Hannah smirked. “If Max knows you, then I’m sure you’re not some psycho serial killer I need to fear.” She wanted to tell him she knew exactly who he was, but no way was she going to give him that satisfaction. And to think she’d felt a tiny bit of desire when he’d done nothing more than touch her hand. She needed to get a life beyond work. And maybe a little bit of romance somewhere in between.
“You do inspire confidence, Miss Ray.”
“Thank you,” she said, her words laced with sarcasm.
Fifteen minutes later, Terrence had arrived at the airport and pulled inside the gates that led to the private hangar area, then drove down the tarmac, where Pierce was doing his preflight check. He waved as they parked the limousine by the sleek aircraft.
Terrence hit the trunk button, but before he could race around to the back of the limo, Liam had already removed both pieces of luggage from the trunk. Hannah climbed out of the limo, stretched, and walked to where Liam stood and took her luggage by its handle. “Thanks, but I can carry this.” She didn’t want him thinking she was a weak, wimpy woman who needed a man to do what some considered “men’s work.” She was not one of those types at all. Independent to the core, it was something she’d learned from being raised by a single father.
“I can see that,” Liam said, his words edgy, a bit sharp.
Hannah focused her eyes on his. “Look, I think we’ve started off on the wrong foot. I don’t want to be here, and I don’t know about you, but I am about to freeze to death just standing here, and I am hungry. Can we start over?” Hannah felt deflated, like she’d stepped out of her body, almost as though she were having some kind of metaphysical experience. It wasn’t like her to give in so easily. But, she thought, really, what am I actually giving in to?
Liam grinned. “Must be the high altitude. It sometimes has a strange effect on people, right, Pierce?” Liam called out, as the pilot finished his preflight check. “Remember how badly it affected the president during the debates back in 2012?” He laughed and shook his head.
“Whatever you say, Liam. Though just so you know, Telluride Regional Airport is one of the highest commercial airports in North America at more than nine thousand feet above sea level. It sits atop Deep Creek Mesa, and the view of the San Juan Mountains is totally awesome.”
He adjusted his aviator glasses and continued. “You might want to load up on water while you’re out here. Supposed to help with altitude sickness. If that kind of thing bothers you.”
It hadn’t before, but he wasn’t sure about their passenger. “Ms. Ray? Have you ever had any trouble with high altitudes?” Liam asked.
She shook her head no. “Though this is only my second trip out West. Last time I was here, I didn’t ski, so if you’re asking me about those altitudes up there”—she directed her eyes toward the snowcapped mountains—“I wouldn’t know, since I’ve never been up on one of them. For better or worse, I am definitely not a lover of cold weather. I am Florida born and bred. Long live the beach.”
She wanted to stomp her boots, anything to get out of the freezing, stark cold. And she was starving. “Didn’t someone mention something about food awhile ago? I could use a bite to eat.”
“I just placed an order with the airport’s catering crew,” Pierce told her. “They’ll have a little bit of everything on the plane.” He looked up when he saw a van heading their way. “They’re here now,” he said, motioning toward the catering truck.
“Great. Just what I want, more airplane food,” Hannah muttered.
“This isn’t the same stuff the commercial airlines serve,” Pierce informed her. “Private flying does offer a few amenities that the big commercial guys don’t. Good food is just one of the perks, right, Liam?”
Hannah didn’t want to burst the pilot’s bubble. She’d flown in more Gulfstreams and Learjets in her time than she cared to remember. She wasn’t a big fan of flying any way you looked at it. It was just another form of transportation as far as she was concerned. “Then let’s get on board,” she said, then asked before she forgot, “Does the plane have a ladies’ room?”
“It does, and it’s quite modern, too. The commode even flushes in midair,” Pierce said, then they all burst out laughing.
Hannah smiled. “That’s good enough for me.”
“About time, I’d say,” Liam added. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to spend another hour in your company!” He laughed hard, then winked at her. Hannah wanted to come up with a snappy comeback but couldn’t think of anything appropriate, so she gave him her sexiest smile and winked back. “Are you sure?” she couldn’t help adding. Teasing him, that’s what she was doing! And, by gosh, she liked it!
