Sweet Montana Christmas

by Casey Dawes

  Inwardly, he sighed. “My shift starts in an hour. How about late tomorrow morning?” The plumber might fix it before he even got there. Then he could buy some chocolates and leave.

  Fat chance.

  Chapter 5

  Zach’s bones ached, never a good sign. As he drove toward the airport, his body told him he was going against his best interest. Helping Sue Anne with her plumbing was leading him deeper into the maze of interpersonal feelings.

  Ugh. Even after he’d slimmed down and had more success with girls, he’d never been sure how they actually worked. His fights with Erin had confirmed his ineptness.

  As he drove north on Reserve Street, he made his plan. He’d go to the shop tomorrow, fix the plumbing, get some chocolate, and that would be the end of it.

  The big box stores slid by as he took the Broadway exit.

  Time to focus on the day ahead. He needed to study, make sure there wasn’t anything he didn’t know about the FAA test. He couldn’t afford to screw up a second time. Provided no one did anything foolish on the slick roads or runways, he should have time between his patrol shifts to study. He didn’t know which he preferred—unending time when nothing happened or the heart-stopping craziness of an accident or problem.

  Missoula was calmer than Denver, which was to be expected in a city thirty times smaller than the capital of Colorado. It was more a small town than a city. When he went out anywhere, the chances were good he’d run into someone he knew.

  Like Sue Anne.

  How was he going to avoid her?

  The snow-packed mountain range to the southwest gleamed in the sun. He needed some outdoor time anyway. He’d give his buddy in Coeur d’Alene a call and see if he and his wife were up for a visit. That would get him out of town for a while. When he came back, he’d lay low, shop when Sue Anne should be at her store, and work out before his shift or early morning.

  Good thing Gold’s was a twenty-four-hour gym.

  He grinned as he pulled into the parking lot. Game. Set. Match.

  He was back in control.

  Five hours later, he was no longer sure being in control was even possible. A meth-head tried to board a plane, travelers lost not one but two cars, and a dog that someone let off its leash somehow found its way into the baggage tunnels.

  To add to his irritation, Pat had been chosen to run one of the training drills to prepare for the FAA test. It had been nine months since the last time the government ran Missoula through the hoops, so they were due for an Alert 4 in the next three months.

  Alert 4. The exact same test he’d screwed up in Denver. Teams had three minutes to respond to an emergency on the runway. Three minutes could be a very short time on a runway made for long-distance carriers.

  But Pat? Why not him?

  By the time he headed into the terminal after the drill, Zach had built up a head of steam about being passed over. Without thinking it through, he knocked on the chief’s door.

  “What can I do for you, Zach?” Chief Johnson was a tall, thick-set, blond man, one of the many of Scandinavian descent who seemed to be everywhere in Montana.

  No invitation to sit down. Not good.

  He cleared his throat and stayed standing.

  “I was wondering when I could lead a team drill. I’ve been studying my ass off, going over all the procedures. I’m ready. I’ve been here at least as long as Pat.”

  “I know that.” Johnson cleared his throat. “But that’s not the issue. Have a seat.” He leaned forward and folded his hands on the desk. “When I hired you, I took a careful look at your background. I talked to Denver to see if they thought the incident during the federal test was a one-time thing or if there was some underlying issue.”

  Zach swallowed.

  “They told me you had problems with some of the others on the team, and you let that interfere with your judgment. After the drill was compromised, the situation with the team became worse.”

  That’s ’cause those SOBs froze me out.

  But he knew better than to say anything.

  “They seemed to think you didn’t have your mind entirely on the job,” the chief added.

  “But I’m focused now. I learned my lesson.” He worked to keep the desperation from his voice. “I wasn’t ready then because...” He stopped. What he was going to say? He was arguing with his girlfriend on the phone and missed the alert?

