Sweet Montana Christmas by Casey Dawes

Author:Casey Dawes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: F+W Media
Published: 2015-11-10T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Zach knew it was a do or die moment. He delayed it as long as he could, chewing his food slowly, as if he were actually enjoying the flavor. The tender beef tasted like overcooked broccoli. Even the beer, his favorite brew, was flat.

“I told you I met a girl in Denver.”

Sue Anne nodded.

“Erin was pretty, smart, and fun to be around. We seemed really compatible—same goals, same interests, you know. We went out about nine months before I moved in with her.” Shit, this was hard. He hated talking about this stuff.

“Why aren’t you with her anymore?” Sue Anne’s voice was gentle, inviting him to continue.

He fell silent again. Could he admit his screw-up? They were still getting to know each other. And this wasn’t going to be a long-term relationship. He wasn’t staying in Missoula, and she was just beginning her business.

Why couldn’t they simply be friends? Did they have to get into all these background questions?

He swallowed the large lump in his throat. Did he want more?

“And?” she prompted.

He picked up his beer glass and traced designs in the moisture.

“When Erin wanted to talk to me, nothing else mattered. Not what I was doing. Not if I was at work. If I didn’t pick up, even if I was in the middle of an emergency situation, she’d ream me that night.” Sue Anne’s face was still with concentration.

“I thought about it a lot—what made her so needy? Then I realized I wasn’t paying enough attention to her.” He swallowed, unsure of how his date would take the next bit of information. “In fact, I was barely aware of her at all. I was single-focused, intent on the job, determined to get ahead.”

He took another sip of liquid courage, then put down the glass. Might as well get it over with—like ripping off a Band-Aid.

“I tried to make it better, so I took a chance and called her while I was on patrol. I was listening to her, and I missed the announcement of the Alert 4.”

Sue Anne frowned.

“That’s an FAA drill. We have to meet the criteria of getting things done in three minutes. Depending on the reason we fail, or the number of times the airport fails the test, the FAA could require us to do it over or fine the airport.”

He cracked his knuckles.

She winced.

“Sorry. Bad habit. Unfortunately, this was a retest for Denver.” He shook his head. “The first time they failed, someone got up from the sleeping area, turned off the alarm, and went back to bed.”

“Really?” She laughed.

“Yep. Have it on the authority of the FAA itself.” He allowed his lips to turn up, grateful for the ease of tension.

They enjoyed their meal for a few more moments.

“Did you mess up the second test because you weren’t paying attention?” Her gaze was steady.

“Yep. I was late, and that screwed it up for everyone else. I felt terrible, but they were pissed. They had every right to be.” He took another long gulp of his drink.

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