"She's been battling cancer for the last two years, but I guess it's metastasized. She's not doing well." He reached up and pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose as my heart ran cold.
His story was a little too similar to mine.
"I'm so sorry. Maybe this surgery will be exactly what she needs." My phone buzzed and I lifted it to my face to read the text, grateful for the momentary break.
Dad: The change in flight was $200. I'll add that to your ever-expanding tab.
"How much was the voucher for someone willing to go later?" I moved to the edge of my seat as the desire to do something good left me overwhelmed.
"Two hundred dollars, but it’s okay. I'm sure it will all get worked out."
"Watch my stuff." I got up and walked up to the podium, sliding my ticket across to the flight attendant. "I'd like to give up my seat to that guy over there and I'll take the later flight."
"Are you sure, Miss Burke? You were scheduled on the earlier flight and are already going to be arriving late."
"I'm sure."
"It's first class and the next flight only has coach."
"That's okay. I don't mind at all. Just apply the voucher to the fee you charged my father for me missing the first flight. Less for me to hear about later," I laughed, feeling good about my decision.
"The fee has been waived, and we'll just give you the voucher for your kindness."
"Oh no, I don't want it. Apply it to the guy over there. Give him a break. I'm blessed as it is."
Her smile was filled with warmth as she nodded. "Will do. Merry Christmas."
"You, too." I walked back over and reached out, patting the stranger on the hand. "It's all fixed. You're in my seat and the drinks are free. If you look as young as you are, no asking for one."
He sat up as tears filled his eyes. "Are you shitting me?"
"No. Merry Christmas." I smiled and turned back to my drawing, letting out a yelp as he pulled me into an awkward side hug.
He had thanked me ten times by the time the flight was called. I didn't think it was appropriate to tell him that his story echoed mine, but it was a good reminder that the world didn't revolve around me. It was a lesson I wished my Dad would learn.
* * * *
&nbs
p; "Tell me why the hell we're picking you up twelve hours later than we should have been," My father barked at me as he loaded up the back of the SUV with me beside him. Parker was already in the backseat, obviously not wanting to hear the fight that was sure to happen.
"Some guy's mom was dying. I gave him my seat." I turned and walked to the passenger side door and got in.
"Everyone dies, Chloe." My dad got in and gave me a stern look as he buckled up, letting out a huff.
"Yep, but it's nice to get to hold their hand as they go. The airport waived the fee, so that's one less thing for you to pop a vein over." I dug in my purse, hoping to avoid the daggers he was throwing my way.
"Time is money. We've been waiting around all day."
"Sorry." I shrugged, looking like the apathetic teenager he expected me to be.
"Right. Thanks." His tone let me know that the conversation was over, and I was relieved to have it as such.
The ride home was tense, but the minute we arrived at my father's large log cabin, excitement sprouted in my belly and I couldn't wait to check out the rooms and snuggle up with my brother.
"I'll help Sis get the bags out of the car. You're going to be late if you don't get going." Parker leaned up between our seats and patted our father on his arm.
"Right. You guys order take-out and have it delivered. I'll be back late tonight." He put the car in park and glanced over at me. "We're glad you're here."
"I’m glad I am, too, Dad. Thanks for the ride."
I got out of the car and moved to the back, helping Parker with my stuff as Dad stayed in the comfortable warmth of the car. It was freezing outside and the winter wind blew violently, forcing my teeth to start chattering.
"Why do you have to always egg him on?" Parker grabbed two of the bags and hauled them to the large ornate house.
"Me?" I grabbed the rest and walked to the house, knowing my father would close the hatch.
"Yes. He's trying." Parker stopped and typed in a code at the side door before opening it and struggling through with my stuff.
"Trying? Is that a fucking joke?" I muscled the rest of the stuff in and closed the door, pausing to breathe in the vanilla and cinnamon scent that reminded me of home.
"You know he has a hard time around Christmas." Parker turned and pinned me with a stare, which lasted two seconds. His lips turned up in a smile and he moved around the bags, pulling me into a tight hug. His lanky arms were finally taking shape and his voice was much deeper than it was the last time I'd seen him.
"We all do," I whispered and buried my face against my brother’s chest. He had to be a foot taller than me, his last growth spurt astounding.
"Forget about Dad and everything else. Order something from Jerry's and meet me in my room. I'll get everything set up. You're up for a night of ultimate gamer, right?"
"Hell yes." I kicked off my shoes and pulled my hair down before moving toward the phone. "Where is Dad going, anyway?"
"A date..." my brother called as he disappeared down the long hallway that lead to far too many childhood memories for me to forget anything, least of all the need for my father's attention.
Chapter 4
Finn
The day moved by faster than I imagined possible, and I arrived at my last location an hour early. I'd have to call Brian back and take him up on the beer. Spending too much time alone left me with my thoughts, which was never a good thing. That or call Terri to see if she were up for a long night of passion.
"You deleted her number, dumb ass,” I growled and walked to the door, knocking loudly three times and moving back.
The pretty redhead that came to the door smiled seductively. "Wow. What are you selling? Cause I'm pretty sure I'm buying."
I chuckled and shook my head. "You or someone you live with already purchased it, so no selling happening here. I'm Finn, from Warner Removal Services. Just wanted to let you know who I was so you didn't worry over some random dude shoveling your front yard."