  “We need full concentration.” Chief Johnson’s eyes were steady. “People’s lives are at stake. We’re a small airport, but our customers still matter, from the gal who waits tables at Jedidiah’s to our pilots and everyone in between, especially our passengers.” He tapped his finger on the desk. “They count on everyone in the team for their safety. And, more importantly, the team needs to count on every member to deliver service and keep each other alive.”

  Was he getting a dressing down, or was he going to be fired?

  “Now, I’ve seen how hard you’re working to learn the airport and all the things you need to do.” The chief leaned back in his chair. “But you don’t mingle with the guys. You’re a loner.”

  “I brought chocolates,” Zach said.

  “I heard they were very good.” The corners of the man’s lips moved up a fraction of a degree. “That was a good first step. Do more. The squad is a great group of men. Go out and have a beer with some of them sometime. Montana is a friendly place. There aren’t many of us relative to the space, so we rely on each other.”

  Zach’s shoulders ached with the tension.

  “Make no mistake.” The chief’s words were clipped. “We can’t keep someone around who doesn’t fit in. So get over whatever’s bugging you about Pat and learn to be a team player, or you’ll need to find another airport.”

  Frozen in the chair, Zach was silent. He couldn’t fail twice. If that happened, he’d have to give up his career. No airport would hire him.

  “I’ll do what it takes.” He forced out the words.

  “Good.” The chief gave a brief nod. “Now, was there anything else?”

  “No, sir.”

  Stiff-legged, Zach rose from the chair and left the room with a heavy heart.

  • • •

  Where was the damn plumber?

  Sue Anne paced around the shop, Sugar following in her footsteps, the dog’s unclipped toenails clacking on the wooden floor.

  “You can’t be in here when the health inspector comes,” she told the animal. With the impending opening, stress had turned her sleep time into tossing and turning nightmares. Even her pet’s whines had gotten to her that morning.

  How had she ever thought she could do this?

  The February day was bright and clear, and sun streamed through the windows, dancing heart patterns on the floor. Tables and chairs had been delayed and wouldn’t be delivered until mid-April, but she’d found a few the previous owners had left behind and painted them a bright red. They would have to do until the wrought-iron furniture arrived.

  Cellophane-wrapped candies filled the shelves on the walls around the store. She’d fill the display cases, now gleaming from their efforts, over the next few days—ready for their opening on Monday.

  She resumed her tour around the shop, pretending to examine everything again while she walked off nervous energy.

  What if the plumber never showed up?

  Someone knocked on the front door. Sugar took off for her customary hiding place in a small nook behind one of the shelves.

  Finally.

  “You’re not the plumber,” she said to Zach, smiling with relief. “But you’ll do. Thanks for coming. I really appreciate it.”

  “Thank me after I get it fixed. Now where is the problem?” The warmth that had been in his voice at the gym was missing.

  Grumpy guy had returned.

  “Back here.” She led him to the kitchen area. “Under the sink. I tried to fix it myself, but I think I made it worse.”

  “So you said.”

  “I unhooked the U-shaped thingy.
All this stuff came out. Icky. Must be like when gunk pours into streams and pollutes everything. I wonder if we could invent something to prevent that from happening. You know, keep the gunk somewhere else, not in the streams.”

  He set his toolbox down on the floor and pulled out a flashlight.

  “That’s what the sink trap is for,” he said as he knelt next to the pipes she had left on the floor. “Also to keep sewer gas from coming into the kitchen.”

  “What’s a sink trap?”

  “That.” He pointed to the U-shaped pipe.

  Amazing that one little hunk of metal could do all that.

  She hovered, not sure what to do with herself. “Do you want any hot chocolate? The machine came in yesterday, and I haven’t had a chance to use it yet.”

  “Don’t bother on my account. I’ve got to be on my way as soon as I get this done.” He slid half his body under the sink.

  Oh, yeah. His sense of humor had taken a vacation.

  “No problem. I want to play with the new machine anyway.”

  Sue Anne intended to wash out the container at the sink but stopped when she realized there was no water.

