Rebecca stood next to him at the window, and caught his sleeve as he moved toward the door. “We can't do that. He's made the effort to rescue us."
"Trust me, he won't care. I'll tell him to get lost. Lord knows I've done it before. But he's hard-headed. Kind of a family trait.” He reached over and squeezed Rebecca's hand.
"Quite a vehicle he has there. Interesting paint job, too.” The brown-and-tan camouflage was glaringly out of place in the peaceful mountain setting.
"He's a mechanic. Has all kinds of vehicles brought to him, because he can fix anything. I forget who he said brought the Hummer, some retired Army general or something, but they were going to Florida for the winter, so Joe's had it in his big shed since he fixed it a couple months ago.” David slapped his thigh and laughed briefly. “Leave it to a McClain!"
His face showed pride in his brother's accomplishment. She assumed that, in spite of what had been happening in the kitchen, he was relieved not to be snowbound with her any longer.
Joe McClain, tall and dark, and dressed in an orange parka, jeans, and some no-nonsense boots, jumped out of the Hummer and strode through the deep snow toward the cabin. David threw open the front door and met him. The two embraced unashamedly, then beat each other on the backs.
"Hey, Slob! You're makin’ a snowy mess on my nice clean floor."
"What? You givin’ me grief for comin’ up here to rescue your sorry—uh—yeah.” He smiled sheepishly at Rebecca. “You have company. Slipped my mind. Well, Ugly, if you don't want a mess, get me a rug or a towel or something. But first, introduce me to the lady."
In spite of herself, Rebecca was charmed by their macho posturing. She walked over and held out her hand, a sweet smile on her lips. “Mr. Slob, I'm the Shark.” She tipped her head toward David. “Ugly here has told me so much about you."
Both men stared at her for a second, then burst into laughter.
Joe recovered first. “Shark, let me welcome you to our fair county. Sorry you had to be stuck with this goober, though. But we'll get you out of here and you can meet some decent people."
David groaned. “Oh, right. So you're suddenly the Welcome Wagon? Give me a break."
"Hey, check out my wagon!” He indicated the Hummer with a jerk of his head. “If I want to say welcome, who's gonna stop me? Not your sorry ... whoops, I keep forgetting. Anyway, the chariot's here. Gather up your stuff, Cinderella, and we'll head to the party!"
Joe's smile was infectious. Rebecca smiled back, then looked at David. He was smiling too, but there was something ... then she realized she didn't really want to get into the chariot with its handsome, jovial driver. She had an inclination to stay snowbound a while longer and find out what had been about to happen a few minutes ago in the kitchen, when David was talking about relieving tension.
"Yeah. We'd better get stuff packed up.” David turned away and efficiently began to go through the cabin, putting things up, straightening. He tidied the already tidy kitchen, then went to the bedroom. Rebecca was at a loss. All she seemed to have was her laptop, and the mismatched clothes she wore.
"So, Shark, you doing okay?” Joe's smile and concern were genuine.
"Fine. I was lucky to run into a snowdrift so close to this cabin. I hate to think what might've happened otherwise."
He frowned. “Nothing good. That storm was nasty. Freakish for us, really. Even in the mountains we don't get storms like that."
"My timing really stinks, I guess."
He glanced toward the bedroom where David could be heard moving things, then winked at Rebecca. “Actually, I think your timing was excellent,” he said softly.
Rebecca wanted to ask him to explain, but David came back into the tiny living room and Joe looked quickly toward him.
"You ready, Ugly?"
"I guess.” He held Rebecca's ankle boots out to her. “Here. Put these on, for what they're worth. I don't have any real boots for you to wear. Your clothes are in my duffle.” Which he dumped onto the floor. “And here's your coat thing.” He tossed her emerald green cloak over the back of the overstuffed chair.
"I think I'd rather change into my own clothes—"
"No. Joe's here, we need to go. You can change later. Nobody's havin’ a fashion show in Legend today."
Rebecca felt at a disadvantage having to go anywhere dressed like a street person. Sitting on the edge of the couch, she carefully zipped the thick socks into her ankle boots. “Well, can we at least get my suitcase out of the car?"