“Okay, you two, enough. I say let’s get this bird in the air so we can all sit back and enjoy all these goodies,” Pierce suggested, and nodded to the food the two caterers were carrying onboard.
Hannah and Liam said their good-byes to Terrence. She saw Liam tuck a bit of cash in the young boy’s hand and gave him a quick wave before turning toward the aircraft.
Liam brought his luggage up the short flight of steps. Hannah followed behind, dragging her carry-on inside with her. It wasn’t like there wasn’t enough room for a half dozen more passengers, complete with their luggage. “You have a preference where you’d like to sit?” Hannah asked Liam, while he tucked his luggage beneath a seat.
“Not at all. Sit wherever you’re comfortable. This is going to be a quick flight; we’ll be lucky if we have time to eat all that food Pierce ordered.”
“Speaking of food, I’m ravenous. You mind if I dig into those boxes?” Hannah asked.
“Be my guest,” Liam said. “It’s probably a good idea to get our food. And then we can buckle up for the rest of the journey.”
Inside the cabin, at the rear of the plane, was a wet bar on the left and a restroom to the right. Liam stood very close to Hannah as she tried to maneuver around in the small space so she wouldn’t be practically rubbing up against him. Next to a stack of paper plates, she spied a Styrofoam container with several different types of deli meats. Another had cheeses of all sorts, and there was a variety of breads. She made fast work of slapping a few slices of turkey on some whole wheat bread, added some lettuce and a squeeze of whole-grain mustard. There were pasta salads, potato salads, and bean salads. She took a scoop of each before backing out of the cramped quarters.
“What would you like to drink?” Liam asked, stooping to peer inside a small refrigerator. “We’ve got soda, beer, and somewhere in here we should have bottled water.” He pulled out a few cans of soda, then grabbed two bottles of water. “Water work for you?”
Hannah had just taken her first bite when Liam spoke to her. She nodded and held out her hand. Chewing and swallowing her food faster than normal, she felt a chunk of lettuce go down the wrong pipe. She started coughing and gasping, trying to force the lodged piece of lettuce either up or out. Liam dropped his sandwich onto his seat, lowered himself, and came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her sternum. Before she could understand what he was doing, the lettuce flew out of her mouth, landing smack dab in the middle of Pierce’s perfectly pressed white shirt the moment he entered the cabin.
The three were quiet for a few seconds, looking from one to the other, then all three began to laugh so hard they had tears in their eyes. Hannah was embarrassed, but not so badly that she couldn’t laugh at herself. When they calmed down enough to talk, Hannah was the first to speak. She opened the bottle of water, took a sip, then said, “I do believe you just saved my life, Mr. McConnell.”
“I think I am going to have to agree with you this time,” he said.
“What is that freaky thing that happens to the person who saves the life of another?” Pierce asked while dabbing at his shirt with a wet napkin. “I heard it somewhere as a kid; if you save someone’s life, then they owe you a lifelong debt. The person who does the saving has to take responsibility for that person’s life. Supposed to do anything to help you whenever you’re in need, som
ething like that.”
Hannah almost choked again. “I think some kid made that up. Really, who would do something like that in this day and age?”
“Save a life or take the debt?” Liam asked.
Hannah had the grace to blush. “Thank you for saving my life, though in all honesty, I think the lettuce was about to leave on its own, but one can’t say for sure. So thank you again, Liam.” She liked the sound of his name on her lips. “Your debt for chivalry is paid in full.”
“Hey, now wait a minute, don’t I even get the chance to ask for what kind of . . . payoff I’d like?” He grinned as he scooped the sandwich from his seat.
About the time Hannah was ready to answer, Pierce pulled in the hydraulic steps and closed the aircraft’s door. “You two better be buckled in and ready to roll. It’s time to get this bird in the sky.” He lowered himself into the cockpit. “And I mean it, too. Remember, as the pilot, I am in charge, and you will obey my orders.”
