Buch lesen: «Snowbound Sweetheart»

Chapter One

Lindsay Crawford was going home. True, it was only for the Thanksgiving holiday, but she was looking forward to presenting the new Lindsay to her family. She made the rounds of her apartment, watering her plants one last time, so that her neighbor would only have to water them once while she was gone.

She set her bags out into the hall and pulled the door behind her, locking it. Then she crossed the hall to the opposite door, knocked and waited for Kathy to answer.

Instead of her friend, though, a tall, handsome man opened the door. The biggest surprise of all, however, was his attire. Instead of Chicago chic, or city casual, as most of the men Lindsay met in the city wore, he was dressed in worn jeans, a flannel shirt and boots. Just like her brothers back home.

“Uh, is Kathy here?”

“Yeah. Just a sec.” He turned and called her neighbor’s name over his shoulder. Then he opened the door wider. “Come on in.”

Lindsay stepped inside the door just as Kathy came into the living area.

“Lindsay! You haven’t left yet?”

“No, I thought I’d bring over my key. You said you wouldn’t mind watering my plants. I just—”

“So your flight’s still on?” Kathy interrupted.

Lindsay stared at her. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Well, Gil’s flight was canceled,” Kathy replied. “Oh, I haven’t introduced you. This is my brother, Gil Daniels. Gil, my neighbor Lindsay Crawford.”

Lindsay nodded at the handsome man. “I suppose I should’ve checked on my flight, but the bad weather’s not supposed to hit until tonight, so I didn’t think there’d be a problem.”

“That’s what I thought, too,” the man said, his voice deep and rich. “But the plane I’m on originated in Minneapolis. It’s stuck there.”

Lindsay could sympathize, but she figured he’d just catch the next one out. “Well, I hope you get out before the storm.” She turned to Kathy. “Here’s the key. And I just watered the plants, so probably watering them on Saturday will be enough.”

“Aren’t you going to call and check on your plane?” Kathy asked. “Maybe you and Gil were on the same flight.”

Both she and Gil spoke at once. “I’m sure we’re not.”

Then they stared at each other.

“But aren’t you from Oklahoma?” Kathy asked.

“Yes, but—” Lindsay stopped and stared at the man. “You were flying to Oklahoma?”

“Yeah, the three-thirty flight.”

“Oh, no! No, that can’t—well, I’ll find another flight.” She turned around to head for her apartment and the nearest phone.

“Won’t do you any good,” his laconic voice informed her.

She spun around to stare at him.

Kathy answered her unspoken question. “Gil’s called every airline he could think of. They offered a flight tomorrow morning…if the storm hasn’t closed the airport.”

The weather forecasters were expecting a huge snowstorm this evening, but Lindsay hadn’t really been concerned. After all, they were usually alarmists. And it was early for a snowstorm, even in Chicago.

The panic filling her had no basis. Missing Thanksgiving with her family wasn’t the end of the world.

Except that she was homesick.

Extremely homesick.

She instantly formed a new plan. Nothing was going to stop her from getting home. She smiled at the other two. “Then I’ll drive.”

“I already checked. There aren’t any rental cars available. I guess because of the holiday,” Gil said, watching her.

Aha. She had him there. “I have my own car. I can load up and be out of here in half an hour, long before the storm hits Chicago.” With a smile of triumph, she spun on her heel and was out in the hall when he called to her.

“Could I buy a seat in your car?”

Lindsay turned to stare at him. Her imagination immediately pictured the two of them enclosed in her tiny car, practically on top of each other. Heat pooled in her stomach. Which was ridiculous. He was Kathy’s brother. The way her friend talked about him, he was a saint.

“Uh, my car is small.”

“I could spell you on the driving.”

That offer made her reconsider her decision. After all, she had at least fifteen hours of driving ahead of her. It was after one o’clock now. She’d need to drive straight through to get home by tomorrow morning.

Kathy spoke before Lindsay could, a disturbed look on her face. “Gil, I wish you’d stay. Brad and I would love to have you here for Thanksgiving.”

“Sorry, baby, but I promised Rafe I’d be back tonight.”

His calling his sister baby might have been thought endearing, but not to Lindsay. She’d grown up with five brothers and a father watching her every move, trying to direct every step. The phrase “baby” always grated on her nerves.