  Good thing he wasn’t interested.

  “Ah, got it.” Zach emerged from the cupboard. “I’m going to have to run to Ace for a few parts.”

  “I’ve got some money in my purse.” She scrounged for her wallet and drew out a twenty.

  “Nah, don’t worry. It’s only a few bucks. You can pay me back in chocolate. The squad really liked them.” A worried frown drew two lines in his forehead.

  This was a man that needed cheering up. A chocolate fix should do. Maybe a little flirting. He probably just needed to get laid. That’s what made him so grumpy.

  Although with a kiss like his, he shouldn’t have any problems in that department.

  “Take a few for the road.” She perked up her smile like she’d seen her mother do a thousand times, looked at him from under her mascara-coated eyelashes, and grabbed a chocolate. Without hesitating, she popped it into his mouth just as he was opening it to say something.

  As her fingers brushed his lips, his eyes widened, and for the first time since he’d gotten there, his gaze lingered on her face, the glint of interest back in his expression. Warmth ran down her arm, as if the sun had come out from behind a cloud.

  “Good,” he said, his voice muffled by the chocolate. He swallowed. “What is it?”

  “Almond cream truffle.”

  “Oh. Darn.” The light left his eyes again. “Can you make up a package without nuts for me? One of the guys at the ... on the team is allergic.”

  “Sure. That’s easy enough. Tell you what. I’ll make up one of each.” She put her hand on his arm. “Zach, is something wrong? You don’t quite seem happy.”

  “I’m fine. Be right back.” The doorbell jangled loudly as he left the shop.

  “I don’t know what’s going on,” she said to Sugar, who was still hiding in her cubbyhole. “But that man is not fine.”

  He strode down the sidewalk toward the main drag, and her heart raced a little faster as she watched him. He may not be fine mentally. As far as physical aspects went, he was perfect.

  Clouds swirled to the west, the slate gray of snow clouds. Would it pile through town or circle the valley like it often did?

  They didn’t call Missoula the banana belt of Montana for nothing.

  Just as long as it didn’t snow next Monday. She wanted her opening day to have perfect weather. Even in winter, the city could produce beautiful days, the crisp mountain air sharpening the edges of the Victorian architecture and strong maples that lined the streets of the old section.

  Way different from Texas’s heat—summer or winter, the state was hot.

  Like her chocolates, Sue Anne preferred seasonal variety.

  She sighed and turned away from the view. There was still too much to be done.

  She was reviewing the instructions for the register when Zach returned.

  “You’d think they would make these things simpler,” she said, punching one of the keys in frustration. “All it has to do is record a sale and open the drawer. But no, I have to program it to understand what kind of chocolate the person is buying.”

  “I know what you mean. I used to be able to maintain my car. Now I can barely change the oil.” He held up the paper bag in his hand. “Fortunately, I can still fix plumbing.”

  His mood seemed to have lightened in the time he was gone. Score one for chocolate.

  “That’s why I like getting out in nature,” she said. “No one’s going to computerize a tree. All I have to do is put one foot in front of the other to get to the end of the trail.” She followed him into the kitchen.

  “You like hiking?”

  “Yes. I really love the Bitterroot. Do you? Like to hike?”

  “Uh-huh.” The reply wafted from under the sink.

  Maybe she wouldn’t always have to hike alone. Having a friend along made the day better.

  She contemplated the legs stretched out before her. The jeans tightly encased his lower body, not leaving much to the imagination.

  It had been a while—since before Christmas. Not that she was needy. It would just be … well … nice.

  The legs began to move, and she stepped back, looking for something to make her appear like she’d been working, not doing anything rude.

  Like craving his body.

  “Should be all set now,” he said, unfolding himself from the floor. “Give it a try.”

  She turned on the hot water full blast, and pressure made the water bounce from the sink and cover her blouse with big splotches, some in strategic places.

