Page 31 of Puck the Halls
I glance at the clock Rhonda has hanging over the little kitchenette. It’s about eight a.m. Seven for Dani and Michael.She’s definitely naked right now. Whether she’s awake or not depends on how late he kept her up last night. While we were stuck in a ditch, then hanging out with nuns.
“Don’t get us a car,” I tell Val. “Butdefinitelyget us that flight out of Omaha.”
“Already booked. But you don’t want a car?”
“I’ll get us a ride.” It will need to be something ridiculous, like nuns or a decked-out-for-Christmas RV, to keep Nathan from angsting about getting to Aspen.
“You sure?”
“Definitely. I’m very pick-uppable.”
She laughs. “You are that.”
“And you’ve got access tolotsof money if it takes a dark turn.”
She laughs louder. “You’re assuming I’d pay and not just pocket it and buy a tropical island.”
“Oh, Val, you couldn’t live on a tropical island. They don’t have coffee delivery or pedicures.”
She sighs. “Yeah, you’re right. Fine, I’ll pay the ransom.”
I laugh. “You’re the best, Val.”
“So what’s the plan?” she asks. “You’ll get another ride in Des Moines? Then fly out of Omaha?”
“Yeah. Can you arrange for the pilot to wait on us just whenever we get there?”
“Of course. I’ll text you his number so you can keep him updated on your trip and your ETA.”
“Okay. I appreciate the help.”
“It’s what I’m here for. During reasonable working hours,” she adds with a laugh.
We say goodbye and I realize I need to make another call. Michael needs to know what’s going on and that our optimistic plan to get on a plane in Des Moines isn’t working out.
Now I kind of hope he does have Dani naked. Because our girl is not going to be happy about this.
I end up taking the chicken way out and text Michael.
Another little wrinkle. No flights out of Des Moines. We’re going to Omaha. Should be in Aspen around 12:30 your time. Maybe just tell Dani that.
Way ahead of you. I told her you’d be here around 4, so she’ll be thrilled when you get here earlier.
We never said 4
Exactly. I said 4. That would cover any further glitches and if it’s a straightforward trip, you can surprise her.
Damn, I think you might actually be the smart one after all
See you soon
I’m fine. Don’t rush on my account.
Fifteen minutes later Dave and Rhonda drop us off at a McDonald’s along the interstate. They really wanted to take us to their daughter’s house and told us we could shower, rest up, and get a ride from there. I didn’t want to take the time. And I know being along the interstate gives us a much better shot at finding a ride that’s heading west.
I’m right. Ten minutes and an Egg McMuffin later, I’ve secured two seats on a school bus heading to Omaha. The school bus has five adults—three women and two men—along with twenty little girls. They are an ice skating club in Des Moines and they’re heading to Omaha for some Christmas show on ice at the events center.
Only one of the men follows hockey or knows who I am, but a few of the girls say they have older brothers who play hockey, so I’m kind of cool to them. I guess.
