Christmas Tempest (Holiday Heartwarmers #12)

Chapter Ten

Dex stared at Jasmin, mentally rewinding her latest shocking statement.

“You’re Lester Burn’s daughter?”

“Yep. Sure am. He’ll be working every angle he has to get us help now.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You never asked. By the way, he says he knows you.”

“Sure, we’re both in the Rainier Club in Seattle. I recently joined and your father was very welcoming when he found out I lived in his town.”

“He would be. The man loves Carlton Grove and is quite proud of the advancements they’ve made in the last decade.”

“And with reason. The city council has been paramount in planning the growth of the area and doing a stellar job. Not sure if you’re aware, but with so many refugees and immigrants flooding over our borders, many are flocking to Washington. Where other places inundated with these people are finding housing shortages and rising costs in rentals, your father built a whole new village of the prettiest little low-income homes and apartments for the influx, and we’re managing much better because of his forward thinking.”

“That’s my pops.” Jasmin loved hearing good things about the man she’d idolized all her life. In fact, choosing her career in law had been because of him. Growing up, she’d seen him time and again help people who were suffering because of corrupt, money-grubbing folks who didn’t give a hoot if they broke the golden rule as long as they won. “He’s the reason I’m a lawyer. I wanted to be as much like him as possible.”

Trying to relax, snacking on the smoked salmon and sipping from his bottle of brandy, Dex asked, “What about your mom? Is she a career-woman too?”

“Nope. Totally a homebody, cookie-baking, volunteer-loving mom to all. Another inspiration… well, mostly. She’s also a mom who can’t help herself from wanting to know everything about her chickadee.”

“And because she pushes, you retreat.”

Jasmin laughed at his male way of seeing things but had to agree. “Yep. Dead on.”

“I have a neighbor we grew up with who’s like that. She was kind of an older sister to me and Max growing up. If she gets me on the phone, it’s a good twenty to thirty minutes before I can escape from all her questions.”

“Yet it’s because they love us, right? So we can’t be rude or cruel. The confining web of their affection just snatches us up, making us into prisoners who don’t want to hurt feelings.”

“Well put.” Dex pointed at her, his finger wavering slightly. “And by the way, I know what you’re doing. Trying to keep my mind from worrying about Dillon.”

“Obviously, it’s not working. Dex, I’m so sorry. But you’ve done all you can. Being stuck here is horrible for you, I know, but we’re ready to go as soon as they clear a path for us. You’ve cleaned as much snow as possible so we can turn the car back the way it came… we just need the road crews to open it up from that direction.”

“I wish the snow would stop. If the sun came out, it would help melt some of the mess.”

“I can check the weather if you want but I’ve been hoarding the battery in case we need it for more important things. I wish the radio worked here but it’s always static on this stretch of the highway.”

“I know. You’re right about saving the phone power. Once we get back on the road, we’ll probably need it.” Taking liberties he had to know she’d welcome; he reached across to nuzzle her neck and then left a long kiss on her lips. “I noticed what you did in telling your dad you’d be heading back to the city. I hoped you’d be willing to do that, but we hadn’t discussed it yet.”

She kissed him back, taking his cheeks in her hands and staring into his eyes. “Of course, we’ll go back. Dillon needs you, and I doubt if they’ll be able to get your car out and running anytime soon. It’s really become buried. That became obvious when I tried to clear away enough snow to get into the back seat.”

Leaning his forehead against hers, Dex spoke low. “You’re too good to be true. I think I’m dreaming. Or maybe I died and I’m in heaven with a pretty angel.”

Suddenly, hearing her name, the dog poked her face over the seat, reached out and nudged him while licking his face. “Oops, I know better than to use that word.”

Both laughing, Jasmin blessed the animal for clearing away the gloomy distress of worry. Not that she’d say anything yet to Dex, but if she knew her father – and she did – by now he’d have every cop in the city out looking for that lost little boy.

As the hours passed, Jasmin asked a lot of questions, thinking to keep Dex’s mind from stewing. In fact, snuggling under the shared quilt, they both revealed all kinds of secrets and plans they’d never shared before.

