Free The Last Noel by Heather Graham Page B

often headed down to New York to hear them.
    Suddenly David realized that Quintin was studying him with something like envy. “I wanted to play the guitar,” the man said, sounding natural for the first time all night. “I sucked. Took after my mother, who couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.”
    â€œWhat about your father?”
    Quintin shrugged. “Never knew him—never even knew who he was.”
    â€œI could teach you a few chords,” Jamie volunteered.
    â€œYeah? Well, we’ll see,” Quintin said, reverting to form.
    â€œLet’s hear some carols,” Scooter said.
    â€œMusic,” Paddy said. “’Tis an Irish tradition, that it is. Along with a good whiskey. Drinking fine whiskey, now there’s a talent that can be learned quick.”
    â€œWe’re going to sing Christmas carols, Uncle Paddy,” Frazier said.
    â€œYou all go ahead,” Skyler told them. “I’ll finish up the dishes.”
    â€œWe’ll all stay together,” Quintin said firmly.
    â€œFine. Then let me finish the dishes,” she insisted.
    â€œWhat difference do the dishes make?” Quintin asked softly, something ominous in his tone.
    But Skyler spun around. “I was under the impression that you wanted a turkey tomorrow. If you want a turkey tomorrow, I have to clean up in here tonight. That’s how you run a good business. You keep up.”
    David was stunned at the way she was standing up to Quintin. Skyler was an enigma. She always had been. She hated controversy, and most of the time she was the sweetest human being in the world, but every so often…When it came to the right way to do things, she could definitely stick to her guns.
    â€œFine. Everyone, up and help out,” Quintin said.
    Scooter wanted Christmas, David thought, and Quintin wanted turkey, which meant that, at least for now, they had time….
    David maneuvered to stand next to his wife at the sink. As she rinsed the dishes and he set them into the dishwasher, he had a moment to whisper to her. “I will do something,” he swore.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œSkyler…”
    â€œDon’t make them angry.”
    â€œSkyler…”
    â€œThey plan to kill us before they leave. I know that. But wait, please. It’s only Christmas Eve, and it’s still snowing. We have time.”
    â€œTime for what?”
    â€œI don’t know. But…it’s Christmas.”
    Right, Christmas, with its tidings of comfort and joy. Only a few hours ago he had been irritable because Paddy was there, because Frazier had brought home a girl, because Jamie was holed up in his room, because they couldn’t get the tree to stand straight. Now…he just wanted them all to be alive to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
    She stared at him with clear, level eyes. She was praying for a miracle, he realized. And who was he to deny her? Hell, he wasn’t in any hurry to die.
    â€œHelp may be out there,” she whispered, and left it at that. They both knew that Kat was still…somewhere.
    â€œSure,” he said, and began to hum “Silent Night” to take his mind off the situation.
    The next thing he knew, something hard was sticking into his back. It took him only a second to realize that it was the cold nose of Quintin’s gun.
    â€œQuit whispering,” Quintin said coldly.
    David turned around despite the gun and stared at Quintin. “What the hell do you think we could be saying that’s such a big deal?” he demanded.
    Quintin thought that over, then shrugged. “Are you done in here yet?” he asked Skyler.
    â€œJust let me wipe the table and start the dishwasher,” she said. “While we still have power.”
    â€œYou have a generator. I saw it.” Scooter pointed from across the room.
    â€œYes, we have a generator. And enough gas to keep us going for about twelve hours,” David told him.
    â€œI’d