Read Online Edge of Disaster by A. M. Hargrove - Free Book Online Page A

those. Gift buying always stumped me...especially when the giftee was someone like Lisbeth.  She “oohed” and “aahed” when she opened it, so I guess she liked it. I hoped so anyway.  Then she handed me my gift. It was a small box and I unwrapped it and opened it up and inside was a key...a car key.  It was a key to a brand new Toyota Highlander.
    “Lisbeth, I think you’ve lost your mind.”
    “Well, I’ve been told a lot of things Missy, but never that.”
    “You can’t give me a brand new Toyota Highlander.”
    “I most certainly can and I just did.  Here’s the title, registration and all the papers you need.”
    “Lisbeth, I can’t possibly accept this gift.”
    “You can and you will or you will vacate this property immediately.”
    My mouth formed a huge O. She was serious about this.  I was shocked.  She couldn’t give me this car.  She just couldn’t.  I stood there and shook my head.
    “Look Alexia Smith Hammond.  It’s about time you let me do something nice for you.  I have money.  Lots of it.  It’s sitting in the bank or wherever the hell it sits, gathering dust.  It sits there and makes more and more money.  I can’t possibly spend it all. I’m going to die soon and leave so much money to my children and grandchildren and they can’t possibly spend it all. Take the damn car and just say, ‘Thank you Lisbeth, I love it.’ Make me a happy woman.”
    I laughed so hard my sides hurt.
    “Thank you Lisbeth, I love it. But can I go look at it?”
    “Honey, you can go drive all day long if you want.  But be back here at five to help with this mess, will you?”
    I hugged her hard and tore out the door, laughing.  The Highlander was a silver beauty.  I couldn’t believe my eyes.  I’d never had a new car in my twenty-eight years. I never really had a car that didn’t break down all the time and was reliable and safe.  Even the car that...well, I just wasn’t going to think about that today.  Nothing was going to spoil the Christmas of my brand new Toyota Highlander!
    I drove around the Charleston peninsula, over the Arthur Ravenel Bridge across the Cooper River, and I crossed the Intracoastal Waterway on the Isle of Palms Connector.  Then I made my way down Palm Boulevard, across Breach Inlet and onto Sullivan’s Island.  I meandered around until I hit the lighthouse. Then I turned around and drove past Poe’s Tavern and Home Team and headed back to Mount Pleasant via the Ben Sawyer bridge. I soon found myself heading back into downtown Charleston.  I turned into my driveway and then it hit me. I was in L-O-V-E! I loved my new car.
    “Woohoo! I love my new car,” I yelled as I jumped out of the car.
    I ran into my carriage house, super excited and hopping around like an idiot. I was so psyched I didn’t even notice my phone was ringing at first. I dug in my pocket for it and answered it without looking at the caller ID.
    “Merry Christmas!” I shouted into the phone.
    “Merry Christmas back to you. Sounds like Santa was good to someone I know.”
    My tummy immediately did a forward two and a half in the pike position and headed straight to my toes. It was Pearce. I’d recognize that rich, sexy voice anywhere. I forced myself into a quick recovery and said, “He sure was. How about you?”
    “That depends.”
    “On what?”
    “On your answer.”
    “Oh. Well, ask your question then.” I was so happy, there wasn’t anything he could ask that would spoil my mood.
    “Can I see you tonight?”
    “Yes!”
    Holy fuck Lex! You just agreed to see him!
    “Really?” He must’ve been shocked by my answer.  I was so excited with my new present that I was feeling very magnanimous.
    “Yep, but I have to help clean up after Lisbeth’s dinner.  They’re supposed to finish at five.  What did you have in mind?”
    “I’ll come and pick you up at seven. Will that work?”
    “It should be fine.  What are we doing?”
    “Christmas, silly.  My place.