question in particular was always a difficult one.
“It’s all right. I don’t have anyone…waiting for me.”
He glanced over at her, then back at the road again. She sensed he was curious, but didn’t push her for more information.
“I’m on my way to Portland. To visit a friend,” she said simply.
That was the cover story she’d composed for the trip. Just in case anyone asked. Portland was somewhat south of this area, she guessed. Though she wasn’t sure how far.
He nodded. His silence made her nervous. Did he believe her? Then she realized he was probably just watching his driving in the snow.
“Looks like you’re stuck. At least for the night.”
“I guess so. What do you think about the car? Can I call someone to tow it?”
“I’ll have them call from the station, though I don’t know if the local tow company will get to it tonight. I think all the tow trucks within twenty miles are backed up with calls right now.”
Carey hated hearing about delays, though she knew it was illogical to think her car would be towed during a snowstorm…on Christmas Eve night, no less.
“Where will they bring it?”
“The closest auto body shop is Anderson’s, in town. Honest guy. He won’t rip you off. Though I’m sure he’ll be closed tomorrow. You’ll probably have to wait until the day after Christmas for him to take a look at it.”
Carey’s heart sank. She’d be stuck here two days. Then there would be more time to fix the car. Who knew how long that would take? Every minute seemed precious, to keep a step ahead of her pursuers.
“Is there any other place? Besides the shop in town?”
“There are a few on the highway. But then you’ll be paying a lot more for the tow. And I can’t say how reliable those places are,” he added.
A special radio hung from the bottom of the dashboard, she noticed. He picked up the hand piece and asked someone on the other end to call for a tow truck and told them where to find the car.
Carey agreed to have the car brought to the garage in town. That seemed the easiest solution.
The snow still fell heavily and the drive was slow going.
“You can just drop us off anyplace. At a motel or something.”
She wondered where that might be. She’d been watching vigilantly out the window and all she could see was snow…and more snow.
“There’s a hotel in town. But it’s full up. Relatives that come in for the holidays,” he explained.
“Maybe I should call and check. There might be a cancellation.”
He shook his head. “Trust me. They don’t have any rooms free tonight.”
He glanced at her, the corner his mouth lifted in the promising start of a smile. She sensed he didn’t smile often. She wasn’t sure why. Just something about him.
Maybe that was a good thing. He was even better-looking, if possible, when he did. When their eyes met, she forgot for a moment what she’d even asked him.
“I have an inside track. My family owns the place. My mother and sister,” he added.
It was hard to picture this hunk of a man with a mother. But of course, he had one, along with a wife and children and all kinds of relatives, waiting for him at some big Christmas party, she suspected.
His hands were covered by thick gloves so she couldn’t check to see if he wore a ring. Then she realized her thoughts were going way off on some wacky detour. What did it matter to her if he was married or not?
“There must be someplace else.” Carey forced herself back on track. “It doesn’t have to be fancy. As long as it’s clean…and there’s heat.”
“There are a few B and Bs around, but they’re all full tonight, as well. There’s a motel a few towns north. But the highway is closed now and I don’t dare risk the ride on the back roads. Besides, that place is going to be booked, too. Especially with this weather.”
Carey considered his reply. She didn’t argue with him. It was probably true. People traveling tonight would get off the road and stop to stay over, if they had any sense at all.
“How about a hospital? Maybe they could give us a bed for the night.”
“The hospital is even farther.” Before she could answer, he added, “The usual procedure for emergency shelter is the lockup at the station in town.” He paused, his glance taking in her worried expression. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t leave you in a jail cell on Christmas Eve. I just…wouldn’t.”
His gaze met hers for a moment, then he stared back at the road again. Carey felt some indefinable current arc between them. She didn’t know what to say.
“What do you think we should do?”
He didn’t say anything for a long moment. Carey wondered what his solution was going to be.
“I have plenty of room at my house. We’re almost there. And I honestly don’t see any other solution.”
Carey was surprised by the offer. “Are you sure? I mean…there’s nowhere else?”
“Tomorrow there’ll be lots of vacancies. But tonight, with this snow, I can’t think of anyplace else to bring you. You said all you want is a clean room and some heat. I can guarantee that at least.”
“How about your family? Won’t they mind?” She phrased the question as diplomatically as she could manage.
“Well, there’s Dixie…my dog,” he explained. “But she’s always happy to see company.”
His answer pleased her. She didn’t want to stop and figure out why. She didn’t want to intrude if he did have a wife and family. That’s all, she told herself. It wasn’t anything more.
“I realize the situation might be a little disconcerting. I mean, you’d be smart to hesitate. I’m going to call the station. You can talk to my sergeant. Make sure I am who I say. Will that make you feel better about it?”
“All right. I guess that would be the smart thing to do.”
Ben picked up the radio handset in the car and a short time later, Carey was listening to his superior wax eloquent on Ben’s fine points as a gentleman and an officer. Any doubts at all about his trustworthiness were quickly dispelled. Not that she’d ever really suspected him.
“Thank you, Sergeant. You’ve been very helpful,” Carey said for the second or maybe third time.
Ben suddenly took the radio from her. “Thanks a bunch, Jim. You make me sound like a cross between a Boy Scout and…an action hero.”
“I forgot Sherlock Holmes,” the older