Chapter 6
“I hope he’s not threatening us,” Hannah said, adjusting her seat belt.
“Nah, he just loves to fly, says the skies are his mistress. He reminds me I’m not a pilot as often as humanly possible.”
They were taxiing down the runway. Liam lowered his head to his chest, mumbled something under his breath, then looked across the small aisle. “I hate takeoffs. I’d never be able to fly my own plane even if I wanted to, which I don’t. That’s what Pierce is for.”
“So he works exclusively for you?” Hannah asked.
“Meaning is he at my beck and call twenty-four/seven? No, not at all. He flies for Flex Jet. Several companies purchase an aircraft together and share the cost of owning it. Makes it easier for those who can’t afford to have a multimillion-dollar aircraft just sitting there. So, when he’s not on vacation, Pierce has to be available for them. He’s staying at my house while I’m out here and will return for me when I’m ready to go home. I guess you could say we’re both on vacation. Mine just happens to be a working vacation.”
Hannah raised her brow in question. “Did Max Jorgenson call you around the first of the month?”
“Yes, and trust me, I am going to make him pay. Big-time.” He managed to smooth out the sandwich he had dropped on his seat when he’d helped Hannah as she was choking. He took a bite, chewing and grinning at the same time. A piece of bread clung to his lower lip, and Hannah found herself wanting to reach across the small space between them to brush it away. She had to mentally command herself to refrain from doing so. Though she wondered how he would react if she did. The thought made her smile.
“What’s so funny?” he asked. He wiped the crumb from his lip.
If only he knew, she thought. “Max sent for me then, too. I wonder why the two-week wait?” Suddenly Hannah wasn’t so sure Max actually had a hacker. That’s what he’d said, wasn’t it? And given Liam’s reputation, surely he wouldn’t have called him all the way to Colorado just to . . . fix the two of us up?
No, no, no! I’m being ridiculous. We’re here to work, then return to our lives and enjoy the rest of the holiday season. Max would not go to such great lengths. She mentally removed the images of her and Liam together from her mind.
“You’re not eating?”
She looked at the sandwich sitting on the napkin covering her lap. “I guess almost choking to death has taken away my appetite.”
“At least have some of the potato salad; it’s really good,” Liam insisted as he scooped a bite between his lips.
She found her plate and fork and proceeded to eat every bite. “What can I say? I guess I was hungry, choking or not.”
Pierce announced they’d reached their flying altitude, and Liam seemed more relaxed. His large frame appeared to sink into the plush seat. Hannah didn’t know what to make of her reaction and scrutiny of this man. This wasn’t her normal reaction at all.
“So Max sent for you, too. I understand he’s experiencing a bit of in-house snooping,” Liam explained. “Both electronically and the old-fashioned way. Files—the paper kind—have gone missing, some cash. I hope between the two of us, we can find the culprit. Not a good time for a thief, Christmas and all.”
Hannah nodded. “That’s when they crawl out of the cracks. At least in my experience.” She paused. “Do you know me?” she couldn’t help but ask. Hannah always believed in cutting through the flesh and going straight for the bone.
“I know of you. You’ve got quite a reputation.”
“Thank you. I could say the same for you, but I’m sure you already know that,” she added with a smirk.
“I’ve worked all over the world. It’s only logical that one’s success in this field is acknowledged,” Liam said without a trace of arrogance.
That’s true, Hannah thought.
“Do you find it odd that we both have law degrees, yet we’re doing . . . undercover work?” Hannah asked. They did have a few things in common, she admitted to herself. Was this really the reason Max had sent for them? A holiday romance? No, Max wouldn’t take advantage of that. Or would he? She had to admit, she didn’t know him well enough to make the assumption.
Liam chuckled and ran a hand over his stubbled chin. “No, not at all. I studied criminal justice first, then got my law degree. I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go, then the electronic field exploded, and it turned out that I was pretty good at it. Did a couple of years working with the FBI’s Cyber Crime Unit, then decided I’d rather work alone and, as they say, the rest is history.”