  “Oops. Guess it works.” She dried her hands with a kitchen towel and gave him a big grin, trying to ignore the nascent lust the situation was producing. “I’ve got your chocolates all ready. Here’s the one without nuts.” Nuts. There were so many variations of meaning of that word, most of them having to do with some type of derangement, while others ...

  Her mind went all wonky with this man around.

  “Mind if I wash my hands?” He held up his hands, covered with grime.

  What would they feel like on her body? If his touch was anything like his kiss, she’d be orgasmic in no time.

  “Would you like to go hiking some weekend?” she blurted out as he cleaned up.

  He was still drying his hands with the towel, the expression on his face neutral. “Snow’s a little high yet. Unless you mean snowshoeing.”

  “I’ve never been snowshoeing. I’d like to try sometime but not right now.” She gestured around the room. “Got too much to do.”

  “Right.”

  “But later. In the spring?”

  “Are you asking me on a date?”

  “Um. I suppose so. Yes.” She grinned, hoping it was encouraging. She only meant to ask him out as a friend. A man friend. Not a date. But she’d made the invitation, so she’d need to stick by it, no matter how he interpreted it.

  He looked at her warily, like she might be a dog ready to bite.

  She opened her mouth to say something, then shut it rapidly. He was either in or out.

  A glint appeared in his eye.

  Or maybe it was just the sunlight streaming through the window.

  With his index finger, he traced the edge of her jaw.

  Pretty soon she’d be running naked in the snow to cool down.

  Would he appreciate that?

  The neighbors probably wouldn’t.

  “Well, do you?” she asked, pretending to ignore the traveling finger.

  “Tempting.” He stopped. “How about we wait until the snow melts? Then ask me again. As a friend. I’m not much for dating at the moment.” He seemed to deflate. “Like you, I’ve got stuff to do. Good luck with your inspection. And your opening.”

  Sugar took that moment to emerge from her hidey-hole. She raced to Zach and nosed his shoes before reaching up to his knee with her front legs.

  “Hello, lit
tle one.” Zach’s face relaxed as he squatted to scratch Sugar’s head. “What’s her name?”

  “Sugar.”

  “Of course.” He chuckled, and his shoulders visibly relaxed. “You are a cute ugly dog, aren’t you? Pug?”

  “Uh-huh.” The transformation was amazing. This was a man who obviously liked pets.

  She watched as he scratched the dog’s head. Soon Sugar rolled over and let him get at her belly.

  “That’s a good girl,” he cooed.

  “Do you have a dog?” she asked.

  “Apartment won’t allow them.” He looked up at her.

  Oh. Her heart took one more step closer to caring too much. Lust was one thing. The other “L” word was another.

  That wasn’t part of her plan. Based on what he’d just said about dating, probably not in his plan either.

  They were perfectly matched that way.

  He stood, and their gazes interlocked, ramping up the heat between them.

  Stroking her chin again, he tilted his head and his lips met hers.

  Maybe he’d be interested in friends with benefits.

  Chapter 6

  Sue Anne unlocked the store front door and pushed it open, her nose tingling from the freezing air. The thermometer said twenty degrees, but it felt warmer than that, thankfully. The bright blue sky she’d hoped for the opening day had failed to materialize.

  She lugged out the sidewalk sign announcing a free cup of hot chocolate.

  That should draw them in.

  After looking east and west down the street, her spirits dropped. What little foot traffic there was streamed into Bernice’s Bakery just down the road.

  How to lure them away?

  Pulling her Magic Marker from her apron pocket, she added an arrow to the message, hefted the sign, and staggered down the sidewalk to the corner across from the bakery, praying she didn’t slip on any stray ice.

  “Free?” a bearded construction-worker type asked.

  “Yep.”

  He glanced at Bernice’s. “Got anything to eat? Muffin or something?”

  “Chocolate.”

  “Not really a breakfast food.” He laughed.

  “Tell you what,” she said. “I’ll give you hot chocolate and a piece of fudge to have with your lunch.”