Thanksgiving Groom by Brenda Minton Page B

stand. Tucker strolled up to the Formica-topped counter and ordered coffee to go.
    Suddenly lights flashed across the ground from a beam from the sky. He knew who was in that helicopter. He watched the lights skim across the night sky.
    â€œHere’s your coffee.” The girl slid the cup across the countertop, but her eyes were on the helicopter. “Who do you think is riding in that? Did they have to call in a life flight for someone?”
    â€œNo, it isn’t medical. It’s here to pick someone up.” He picked up the cup of coffee.
    People were running in the direction of the lot where the helicopter had landed. The blades were still beating the air. Probably the most excitement this village hadseen in a while. Most of them probably didn’t know who Herman Lear was, but it didn’t matter much. The man had come to get his daughter.

Chapter Eight
    T he helicopter flew over, its spotlight hitting the snowy ground. Penelope shuddered and hunkered down in her coat. She wished she had that coffee Tucker had promised. She could really use the warmth of that coffee. A soft hand rubbed her back. She smiled up at Wilma.
    â€œYou’ll be home in no time flying in that thing.”
    Penelope nodded. “I know.”
    â€œOh, honey, they’ve been worried about you. Give them that pretty smile of yours.”
    â€œI’m not ready to go back home. I’m not ready to leave…” She sniffed. This was so embarrassing. “I’m not ready to leave you and Clark.”
    â€œWell, we aren’t going to lose each other. I plan on seeing you every chance I get.”
    Penelope reached for Wilma’s hand. “I won’t let you forget that promise.”
    Outside the hall, people were running across the open lot. Penelope wouldn’t have run, even if she could. Instead, she continued to watch that crowd, looking for a familiar face that she shouldn’t have been looking for. She hadn’t seen her parents in several weeks. She shouldhave been looking for their faces in the crowd, thinking about them.
    And she was. But thinking about her parents left her stomach unsettled, twisting in knots.
    The face she’d been searching for appeared out of the dark shadows, stepping into the streetlight. He held a a cup of coffee. Tall, his shoulders were broad beneath his parka. The hood was pushed back. He was all man. She couldn’t begin to picture him suited up in the courtroom. She liked him this way, in faded jeans, plaid and that big heavy parka. His hair was a little long, a little windswept. He hadn’t shaved in days.
    She wasn’t cold anymore.
    She wasn’t afraid.
    He walked through the door, bringing brisk air and the aroma of coffee. “Honey, I’m home.”
    She laughed a little and then tears started to drip down her cheeks. She wiped them away, wishing she wasn’t such a baby. Why in the world was she crying? She didn’t have a reason to be sad. They’d made it out safely. She was going home. Tucker set the cup down on the table. She really wanted that coffee.
    â€œHey, why are you crying now? Tomorrow you’ll be back in Anchorage having a spa day with the girls.”
    â€œWho said I’m going back?” The tears dried up and she sat a little straighter. “Seriously, who said I need spa days?”
    â€œI just thought that after this, you’d be tired of adventure.”
    â€œAre you jetting off to Seattle tomorrow?”
    â€œNo, I have business to take care of in Treasure Creek.”
    â€œWell, so do I.”
    He handed her the cup of coffee and sat down in the chair across from her, moving her foot to the side a little. “Go home, Pollyanna. Go back with your parents. Let them take care of you. They’ve been worried sick. I talked to Jake and he said they had search teams, planes and helicopters looking for you.”
    â€œI know they’ve missed me. I know they were worried.