Race to a Christmas Reunion

by Brenda Jackson

  “Speak for yourself,” Maverick said, grinning. “I happen to enjoy dating a lot of women.”

  Garth shook his head. “And Walker got me thinking. Look how long he was a loner before he got married. If he can do it, then anyone can.”

  Walker Rafferty was Garth’s best friend. A couple of years ago, Walker had met his current wife and now they were parents to twins, a boy and a girl they’d named Walker and Westlyn. Nobody thought Walker would ever remarry after losing his first wife and son in a car accident. Surprisingly, ten years later, Walker had fallen in love again. Garth was happy for Walker, and inspired to settle down, but honestly, he couldn’t see himself falling in love. He was convinced Karen was the only woman he was meant to love.

  He and Karen had met in the Marines. They’d fallen in love immediately and made plans to marry after their enlistment. They’d dated six months and then one morning during a routine border check in Syria, her military chopper had crashed, killing everyone on board. He’d never even gotten the chance to bring Karen to Fairbanks and introduce the woman he’d loved to his family.

  “Walker certainly does seem a lot happier these days, thanks to our cousin,” Cash said, intruding into Garth’s thoughts.

  Garth nodded as he studied his cards. Yes, Walker had become the Outlaws’ cousin-in-law after marrying Bailey Westmoreland. Bailey was a cousin they hadn’t known existed until it was proven that the Westmorelands and the Outlaws were related. The physical resemblance between the two families could not be disputed, although for some reason their father still would not accept the fact that the Outlaws and Westmorelands were kin. However, like Garth and his siblings had told Bart, it didn’t matter whether or not he accepted the kinship, it was the truth.

  The Westmoreland extended family spread from Georgia and Texas to Montana, Colorado and California. After growing up with no other relatives, it was fun joining the Westmorelands whenever they had get-togethers or family events, like the annual Westmoreland Charity Ball in Denver. Garth loved it whenever the Westmorelands and the Outlaws got together.

  Hours later, after the poker game ended with Cash winning all their money, everyone retired to bed except for Garth and Jess. Although all six Outlaw offspring owned homes in Fairbanks, every once in a while, to appease the old man, they would stay under his roof at the Outlaw Estates.

  Some people found it amazing that the six Outlaw siblings were as close as they were, considering each one of them had a different mother. Unfortunately, some of those women had turned out to be gold diggers. When the divorces became final, Bart’s attorneys made sure he was given full custody of his children.

  Garth was the oldest. His mother had been Bart’s first wife and had come from a wealthy family. She had married Bart against her parents’ wishes. And when her family finally got to her, she had asked Bart for a divorce. He told her he would give her one but she couldn’t take his child. In the end, she’d left without Garth. She’d remarried a couple years later, to the man her parents had chosen. After marrying her second husband, Juanita pretty much forgot Garth existed. However, his maternal grandparents had left him a pretty hefty trust fund when they’d died twenty or so years ago.

  Jessup or Jess, as he preferred to be called, was thirty-six and the second oldest, and had always wanted a career in politics. Jess’s mother, Joyce, had been the first gold digger, and Bart had ended his marriage to Joyce before their first anniversary rolled around. Bart had taken her to court for custody of Jess.

  Cashen, who was usually called Cash, was thirty-four and the third-born son. Cash’s mother, Ellen, had been a decent woman and Bart’s third wife. In a way, she’d been too decent for Bart. She was soft-spoken and had tried bringing out the good in Bart. When she’d realized such a thing wasn’t possible, she’d left. Even with Bart’s threats, Ellen had called Bart’s bluff and tried to take Cash with her. In the end, she’d lost the custody fight after finding out Bart had friends in high places.

  Sloan was thirty-two. His mother, Barbie, had been another one who’d picked Bart for his money. Although the marriage had lasted less than six months, that was long enough for Sloan to be conceived. Barbie’d had no problem leaving Sloan behind—for the right amount—when she split. She hadn’t been seen or heard from again.

