Trading Christmas: When Christmas Comes / The Forgetful Bride. Debbie Macomber

to sound enthusiastic. “Anytime you say.”

       Elijah rewarded her with a smile. “And the guys said you’d be trouble.”

       “Me?”

       “College girls generally are.”

       “So I’m not your first college girl?”

       He laughed, but the sound lacked amusement. “I’ve been around.”

       She ignored that. She didn’t want to hear about any of his other women, because she was determined it would be different with her.

       They were good for each other. With Elijah she could throw away her good-girl image and discover her real self. At the same time, she’d teach him about love and responsibility. She didn’t know exactly how he made his money, although he always seemed to have enough for gas and beer. But Heather wasn’t concerned about that right now; she was determined to enjoy herself.

       In one graceful movement Elijah leaped to his feet and stood. As soon as he was upright, the others started to move, too. He was their unspoken leader, their guide to adventure. And Heather was his woman, and she loved it.

       Elijah offered Heather his hand, which she took. She brushed the grass and grit from her rear and started back across the grass and the parking lot to where he’d parked the Harley.

       Elijah gave Heather her helmet. “You don’t need to feel guilty about your mother,” he said.

       “I don’t.” But she did. “Still, I think I should call her.”

       “I thought you said she doesn’t have a cell phone.”

       “She doesn’t.”

       “Do you know where she’s staying?”

       “No…but—”

       “It’s out of the question, then, isn’t it?”

       Heather was forced to agree. Even if she wanted to, she realized in an instant of panic, she had no way of reaching her mother.

      Twelve

      “How much?” Faith Kerrigan couldn’t believe what the airline representative on the phone was telling her. According to what he said, her flight back to California would cost nearly twice as much as her original ticket.

       “That’s if I can find you a seat,” he added.

       “Oh.” Faith could feel a headache coming on. She pressed her fingertips to her temple, which didn’t help.

       “Do you want me to check for an available flight?” the man asked.

       “I—no.” Her other option was to wait until there was a rental car available, with a different agency if necessary, and then drive back to California. The fees couldn’t possibly be as steep as what the airlines wanted to charge. One thing was certain—she couldn’t stay in Leavenworth. She hauled out Emily’s phone book and began to call the local car rental places.

       This entire Christmas was a disaster. If only she’d talked to Emily before she booked her flight. Oh, no, she groaned to herself, that would have been far too sensible. She’d wanted to surprise her friend. Some surprise! Instead, she was the one who’d gotten the shock of her life.

       Sam, Tony and the other dwarfs tiptoed around the house as quietly as possible, not wanting to intrude on the curmudgeon. What an unlikable fellow he was! But at least he’d been kind enough not to cast them into the cold dark night. She reminded herself that he’d only delayed it until morning—which made it difficult to maintain much gratitude.

       Faith hadn’t seen Charles yet. The den door was closed and she could only assume he was on his computer, doing whatever it was he found so important.

       “It’s time we left,” Sam announced once she was off the phone.

       Faith still didn’t know what she’d do, but the problem was hers and hers alone. Santa and the small troupe of dwarfs gathered around and watched her with anxious expressions.

       “Are you sure you’ll be safe with him?” Tony motioned toward the closed door. Judging by the intense look he wore, he seemed to welcome the opportunity to share his opinion of Charles—with Charles himself.

       Faith resisted the urge to kiss his forehead for being so sweet. “I’ll be perfectly fine, don’t you worry.” She hoped she sounded more confident than she felt, but she wanted to send her friends off without burdening them with her troubles.

       Sam hesitated, as if he wasn’t convinced he should believe her. He scratched his white beard, frowning. “You have a way back to California?”

       “Not quite, but I’m working on it. I’ve called the car rental agency, plus several others. I’m waiting to hear back.”

       Sam’s frown deepened. He seemed about to suggest she join them, but Faith knew that would be impossible.