Sweet Montana Christmas by Casey Dawes Read Free Book Online Page B

off, going over all the procedures. I’m ready. I’ve been here at least as long as Pat.”
    “I know that.” Johnson cleared his throat. “But that’s not the issue. Have a seat.” He leaned forward and folded his hands on the desk. “When I hired you, I took a careful look at your background. I talked to Denver to see if they thought the incident during the federal test was a one-time thing or if there was some underlying issue.”
    Zach swallowed.
    “They told me you had problems with some of the others on the team, and you let that interfere with your judgment. After the drill was compromised, the situation with the team became worse.”
    That’s ’cause those SOBs froze me out.
    But he knew better than to say anything.
    “They seemed to think you didn’t have your mind entirely on the job,” the chief added.
    “But I’m focused now. I learned my lesson.” He worked to keep the desperation from his voice. “I wasn’t ready then because...” He stopped. What he was going to say? He was arguing with his girlfriend on the phone and missed the alert?
    “We need full concentration.” Chief Johnson’s eyes were steady. “People’s lives are at stake. We’re a small airport, but our customers still matter, from the gal who waits tables at Jedidiah’s to our pilots and everyone in between, especially our passengers.” He tapped his finger on the desk. “They count on everyone in the team for their safety. And, more importantly, the team needs to count on every member to deliver service and keep each other alive.”
    Was he getting a dressing down, or was he going to be fired?
    “Now, I’ve seen how hard you’re working to learn the airport and all the things you need to do.” The chief leaned back in his chair. “But you don’t mingle with the guys. You’re a loner.”
    “I brought chocolates,” Zach said.
    “I heard they were very good.” The corners of the man’s lips moved up a fraction of a degree. “That was a good first step. Do more. The squad is a great group of men. Go out and have a beer with some of them sometime. Montana is a friendly place. There aren’t many of us relative to the space, so we rely on each other.”
    Zach’s shoulders ached with the tension.
    “Make no mistake.” The chief’s words were clipped. “We can’t keep someone around who doesn’t fit in. So get over whatever’s bugging you about Pat and learn to be a team player, or you’ll need to find another airport.”
    Frozen in the chair, Zach was silent. He couldn’t fail twice. If that happened, he’d have to give up his career. No airport would hire him.
    “I’ll do what it takes.” He forced out the words.
    “Good.” The chief gave a brief nod. “Now, was there anything else?”
    “No, sir.”
    Stiff-legged, Zach rose from the chair and left the room with a heavy heart.
    • • •
    Where was the damn plumber?
    Sue Anne paced around the shop, Sugar following in her footsteps, the dog’s unclipped toenails clacking on the wooden floor.
    “You can’t be in here when the health inspector comes,” she told the animal. With the impending opening, stress had turned her sleep time into tossing and turning nightmares. Even her pet’s whines had gotten to her that morning.
    How had she ever thought she could do this?
    The February day was bright and clear, and sun streamed through the windows, dancing heart patterns on the floor. Tables and chairs had been delayed and wouldn’t be delivered until mid-April, but she’d found a few the previous owners had left behind and painted them a bright red. They would have to do until the wrought-iron furniture arrived.
    Cellophane-wrapped candies filled the shelves on the walls around the store. She’d fill the display cases, now gleaming from their efforts, over the next few days—ready for their opening on Monday.
    She resumed her tour around the shop, pretending to examine everything again while she walked off nervous energy.
    What if the