“Impressive,” Hannah replied.
“Your résumé isn’t too shabby, either,” he observed.
My résumé? Has he actually checked into my background?
Hannah didn’t respond.
“You’ve got a very good reputation, Ms. Ray. Both you and your firm. Surely you know your name is recognizable? I’m impressed,” he added.
“Thank you. Yes, we’re pretty well-known, at least in Florida. We don’t do too much out of state, or out of the country, for that matter. I like to stay close to home.”
“That’s one of the reasons I decided to leave the Cyber Crime Unit. Too much travel.”
“I wouldn’t think there would be a need to travel as much since most of the work is electronic, via the World Wide Web.”
Liam cleared his throat. “Let’s just say certain clients want you on their turf. The days when I had to take such clients are gone,” Liam added.
“Then why are you traveling now? Did Max threaten you or something?” Hannah asked, though she was grinning when she asked the question.
He laughed, too. Hannah found she liked the sound, deep and throaty. Darn, this needs to stop. Now. She was not on her way to a ski resort to find a date, she reminded herself. She was supposed to catch a thief.
“You know Max. He didn’t actually threaten me. He simply said he needed me, and here I am. We go back a long way. I’d do just about anything for him, and he knows it.”
“I’ve only met him once, through his wife, Grace. She protected a client of mine, and sadly, that same client is in need of her services again. Whether or not she will use them is another matter entirely. Unfortunately, there isn’t much one can do in cases like that. I only hope she comes to her senses and makes a decision to end her very bad marriage to an abusive jerk. Her husband is turning out to be a very dangerous man.” Hannah stopped. What was she doing? Client discretion was a priority. She knew better, but in her own defense, she hadn’t named any names.
“Grace is a good egg, no doubt about it. I really admire her. Plus, they’ve got that cute little girl now. Max adores being a husband and father; I’m so happy he’s finally found his bliss.”
“I suppose so,” she commented lamely.
Liam reached for her paper plate, and his, then tossed them in a small plastic bag he’d removed from the pocket of the seat in front of him.
“Thanks.”
“We’re coming down; I can feel it. So I take it you haven’t found your bliss?�
� Liam asked, as though he were asking her what her favorite flavor of ice cream was. Or was she just reading more into his comments and questions because she’d assumed Max had plans for the pair other than catching a thief? Most likely the latter.
Hannah peered out her window. The snow-covered mountains were breathtaking. Tall pines of all shapes and sizes looked like miniature Christmas trees placed strategically down the side of the mountain. “It’s beautiful out there. Minus the cold,” she said, hoping to avoid answering his question.
“Certainly different from what we’re used to,” he responded. “Though Florida has a beauty all its own. Especially Sanibel Island. I love it when I get to spend time there.”
She smiled. “Sanibel is awesome; I love it there, too. I almost purchased a condo there, but since my offices are in Naples, I decided it would be best to stay closer to home. I love Naples, too, but it’s growing too fast for my tastes.”
“You realize we’re practically neighbors?” Liam said. His blue eyes twinkled like sapphires.
Heat crept up her neck, settling on her face. She turned away so he couldn’t see her. She was freaking blushing! Thirty-three, about to turn thirty-four, on Christmas Eve no less, something she made sure no one knew, and here she was blushing like a high-school girl with her first crush.
“Did I say something to offend you?” Liam asked sincerely.
Taking a deep breath, and hoping her flush wasn’t as bad as it felt, she answered, “No, not at all. I was just . . . calculating the distance.”
“By land or water?” he asked teasingly.
“Land, actually.”
“It’s roughly forty miles by land and around twenty-five through the Gulf.”
She laughed. “Good to know.”
Pierce chose that moment to come over the intercom system. “Folks, it’s time to fold up your tray tables and make sure you’re buckled in ’cause we’re about to touch down. And Liam, I mean it. Wear the damned seat belt.”
Hannah’s eyes traveled to Liam’s waist. “You’re not buckled in! Shame on you.”
When the Snow Falls Page 3