In her wildest dreams, she’d couldn’t imagine telling another person about her fears for giving up her job or her independence, accepting that once she lived near her parents, they’d expect to be involved in her life. And she’d left all that behind ten years ago. Could she go back to being their little girl again?

Dex instinctively zeroed in on her concerns, and his comment made the most sense of all. “Just tell them how you feel. Sit them down and make up some rules. You might be surprised to find out they have a life too and have no intention of taking over yours.”

As she contemplated his surprisingly shrewd suggestion, she looked outside. That’s when Jasmin noticed that the sky had darkened, and the storm had grown wilder. Snow blew in all directions, which she realized were no longer the fat fleecy flakes from earlier. Now, it looked more like wild icy rain flying sideways. The vicious sounds of the howling weather disturbed her.

Staring into the gloom, she could barely make out the distant grove of firs and cedars that earlier looked lovely in their bulging white coats against the cloudy sky.

“Dex. Look over there. The wind gusts are really turbulent. See those trees, they’re almost bent in half.”

Dex straightened. “I noticed it evolving but didn’t want to say anything. Look, I think we’re pretty safe here. The snow around the car will protect us from the worst of the wind.”

“Can this be a tornado?” Jasmin shuddered, her eyes appearing larger. “I’m terrified of them. I’ve always been thankful for never having suffered through one.”

“They do happen. I remember a military buddy who lives near Seattle talking about an experience he had last year. Besides, with the kinds of climate situations we’re having all over the world, I guess we can’t be surprised when Mother Nature decides it’s our turn.”

“Except, we never think it’ll happen to us. I hate that vicious sound. It’s like a freight train out of control.” She grabbed his reaching hands, lowering her face over them.

Pretty Girl, sensing her disquiet, roamed around the back, moving from side to side. Suddenly, she leapt onto the console and into Dex’s arms just in time before a random flying branch broke through the back passenger window.

“Oh, my God.” Jasmin’s terrified voice could be heard over the sudden roar now filling the car.

Passing over Pretty Girl, Dex moved fast. “Here take her. She’s shaking bad. Must have sensed the problem. I need to put something up to stop the wind and snow getting into the car. Any ideas?”

Breaking out of her trance, pushing the fear away, Jasmin calmed her squeaky voice as best she could. “I-I have a small carry-on suitcase in the back that might work. Let’s unpack it and see if it’ll fill the gap.”

“Good idea. First, I think we better put our coats back on. I don’t want to warm up the car in this.” Taking a few minutes to zip back into their jackets, they helped each other as best they could.

“Okay, I’ll fix the window.” Dex struggled to free himself from his seat only to fall back in pain. “Jesus. My leg won’t let me move. Can you swivel over the seat? Here give me the big baby.” He motioned Pretty Girl to come to his side.

Jasmin hugged the dog who’d ended up in her lap. “He doesn’t mean it, sweetheart. You’re a big, strong, beauty.” Getting her face washed for her soothing tone, she finally pushed the dog over to Dex and swiveled herself in such a way so she could get into the back.

Once there, she emptied out the cosmetics, underwear, and other small objects she’d packed for her visit. Twisting to clean away as much of the glass as possible, easier with Dex turning on the inside lights, she pushed the offending branch outside. Then struggling against the elements playing havoc with their sanctuary, she quickly took the suitcase and shoved it against the opening.

Letting the wheels catch on one side, she pulled open the handle to stop it from dropping out the opening. Dealing with the wind wasn’t easy but she knew there was no choice. They needed to close off the breach or heating the car would be impractical. And they needed those periodic bursts of warmth.

Thankfully, the case stuck, though leaving a few inches on the bottom open to the weather. Using two of her fleecy hoodies, she folded them to shove into those areas and tied the sleeves around the suitcase and the door handle. Eventually, she stopped most of the wind getting into the car.

“There. I think we’ve solved the problem as best we can.”

“Good thinking, lady; you’re a genius.” Dex’s face glowed with admiration.

Jasmin smiled shakily and promptly burst into tears.