"And the car is where?” The brothers asked the question in unison.
She smiled reassuringly. “It's just a little distance down the road. Surely we can find it without too much trouble."
"Joe, it's in a ditch, and has been since like eleven last night. It's gonna be buried in drifts."
"And it's white.” She hated to mention it, but felt compelled.
"Right. Sorry, Sharklady, you're gonna be without your suitcase another day or so. I've got a shovel and a strong back, but there are other people I need to get to. So I'm sure you understand—"
"Of course. I'm sorry. I hadn't thought.” Rebecca chided herself for her selfishness. “They're just clothes. Thank you so much for coming out here, Joe. I appreciate it. We both do, right?” She looked at David.
"Oh yeah, right. Thanks so much, Joe.” Was that a glare in his eyes, or the glare of the sun coming in the window?
David checked a couple more things, then arranged Rebecca's cloak across her shoulders. She pulled on the thin emerald green gloves and picked up her little purse he'd brought in with his duffle.
David opened the door and held the duffle, then Rebecca's laptop case, out to Joe.
"What? You can't carry your own stuff?"
"I gotta carry her."
She swung around to stare at him. “What? No you don't. I walked here—"
"And you nearly froze to death doing it. Those flimsy little boots aren't any better for snow today than they were last night. Come here."
"No. I can walk."
"You're not walking, Rebecca. Come here."
"You're being ridiculous."
Smiling and muttering, Joe picked up the duffle and trudged through the snow to the Hummer.
"You know what you need, Rebecca? You need to be taken down a peg or two. I could do it. But for now—” He scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder like Santa flings his pack onto his back. Except Santa's pack doesn't protest.
"Put me down!"
David stepped onto the snowy porch, pulled the door closed and locked it, as he balanced Rebecca with one hand on her upper thigh. She tried very hard not to like the way it felt.
"David. Seriously."
"Rebecca. Seriously. Shut up."
Reaching the passenger side of the vehicle, David quickly shifted Rebecca until she was lying in his arms, looking up at him, instead of across his shoulder, watching as they left the cabin behind. For a moment she thought he might kiss her again, thought she might let him. But Joe was watching their every move. She wondered what would have happened if David had politely told Joe to go rescue someone else for a while and then maybe come back here in a day or so to see what the status was. Instead, they'd be headed in different directions, and probably not see each other again.
The moment of opportunity for a kiss was quickly gone, if it had existed at all. Joe opened the rear passenger door from inside the truck, and David lifted Rebecca up into it. Closing the door quickly, he let himself into shotgun position.
Rebecca settled back, determined to forget what had almost happened in the cabin, and concentrate on seeing Midnight. That's why she'd made this trip, after all.
The scenery was beautiful. She could appreciate it now, riding in the big truck and feeling safe and warm. A thick blanket of pristine snow clung to limbs of evergreens, bowing them down with the weight. The sun shone brightly and the glare off the snow had her searching through her little purse until she found her sunglasses.
"My orders are to del
iver Sharklady to Martin's, and take you to Mom and Dad's.” Joe watched the road carefully as he spoke. “Sure would be easier if I knew where the edge of the road is."
"Well, bro, if you hit the ditch or run into a fence, I think you'll just climb over it in this thing."
"True enough, but if I scratch it, the owner might not be happy.” He smiled grimly, staring straight ahead, and driving down what seemed to be the middle of the road bed, a U-shaped sluice with high sides that she decided were probably fences. “Even with all-wheel drive, this is no picnic, man. There's ice goin’ on down there, in case you didn't know."
Rebecca hoped no one else was out driving the dangerous roads. No way could they safely meet another vehicle.
David rolled his window down halfway, and stuck his arm out, then flicked off some remnants of ice from the windshield. “Yeah, I heard ice hitting the roof yesterday evening. Probably should have packed up and hit the road immediately down to the home place, but ... well, I had things to do."
"I know, David. I know."
Rebecca recognized the sound of compassion in Joe's voice.
