Montana Christmas Magic Read online

  And he didn’t like Pat. Not that Pat wasn’t a nice guy. He was too nice, the kind other guys like to have around.

  A talent Zach didn’t have, but he was working on it. He had two rules to constantly remember: be nice to the other guys, and don’t get entangled with a woman in any serious manner.

  “At least the weather’s clear,” Pat said.

  “Yep.” His capacity for chitchat exhausted, Zach headed for the training room.

  Working at the airport was 99 percent routine, lots of checking, drills, with a few moments a month of adrenaline-rushing crises. The team covered all the services that other airports broke out into separate units: fire, medical, police, and airfield operations. The variety was interesting, but he ached to get back to a bigger airport where he had a real chance at advancement.

  Then he could begin fixing the other thing that had gone wrong in Denver. Oh, not with Erin—she’d already moved on—but with a new woman who had a little more patience with his work.

  He clicked the icon for federal security updates. With all the different disciplines the airport required, the training was constant. After a half hour of brushing up on the latest government regulations, he switched it off with relief. Dry as the dirt on his parents’ Iowa farm after a month without rain. Who wrote this crap? Couldn’t they liven it up a little? Even cartoons would be better.

  After checking his appearance one more time, he headed out to the small brick lobby, a smile on his face, and a gun on his hip. Although little happened, he was helping people feel safer simply by being there.

  He walked back and forth through the lobby, watching the surge of travelers deplane, stand around for their baggage, and then dissipate. He always wondered what out-of-towners thought of the mounted animals in display cases and Native American decorations that hung on the high walls of the terminal.

  Two young women, college students probably, gave him big smiles as they walked to baggage claim. An older woman asked his assistance to locate her gate. An hour before his shift ended, he reunited a young boy with his mother.

  He’d miss this interaction with the public at a bigger airport.

  “Um ...” A woman with a slim face and brown curls tumbling all around it fidgeted with her two suitcases, three shopping bags, and oversized purse in front of him.

  Why is it some women need so much luggage?

  She was about five six, and, while she wasn’t beautiful, her face and figure reminded him of one of Santa’s elves. An elf with curves in all the right places.

  She also had the most delicious set of lips he’d seen in a while. What was it one of his trainers had called them?

  Bee-stung. Plump, pouty, and ready to be kissed.

  “Excuse me?” A frown drew her perfectly arched eyebrows together.

  He ushered his previous thoughts from his mind.

  “How can I help you?” he asked.

  “I can’t seem to find my car.”

  Great. Driving around looking for a lost car in the parking lot was his least favorite chore. Most of the time, the car was right where the traveler left it. Maybe he could pawn it off on Tony, who should arrive any moment.

  But she was too cute to let anyone else near her. While Zach wasn’t looking for a serious entanglement, a fling might help while away the winter hours.

  She was still frowning.

  “Well, are you going to help me? I can’t believe I can’t find it.”

  “Where did you leave it?” He’d best be patient. Normally it was oldsters having senior moments who needed help finding their cars, not women his age. This was a great opportunity.

  Those lips were begging for a kiss.

  “Long-term parking,” she said.

  “And you’ve already looked out there—where you left it?”

  “I looked everywhere.” The corners of her mouth turned down.

  Maybe she wasn’t the right one for a lighthearted friendship with benefits.

  Creaking leather and the jangle of keys accompanied the footsteps coming up behind him.

  “Do you want me to relieve you?” Tony asked Zach. “Or would you rather I take the young lady to find her car?”

  Tony smiled at the girl. “Ma’am.”

  Those full lips turned upward, and Zach swore she batted her eyes.

  “I’d appreciate if someone will help me find it. That is one of the services you all provide, isn’t it?” A faint hint of the South honeyed her words.

  Brother. He should leave her to woman-hungry Tony, but pawning off car-finding duty on someone else would detract from his effort to show he was a team player.

  “You’re up for public presence duty,” Zach said with a smile to soften the words. Turning away from his teammate, he said, “If you’ll follow me, I’ll help you find your car.”

