by Mollie Molay
A collective groan arose from her listeners.
“It’s a heck of a way to spend Christmas Eve,” a disgruntled passenger commented, “and a worse way to spend a wedding night.”
Arden glanced at her watch. The six o’clock departure time for Cancún had long since come and gone. Even a hotel lobby would have been welcome. She wrapped her arms around herself trying to keep warm.
Her envious gaze fell on a man across from her. In his heavy coat, woolen scarf and leather gloves, he looked a lot warmer than she was. He was sitting on the floor, leaning against a small overnight bag.
Their eyes met. Arden shivered again when she noticed the faded scar that ran under his lower lip. Shivers that not only came from the cold but from an involuntary awareness of his dark and dangerous male appearance. He looked larger than life and resembled the heroes in the latest action movies: all brawn and ready to use it. The expression in his piercing eyes that matched the color of his sable hair was frankly appraising.
The briefcase that was chained to the man’s wrist gave her something to think about. He was a man she instinctively felt would spell trouble—and she wasn’t looking for any more trouble than she already had.
He was totally unlike her fiancé and the other men she’d met. She swallowed hard.
Although she managed an impersonal smile in response to the lop-sided one that briefly curved at his lips when their eyes met, she looked away before he could interpret it as an invitation to start a conversation.
To add to her distress, the sound of traditional Christmas carols wafted through the air from a boom box held by one of the passengers. It reminded her it was her first Christmas Eve away from her family.
Throughout the terminal, many of the travelers on their way home for Christmas carried brightly wrapped packages. The airport shops sparkled with colored holiday lights, wreaths, ornaments and holiday greetings. Even the Majestic gate attendants wore Santa Claus hats that jingled every time they moved.
Although snow was piled high on the terminal’s skylights, the holiday excitement in the air belied the cold reality of the storm outside the terminal. Even the air seemed heavy with the fresh scent of Christmas trees.
She sank deeper into her raincoat, her spirits dropping as fast as the temperature around her.
She was struck with a heavy sense of guilt at leaving her family and her fiancé on a night like tonight. Not only was it Christmas Eve, she thought wearily, tonight was to have been her wedding night. Maybe if she’d been able to see John as a more exciting man and less of a father figure, he would have been beside her.
“Attention. Your attention please,” a voice commanded over the airport loud speakers. “Due to the unexpected demand for refreshments and the concessionaire’s inability to restock supplies under the present conditions, all food concessions will close in approximately twenty minutes.”
As if on cue, hordes of passengers rushed to the food concessions. She wasn’t in the mood for airport food, Arden mused wistfully. Not when she remembered the glazed ham and plum pudding her mother had prepared for her wedding reception. What she did need was enough hot coffee to see herself through the night.
All around her, honeymoon couples were taking the opportunity to cuddle a little closer. The cold, hard stone bench she’d chosen as a place of refuge was a constant reminder this was no place to be spending Christmas Eve by herself, surrounded by people she’d never seen before. Being frankly studied by the dark stranger facing her wasn’t doing much for her peace of mind, either.
“Excuse me, but are you alone?”
Arden came to with a start. A young couple had seated themselves beside her. When she got Arden’s attention, the woman smiled.
“I’m Judith Smith, and this is my husband, Jeremy. We’re on our honeymoon, too,” she said with a coy smile at the man seated beside her. “I couldn’t help but notice your own husband isn’t with you. I thought perhaps he may have stepped away for a moment, so I hesitated to say anything until now.”
“I don’t have a husband,” Arden automatically responded before she realized it wasn’t a good idea to tell the truth at a time like this. And especially to strangers. “That is,” she amended, “he’ll be along soon.”
“Dear me,” the woman laughed. “I’ll bet there’s a story behind that one. Don’t you think so, Jeremy?” Her husband nodded.
“Not really,” Arden replied politely. She wasn’t about to share her story with a stranger, no matter how friendly. As far as anyone was concerned, she was waiting for her husband to join her.
