Dashing Through the Snow Read Free Page B

Hellman’s.
    “They were lovers for many years,” Dash added. “My parents were avid fans. Dad devoured Dashiell’s work and Mom liked Lillian Hellman’s, hence our names.”
    As Dash drove out of the parking lot they were met with a long string of police vehicles that raced toward the airport, red lights flashing. Ashley sat up and took notice. Whatever was happening was big.
    “I wonder what that’s all about.” she said.
    “Check your phone,” he suggested.
    Ashley snorted. “I wish I could. I don’t have Internet on my phone. My smartphone died a terrible death, so for now I’m stuck with this flip phone.”
    “You’re joking.”
    “Hey, it’s a phone.”
    “Check the radio, then.”
    Ashley spent several minutes going from station to station, but they didn’t find anything to update them on a situation at the airport.
    “It’s probably a practice drill of some sort,” she suggested.
    He didn’t look convinced. “That’s doubtful. Thankfully, we were able to avoid the delay.”
    “Good timing on our part,” she said, pleased to have escaped the excitement.
    After a bit, Ashley settled back and was actually starting to get comfortable. It was a relief to let someone else maneuver through the heavy San Francisco traffic, following the freeway signs that would lead them out of town.
    “Your mom is great,” she said, picking up the conversation.
    “Because she named me Dash?”
    “Not entirely…I mean, that’s only part of the reason. Your mother’s refreshingly open. She told me how important this job interview is to you and insisted that you’re completely trustworthy.”
    “And you believed her?” he asked, arching his thick eyebrows suggestively.
    “Shouldn’t I have?” She sat up a bit straighter.
    “You tell me.”
    “You’re not scaring me, even if you’re one of those secret agents.”
    “I was never a secret agent,” he flared.
    “Hey, don’t take it personally. Your mother said you did something with the guidance systems with drones.”
    Dash’s mouth thinned. “She shouldn’t be telling you anything about my military career.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because it’s none of your business.”
    Well, well, she certainly got put in her place. “Might I remind you I wasn’t the one who asked to share this car.”
    “That was my mistake,” he freely admitted.
    They sat in silence for a couple of minutes before she asked, “Is your sister married?”
    He diverted his gaze from the road and glared at her. “Why do you want to know?”
    “I’m just making conversation.”
    “Well, don’t. My family is my business.”
    “Okay, then. Sorry.”
    Ashley crossed her arms and turned her head, looking out the side window. The silence felt strained and awkward. She’d rather they were trading insults than sitting in this uncomfortable silence. She reached for her large purse and held it open on her lap as she dug through it.
    “What are you looking for?” he asked, as she started divesting her bag of several items. She set her money case to one side and then her makeup bag, followed by her nail file and fingernail clippers, apartment and car keys, and a small bag of tissues.
    Dash’s gaze followed her action. “What’s in there that’s so important?” he demanded.
    “A protein bar.”
    “You’re hungry?”
    “No, but I think you must be.” Thankfully, she had two.
    He snorted as if he found her response nothing short of humorous. “Do you have a gauge that lets you know other people’s hunger index?”
    “You’re cranky,” she explained, “and that’s a good indicator. You didn’t have breakfast, did you?”
    “No,” he admitted grudgingly.
    “It’s almost time for lunch.”
    He grumbled a reply: “And I’m not stopping.”
    “Whatever,” she muttered back. She found what she was looking for and held it up triumphantly as she peeled back the wrapper and handed it to him.
    He ignored her. “I’m not eating that.”
    “Why not? It’s perfectly