  “Sue Anne.”

  “Huh?”

  “My name’s Sue Anne Devereaux.” Her heels beat a rapid tempo on the floor. “You are?”

  “Zach Crippin.”

  “I do appreciate your help, Mr. Crippin, but could you slow down just a tad? I have all these things to carry.”

  Damn it. In his rush to get the chore over, he’d acted like a jerk.

  “Let me help you.” He reached for the shopping bags.

  “Why, thank you.” The sugar was back in her voice as she handed him the shopping bags. And the small suitcase. “I think I can handle the rest. But can you still slow down?”

  “Sure.” He should make small talk, set her at ease. At least that’s what one of his training programs had said. “Where did you fly in from?”

  “Seattle.”

  “Business or pleasure?”

  “Visiting my grandmother.”

  He’d gone several strides before realizing she was no longer next to him. He turned and backtracked to where she was still standing.

  “Do you think we can find it?” The worried frown was back. “I don’t ordinarily lose things. I mean, well, I do, but nothing as big as a car.”

  “I’m sure we will.”

  His rescue gene, the one that had impelled him into public service in the first place, kicked in. She looked like she needed a knight, even one who’d started out life as an awkward chubby kid.

  She didn’t say anything else until her stuff was stowed in the back of his patrol car.

  “Where do you think you left it?”

  “I know I left it in the last row.”

  He released the brake and pulled away from the curb. She seemed so unsure one moment and confident the next. Which one was the real person?

  Oh well, he’d probably never run into her again. Too bad. He’d like to find out what those lips tasted like.

  “There. That’s where I left my car.”

  “And that’s not yours.”

  “I drive an old Subaru Outback. That’s not it. Obviously.”

  The girl he’d had a crush on in junior high had used that exact same tone when she’d turned him down for a date.

  Miss Sue Anne Devereaux, no doubt a former debutante, was off the possibilities list forever.

  He steeled himself for the next fifteen minutes—the time it took him to tour both parking lots.

  “Okay. Let’s take it row by row.” The sun set early in January, and the light was already fading. He started the car down the well-lit pavement.

  How did someone misplace a car?

  His ex, Erin, would never have lost her car. She had been a confident nurse who knew what she wanted—a ring on her finger, a house in the burbs, and enough income to be a stay-at-home mom.

  He’d almost made it happen for her.

  He drove slowly up and down the rows, stewing about their breakup, ready for the ride to end.

  • • •

  Sue Anne couldn’t wait to get out of the patrol car. Maybe the search would have been more fun with the other cop. This one was way too serious. He drove with a frown on his face, looking like he’d eaten a full bowl of lima beans.

  If she ever m
et someone who liked lima beans, she’d steer clear.

  “Do you like lima beans?”

  “What?”

  She’d obviously snapped him out a full-bore daydream.

  “Do you like lima beans?”

  A hint of a smile turned up the corner of his lips. “Planning on feeding me some if I find your car?”

  “Only if you like them dipped in chocolate.”

  “Huh?”

  “I’m just curious.”

  “Sure. My mom used to make them—not too mushy, lots of salt and pepper, and drowned in butter.” His lips curled up a little more. “But I like chocolate better, if that’s what you’re offering.”

  Was he flirting with her?

  He was kinda cute, in a cop sort of way. But then there was that grumpy side of him. That must be the part that liked that disgusting food. Those little pods had to interfere with endorphins somehow.

  “Could it be in short-term parking? We’re almost at the end of the lot.”

  “I wouldn’t leave it there. I was gone for almost two weeks.” But she’d been running late for her outbound flight. Crap. If she’d done that, there was going to be a really big bill.

  “And you’re sure you left it here? I mean, you didn’t have a boyfriend drop you off or something.”

  Hah. If he knew her boyfriend, he’d know Reed would never inconvenience himself like that. What had his excuse been? Oh, yeah, drinking with his buddies.

  “Quite sure my boyfriend didn’t drop me off.”

  His lips drooped a little, although she wasn’t sure why.

  And why was she staring so intently at his lips? She had a boyfriend, even if she was thinking about dumping him.