How could she tell anyone that only a few hours ago she’d been on the verge of marrying the very proper John Travers? A man she’d known for years and the man her minister father had chosen for her? And that the opening strains of the wedding march had sent her rushing from the church?
“But you’re still going on a honeymoon?”
“Yes, of course,” Arden assured her. “My husband has stepped away for a little while. He’ll be back before the plane leaves.” Apprehensive at the thought that John might actually show up, she glanced around the waiting area. The last thing she wanted was for him to turn up looking for her.
“Good for you. I’m sure he’ll show up soon,” Judith Smith soothed. “I certainly wish you both well.”
The terminal loudspeaker blared again. “Your attention, your attention, please. All food concessions will be closing in ten minutes.”
Arden stirred uneasily. She wanted a cup of hot coffee more than ever, but the prospect of dragging her belongings with her to the food concession area was daunting.
“Something wrong?” Judith Smith inquired.
“I was just wishing I could go and get some hot coffee while I still can. But I don’t see how I can manage if I have to take my luggage with me,” Arden answered, glancing at her purse, suitcase and flight bag. “I guess I should have checked it through to Cancún, but I was running late. I didn’t want to miss the plane.”
“Oh, is that all? My husband and I will be happy to watch your things for you.”
Arden hesitated only a moment Surely her luggage would be safe with someone going on the same flight with her.
“Thanks a million,” she said, gathering her purse. “I’ll be right back. Can I bring you anything?”
“No, thank you. We’re doing just fine.” Judith Smith winked at her husband. “Aren’t we, Jeremy?”
“You bet!” he agreed. “Go on. Judith and I don’t mind doing you a favor. Especially on a night like this.”
Arden walked down the corridor to join a long line of weary travelers waiting for any food that might still be available. That there was a Good Samaritan to be found on Christmas Eve didn’t surprise her. As the daughter of a minister, she’d heard the story often enough. That she should find one amongst strangers in an airport waiting area, willing to guard her luggage, only seemed to make the story more meaningful. If Arden hadn’t been so intent on her own thoughts, she might have noticed her Good Samaritan swiftly moving past her line up toward the exit door, carrying her luggage.
A commotion back at the Majestic gate drew her attention. A male voice shouted, “Stop, thief!”
Arden craned to see what was happening. A man came barreling down the hall with a security guard hard on his heels. Strangely enough, it was the mysterious man with whom she’d exchanged impersonal smiles a short time ago.
Another airport security guard materialized behind him in no time. As the three ran toward her, her heart began to beat wildly. Something about the way they were eyeing her told her she was about to be involved in whatever was going on.
“Come with me!” the dark stranger shouted at her. He barely paused before he reached for her arm and tried to pull her along with him. “I’ll need you to identify your luggage!”
“My luggage?” Bewildered at the commotion, and not all that convinced the man was someone she should follow, Arden clutched her purse and pulled out of his grasp. She had no idea who he was
—maybe he was a thief himself. After all, he had that briefcase chained to his wrist. Someone didn’t think he was all that trustworthy.
She dug in her heels. “I’m not going anywhere with you! Officer,” she called over her shoulder with as much dignity as she could muster with him tugging at her arm and his briefcase banging against her hip. “This man is annoying me with a story about my luggage being stolen. I don’t believe him! I’d appreciate your coming back with me to where I left it.”
“You left your luggage unattended?” her would-be rescuer muttered, his expression incredulous. “No wonder someone grabbed a chance to take it.”
“Not at all,” Arden answered with a dark look. “I left it back at the Majestic gate with a very nice couple on the same tour as I am. I’m sure we’ll find them and my luggage just where I left it.”
Luke groaned as he searched the crowded terminal. The couple escaping with her luggage was out of sight. Considering the thousands of people holed up in JFK for the last three days, his chances of finding them were slim to none. Or, as his grandfather would say, his chances were “about as great as a snowball in hell.”