  Maverick, at twenty-nine, was the youngest Outlaw son and the most womanizing. Granted, all of them enjoyed their share of the opposite sex from time to time, but Maverick had his share and then some. His mother had been an exploiter, too. Rosalind was the one who’d been caught having an affair right under Bart’s nose. However, there hadn’t been any question that Maverick was Bart’s kid, since he favored the old man more than any of them. Right down to the cleft in his chin.

  Last but certainly not least, was Bart’s only daughter, definitely his pride and joy, twenty-five-year-old Charm. To this day, Charm’s mother, Claudia, was the only woman Bart had ever loved and the one he couldn’t handle. And…she’d been the only one Bart hadn’t married, but not for lack of trying.

  Claudia had refused to accept Bart’s marriage proposals. All five of them. The most recent was four years ago, when Charm had turned twenty-one. The Outlaws saw Claudia frequently because, unlike the other mothers, she had an open invitation to visit as often as she liked, but she never visited as often as Bart would have wanted. Claudia didn’t tolerate Bart’s grouchiness and seemed to bring out the best in Bart…if there was such a thing.

  Bart hadn’t known Claudia was pregnant when their affair had ended. She’d left for parts unknown. Fifteen years later, Claudia reappeared with Charm in tow, telling Bart she couldn’t handle Charm’s sassiness anymore and for him to now deal with it.

  Unfortunately, Bart dealt with it the wrong way by spoiling Charm even more rotten. It had taken the five older brothers stepping in and applying the firm hand their father had refused to apply. In the end, their spoiled sister had settled down. That didn’t mean she didn’t try their patience every once in a while, because she did.

  “So, what’s the real deal with you and this marriage thing, Garth?” Jess asked, intruding into Garth’s thoughts. “Unlike what Dad thinks, I find it hard to believe you’ve gotten over Karen…although it has been close to ten years now.”

  Garth glanced over at Jess as he took a sip of his wine. Garth was close to all his siblings, but there was a special closeness between him and Jess. Jess had confided his intentions to Garth when he’d decided to run for United States senator. Jess had won the election in a landslide victory. And he knew just what Karen had meant to Garth, because it was all in the letters Garth would write home to Jess.

  Garth leaned back in his chair. “It could be twenty years and I still won’t get over Karen, Jess. I loved her too much. But I’m not getting any younger, and I want the same happiness I see that Walker and our cousins have. Besides,” he said with a chuckle, “I figure if I make the first step, the rest of you will follow suit.”

  Jess threw his head back and laughed. “Don’t expect that to happen. Some of us aren’t ready for home, hearth and the sound of little feet yet.” Then Jess added, “Now that you’ve made up your mind, have you decided on a particular woman? Anyone we know?”

  Garth shook his head. “Nope. Taking Charm’s advice, I—”

  “Wait! Hold up. You took Charm’s advice about something?”

  Garth chuckled. “Yes. I know it sounds scary, but I liked what she suggested. It’s a totally different approach to meeting a woman who is wife material.”

  “What approach is that?” Jess asked, taking a sip of his beer.

  “A private dating service.”

  Jess nearly choked. “You’re serious?”

  Garth smiled. “Yes. I thought it was way out there at first, too, until Charm convinced me how productive it would be. She did all the legwork for me and found this high-class dating agency that’s located in Beverly Hills, California. Just to be considered as an applicant the men must have a specified financial portfolio, and the wome
n are required to not only be attractive but have a certain level of poise, education, classiness and sophistication.”

  Shifting in his seat, Garth added. “I further specified I wanted a woman who was trustworthy, had good morals and was one who wants to become a wife and mother one day. Sooner than later. And she must share my interests and hobbies. I provided a list of them.”

  “Have they found such a paragon of a woman who met all your specifications?”

  Garth grinned. “Surprisingly, yes. Trust me, any woman who comes through this particular dating service is well vetted. She’ll keep things confidential and private during the entire process.”

  “Have you met her yet?”

  “No, but she has agreed to spend two weeks with me, at a location we both agreed to, so we can get to know each other better. Of course, I’m covering all the expenses, including those to get her there.”

