entrance. She opened the door to find Benjamin Platt, his white West Highland terrier, Digger, up under one arm and his other arm raised, his hand holding a piece of mistletoe over his head.
'Merry Christmas!'
Without missing a beat, Maggie petted Digger and gave the dog a kiss on his head.
Ben laughed and shook his head. 'This dog always gets more action than I do.'
He stepped inside and put Digger down to scamper off in the direction of voices.
'Not quite the chick magnet you thought he'd be, huh?'
She helped him take his coat off and while she was behind him she whispered in his ear, 'You don't need a dog or mistletoe.'
The look in his eyes was enough to send a flutter through her.
Patrick interrupted. 'We ready to go?'
'You're leaving?' Ben asked. 'I just got here.'
'We'll be back in about an hour,' Maggie told him as Patrick took Ben's coat from Maggie and replaced it with her own.
'She's taking me tree hunting,' Patrick told him.
'We're going to bring back the most magical Christmas tree in the field.'
After the Oklahoma City bombing there were at least twenty witnesses who insisted they saw a 'third terrorist' or 'John Doe #2' with Timothy McVeigh at different times and in different places, but they always described him with the same physical characteristics. Over half of those witnesses gave this description even before the now infamous sketch had been completed. All of the assertions I've made about a third terrorist conspiracy are not my own. Some people, including Timothy McVeigh's first attorney, still believe the mysterious John Doe #2 may have been the actual mastermind. No one, however, seems to know what happened to him.
This past year and a half my family has been gathering way too often at hospitals, providing the writer in me with more than enough research material. Here's to the crew: Bob and Tracy Kava, Nancy and Jim Tworek, Kenny and Connie Kava and Patricia Kava.
Naming characters is often a unique process for most authors. Only on rare occasions have I used a real person's name for one of my characters. This novel is the exception. Thanks go to the following:
Joanne Ceimo for allowing me to use both her sons' names, David and Chris Ceimo. Chris actually does own an English pub called The Rose and Crown, only you'll find it in Phoenix, Arizona, not Minneapolis.
Ray Kunze?so you're not a headless, rotting corpse, after all. And no, I don't think you dress like a bouncer at a private nightclub.
Lee Dixon and his new grandson, Henry Lee Dixon. I haven't met the latter yet, but I'm sure he's as lovable and ornery as his grandfather.
Also special thanks to:
Leigh Ann Retelsdorf?all the questions helped?really they did?okay, maybe not in the beginning, but eventually they did.
Faith Cotton?for being my eyes by providing all the fantastic photos of Mall of America.
Frank Tripp at Alegent Health Wellness Center for answering questions about commercial dryers.
And of course, Sharon Car, Marlene Haney, Sandy Rockwood and Patti El-Kachouti?for your patience, your friendship and your reminders that there is life outside of writing books.
My unwavering respect and heartfelt gratitude to my incredible team:
Linda McFall, my editor and grace under pressure;
Amy Moore-Benson, my agent extraordinaire;
And Deb Carlin, my peace of mind, always.
A very special thank-you to the booksellers, book buyers and librarians across the country for mentioning my novels.
Last and most importantly, to all you faithful readers?I know there's plenty of competition for your time, your entertainment and for your dollars. I thank you for continuing to choose my novels.
