Texas fury (58 page)

"Merry Christmas. . . Daddy," she whispered. She remembered then her intention to send a card. There didn't seem to be any point now.

Cary and Amelia slept late. Billie and Maggie had already come back from their shopping trip when Cary carried toast and coffee into the living room for Amelia.

"You would not believe the stores! It was fun, though, wasn't it, Mam?"

"Oh yes, fun," Billie said with a grimace. "I bought Sumi one of my own scarves. You just can't believe what these stores charge." Amelia laughed at the indignation on her friend's face.

"What did you get from us?" Cary demanded.

"A pearl bracelet," Maggie said. "Mam picked it out. It's beautiful, and I had it gift wrapped. We got a lot of little things: perfume, some books, a gold comb, a cashmere sweater, and a little teddy bear that looks like Cole. I think

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Julie and Sumi will like their gifts. I just can't believe this is happening. My baby, getting married."

"I have to get back to the kitchen," Billie said. "Cary, how do you feel about wrapping?"

"I can take it or leave it alone. Amelia says my corners are sloppy."

"Then you're going to have to straighten them out. Maggie and I have to get dinner started. Julie will be here soon, and we haven't even had lunch. Let's pass on lunch; what do you say?" Billie pleaded.

"Cheese and fruit will be fine. Cary and I will wrap. I'll oversee the corners," Amelia said gaily.

Cole swept in with a blast of cold air along with Adam and Jeff. Blushing furiously, Jeff shook hands with the men and smiled winsomely at the women.

"To the kitchen!" Billie ordered briskly. "Maggie, get the paper and ribbon from the hall closet and then join us in the kitchen."

"Aye, aye, ma'am."

"Mother, could I see you a minute?" Cole asked.

"Sure. Let me get the paper for Cary. Is anything wrong?" she called over her shoulder.

"No. It's just that I need an extra pair of hands or something."

"I feel the same way. Let's go into the study. Oh, Cole, I'm so happy for you. This is all so wonderful. I'm walking on air. We're all together. Well, almost."

"That's what I want to talk to you about. I have to pick Julie up at two-thirty. This was supposed to be a secret, and I wouldn't have given it away for the world, even to you; but with Sumi coming, I'm all fouled up. Aunt Susan and Uncle Ferris are coming, too. They'll take a cab and arrive in time for dinner. Riley gets in around four. And I have to pick up Sumi—and Sawyer!"

"They're all coming. Lord! Does Mam know?"

"No, it was supposed to be a secret. The plan is to stash everyone down in Grandmam Billie's studio till this evening. They all wanted to be here, for Aunt Amelia. We're a full house, Mam. Tell me what to do."

Maggie ran her hands through her hair. "My God, there are no presents!" Maggie exclaimed. "I sent Suse's on to Minnesota. So did Mam."

"They're all here. When Rand took yours to the post of-

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fice, he had them stick another label on them. Thad did the same thing with Grandmam Billie's. We struck out with Cary's, though, so Rand went out and bought more. Don't open that closet over there or they'll all tumble out." Cole laughed as he pointed to the study closet. "Remember, now, this is a secret."

Maggie smiled. How she loved her two men. "My lips are sealed. You pulled this all together, didn't you?"

"Sort of. Sawyer got through to Riley, and got him a ticket."

"You're a hell of a guy, Cole Tanner."

"You're a hell of a woman, Maggie Nelson," Cole said, hugging his mother.

"I just need to know one thing. Is the game plan the same? I mean, is everyone going to be in Mam's studio till eight o'clock? I turned on the heat before I came in."

"I'm hoping. You just worry about getting Julie, and Sumi and I'll take care of the rest. And be sure Adam doesn't get wind of it. Sawyer insists on surprising him. You'll work it out, Mam. Oh, hey, wait a minute. I want to show you something."

Maggie looked down at the diamond ring in the blue velvet box. "Ooohh, it's gorgeous. Sumi will love it!"

"Do you think it's too small? I wiped out my bank account," Cole said anxiously.

"Size and cost don't mean anything, Cole. To most women, anyway. Sumi is like us. Trust me, this is perfect."

"Thanks, Mam. Hey, you better get cracking or something is going to get fouled up."

"Right. Cracking. Raaannnddd!"

