The Christmas Car

By Kate Vale

A short story that explores what happens when Anita Rayburn, preparing to retire, is introduced to Brian Skolnick, who not at all interested in making a new female friend. But she is lonely and he still grieves the death of his spouse.

Brian inadvertently offends Anita and she feels guilty that she went along with Brian's sister's clumsy matchmaking efforts. He calls her to apologize and she attempts to make amends by inviting him to use the gift certificate for dinner at the Space Needle as Christmas approaches.

He invites her for a spin in his new car, far sportier than any other he has owned. She can't imagine riding in such a vehicle. Will she step out of her comfort zone and accept his invitation? Is it true that a car reflects the man? And if so, where might such a ride lead?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate Vale
• Release date: Nov 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9780985638993

Kate Vale

Kate Vale writes and publishes contemporary women’s fiction and contemporary romantic fiction. Most of her titles center in the Pacific Northwest or the Western United States.She has lived or visited nearly every state, several provinces in Canada and other countries, too. When she isn't writing, check her garden or look for her on nearby bike trails.

Book preview

The Christmas Car

A Short Story

Kate Vale

Published by North Cascades Press

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2013 – Kathleen Auerbach

All Rights Reserved

Cover Artist Dawné Dominique

Discover other title by Kate Vale at http://katevale.com

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Chapter One

Anita Rayburn buckled her seat belt and looked out the window at the snow plowed off the Minneapolis airport runways. She glanced at her seatmate as the other woman fumbled with the seating diagram and grimaced at the flight attendant’s droning instructions. Is she a white knuckler?

Is this your first flight? Anita kept her voice carefully casual.

The woman’s white hair shone in the late afternoon sun that slanted through Anita’s window. Did I bump you? I’m so nervous. All those security checks they do these days make me wonder how safe flying is.

No, you didn’t bump me, but I understand how nerve wracking travel can be. Are you headed home, after celebrating Thanksgiving, like me? Images of her son, her daughter-in-law and