Chaos at Christmas

Chaos at Christmas

A Master Security Novel

by

Sandra S. Kerns

~~~~

Copyright 2018 Sandra S. Kerns

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved.

Editor: Big Sister Edits, LLC

Cover design by Itsy Design

Cover photo from romancenovelcovers.com

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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~~~~

Chapter One

Martin stepped off the plane in Jacksonville and smiled. It wasn’t because of the warmer temps and sunshine, both of which were lacking back in New York. Granted, it was December and as hot or humid as when he’d been here to visit his brother in the summer, but still sunnier. However, the smile was born of expectation. This time, a week before Christmas, he was here to visit someone else. Considering he used to hate flying, he’d become quite adept at it in the past few years.

He made his way out of the secure area and searched the waiting crowd. It took less than a minute for him to find her. He still couldn’t believe how just seeing her made him happy. The shy smile on Shannon’s face when her gaze met his always surprised him. They’d been seeing each other, as much as two people could living in different states, for three years. How she could still believe he wasn’t invested he would never understand. Then again, he’d never thought he would fall in love. Talk about two peas in a pod.

His smile widened when Shannon’s daughter Clara saw him. She screamed and clapped her hands. He knew it was a struggle for Shannon to hold the little girl as she squirmed and held her arms toward him so he increased his pace.

Dropping his case and coat as he reached them, the girl vaulted from her mother’s arms into his. Her little arms clutched around his neck and squeezed for all she was worth.

Hello, beautiful, he said hugging her with both arms for a moment, then reaching for her mother to pull her in, too. Holding Shannon had become his favorite thing.

Cwara, the little girl said pulling back and frowning at him.

He grinned as Shannon rolled her eyes. Clara? Are you sure your name isn’t Beautiful?

The little girl smiled and patted his cheeks. Mawdin silly.

Yes, Martin, you are silly, Shannon said as she picked up his coat and briefcase. Let’s get this show on the road. Wait, where’s your bag?

When Shannon stood up again, he hugged her close with an arm around her shoulders while he held her daughter in the other. He kissed her temple then guided her toward baggage claim. Carousel four, I think.

Baggage claim? Shannon asked glancing up at him.

He understood her surprise. As a rule, his visits were short and he only used a carry-on. This time he had two suitcases to pick up. They held most of his clothes. If his plans worked out, he didn’t plan to go back to New York any time soon if at all.

Yes, baggage claim.

How long is this visit for? You’re staying through Christmas?

I would hope so considering it’s less than a week away. With luck, through the New Year too.

Feeling Shannon’s gaze on him again, he glanced down and smiled. Her frown didn’t go away.

Did you get fired?

Martin chuckled. It’s not impossible but still quite difficult to get fired when you are the controlling partner in a firm. However, no, I did not get fired. I just decided Lazaro was right. I should enjoy life more. What better way to do that than spending the holidays with my girls?

"You know I have to work, right? I want to spend time with you, but I can’t afford to get fired."

Yes, I know, he said giving her shoulder a squeeze. I also know I sprung this on you at the last minute, so I had no illusions as to you being able to spend all of your time with me. I need to take care of some business and a few estate things with Lazaro while I’m here. Maybe I’ll go out on the boat with him one day. He has been after me to visit just for fun for a while.

You were here in October. I thought you saw them then. Shannon said as they stopped at the luggage carousel.

Martin placed a kiss on her lips after returning Clara. Nope. That visit was just for you.

He quickly walked to the carousel to wait for his luggage and avoid any inquisition. Having been a defense lawyer, he usually had no issue with people questioning him. He was an ace at avoidance. However, this was Shannon Laughlin. She wasn’t a cop or a lawyer, but she’d inherited her detective brother’s knack for interrogation. On top of that, lying to her went against all his instincts and was nearly impossible.

Nearly.

The past four months since he’d passed the Florida Bar Exam and been sworn in, had been difficult. Then Dos had called and asked him again about working with the victim’s project Master Security had started in Cocoa Beach. He’d never done that kind of legal work before but found the proposition more tempting than expected. That had led to more studying into the legal issues he would have to deal with in that environment. His brain was still on overload, but it was a good overload. Rather than wondering if he was defending guilty clients he could really help people.

His only worry was if Shannon was ready to take the next step. He knew some of Shannon’s past thanks to her sister Kelly. For that reason alone, he never pressured her for more than the limited relationship they enjoyed. They’d never slept together. Knowing her previous relationships had been bad, he’d never even hinted at it and never felt put out. She was worth waiting for, though he hoped the wait would soon be over.

The thought pulled a grin from him as he pulled his first bag from the carousel and rolled it to them.

What are you grinning about?

Martin met her gaze a moment before kissing her and turning back for his next bag without answering.

He’d been grinning, in part, about how out of character not having a physical relationship was for him. While he wasn’t a player, any woman he’d spent time with knew he wasn’t serious relationship material. The other part of the grin was because of his plan.

His hand plowed through his hair that his father would have said was desperately in need of a cut, and blew out a breath. Was he seriously considering asking Shannon the big question? He slipped his hand into his pocket and fingered the velvet bag there as he waited for the next suitcase. His mind returned to the first time they had met.

It was his brother’s wedding in Colorado in the middle of a frigging snowstorm. Lazaro had picked him and Shannon’s sister up at the airport. Kelly was pleasant and while he’d spent most of the rehearsal talking to her, the moment Shannon walked in with her daughter bundled up in a furry snowsuit, he’d barely heard a word Kelly said. Kelly had noticed, but amazingly didn’t take offense. In fact, she encouraged him and was the only one in any of the families that knew he and Shannon had started seeing each other.

What are you thinking about? Shannon asked from behind him

Startled, he looked over his shoulder and frowned.

There’s only one bag left, she said pointing. I assume it’s yours.

He turned back to the carousel as his lonely bag slowly rolled toward him. Okay, that did not bode well. He pulled the bag off, set it on the ground, and turned to face her. When I’m around you I can’t focus on anything else.

Really, counselor?

Placing an arm around her, he pulled her to him and kissed her. When he finally pulled back, he looked down at her and smiled. Yeah, really.

Shannon got Clara settled in her car-seat while Martin loaded his luggage in the back. She wished she could say she wasn’t nervous, but her hands were shaking so hard she had to try three times before getting the buckle to latch.

She knew why she was nervous. It was Martin. He always made her that way.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want his attention. The man was probably the most handsome man she’d ever dated. He was also intelligent. She had a GED. He was respectable. She had a child out of wedlock. He essentially owned the law firm where he worked. She was a clerk at a grocery store. In other words, he was everything she wasn’t. So why was he interested in her,