Chesney and her crew heard the p.a. announcement that Flight 214 would take off, three hours behind schedule. She watched two of her girls bless themselves. Patty Mclntyre sidled up to Chesney. "Have you looked outside in the past hour, Chesney? I am petrified." She enunciated each word carefully. "I know when we get up above the storm it will be fine, but it's the takeoff and climbing that's bothering me. They can't clear the runway fast enough. What are they thinking of?"

"Performance, a good rating, London Air's reputation. You know the old joke: Fly London Air, we get you there, no matter what," Chesney said tersely.

"Is that dead or alive?" Patty snapped.

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"Patty, shh, don't get the others riled up. Each of us has a choice, fly or stay here. We made the choice because we need our jobs. That means we're committed. And yes, I looked outside and couldn't see a thing but snow. Smile, Patty. We're going to do our best to make the passengers comfortable." Patty smiled numbly.

Chesney looked out at the sea of hopeful faces. Didn't they understand? Didn't they know what flying in weather like this was like? Everyone wanted to be somewhere other than an airport for Christmas, but wasn't an airport better than ... than what? She picked up the small microphone. "Flight 214 for Geneva, Switzerland, is now ready for boarding. Please have your boarding passes in hand. Please, there is to be no shoving and pushing. We are not going to leave till all of you are aboard." Her little speech meant nothing. Men and women who probably never raised their voices at home were shouting obscenities and shoving people out of their way to get to the front of the line. Chesney handed the microphone to Patty and proceeded back to the cabin of the plane. She was trembling from head to toe as the first-class passengers entered the plane. Usually there were smiles and nods and questions. Not today. All she could see was anger at the delay, frustration at the inconvenience, and downright hostility toward all airline employees.

The two wheelchair passengers were brought in and settled, their chairs taken back immediately to the concourse. Next came the four-year-old who was traveling alone with only a raggedy teddy bear for company. Chesney herself buckled the little one into the seat nearest the bulkhead. Three families, with nine children among them, and all under the age of six, were shown in next. Following the three families was the smoking section and then the rest of the passengers. Boarding, Chesney estimated, took exactly thirteen minutes—normally a twenty-minute procedure. She'd never seen so many people at the same time, so eager to fly into... nothingness.

Patty reported the head count: the plane was filled to capacity. The aircraft was secured for takeoff. Chesney followed procedure, welcoming the passengers aboard. She doubted any of them heard a thing she said. All 260 passengers had been inconvenienced, and they weren't going to let the stewardesses forget it. It was not going to be a pleasant flight.

Chesney strapped herself into the jump seat, across from the little girl with the teddy bear. She was a pretty little thing, with soft, dark curls and large blue eyes. She clutched her

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teddy with one hand and had the thumb of her other hand in her mouth. Chesney smiled. She noticed the child's clothing then. She had on a frilly red and white dotted organdy dress with a matching coat of the same shade of red. Short white socks with lace around the cuff, black patent leather shoes, and a small, shiny black purse completed the child's outfit. She looked like a Christmas angel. Chesney smiled again. The child looked at her solemnly. "What's your name, honey?"

The little girl moved her stuffed animal a fraction of an inch to show her name tag. Chesney leaned closer to look at the tiny letters on the self-stick badge. Molly Sanders. "That's a very pretty name. Later I'll get you a pillow and blanket if you want to take a nap. When you wake up we might be in Geneva. Are you hungry?" Molly nodded, but didn't take her thumb out of her mouth. I wish I could suck my thumb, Chesney thought.

They were taxiing now, but the pace was slowing; they must be nearing takeoff. Chesney's heart lurched. She should have sent the Christmas card to her father. She should have done a lot of things. The aircraft was stopped now, with four planes ahead of theirs and probably three or four behind. Until the air controllers cleared them, they had to sit with the engines running, burning fuel.

An hour later the cabin erupted into sound. Passengers started stomping their feet, yelling for food and drinks: free drinks, they shouted, for their goddamn inconvenience. This was the part Chesney hated most—trying to calm irate travelers. The best she could do was make an announcement. She unbuckled her seat belt and went to the cockpit and rapped softly. "The natives are getting restless," she whispered.

