Lizzie leaned back and watched the traffic. Her mind raced through her agenda for the day, then stopped. She smiled; she had it covered. Now she could set her thoughts to what in the world she was going to get her new husband for Christmas. Cosmo had promised that when she got back, he was going to take the day off, and they were going to a forest to chop down a real Christmas tree. She’d teased him, saying Vegas didn’t have any forests, and he’d said, “Oh, yes, they do. You just need to know where to look.” And that had been the end of that. A big tree, he’d said. He’d even bought a pickup truck to cart it home. He was so proud of the seventy-five-dollar rusty clunker. Then he’d announced that the springs under the seats were shot. He’d called it a kidney crusher. She’d giggled all day over their newest possession, but she had to admit, she couldn’t wait to go out to the forest to cut down the tree. But that wasn’t solving her problem of what to get Cosmo for Christmas. Something would come to her; she was sure of it.

When Lizzie stepped from the limousine, a strong gust of wind almost blew her over. The snow was coming down heavier and in squalls. She hoped it stopped before her return flight back to Vegas later in the day.

Lizzie signed in, was given a card saying she was a visitor. She looped it around her neck as she made her way to the elevator.

Maggie was waiting for her the minute she stepped out of the elevator. “Martin called to say you were on your way up. Let’s go to the kitchen. I just made some fresh coffee, and I bought some doughnuts and bagels on the way in. We’ll just close the door and have all the privacy we need.”

Lizzie sniffed appreciatively as Maggie poured her a cup of the fragrant coffee. She watched as the EIC toasted bagels and spread them lavishly with butter and cream cheese. “Oooh, this is sooo good. I didn’t realize how hungry I was. I never eat on planes. Do you?”

“As a rule, no. I usually travel with my own snacks, but I will eat the fruit. So, tell me, do you have a game plan, or do you want to hear mine first?”