Judy Christenberry - Snowbound Sweetheart

“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.