The captain snorted. "I heard. Give them the standard announcement, and if they keep yelling, pull out good old number four; you have my permission." Captain Andrews winked at her to show he understood what she and the other stews were going through.

In the galley Chesney reached for the microphone attached to the p.a. system. "May I have your attention, please." She deliberately waited for all sound to cease. When it did, she made her announcement. "Captain Andrews, myself, and the crew apologize for this delay. The captain has asked me to tell you we're next in line for takeoff. Until we get clearance, which could take another hour or so, we all ask that you remain seated. It's against regulations to serve any beverages or food at this time. Thank you." Chesney was on her way back

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to her seat when the obnoxious catcalls started again. She did her best to squelch her anger as she headed back to the p.a. system. Her hand trembled as she spoke into the microphone a second time. "Captain Andrews has informed me that any of you wishing to get off this plane can do so now. You will, of course, have to find your way back to the terminal on your own. What that means, ladies and gentlemen, is we are apologizing for something that is not our fault. We're all doing the best we can under the circumstances and hope you will help us by doing your part and being understanding. Now, all of you wishing to leave the plane, unbuckle your seat belts and stand up." She knew when she poked her head out of the galley that there would be no passengers wishing to take advantage of the captain's offer. She was wrong. Tiny Molly Sanders was standing on her seat, her teddy bear clutched in her hand. She was crying and calling for someone named Gus.

Chesney walked back to her seat. After the din of the passengers, the silence was almost deafening. She took Molly onto her lap and crooned softly to her. Assuming the child was going to see her mother, she said, "You're going to see your mommy soon. Don't cry, honey."

"My mommy is back there," the girl said, pointing to the window.

"Your mommy brought you to the airport; is that right? Who's going to meet you when we land?"

"My daddy. My mommy is getting me a new daddy. That's why I have to go see my old daddy. I don't want a new daddy. He doesn't like Gus. Gus peed on his shoe; that's why he doesn't like him."

"Who's Gus?" Chesney asked.

"My dog. Mommy said I had to bring Gus so Travis won't hurt him. He's in a cage. My daddy will get him when we get there. He will, won't he? My mommy didn't just say that, did she?"

"Of course not." Chesney hoped she wasn't lying to the little girl.

"My daddy is getting me a new mommy, too," Molly blurted. "I'm hungry."

"I know you are, honey. As soon as we get up high, I'll give you some dinner. Are you worried about having two mommies and two daddies?" Chesney asked gently.

Molly sniffed, her eyes brimming. She stuck her thumb back into her mouth. Of course she was worried. Chesney

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hugged the little girl tighter, then buckled her into her seat and fastened her own seat belt.

The plane was moving now. The engine's tempo was increasing, rolling, faster now, picking up speed, faster, faster. Chesney squeezed her eyes shut, something she'd never done on lift-off. Off the ground. A passenger screamed and then was silent. It was the worst takeoff of Chesney's career. She wondered how many pounds of ice were on the wings.

It was a day of miracles as far as Maggie Nelson was concerned. Things didn't corne together till almost eight o'clock. Julie's plane was late by two and a half hours. There was a blizzard raging up the East Coast, but somehow Julie had managed to get the last flight out of Kennedy Airport. Sawyer and Sumi's plane developed engine trouble in Hawaii; they managed to catch a standby flight to San Francisco. From there, Sawyer called on a friend to charter his plane.

Susan and Ferris's plane from Minnesota was delayed by three hours.

Riley arrived an hour early and had to hang out in the airport until Maggie arrived.

Cole was standing at Customs when Sumi and Sawyer walked through. The hell with all this formal stuff! He leaped the railing and scooped Sumi into the air. She squealed with delight.

Cole kissed her soundly. "Do I look as happy as I feel?" he demanded.

"I'm happy you decided to give up on all that Japanese bullshit." Sumi grinned. "I want you to treat me like an American girl. It's time we got this relationship off the ground. I missed you."

"It's off. I told the family. God, I've missed you, too."

"Do they approve?"

"Are you kidding? They love you. It's strange, but when I told them, it was almost as if they'd handpicked you."

Sumi laughed. "I'm anxious to see them all."

"Is this all the baggage you have?"

"Personal baggage, yes. However, my father has sent a mountain of presents. My sisters and myself have been shopping for weeks. Please tell me you have a truck and not your little car."