“Have it your way,” he said, giving up the argument. He let go of her arm and stood back. He was resigned to the loss of the luggage. After all, it wasn’t his, and he’d tried to do the right thing. If anyone had a problem, it was her. How would the lonesome bride feel when she found out her luggage was actually gone?
He followed the bride and the two security guards back to the Majestic departure area. A trail of curiosity seekers followed him. In a short time, to his disgust, it began to look like a parade.
Sure enough, the bench where he’d last seen the solitary bride and her luggage was empty. That didn’t come as a big surprise. Not to him; not when he’d already caught a glimpse of the “honeymoon couple” disappearing into the crowded terminal with the bride’s luggage. If she’d only cooperated instead of dragging her heels, the outcome might have been different.
“They’re gone!” Arden cried. “And they’ve taken my luggage with them!”
“Who’s they?” the security guard inquired. “Someone you know?”
“Yes. That is, no,” she answered as she searched the curious onlookers for a familiar face. Her heart sank when she realized she’d been taken by thieves. “But they seemed so friendly. They even gave me their names!”
“Yeah?” the officer said as he took out a small notebook and a pencil and prepared to take notes. “Who did they say they were?”
“Judith and Jeremy Smith.”
Luke groaned. “Smith,” he echoed, shaking his head. Even a rank amateur could have sensed it wasn’t the couple’s real name. “Where in heaven’s name did you come from not to have realized those were phony names? Another planet?”
“No,” Arden replied, beginning to get angry at his tone. “But as long as you’re asking, where I do come from, nothing like this would have happened.”
But the man was right. Thinking back over the night’s events, Arden wasn’t so sure she’d acted intelligently. Especially by trusting in strangers. What she didn’t need was someone rubbing it in; she felt bad enough already. Things were going from bad to worse, sure, but there wasn’t any use crying over them now.
“Then you should have done yourself a favor and stayed there,” he said, pragmatically. “This is the big city. The Smiths and people like them are just lying in wait for someone like you. Especially on a night like this.”
“I’m afraid the guy’s right,” the security guard interjected. “If you had any valuables in your suitcase and want to file a report, follow me. I’ll see what I can do. But personally, I think you can kiss your luggage goodbye.”
“I didn’t have anything really valuable in there, just some trousseau things. Just warm-weather clothing,” Arden said with a sigh. “But I would like to file a report. I’d hate to let them get away without putting the theft and their descriptions on record.” She nodded coolly to the dark stranger, who continued to assess her steadily. She didn’t need a crystal ball to know he considered her naive. And from the look on his face, maybe even stupid.
“How about you, sir?” the security officer continued, with a sharp glance at Luke. “Care to come along as a witness to the crime?”
Luke thought rapidly. If he’d wanted to keep a low profile, this wasn’t the way to do it. One question would only lead to another. Especially with the officer eyeing the chain dangling from his wrist.
“No, thanks,” Luke said hastily. “I’ll be around. You can call on me if you catch up with the thieves and want me to identify them.”
“Got a reason for that handcuff?” the officer asked casually as he put the notebook back in his breast pocket.
“Yeah,” Luke answered shortly. “I’m a courier.”
“You don’t say,” the officer answered sharply, glancing at the slight bulge over Luke’s left breast. “Got a license to carry that?”
“It’s an empty holster. I checked the gun,” Luke said wearily. He was used to the question-and-answer routine, but he liked it less and less as time went on.
“Mind if I take a look?”
“Not at all.” Luke unbuttoned his overcoat long enough for the guard to check the empty holster.
“So, you’re making a delivery?” the uniformed man said, motioning his head for Luke to button up.
“Yeah. If the airport runways ever thaw out.”
“Well, good luck,” the officer said as he turned to leave. “You’re going to need it. But be careful, there are a lot of shady characters around the airport tonight.”
“So I’ve heard,” Luke replied, mindful that the man’s look included him. “And I think I just met a couple of them a few minutes ago.”
