Starry Night

mind. A lot of the stores already have their decorations up.”
    “You’ve got to be joking.”
    “I’m not.”
    He grumbled some. “I suppose you’re the sort of woman who goes all out for Christmas.”
    “Of course,” she said, as she counted out her score. “Although I live alone, I put up a tree, hang garlands, and decorate with holly. What about you?”
    He finished counting out his hand. “What about me? If you’re digging for more information for that article, you can stop right now.”
    “I wasn’t,” she said, groaning. It seemed everything she asked was suspect. “You don’t have a Christmas tree?”
    “No. Why would I?”
    Knowing him, he probably didn’t like Christmas at all. “Is it just another day for you and Hennessey?”
    “For the most part, yes. I’ll sometimes join Sawyer and his family or fly to Fairbanks and spend Christmas Day with friends.”
    It made Carrie feel better to know he wouldn’t be alone unless that was what he chose. “Good.”
    “Good?” he repeated.
    “Yes. I would hate the thought of you spending Christmas alone.”
    He grinned, as if her comment amused him. “Despite what you think, I enjoy my own company, but I have a real life, too. I live a good part of the time here, but I have a condo … elsewhere.”
    “You do? But how do you support yourself? I mean, before the book.”
    “I have all the work I want with the state, checking on the pipeline.” He grimaced, as if he’d said far more than he meant for her to know. “Forget I said that.”
    She pantomimed zipping her lips closed. There was far more to Finn than she realized. “Listen, this isn’t related to anything I might write, so relax.”
    They broke for lunch. Finn made sandwiches, which they ate in front of the stove, sitting in the rocking chairs. A glance out the window told her the wind had died down and the snow had stopped.
    “My mother is probably worried about me,” she said, checking her cell phone. Thankfully, her battery wasn’t dead, but coverage this far north simply wasn’t going to happen. “I told her I’d phone, and I haven’t. Is there any way I can get word to her?”
    “I have a satellite phone, but it isn’t cheap.”
    “I’ll be happy to pay whatever the charges are. I won’t talk long.”
    “Having you out of my hair by tomorrow morning would be payment enough.”
    Carrie frowned. “Ouch. I thought we were getting along so well, too.”
    Finn chuckled. “We were almost friends until you whipped me in cribbage.”
    “Ah, men and their fragile egos.”
    Finn grumbled something she couldn’t hear, and then he showed her how to operate the phone by his desk. It took a moment for the line to connect, and when it did, her father answered.
    “Dad, it’s me. I don’t have a lot of time, but I want you to know I’m still in Alaska. Tell Mom I’m doing great and I’ll connect with her once I’m back in Chicago.”
    “Your mother’s been concerned. You said you’d call.”
    “I know, Dad. I’ll explain everything when I’m not paying outrageous satellite charges.”
    “Satellite charges? Where in heaven’s name are you?” Her father was the talker in the family.
    “Outside of Fairbanks, Alaska.” If she said anything more, her dad would have more questions, and then more after that.
    “You found him? You found Finn Dalton?”
    “Dad, I can’t talk now.”
    “Okay, okay, but I’m going to want a full report once you’re back.”
    “Will do. Reassure Mom that I’m fine and thank Grandpa for teaching me cribbage.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Never mind, I’ll explain later.”
    They said their farewells, and Carrie ended the call.When she turned around, she was surprised to find Finn had put on his parka and heavy boots.
    “You’re going somewhere?” she asked, surprised.
    “The wind has died down and the snow has mostly stopped. I won’t be gone long.” Hennessey was at the door, eager and ready to be on his way.
    At the door, Finn hesitated. “You’ll be all right for a while by yourself?”
    “Of course.” It surprised her that he’d asked. Actually, she welcomed the privacy in order to work on the article. The instant he was out the door, she retrieved her computer. It didn’t take her long to organize her thoughts. She’d already gathered more than enough information to write a lengthy piece about him. The rough draft took her the better part of an hour. Feeling good about the piece, which she felt was fair, if