The man turned back to Lindsay. “I’ll certainly be willing to pay all the expenses.”

She gave him a long look. He was a stranger. But she’d known Kathy a year and really liked her. And Kathy adored her brother. That should be reference enough. Her family certainly wouldn’t object. They’d probably approve of her having a man to “protect” her. How irritating!

Even so, she made her decision. “All right, Mr. Daniels. But I’m leaving in half an hour.”

“I’m ready. Are you going dressed like that?”

She stiffened. Although she hadn’t really thought about it, she probably would’ve changed.

Now she wouldn’t do so for any amount of money.

Knee-jerk reaction, she knew. But she’d come all the way to Chicago to get away from men who thought they knew better than her.

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.” She didn’t wait for his response. She crossed the hall, unlocked her door, entered and slammed it behind her.

“Men!” she exclaimed under her breath. She could do without them.

“Oh, dear. I hope she doesn’t go without you, Gil. I think you upset her.”

“Good guess, baby,” he said with a rueful grin. “City girls can be touchy, can’t they?”

“But if she’s from Oklahoma, she can’t really be a city girl.”

“Oklahoma City’s bigger than you think, Kathy. They’ve even got some decent restaurants there. You’ll have to come see me in the spring.”

“Yes, of course, if Brad wants to.”

Gil pressed his lips tightly together. He’d flown up because his sister had called yesterday crying. When he’d arrived this morning, she’d assured him she was just a little blue. Everything was fine.

He didn’t believe her.

“Listen, Kathy, I want you to take this.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He took a plastic card from inside and gave it to her. “Put it away, and don’t mention it to Brad. If you ever need money or…want to get away…for a visit or something, you can use it.” Were his reasons tactful enough?

“Brad and I don’t have secrets,” Kathy assured him, looking at the card doubtfully, her hand creeping across her stomach.

“Are you all right?” he asked, watching her.

“Yes. Lately my stomach’s been a little unsettled. But I’m just not sure about—”

“Just for once, do what I ask. It won’t hurt anything to have a resource Brad doesn’t know about. If you don’t ever use it, it won’t matter. But I’ll feel better. Do it for me.”

He breathed a sigh of relief when she finally took the charge card.

“Do you have a place to hide it?”

“I’ll just put it in my billfold.”

“No! No, let’s find another place.” He took her into her bedroom. “How about taped to the bottom of this mirror thing,” he suggested, pointing to a mirror tray on her dresser.

“Okay.”

She got some tape and did as he requested. Then he asked to borrow a couple of pillows and several blankets. “Just in case we run into bad weather. And maybe a jug of drinking water.”

He hoped distracting her from what she’d just done would make her forget her objections.

Half an hour later, Lindsay rapped on Kathy’s door again. Because she wasn’t an idiot, she’d exchanged her heels for loafers. But she carried her heels with her, in a tote bag, so she could put them on before she got out of the car when she got home.

Her suit, a fashionable teal green with gold buttons, didn’t wrinkle, and though the skirt was narrow, it was short enough for her to maneuver stairs. She’d be fine in it.

The cowboy didn’t know what he was talking about. Just like her brothers.

The door opened and the man in her thoughts stood there, his arms full of pillows, blankets and a thermos as well as a duffel bag. “Ready?”

“Yes.” She’d already loaded everything she was taking into her car. Her trunk space was minimal. She wasn’t even sure his duffel bag would fit.

“Aren’t you taking any luggage?”

She sighed. “I’ve already loaded my things.”

“I would’ve been glad to carry them for you.”

She wanted to go ballistic on him, letting him know that a woman could manage on her own. She didn’t need a Neanderthal following her around, using his muscles on her behalf. But she realized he was just trying to be polite, even if stereotypical, and instead, she simply said, “Not necessary.”

Kathy was just behind her brother. “Gil, be careful, please, and call me after you’ve gotten home.”

“I will.” He hesitated, then said, “Say hello to Brad for me. Sorry I couldn’t stay to visit with him.”

Kathy turned a bright red. “I—I’d rather not say you came. If I do, I’d have to tell him you came because I cried, and he’ll be upset.”

