Texas Christmas

They always passed in due time, but as they were happening, the attacks were terrifying. She always had the most insane urge to run.

Fight-or-flight syndrome was what the doctor had called it. Obviously, she was a flier, not a fighter.

“I’m so sorry, hon. What a horrible thing to happen. Have you talked to Carlos and Lindsay about it? I just can’t see them being okay with something like that.”

“I called but didn’t get an answer.”

“Yeah, they mentioned that they’d be tied up with something. Probably sponsor-related. That’s just about the only thing that would keep them incommunicado.”

At least they were incommunicado for a valid reason. Not pathetically hiding out in a car parked in a garage. Besides, it was a little cold out here. When she’d run out she’d forgotten to grab her coat. As she let herself out of the car, she made a mental note to get it the next time she was at the Celebrations, Inc., office.

The thought gave her a sinking feeling.

“Hey, I left my red coat in the office,” she said to AJ. “Could you bring it home with you when you leave today? Maybe I can get it later.”

She let herself into the house. It seemed eerily quiet, but the way the sun shone in through the windows lifted her spirits.

“Sure thing,” AJ said. “We don’t have any jobs on the schedule tonight. So, I should be home around seven. Want to come over for dinner?”

“That sounds heavenly. This weary soul could use some good food and a good friend—”

The doorbell rang. Since Pepper was standing in the hallway that led to the foyer, she saw Bill Hines, director of Catering to Dallas, staring back at her through the beveled glass door. Her heart pounded, and for a split second she wished she’d stayed in the garage despite the cold.

“Ugh, Bill is at the door,” she said to AJ. “I really don’t want to talk to him right now.”

“Don’t answer the door.”

“I have to. We’re staring at each other through the glass.”

“Well, if you didn’t let him in, it would serve him right.”

“Or at least it would send him a message,” Pepper said. “I’ve got to deal with him sometime. It might as well be now. But I swear to you, if he’s come with a team of cameras. I will not be responsible for my actions.”

“If he ambushes you for a second time, you’d be within your right to deck him on grounds of self-defense. Or you can at least take comfort in knowing I will bail you out of jail.”

There was a beat of silence on the line. “Umm, sorry about that,” AJ said. “That was a poor word choice. What I was trying to say is that I’m here for you, but I’d better let you go before I put my other foot in my mouth.”

Poor AJ. “No offense taken. You don’t have to walk on eggshells with me. Besides I might very well need you to come and bail me out if Bill gets too fresh.”