  Lima beans. Ick.

  “Well, let’s take a look, just in case.”

  “Okay.”

  Maybe someone stole my car. That would be good. Insurance would cover it. Then I could get something else. Something with more zip. More class.

  Something that didn’t scream aging hippies.

  They’d hit the second row when she spotted it. “That’s it.”

  Zach cleared his throat.

  He had better not be smug. He was already too full of himself.

  “Let’s see if it starts,” he said.

  A note was on the driver’s seat.

  Needed to borrow it. Reed.

  Short and definitely not sweet. She was so over him.

  “Someone borrowed it. That’s why it’s here.” Somehow it was important that Zach knew she wasn’t a total ditz.

  “Give your car keys out to everyone?” Zach hauled her luggage from the back of the patrol car and lugged it to her car.

  “No. Just one person.” One soon-to-be-dead person.

  “Someone who couldn’t bother to let you know where he’d left the car?”

  “Yeah.”

  He shook his head, but whether he couldn’t believe what Reed had done or that she had lent her keys to someone like him wasn’t clear.

  The headache that had been simmering since she’d gotten off the plane gripped her temples.

  She couldn’t do anything about the asshole cop, but it was definitely time to dump Reed. This car fiasco was one of a long line of incidents where he’d shown his total disregard for her feelings.

  “See if it starts,” Zach said, command in his voice.

  The engine started smoothly. Her University of Montana classmates had instilled in her a habit of car maintenance the first winter she’d moved to the state.

  So there.

  She fished a business card from her purse and got out of the car, hoping her face reflected the triumph of a woman starting a car all by her little self in the Montana winter.

  “Thanks for your help, officer. I owe you. My chocolate shop is opening in February”—at least she hoped it was—“Stop by, and I’ll give you a sample.”

  “Nice. My mother used to make chocolate.”

  An odd tone in his voice made her look up at him. Several expressions crossed his face, like the rapidness of clouds chasing each other around the valley. She stared into his eyes, trying to decipher what the frowns and smiles meant.

  “I shouldn’t do this,” he said, “but it appears I’m going to.”

  The realization of what he was going to do hit seconds before his lips landed on hers.

  To purchase this ebook and learn more about the author, click here.

  For more books by Casey Dawes, check out:

  California Sunset

  California Wine

  California Homecoming

  California Thyme

  California Sunrise

  Praise for the California Love series:

  “I always prefer romances which in which the relationship grows organically and this is something the author does very well. CALIFORNIA SUNRISE is an engaging romance, with interesting and flawed characters, solid writing, and a beautiful ending.” — The Bibliophilic Book Blog

  “This is a wonderful story. The characters are charming and witty and you can't help but fall in love with them . . . And the inevitable chemistry between Sarah and Hunter is adorable; there are parts that melt your heart.” —Author Alliance

  “This is a beautiful story that faces two common issues we face these days and the way that they were combined was amazing. It made for a great and interesting read that will keep you wondering what happens next. Don't miss California Homecoming by Casey Dawes. I promise you won’t regret it.” —Harlequin Junkie

  “While certainly a romance story, California Thyme is filled with introspection from both characters, each of whom starts falling in love before they're willing to admit it and have personal obstacles to overcome before they can move forward. It's a lighthearted read, despite what the characters have been through, and once they let go of their hang-ups, it turns into a sweet romance.” —FIC Central

  “This is my second book I've read from Dawes, and I have to say I'm definitely keeping this author on my watch list. I love the emotions, the great writing, and the way she keeps me invested in the characters. I need to snatch up the other books in this series...” — Storm Goddess Book Reviews

  “Ms. Dawes has a soft approach to this touching romance. There is compassion and patience shown for wounded souls getting a chance at true love . . . the topic of mental disorders and counseling was deftly written and added an additional dynamic to the heroine.” — 4 stars, Julie Caicco, InDTale Magazine

  In the mood for more Crimson Romance?

  Check out A Heart for the Holidays by Dana Volney at CrimsonRomance.com.