Lindsay watched the interplay between brother and sister with curiosity. Kathy’s words didn’t please Gil, but he didn’t argue with her. “Your decision.”

“Thanks, Gil. Have a happy Thanksgiving.” Kathy hugged her brother’s neck, almost dislodging everything he carried. He kissed her cheek and turned to Lindsay.

“Let’s go.”

Like he was in charge.

“Bye, Kathy. Thanks for taking care of my plants.”

“I’ll see you in a few days,” Kathy agreed with a smile, but the others noted the tears in her eyes.

Lindsay pressed the elevator button, hoping one would arrive quickly. Prolonged goodbyes were difficult, and Kathy seemed to be having problems with this one.

“Go on back in and get some rest, baby. We’re on our way,” Gil insisted.

“No, I—”

The dinging of a bell signifying the arrival of an elevator stopped her. Lindsay waved and quickly stepped on, followed by Gil.

“Aren’t you taking a coat? That jacket doesn’t look heavy enough to keep you warm.”

Lindsay waited until they reached the lobby. Once she was out of the elevator, out of the confined space with the man, she turned around and faced him. “Let’s get something straight before we start. I am not your sister. Nor do I need a keeper. This is my car, my trip. You can come along, as long as you understand I’m in charge! Got it?”

Gil squared his jaw and considered walking away from this stubborn woman. He could take a hotel room and wait out the storm.

But he really wanted to get home.

Before he made up his mind, she spoke again. “I’m sorry if that sounded rude, but I don’t like someone hovering over me. If we’re going to be in a car together for fifteen hours, I thought it would be better to clear the air now.”

In even tones, hiding his irritation, he said, “Fair enough.” Then he stood there, waiting for her to lead the way.

It seemed to take a minute for her to realize he was waiting on her. Snapping her chin into the air, she turned and headed through the door that led to the parking garage.

Again he reconsidered his decision when he saw her car. A Miata. He was going to be trapped in a small car for fifteen hours with a feminist—a touchy feminist—which was like a cowboy being cornered by a bull with a hatred for humans. Unmanageable.

“The trunk is full,” she muttered. “But I think all your things can go in the back seat.”

What back seat? There was a narrow ledge behind the front two seats. But he wasn’t about to argue. He stuffed everything where she said. Then he pulled off his denim, fleece-lined coat and laid it on top. It occurred to him again to ask where her coat was, and whether she shouldn’t put it inside the car, too. But there was no way he was risking another pithy lecture.

Then he squeezed himself into the passenger seat. Damn, he was going to feel like a pretzel by the time they reached Oklahoma.

“Please fasten your seat belt,” she reminded him.

Oh, yeah, he didn’t want to forget that little thing. A woman driver who had taken an instant dislike to him? No, he didn’t want to take any more chances.

The minute they pulled out of the parking garage into city traffic, Gil knew the trip was going to take longer than expected. The roads were jammed, filled with impatient drivers using their horns to indicate their frustration.

“Crowded today,” he said, casually watching Lindsay out of the corner of his eye.

She was frowning, but as far as he could tell, she was in control. “I’ve never seen it this crowded.”

“Well, with the snowstorm and the holiday, I suppose we should’ve expected it.”

“If it’s too much for you, Mr. Daniels, you can get out now. It’s only a short walk back to the apartment.” She made her statement without heat, as if it didn’t matter to her either way.

“Hey, I wasn’t trying to complain. I was only making a comment. An inoffensive comment.”

He watched her fingers tighten on the steering wheel before she released them. “My apology. I guess I’m a little stressed today.”

“Understandable. A change of plans at the last minute can be hard to handle.”

She gave a hint of a smile that vanished quickly, and she concentrated on her driving.

Gil studied her. She was beautiful enough to satisfy any man. Her blond hair was swept up into some kind of twist, leaving him to wonder how long it was. Her makeup was discreet, enhancing her smooth features. Her hazel eyes were complemented by the color of her suit.

And she had killer legs.

He’d noticed them beneath the short skirt when he was following her to her car.

The rest of her seemed well-proportioned, too, though he couldn’t tell much with the long, boxy jacket she wore.

Just the kind of woman he avoided.

Grimly, he pictured his ex-wife. She’d always been on the best-dressed list. Every hair had been in place. Nothing would do but the most expensive for her. Fashion was the most important thing in her life and came before everything else.