Shaken, she realized her life had probably been saved by David's snap decision to stay in the cabin instead of heading to town when the ice hit.
After a few minutes of driving, Joe stopped in front of a two-story log cabin. It sat near the road, and the narrow expanse of what was probably a lawn was now a sheet of pure white. Snow and ice, Rebecca reminded herself. Surrounded by more of the snow-laden pine trees, and with a thick plume of smoke rising from the chimney, it looked picture perfect. They stopped, and Joe shut off the engine.
"Don't want to waste gas. I've got some extra with me, but I sure don't want to run out. This thing is a guzzler, as you might have guessed."
The front door of the cabin opened, and Midnight Shelby McClain stepped outside, wearing a purple fleece jacket, snug jeans, and knee-high black leather boots. Her long black hair fell straight to the middle of her back, and shone nearly blue in the bright sunlight. A tall dark man with a goatee came out of the house behind her and followed at a slower pace, and then a younger version of the man. Obviously Martin and Daniel. What a beautiful family!
Without thinking, Rebecca opened her door and jumped out of the Hummer, rounding the corner of the vehicle just in time to be caught up in Midnight's tight hug.
"Becca! I'm so glad you're here! So glad you're okay!"
"Yeah, except for this tendency she has toward hypothermia. You want to go into the house, Rebecca, or stand here with snow way up past your toy boots and freeze to death?” Without waiting for an answer, David trudged past her, carrying her laptop case and purse.
She caught the eye roll he shot Martin as he walked past him, and heard one of them say, “Women!” with an edge of disdain in his voice.
Not caring, she walked arm in arm with Midnight toward the house, teetering and sliding on the ankle boots’ stiletto heels, feeling the cold and wet soaking through the legs of the big sweat pants.
When the women stepped inside the cabin, the four men were sharing snow and ice stories. Midnight introduced Rebecca to her husband and stepson. It was impressive that Daniel had the manners to shake hands. Not bad for a fifteen year old.
Joe broke into David's story of the collapsed garage. “Well, that's one rescue safely completed. Now to deliver my big brother on down the road. See you all later?"
"Sure thing.” Martin slapped Joe on the back and shook David's hand.
"You doing okay, David?” His voice was soft and full of concern.
"Yeah. I'm fine, Martin. I'll see you later."
"Glad to hear that. We miss you."
"I know. Same here."
Rebecca immediately loved the cabin. The large main room was a combination living-dining with a breakfast bar dividing it from the cozy kitchen beyond. In the large picture window stood a fresh evergreen tree tastefully decorated as only Midnight could do. A small library/study, laundry room, and bathroom completed the first floor. Three bedrooms and two full baths were upstairs. Midnight hurried Rebecca into the master bedroom.
"Our room has its own bath, so you can go ahead and shower in here. While you have a nice hot shower, or bath, I'll go through my closet and see if any of my clothes might not swallow you. I'd forgotten how tiny you are."
She closed the door and Rebecca pulled off the borrowed clothes and dropped them onto the floor. Then she picked up the flannel shirt again, looked at the partially unraveled hem, and held the shirt to her face. It smelled like David. How odd was that? Twenty-four hours ago she'd never even heard of him, and now, smelling his scent on a beat-up flannel shirt had her sighing and missing him.
She tossed the shirt back down. Of course it was silly. She was just having some sort of post traumatic stress thing, no doubt. She'd get over it, and him, quickly. Probably by the time she was in clean clothes, she'd have forgotten about him entirely.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Seven
David growled at Joe when his brother insisted on taking him to their parents’ house instead of letting David go along on rescues. Although he understood the reason—to make Mom feel better—he didn't want to sit around on his folks’ chintz furniture and talk about the weather. About the siblings, and their kids. He wanted to be out doing something. Because he seriously needed to distract his mind. Otherwise he was afraid he'd be thinking about Miz Rebecca Mayfield. That wouldn't do at all.
What might have happened if Joe hadn't shown up when he had? If they'd been able to stay in the cabin another few hours, or perhaps another day, would they have made love on the couch in front of the fire? Possibly. But Joe had to show up in the big machomobile and rescue them. Yee haw.
