“Outside Maple Grove.”
“Whitmore estate?”
The woman blinked.
“You know it?”
“Everybody knows the gate.”
That was true.
The Whitmore property sat seven miles north of town behind stone walls and wrought-iron gates.
Most residents referred to it simply as the big house.
The woman studied him.
Daniel did not appear to recognize her.
That was unusual.
Her face had appeared in business magazines often enough.
“My name is Claire.”
“Daniel.”
He pointed toward his truck.
“I’ve got jumper cables.”
“If the alternator is failing, it might not get you far.”
“But we can test whether it takes a jump.”
Claire nodded.
“I’d appreciate that.”
Daniel returned to the pickup.
Emily lowered the window one inch.
“Is she okay?”
“Car’s not.”
“Is she?”
“Cold.”
Emily looked at Claire through the windshield.
“Can she sit with me?”
“Let’s see if we can get her moving first.”
Daniel retrieved the cables and a small multimeter.
Claire watched him.
“You carry a meter in your truck?”
“I own an old Ford.”
“That explains everything?”
“Most things.”
He opened the Mercedes hood.
The battery location was less convenient than he hoped.
Daniel worked carefully.
Claire stood nearby.
Snow gathered on her shoulders.
After connecting the vehicles, he checked voltage.
Low.
They waited several minutes.
“Try it.”
Claire turned the ignition.
The engine cranked slowly.
Then started.
Claire released a breath.
Daniel checked charging voltage.
He frowned.
“What?”
Claire asked.
“Your alternator is charging.”
“That’s good.”
“Yes.”
“Battery may have failed.”
“Or connection issue.”
He checked what he could safely.
“Either way, I wouldn’t shut it off until you’re home.”
Claire nodded.
She opened her handbag.
Daniel saw the wallet before she removed it.
“No.”
She looked up.
“What?”
“No.”
“I haven’t even said how much.”
“Still no.”
“Daniel, you stopped in a snowstorm.”
“And jumped a battery.”
“You probably delayed wherever you’re going.”
“My last delivery can survive another fifteen minutes.”
Claire removed several bills.
“At least take this.”
Daniel looked at the money.
Hundred-dollar bills.
More than the service call would have cost.
“No.”
She appeared genuinely confused.
“Why?”
“Because you needed help.”
“That doesn’t mean your time has no value.”
“It has value.”
“That’s why I’m not selling this part of it.”
Claire stared.
Daniel smiled slightly.
“It’s Christmas Eve.”
She slowly returned the money to her wallet.
That was when Emily opened her door.
Daniel turned.
“What did I say?”
“I’m still beside the truck.”
“That is not what I said.”
Emily stepped carefully into the snow carrying her decorated paper bag.
Claire looked toward her.
Emily approached.
“Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas.”
Emily held out the bag.
“We have emergency cookies.”
Claire smiled.
“What makes them emergency cookies?”
“You looked like you needed them.”
Daniel closed his eyes briefly.