ARDEN WAS THE FOCUS of attention for a few minutes, until the novelty of the situation wore off and the honeymooners went back to finding their own ways to keep warm. Envious in spite of herself, and colder than ever, she soon found herself with only her wounded ego to keep her warm. Tears of frustration began to gather at the back of her eyes.
“Here,” a voice said. “Maybe this will help.” A tanned hand offered her a cup of black coffee. She glanced up into the dark eyes of its donor.
It was the mystery man.
She took the drink only because she was cold, she told herself. The coffee, his enigmatic expression and assessing eyes warmed her middle. Her pulse stepped up its beat. Never had her erstwhile fiancé affected her this way.
She stole a glance at the handcuff on his wrist. How did she know he hadn’t been an accomplice of the Smiths? Maybe he’d tried to create a diversion so they could get away? After all, no one else but him had noticed the theft in progress. And he had given up the chase much too easily when the security officers caught up with him.
“Thank you,” she said, wiping away a tear that hung at the corner of her eye.
“Here,” he said as he offered her a clean handkerchief. “No use crying. Not now.”
“Thank you, but I never cry,” she replied, taking the handkerchief and putting it to work.
“Really? You could have fooled me. Most women would have been crying their eyes out by now. At a time like this, I’d feel pretty miserable myself if the theft had happened to me.”
“Maybe you’re just lucky,” she replied as she settled back on the stone bench.
“Not so lucky,” he answered ruefully. “After all, I’m stuck here in an airport terminal on Christmas Eve with nowhere to go, just like everyone else.”
Arden had to agree. Christmas Eve was for families, for going to church and exchanging gifts. Despite the decorations and the Christmas carols on the boom box, tonight wasn’t the holiday she loved. For better or worse, if she hadn’t panicked at the sound of the wedding march, she could have at least been sharing tonight’s experience with her new husband.
Except the picture of the husband that formed in her mind wasn’t that of John. It was of the dark man in front of her!
She held the hot cup the stranger gave her in two hands to keep warm. The pungent odor of the freshly brewed coffee and its warmth reminded her she at least owed him common courtesy for the coffee, if nothing else. She ventured a smile.
“I have to believe the Smiths were right about one thing,” he went on. “Your being here alone and in a wedding dress must have quite a story behind it.”
“You listened to our conversation?” Arden sputtered. Her gratitude abruptly vanished. “Why didn’t you say something to warn me when you had the chance?”
“You were all getting along so famously, I figured you must know them. It wasn’t until you disappeared that I realized the guy had his hand on your luggage and she was holding your flight bag. By the time I got to my feet they were on their way.”
“Well,” Arden said glancing philosophically at her purse, “at least I have my traveler’s checks. Not that I relish the prospect of having to wear my wedding dress and raincoat all night. But I guess clothes can be replaced when I get to Cancún.”
She looked away, pretending he wasn’t there. Luke wasn’t fooled. She might act cool, but she was as much interested in him as he was with her. Under his amused gaze, a blush appeared on her face. He was sure of it when a dimple danced across her cheek.
“Why don’t you come over here and sit down beside me until your husband arrives,” he offered, taken by an impulse. “That is, if you have a husband.” He pointedly glanced at her ringless left hand.
“I do,” she answered, hiding her hand in the folds of her raincoat. “He’s out looking for the taxicab we arrived in. I inadvertently left our travel documents in there.”
“We can keep each other warm until he comes back,” he offered. Luke would have bet a hundred she was on the honeymoon tour alone. He dropped to the small place he’d staked out against the wall and made room beside him.
“I promise not to take advantage of the situation,” he said solemnly when she hesitated. He loosened his woolen scarf and threw open his heavy overcoat. Underneath, he was dressed in a conservative brown business suit, white shirt, a vest and a paisley tie. He tucked the briefcase behind him and pulled the sleeve of his overcoat over his left wrist. That ought to reassure her, he thought as he watched changing expressions run across her face. They went from “no” to “maybe.” “Come on,” he coaxed, “I’m willing to share. And I don’t bite.”