"Well, thank you, Finn from Warner Removal Services. I'm Katie and we're just renting the house for the upcoming weekend. I'm from Florida." She glanced out past me and shivered. "I thought this would be far more fun, but it's hellaciously cold."
"That's winter in Colorado, ma'am. Well, don't let me bother you. I'll get this done and come back for payment later." I winked at her and figured with a little bit of flirting, my night would be filled up quite nicely.
"What forms of payment do you take?" She bit at her lip in a way that would have made me blush as a younger man. Women were a dime a dozen and it seemed vacation left them horny and far more willing to sleep with some random local than the might otherwise be inclined to do. It was good for me, so I wasn't complaining.
"Well, the invoice is payable by cash, check, or card." I licked at my lips and let my eyes run down her curvy frame. "If you’re wanting to help a poor guy like myself warm up, then a cup of coffee and dinner at Killingers in town would be perfect."
She beamed and I couldn't help but smile. Her thick red hair was silky looking and her blue eyes accented her heart-shaped face beautifully. Even as cute as she was, she wasn't at all my type, but truth be told, I wasn't sure there was a woman who was. I'd never run into anyone that I'd fallen over myself for. I could appreciate the beauty found in each woman I encountered, but in the twelve years of slutting around in Aspen, I'd never made the first move. I hadn't had to.
"I'd love that." She clapped her hands together and moved back into the house. Her tank top and sweats didn't seem to be thick enough to withstand the cold air blowing in from around me.
"Good. I'll see you shortly." I started to go, but stopped and pressed my hand to the door. "How old are you, Katie?"
"Twenty-three. You?"
"Same." I winked and turned, walking back out into the yard and shoving my hands in my pockets. I could pull off anything down to twenty-one, but sleeping with a girl under twenty was out. There was a hard lesson learned a few years back that most girls seemed less needy as they aged. I was far happier sleeping with women in their late twenties and thirties, but it was rare to find one that wasn't already taken.
She's out there... I just need to find her.
* * * *
I wrapped up the job and stopped by to let Katie know that I was going to run back by the warehouse and clean up, then I'd come pick her up. She wouldn't have any of it.
"I'll just go with you." She grabbed her purse and worked to button her white jacket. The fur hanging from the top of it let me know quickly that she was rich – or her family was. Strike one.
"If you insist." I took the check she offered and scanned the place, looking for other family members. "Your folks out?"
"I'm here with friends this weekend. They're skiing this afternoon, but I wasn't at all interested." She slipped her arm into mine and smiled up at me. "You ready, handsome? I have some memories to make."
I smirked and held the door open for her. "Well, if you put it that way, then of course, I'm ready. What better way to live forever than in the memories of a beautiful woman?"
"Awe." She glanced back as we walked to the truck. “That was crazy sweet. Why aren't you taken?"
"Haven't found the right woman yet." I opened the door for her and helped her get in.
She tugged me toward her and leaned in, brushing her lips against mine and giving me a sexy smile. "Maybe you just did."
"Maybe so." I pulled her down for a longer kiss, enjoying the smell of her perfume in combination with the taste of peppermint on her tongue.
She was a little breathless when she moved back and pushed at me. "Let's go or I'll cancel our dinner plans and just eat you."
"Yeah, because that makes me want to leave your side of the truck." I shut her door and walked around the truck, worried that this girl might be a little too much. She wanted to make memories and be someone's someone.
Strike two. One more and I'd be ditching her, though she was a good kisser. I bet she'd had plenty of practice. Redhea
ds always were the wilder ones in the bedroom. I hadn't had one in a while, either. Maybe letting her slide by on some of the silly shit I was keeping up with in my head would make for a better evening.
I let out a breath I'd been holding and got into the truck.
"So, tell me about this place you're taking me to for dinner."
"Killingers? It's home-cooking. So you have beef, chicken, or fish, and a few southern-style dishes like they would serve in Texas or someplace like that, I guess." I shrugged and pulled the truck into her cleared driveway before backing out and heading back to the shop.
"You're incredibly handsome, Finn." She reached out and brushed her fingers down my arm. "You work out?"
"I do, but this job keeps me in shape, too." I reached up and turned on the heater before taking her hand and entwining my fingers with hers. It was going to be damn hard to keep my concentration on the road if she moved from petting my arm to my leg, which seemed to be where her line of sight was resting.
"I'm really surprised you're not with someone. Don't you live here?"
"I do." I focused on the road, figuring that she would start talking about herself or her friends sooner or later. Women seemed to need to fill the silence around them, like giving anyone time to think was a bad thing.
"I'm just surprised. My friend Krissy...she has this guy friend who's wicked hot like you, and he..."
I tuned her out, nodding where it seemed appropriate and throwing in a “really” from time to time. By the time we pulled into my dad's warehouse, I was getting a slight headache.
"Stay here, pretty girl. I'll keep the truck running. I'm just going to clock out and grab a different shirt."
"Sure, but change in here. I wanna see you." She bit her lip and smiled as I released her hand.
"Naughty. I like you already." I got out of the truck and slammed the door before jogging up to the open bay door. I rolled my eyes at the silly situations I got myself involved in and moved to clock out.
"It go okay today?" My dad's voice was gruff behind me.
