Read 3 Madness in Christmas River for Free Online

know that it meant something to you.”
    I looked back at the road, so lonely and desolate at this early hour of the morning.
    With a heavy heart, I was taking Daniel to the Redmond Airport, a 45-minute drive from Christmas River.
    “Yeah, but it’s more important that you kept Craig Canby from driving home drunk and smashing into some poor soul,” I said.
    “I’m still sorry.”
    “Don’t be,” I said. “It’s okay. I know very well who I’m marrying.”
    He reached over, taking my hand and squeezing it.
    “I’m sorry too about leaving like this,” he said, sighing. “It’s not the way I would have wanted it.”
    “You’re just full of apologies this morning,” I said.
    “Well, I feel bad about leaving you alone here,” he said.
    “C’mon,” I said. “I’m not that selfish to deprive the people of Fresno County their best lieutenant.”
    “Honestly, I could care less about the people of Fresno County,” he said. “All I care about right now is you. You sure you’re okay with this? Because if you’re not, just say the word, and we’ll turn this car around.”
    I sighed, wishing that that was actually an option.
    I shook my head.
    “Like I said, I know full well who I’m marrying,” I said. “You have to go. There’s no two ways about it. All I want is for you to solve that murder and to come back. Can you make sure and do that?”
    He took my hand and kissed it.
    “Of course.”
    The highway was covered in a fine layer of snow that glittered in the headlights. I pulled off at the airport exit and drove a little ways, turning into the small airport which was mostly deserted at this early hour, save for a few cars lined up in front of the rotating doors.
    I put the car in park and we got out. Even though there was no wind, the high desert air had a brutally cold and dry quality to it that cut me right down to my bones.
    I shivered, and went around to open the trunk. Daniel slung his duffle bag over his back, and I handed him his suitcase.
    “Don’t forget about the meal I packed for you,” I said.
    “Believe me, my stomach’s been thinking about it since I woke up.”
    I tried to smile, and jammed my hands into my pockets.
    “I guess you should get going,” I said quietly.
    He put the suitcase down and hugged me.
    “Listen, Cin, I wasn’t late because of Craig Canby,” he said.
    “What?” I said, looking up at him.
    “I mean, that did happen, only it happened earlier in the evening.”
    “Then how come you were late?”
    “Well, when you were getting that pretzel, I saw that, um, he was there talking to you,” he said, a serious expression coming across his face. “I didn’t want to make a big deal of it there, but… jeez, that son of a bitch really got under my skin.”
    “You didn’t have to—”
    “I know. But he needs to stay away from you, and he needed to hear me say it.”
    “So that’s why you didn’t make it?” I said. “You were talking to Evan?”
    “I saw an opportunity, and I took it. And I’m sorry that I didn’t time it better.”
    I pulled away.
    “You know you didn’t have to do that,” I said again. “I can take care of myself. Especially when it comes to that loser.”
    “I know that,” he said. “But you’ve got me on your side now. That’s what I’m here for.”
    He gave me a reassuring smile.
    “Oh, all right. If you put it that way.” I said.
    He hugged me again.
    “You be careful here, okay? Don’t work too hard on all this wedding stuff. We can always elope, you know. As long as I have you, I don’t care how we get married.”
    He leaned in and kissed me as passionately as someone could at 3:30 a.m. on a cold winter’s morning.
    “Love you, Cin,” he said.
    “Love you, too,” I said, my voice trembling just a little.
    I watched as he walked slowly through the revolving door and into the small airport, and then until he disappeared beyond the security checkpoint.
    A bitter gust blew across the curb, kicking light snow