Page 15 of Santa's Mistletoe Playbook

“Thanks for the invite, but I have plans.” He politely smiled and hurried off to the elevator, tapping Danica’s number. No answer. Why isn’t she picking up?

Bryson hurried out to his truck and headed up the snowy road to the house. When he opened the garage door, the Prius was gone. Where would Danica go in this snowstorm after dropping off the flowers and cookies?

All day, he’d fought with himself about Danica’s antics last night. If he couldn’t trust her not to do what she did last night, he didn’t see a way for their relationship to move forward. She’d sworn off alcohol after the first two times this happened and promised never to do it again.

Yesterday he’d gone out and purchased an engagement ring, planning to give it to her for Christmas. But now he had second thoughts and stuffed the ring box inside his duffel bag.

He searched the house, calling Danica’s name.

Where is she? Why isn’t she answering her phone?

He’d prepared what to say to her—that they should cool things for a while, and she should move out when they return to Arizona. Those thoughts were replaced by worry as he eyed the blowing snow.

Danica was probably in Anchorage since he hadn’t seen the Prius on the way up here. Hopefully, not anywhere near alcohol. For a moment, he stood glued to the floor, swinging like a pendulum between anger and worry. Out of spite, he was tempted to accept the nurse’s offer to meet up at the Wolfpack Brewhouse.

He didn’t know where to search for Danica. Oh wait, yes, he did. He tapped Monty’s number. When he answered, Bryson asked in an accusatory tone, “Is Danica with you?”

“What? No. Why would she be with me?” his friend tossed back.

“I can’t find her. She took Mom’s Prius, and she won’t answer her phone.”

“Want me to help you look for her?”

Bryson pinched the bridge of his nose and heaved out an exasperated sigh. “No, it’s snowing too hard. She’s bound to turn up, eventually.”

“Dude, I’m sorry about last night. All my fault for talking her into those shots. You should have been truthful about the reason she couldn’t drink.” Monty sounded penitent, and it was hard to stay pissed at him.

In his opinion, most of the blame was Danica’s, anyway.

Bryson blew out air. “It’s something neither of us likes to talk about.”

“That bad, huh?”

“She has an alcohol intolerance that messes up her brain more than the average person. Anyway, I got to run. I have to go find her.”

Monty paused. “Okay, buddy. Let me know if I can help.”

“I will.” Bryson ended the call.

Although he was angry with Danica’s actions last night, he still worried about her. If he couldn’t get hold of her soon, he’d call the state troopers.

CHAPTER NINE

DANICA

Danica stood in the middle of the enormous living room with a large brown bear rug sprawled on the floor. “Can I please use your phone? I lost my mine on the road someplace.” She tried unsuccessfully to keep the anxiety from her voice.

Devin Rasmusson smiled and handed her his phone. “Sure.”

She glanced around nervously. “Do you live here by yourself?”

“Sure do.” He smiled. “It’s a sizeable house for one person.”

A chill crept up her spine. This guy could be anybody. A rapist? An Alaskan serial killer? She’d heard about a few that were thankfully caught. Alone up here in a gigantic house away from everything and everybody. She quickly tapped Bryson’s phone number and waited.

It took a while for him to answer, and when he did, he didn’t sound like himself. “Yeah? Why areyoucalling me?”

“Bryson? It’s me. Danica.”

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