Including him. It was demoralizing to come in second to a cashmere sweater set. Ultimately, he just hadn’t lived up to Amanda’s expectations for a husband.

“Damn!” his companion muttered, catching him by surprise.

“What’s wrong?”

They’d been edging their way along Lakeshore Drive. Now even edging had been eliminated. Long lines of traffic had come to a complete halt.

“I’d hoped we could reach Interstate 55 before it got this bad. Surely once we get on that highway, things will move faster.”

“Interstate 55. That goes to St. Louis, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. From there, we’ll take Interstate 44. It goes to Oklahoma City.”

“You got a map?” he asked.

Her head snapped around. “I know where I’m going!”

He heaved a sigh. Yep, an angry bull. “I thought I might see if there was another way to get to 55. Lakeshore Drive is pretty famous.”

Her cheeks flushed. “Sorry. I’m a little tense about—There’s a map of Chicago in the glove compartment.”

Was she nervous about being alone with him? She wasn’t fainthearted, like his sister, that was for sure. Without comment, he pulled out the map. He noted she had a map of the Midwest in there, also. She was well prepared.

After studying the map, he checked their location. “Have we passed Madison Avenue yet?”

“Not yet. It’s coming up.”

“We could exit on it. Then just about any road that crosses it will take us to 55.”

“You’re sure? I’ve never—”

“We’re not moving. Look for yourself.” He didn’t point out that her doubting his word was as insulting as his telling her what to do.

She took the map from him and studied it. Then, with an apologetic smile, she said, “You’re right. Now, if the traffic will only move a little bit, we can get out of this maze.”

“Just don’t be surprised if half of these drivers have the same idea,” he warned her.

“If half of them had the same idea, we’d at least be moving. I’m afraid the snowstorm will catch us before we can get out of town. Look at those clouds.”

She gestured over her shoulder and he realized she’d been watching the weather in the rearview mirror.

“Pretty ominous,” he agreed, “but maybe it’s lake effect clouds. I’ve heard it can increase the amount of snow. By the time it hits though, we should be out of Chicago.”

“I hope so. I think I’ll try to catch the latest weather report.”

She fiddled with the radio for several minutes, finally settling on one playing music. “I think this station gives a weather report on the hour.”

He checked his watch. They’d left at one-thirty and it was already almost two. They’d only gone a few blocks.

The weather report wasn’t good. It seemed the storm predicted for that evening had strengthened even more and was picking up speed. Now its estimated time of arrival was three o’clock.

Lindsay moaned.

Gil’s stomach clenched. He hadn’t been with a woman in a long time, but his wife had made little moans in bed when they’d first married, when making love had been important to her.

He didn’t want to be reminded.

“What’s making you tense?” he said.

She turned startled eyes on him. “I—what are you asking?”

“When I asked for a map, you said you were tense about something, but you stopped before you finished your sentence.”

“I really don’t think that’s any of your business,” she said stiffly.

“I guess not. But it made me curious.”

“I didn’t offer to satisfy your curiosity. Just to drive you to Oklahoma.” She stared straight ahead.

“Fine.” He crossed his arms over his chest. He didn’t need to listen to her problems anyway. He had some of his own.

“Where in Oklahoma do you live? Is it close to Interstate 44?”

“Yeah, pretty close, but if you get me to any major city, I can catch a flight out.”

“With the holiday traffic, that might not be true. What town do you live in?”

“You won’t have heard of it. It’s a little town south of Oklahoma City. Apache.”

“That explains it,” she said, a disgusted look on her face.

“Explains what?”

“You wanted to know what was making me tense? It’s going home to my brothers.”

“You don’t like your brothers?” he asked, even as he wondered why they were back on this subject.

“I love my brothers. But they’re always bossing me around. Just like you. That’s why I’m tense. And we live near Duncan, a few miles from Apache. I guess that’s why you remind me of them.”

“Then we’re even,” he replied, his voice tight. “Because you remind me of my ex-wife, Amanda.”

She turned to gape at him, her eyes wide, just as the driver behind them sat down on his horn.

The traffic had begun to move.

Gil sighed. It was going to be a long ride home.