Page 119 of Sheltering You

Jasmine didn’t hear Michael’s answer now. He must’ve disconnected from Bluetooth.

“Fine,” Derrick said. “If he can work it out… Yeah, I will.” He ended the call, tossed the phone, and shifted into traffic.

“Is Bryan okay?”

“Yup.” Derrick focused on the map and the busy street.

The city passed outside the window, and Jasmine told herself to take everything in. She might never be back to New York. If Khalid caught up with her…

She couldn’t think about that.

At least she was getting to see this in the daylight. Funny, though. Unlike where they’d been the last few days, this city would be just as pretty, if not more so, at night. Greenery draped around doorframes, and wreaths decorated lampposts. Store window displays were alive with movement and color and lights.

“The decorations are beautiful. Is it always so festive at Christmastime?”

“Lots of tourists this time of year.”

“I’m glad Leila got to see it. I wonder if they had fun. Did Michael say?”

“Nope.” Derrick stopped at a light, his fingers drumming a rhythm on the steering wheel.

“What is your favorite thing about Christmas?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “The food, I guess.”

“What kind of food? What are you most eager for?”

He shrugged. “Mom’s roast.”

She thought of a handful of follow-up questions, but obviously, Derrick didn’t want to talk.

The burner phone rang again, though not through the speakers.

Derrick snatched it and answered. “Yeah?”

His lips pressed closed.

Her heart rate kicked up. Was something wrong?

“Fine,” he said. “We’ll have to return the car… Less than an hour, probably… Fine.” He ended the call.

“What is it?”

“Bryan’s at Teterboro.”

“What is…Teterboro?”

Derrick pulled over and changed the address in the car’s navigation. “It’s an airport. He picked up the Cessna this morning and flew in. That’s why he was trying to reach me.”

“We will fly home?”

Derrick angled back onto the road. “Yeah. Well, not home. We’re going straight to camp. I guess your sister packed you a bag, and Bryan packed one for me. Everyone’s headed up there today for the big family party tomorrow.”

She’d known about the party, an early Christmas celebration. All the Wrights would be there, including their extended family. She realized now… “This includes the family that owns the cabin where we stayed? They are coming?”

“Yup.”

“I am to go as well?”