Page 69 of A Cozy Christmas Blizzard
“I will.” She was about to hang up, but then... “Dad,” she added hastily, her thoughts churning as she focused on a huge advertisement for a rental car agency. “Listen, don’t go to the airport until I phone.”
“But—”
“I’ll be hungry by then, so I’ll grab some lunch and be waiting outside for you. That way you won’t have to park.”
“I don’t mind parking, Shortcake.”
“I know, but I’d rather do it my way.”
“If you insist.”
“I do.” Her brothers claimed that their father was partial to his only daughter. It was a long-standing family joke that she was the only one capable of swaying him once he’d made a decision. “I insist.”
They said their goodbyes, and she disconnected, feeling light-hearted and relieved. Instead of heading back down the concourse toward the plane, she ventured in the opposite direction, taking the escalators to the lower level, where the rental car agencies were located.
To her surprise, she saw Slade Garner talking with a young man at the first agency. Shelly walked past him to the second counter.
“How much would it cost to rent a car here and drop it off in Seattle?” she asked brightly.
The woman on duty hardly looked up from her computer screen. “Sorry, we don’t have any cars available.”
“None?” Shelly found that hard to believe.
“Lots of people had the same idea you did,” the agent explained. “A plane hasn’t landed in Seattle in hours. No one wants to sit around the airport waiting. Especially at Christmas.”
“Thanks anyway.” Shelly hurried down to the third agency and repeated her question.
“Yes, we do,” the agent said with a wide grin. “We have exactly one car available.” She named a sum that caused Shelly to swallow heavily. But already the idea had gained traction in her mind. Every minute the plane remained on the ground robbed her of precious time with her father. And from what he’d told her, the snow was coming down fast and furiously. It could be hours before the plane was able to take off, if it took off today at all. She freely admitted that another landing at another airport in the middle of the worst snowstorm of theyear wasn’t her idea of a good time. As it was, her Christmas bonus was burning a hole in her purse. And this was a good cause. Surely there was some unwritten rule that stated every favorite daughter should spend Christmas with her father.
“I’ll take the car.”
She looked up and saw Slade Garner standing a mere six inches away. A wide, confident smile spread across his handsome features, and his aura of self-assurance bordered on arrogance.
“I’m already taking it,” she said firmly.
“I have to get to Seattle.”
“So do I,” she informed him primly. And then, in case he decided to remind her that she was indebted to him, she added, “But give me an address and I’ll make sure to reimburse you while I’m there.”
“I’ve got an important meeting.”
“As a matter of fact, so do I.” Turning back to the counter, she picked up a pen and prepared to fill in the rental form.
“How much?” he asked.
“I beg your pardon?”
“How much do you want for the car?” He slipped his hand into the pocket of his coat, apparently prepared to pay her price.
Squaring her shoulders, she exchanged looks with the rental agent, then turned back to Slade and said, “Get your own car.”
“There’s only one car available. This one.”
“And I’ve got it,” she told him with a deceptively calm smile. The more she saw of this man, the more aggravating he became.
His jaw tightened. “I don’t think you understand,” he said, and breathed out with sharp impatience. “My meeting’s extremely important.”
“So is mine. I’m—”