  “And exactly where is there?”

  “Santa Cruz, Spain. I’m flying there next week.”

  “This method sounds so impersonal. More like a business arrangement.”

  “In a way, it is. I’m hiring the service to match me with someone who’s compatible with my needs and desires. I’ve seen pictures of her and she’s beautiful, and her résumé is impressive. If things work out the way I’m hoping they will, after our Spain trip we’ll continue to date and then eventually talk marriage.”

  “A loveless marriage.”

  “Yes, a loveless marriage. I will honor her, respect her and take care of all her needs, but I won’t ever love her,” Garth said bluntly. “I’ll be honest and forthright with her about that, Jess. I won’t have her entering the marriage with false hope or illusions.”

  “Why use a dating service? I would think you’re capable of finding a woman on your own.”

  “Didn’t have time.”

  “Any reason you’re in a rush?” Jess asked.

  “No.”

  Jess studied him intently and Garth wished he wouldn’t do that. Jess could always figure out his motives, and Garth hoped like hell that he didn’t figure out this one. The less Jess knew, the better.

  “Well, you’re an ace when it comes to strategic planning, and I wish you the best. I hope the woman is everything you want, Garth, and things work out.”

  “Thanks, Jess. I hope so, too.”

  * * *

  Regan Fairchild’s job as a corporate pilot was one that anyone who enjoyed flying would love. Then why was she thinking of leaving it? The answer to her question was the gorgeous specimen of a man walking toward the plane with his briefcase in one hand and a cell phone in the other. His long black coat whipped against his legs as he headed toward the plane while ignoring the strong gust of Alaskan wind that always accompanied October weather. The shoulders beneath the coat were massive and powerful, which gave him a totally heart-stopping, virile look.

  He was handsome, and she was convinced that in another life he’d been an explorer, discovering and invading new territories. He was always busy. He always had a plan. He rarely slowed down, and lately he rarely dated.

  Her heart pounded in her chest like it always did whenever she saw him. How long had it been since she’d fallen hopelessly in love with Garth Bartram Outlaw? Had it been ten years ago on her eighteenth birthday, when he’d flown her and two of her besties to Las Vegas as a high school graduation gift? Or had it been at sixteen, when he had helped her father surprise her with a “sweet-sixteen” party at Disney World? Deep down she knew it didn’t matter when it had happened. The key thing was that it had happened, and she needed to do something about it before Garth became her downfall.

  Regan knew that as much as she wished otherwise, realistically, quitting her job was not an option. Her father, Franklin Fairchild, had been the corporate pilot for Outlaw Freight Lines for over forty years. When he retired a few years ago, she had taken over. She loved her job. She also loved the man who was headed toward her with a huge smile on his face. He did that whenever he saw her. She’d never known a time when Garth hadn’t given her a smile. It was a smile that meant everything to her.

  She knew Garth’s smile was a natural part of his makeup. He rarely frowned, and when he did, everyone knew there would be trouble. He was an astute businessman, and the company had grown in leaps and bounds since he’d taken over from his father. It wasn’t that Bart Outlaw hadn’t been good at his work, but Garth’s approach was a lot different from his father’s. Bart ruled with a hard hand and was distrustful by nature. He was hard-nosed and inflexible. On the other hand, Garth knew the art of compromising, and he was also brilliant. Everybody liked Garth, and she of all people knew how easy he was to love.

  She also knew about that period of sadness in his life when he’d returned home from a stint abroad as a marine. He had come back a broken man, after the woman he loved had been killed. For a while there had not been any smiles, and he’d thrown himself into working beside his father to make the company bigger and bigger.

  Then, when Bart retired, or more specifically when the company’s board threatened to oust him, it was Garth who’d taken over and put in all those long hours, sometimes without a social life, to pull the company through difficult times. Regan guessed that he’d also been trying to rid himself of the pain of losing the person he’d loved. More than once, she had walked in on him unexpectedly, in one of his quiet moments, to see grief in his eyes.

  “Good morning, Regan,” he said now, when he came to a stop in front of her.