But a night of lovemaking with Miz Mayfield was not all he wanted. He wanted to spend time with her, get to know her better. There was definitely something...
"Hey! Ow!” David rubbed his shoulder where Joe had just punched him.
"Ugly! I said, get out of the truck! I got places to go! Stop mooning around, David, and figure out what you're gonna do about her. Man! You are so pathetic!” He practically shoved David from the truck. When he was barely out of the way, Joe pulled the vehicle out of their parents’ drive, or yard—it was hard to tell which—and headed back up the road to see if some of the mountain families wanted to be brought to town till the roads were cleared.
Charles and Dorothy McClain met their eldest son at the door of their large white clapboard house and welcomed him with hugs and a big cup of black coffee. He sat in the kitchen with them for half an hour, drank the coffee, and recounted the highlights of his last eighteen hours or so.
"How are you, dear?"
"I'm fine, Mom."
She looked into his eyes for a long moment. “Yes, I think you are, David.” With suspiciously bright eyes, she reached across the table and patted his hand. “I think you really are."
A short time later, David was soaking in an antique claw-foot tub of hot water, leaning back with his eyes closed as he relived every minute of the time he'd spent with Rebecca Mayfield.
This sure wasn't a relationship. It was more of a one-upsmanship. I could never care for somebody like that. She's nothing like Holly. His beloved wife had spent her short life helping people. When she was gone, David tried to do that for her. He tried to make a difference in peoples’ lives. Sometimes he worked so hard at it that he exhausted himself in the process. But that exhaustion helped numb him from Holly's loss.
But ... It had been five years, and except for a miserable blind date here and there, he'd been alone the whole time. He'd done his grieving and had honored Holly's memory. He needed to move on now. Maybe it would be okay to show some interest in Rebecca. What's the worst thing that could happen?
Then again, what's the best?
* * * *
Rebecca descended the simple wood staircase into the living room. Midnight and Martin looked up from the books they were reading by the fireplace.
"Well? What do you think?” She smoothed her hands down her sides. “It's a good thing I started losing my hips at forty, or these would never have worked."
Martin appraised her quickly, then looked inquiringly at Midnight. “Hm. Am I going to get in trouble if I say those jeans never looked like that when Daniel wore them?"
Midnight laughed. “No. I'll have to agree with you there.” She looked up at Rebecca. “Of course those jeans were pre-me. I didn't realize we still had clothes here that Daniel outgrew—what? Four years ago?"
"Three. Maybe four. Not sure. But look at them. Jeans are practically new, and the sweater is a classic. It looks like what you'd buy anywhere today. I'd say you should thank me for having that old stuff around.” He looked at Midnight, then to Rebecca, clearly waiting for his thank you.
"Hm. We'll see.” Midnight winked and walked over to her petite friend. “The raglan sleeves on this sweater help it fit. And the emerald green is great on you.” She sighed. “Okay, Martin, I do thank you for keeping Daniel's old clothes and for bringing them out of storage. They've washed up fine."
"Yesss! I did something right!"
"Oh honey, you do lots of things right.” Midnight sat down on the arm of his chair and ran her fingers through his hair. Then she leaned down and gave him a long, slow kiss. “Mmm. Lots of things.” Martin's arms went around her, pulling her closer.
Daniel came running down the stairs, and stopped when he saw the scene. “Geez. Can you guys give it a rest? We've got company here.” He looked at Rebecca apologetically. “They get like this sometimes. It's disgusting, but I try to ignore it.” He continued through the living room toward the kitchen, and called over his shoulder, “Cool sweater, Miz Mayfield. I used to have one like that."
"But it didn't look the same on you.” Martin received a light swat on the shoulder from his wife for the comment. “Ow!"
Rebecca giggled, something that didn't happen often. She actually couldn't recall the last time she'd done it. She dropped onto the dark chocolate leather couch and drew her sock feet up under her. “Okay then. I guess I pass inspection."
Christmas Collision Page 5