Page 13 of Max's Mission

“Deal.” Dragging her case behind her, she followed him to the rental counter. “Give me your suitcase.”

He spun it around and leaned the handle toward her. She took it and walked toward the wall, where she was out of the way, and laid the cases down, unzipping hers first. When she packed, she’d put the balled-up parka right in front, knowing she’d need it before she left the airport. She was just happy she had one. In Texas, she didn’t need it. But after moving to Ohio last year before she went to Costa Rica, she’d been forced to buy one. Now, she was immensely happy she’d opted for a packable one.

After zipping her case closed again, she opened Max’s. Or she tried. He had a lock on it.

Blowing her hair back, she looked up. “Hey, what’s the code for your lock?”

He glanced over. “What?”

She held up the locked zipper. “Code?”

“Oh. It’s the girls’ birthday. Month and day.”

Margot blinked at him, disbelief short-circuiting her brain. Why would he do that?

He seemed to read the question on her face, because he answered before she could ask. “When I flew to the States to help Sam, you guys were at the house while I packed. Emily wanted to help, and she was fascinated by the lock, so I reset it to show her how it worked and just used her birthday.”

Tipping her head, she nodded. “That makes sense.” She spun the dial and opened the lock. Flipping the case open, she couldn’t stop the little laugh that escaped. Like his house, his suitcase was neat as a pin. Packing cubes filled the space, and she could see through the mesh that every item was folded and rolled. She picked up the pack that contained his coat, removing it before putting the bag back and closing the case.

Coats in hand, she wandered over to him. “Here.”

“Thanks.” He took the coat and shrugged it over his shoulders while the clerk finished the paperwork.

Margot put hers on and huddled into it, anticipating the cold that would blast her in the face when she stepped outside. She wanted to go home.

“Okay, this is the damage and insurance waiver. I just need you to initial it.” The young man pushed a contract across the counter at Max.

He picked up a pen and scrawled his initials in the boxes. “Can you add her to the rental?” He pointed the pen at Margot.

“Of course.” The man looked at her. “I just need your driver’s license, ma’am.”

Margot swung her bag off her shoulder and dug inside for her wallet. She found her Costa Rican license and her passport since she had an international license and handed them over.

It took the man a minute or so to enter her information, then he moved the insurance waiver across the counter to her. “Initial next to him.”

Once that was taken care of, he handed her documents back, then set another contract on the counter and asked them to sign it. With the paperwork done, he handed Max a set of keys.

“Your car is in the rental lot. Just follow the signs.” The man smiled. “Have a good trip.”

Margot offered him a tight smile and pushed away from the desk.

Max gathered up the paperwork. “Thanks.” Taking his suitcase from her, he turned, and they headed for the door.

The closer they got to the exit, the chillier the air became. Margot slid her zipper higher. She’d forgotten her gloves. They were still buried in her bag. Her hands would be numb by the time they reached the car.

Reaching the exit, the doors swished open and icy-cold air smacked her in the face. Her shoulders fell. This would not be fun.

Max took her free hand. “Don’t think, Margot. Just walk.”

Ducking her head, she let him pull her into the arctic air.

Instantly, the tip of her nose turned cold. Her tropical blood was too thin to keep it warm. She was glad she’d left her hair down to cover her ears, or she was sure they’d suffer the same fate.

The walk to the car wasn’t terrible, but it still stretched into an eternity. Her teeth chattered like castanets by the time Max found the SUV he rented.

It beeped as he unlocked the doors.

“Get in and start it. I’ll stow our bags.” He handed her the keys.

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