  She tilted her head back to look up at him. He was tall, but the first things that caught her attention were Garth’s handsome features. Namely his smooth, coffee-and-cream complexion, piercing dark brown eyes, a perfectly shaped nose, a pair of full lips and a sculpted chin. He garnered plenty of feminine attention no matter where he went.

  “Same to you, Garth. Ready to fly?” She knew she would be flying him to Santa Cruz, Spain.

  “I’m ready whenever you are, and how’s Franklin?”

  “Dad is fine.”

  “Good. I need to check up on him soon. Maybe even pay him a visit.”

  Her father was close to all Bart’s offspring but would admit that Garth had always been his favorite. Franklin had been working as Bart’s pilot when Garth was born. When Bart had gained full custody of Garth, oftentimes Garth and his nanny had accompanied Bart when he traveled extensively.

  “I miss him.”

  Regan missed her father, too. She hadn’t been surprised when her father had left the cold state of Alaska to move to Florida upon retirement. He was enjoying sunshine nearly all year round.

  “Everything is in order, Garth, and we’ll be taking off soon.”

  Less than twenty minutes later, she was cruising the skies. They would make a couple of pit stops to refuel before reaching Santa Cruz. She’d never been there but had heard it was beautiful. One thing she did in addition to studying the layout of the private airport of any destination was get familiar with the area. The plan for this trip was for her to drop him off and return to get him in two weeks. She had two rest days before flying back to Alaska and would use them to get in as much sightseeing and shopping as she could. Depending on his business plans, there were times when he asked her to remain with him during the entire trip as his private chauffeur. He hadn’t asked for that on this trip.

  “Mind if I join you?”

  She smiled. “Sure.”

  It wouldn’t be the first time Garth had joined her in the cockpit, claiming he was bored in the seating area. Although calling it a seating area was an understatement when this jet included luxurious sleeping quarters as well as an office.

  Out of the corner of her eye she saw how easily he slid into the copilot seat beside her. As usual, he smelled good. She didn’t have to glance over at him to know he was gearing up with the headset. Her father had taught a teenage Garth to fly and he’d enhanced those skills while in the Marines. More than once, he’d copiloted with her on long flights.

  “Estimated fli
ght time?” he asked her.

  “Twelve hours.”

  “First stop?”

  The FAA required her to take a break after piloting for nine hours. “Bolungarvik, Iceland,” she replied.

  He nodded. “Nice place. I visited there a few years ago while in the Marines. It’s a beautiful coastal fishing town with breathtaking scenery. Especially the mountains surrounding the harbor.”

  “Sounds gorgeous.”

  “It is.”

  She eased the jet into a glide while moving around a huge mountain. “You’re good at that, Regan,” he said.

  “Thanks. I was trained by the best.”

  She considered her father the best pilot there was, and he’d made sure she’d gotten her private pilot license at sixteen. Her mother had died of an aneurysm when Regan was five. She and her father had a close relationship, and missed him now that he was in Florida. However, she’d understood him wanting to spend his later years in a warmer climate. When he had sold her childhood home, he’d split the proceeds with her. She’d taken the money and purchased a home on the Tanana River.

  Because Fairbanks had a military base, most of the men she’d dated had been soldiers. All were nice guys, and although she’d enjoyed their company, she hadn’t gotten serious about any of them. At least not as serious as some of them had liked. Earlier in the year, she had broken up with Craig Foster. They’d dated for six months and then he’d developed jealous tendencies she hadn’t cared to deal with.

  “I love being up here.”

  She knew what he meant. There was just something about being in the beautiful blue sky, this close to heaven. “Me, too. I guess I don’t have to ask if you’re prepared for your meetings this trip.” She knew that when it came to any business regarding Outlaw Freight Lines, Garth was always prepared.

  He chuckled. “Not this trip. It’s strictly for pleasure.”

  “Oh.” Suddenly, a pain settled around her heart. That meant his two weeks in Santa Cruz would be with a woman. The thought of that bothered her even when she had no right to let it.