Prologue

Friday, June 9, 2000

Hanna Sidwell smiled as she slowly scanned the desolate red-and-green majesty of Palo Duro Canyon. The cool early morning breeze blew strands of her long brunette hair into her face. She swept them back into place. It was June and nearly summer on the High Plains of the Texas panhandle. She thought back to the last time she had been at this exact spot in December 1999, the last year of the twentieth century. She shivered as she remembered what had almost happened when she had accepted that consulting job in Seattle, the “on purpose” Y2K bug that she and Russell Flaherty had worked so hard to fix. The chill drove deeper as she remembered how close it had been.

She glanced at Russell. His eyes were following the far canyon rim. She looked at Scott. Russell’s son seemed more interested in the near-vertical plunge only a few feet in front of them.

Russell’s lips curved into that smile Hanna loved so much. “So, this is where we met,” he said, squeezing her hand.

Hanna felt her pulse quicken. “Close,” she agreed with a self-conscious grin. “Actually it was a couple hundred feet that way.” She pointed with her other hand, indicating a spot above the yawning abyss.

“Cool,” Scott said, drawing the word out. “Dad, can we get a hang glider?”

Russell peered around Hanna at his eleven-year-old son. “We’ll talk about it later.”

The boy frowned and looked up at Hanna. “That means no,” he informed her.

Hanna had to struggle not to giggle. “Well, since I’ll shortly be a member of this family, perhaps I can talk to your dad about it.”

“Gee, Hanna, do you think so? I mean, Ms. Sidwell.”

Hanna laughed but stopped when she saw Russell’s expression. “Sorry, but it is funny.” She turned serious, Here was another detail to be worked out as they planned their future life together as a family. “Russell, I know how you feel about Scott being respectful to adults. But he is respectful. He’s about the most respectful young man I’ve ever met. It’s what’s in the heart that counts.”

“I know, I know. We’ve been through this before.”

“Russell. ‘Ms. Sidwell’ bugs me.”

“I know that.”

She sighed. “It’s your decision. But I’m not Scott’s mom, and I’m not an old lady either.”

She watched his eyes. The stern disapproval began to change subtly. She saw he was struggling not to smile. Finally he shook his head.

“No,” he said slowly, “you’re certainly not an old lady. Not in the slightest.”

“So can’t we compromise?”

“Oh? What will you give up?”

She looked into his eyes. “I’ll stop bringing it up.”

He looked stricken. He turned his head away quickly.

“Russell?” She tugged on his hand. She saw his shoulders shaking. “Russell?”

He broke out laughing as he turned back. Hanna smiled. His sense of humor was just one of the things she loved about this one who would shortly be her life partner.

“Deal?” she asked hopefully.

He shook his head. “Deal.” He looked past her to his son. “You may call Ms. Sidwell ‘Hanna,’” he said.

Scott was clearly embarrassed. “Uh, thanks Dad.” The boy looked up at his benefactress and grinned. “Thanks, Hanna.”

“You’re welcome, dude. Now, I’ve shown you guys Palo Duro Canyon, but I need to get back to Hereford. You two can relax with my folks, but I still have things to do before tomorrow.” She looked at Russell. “You did remember everything, didn’t you?”

“There wasn’t that much. Let’s see: there’s me and Scott and our rental tuxedos.” He glanced at his son. “I did pack those, didn’t I?”

He sidestepped the expected elbow.

“He packed ’em,” Scott said.

“Yep,” Russell continued. “I think we’re all ready. Scott looks real cute in his tux.”

Hanna saw the boy’s look of irritation and the fact that his father was completely unaware of it. “I’m sure he’s quite handsome in it, just like my man.”

“You’ll see tomorrow,” Russell replied.

They walked back to Hanna’s Ford Explorer. Russell held the driver’s door for his wife-to-be while Scott clambered into the backseat. Russell walked around and got in on the passenger’s side.

Hanna drove down the rutted dirt path to the farm-to-market road and turned right. She tilted the rearview mirror and glanced at Scott. “So, what do you think of the Texas panhandle?”

“It’s cool!” he said. “It sure is different from home. I’ve always wanted to see the desert.”

“Well, this really isn’t a desert. We’re in the South Plains, an extension of the prairies of Kansas and Oklahoma. But it is dry, compared to Seattle.”

A lithe tan shape loped across the road ahead as they neared Interstate 27 north of Happy, Texas.

“Wow, that dog must be lost,” Scott said. “There are no houses nearby.”

“That was a coyote,” Hanna said.

“Really?”

Hanna saw his wide eyes in the mirror. “Would I kid you?”

“Sometimes.”

She laughed. “Well, I’m not now. That really was a coyote. We have all kinds of critters you don’t have back home — roadrunners, rattlesnakes, prairie dogs.”

“Wow! Can you show ’em to me?”

“The coyote you’ve seen. Roadrunners and prairie dogs I think I can manage. But the rattlesnakes I’d just as soon leave alone, if you don’t mind.”

“I second the motion,” Russell observed.

“Aw, Dad. It would be so cool to see one.”

“Not if it struck you,” Hanna said. “Besides, I know Mom and Dad have a lot planned for your visit with them. You won’t be bored, pardner.”

“You mean while you and Dad go on your...”

Hanna smiled. “I think that’s the general idea.” She paused, watching his eyes in the mirror. “That OK with you?”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you, Scott.”

“Where are you two going?”

“Didn’t your dad tell you?”

“No. Said it was a secret.”

Hanna glanced at her fiancé.

“Well, it started out as a secret,” he said. “But I got persuaded that I might want to change my mind.”

“She got it out of you,” Scott said.

“That she did. Ms. Sidwell can be quite convincing when she sets her mind to it.”

“You’re treading on dangerous ground there, pardner,” Hanna said.

Scott sat forward as much as the seat belt would allow. “So?”

“We’re flying to Hawaii,” Russell said. He reached over and squeezed Hanna’s hand. “Our honeymoon night will be at the Mark Hopkins in San Francisco. Then we fly to Honolulu. After a few days there, we’ll see Maui, Kauai, and the big island of Hawaii.”

“Cool!”

“Way cool!” Hanna agreed. Her eyes darted to the dry brush beside the road. She put her foot on the brake and slowed down. “Scott! Look over by that clump of cactus. See that big brown bird with the long legs?”

“Wow! That is some herky bird.”

“That’s a roadrunner. Watch what he does.”

The bird snapped its head around, looking at the approaching car. Then it sprinted off in the same direction as if in a race, dodging in and out of the clumps of weeds, its legs a blur of motion.

“Look at him go!” Scott said. “Can’t they fly?”

“Sure they can, but they’d rather run. That’s why they’re called roadrunners.”

The bird angled suddenly away from the road and was soon lost among the stunted brown vegetation.

“Is that why you named your business Roadrunner Consulting?” Russell asked.

Hanna turned her head slightly. She saw the gleam in his eyes. “Meaning?”

“I had a hard time convincing you to come to Seattle to check my company for Y2K compliance — said you didn’t want to leave Texas. I don’t know, roadrunners reluctant to fly....”

“I get it! Well, I accepted, didn’t I?”

“Yes, but it took some doing. And I sure am glad you did. I wouldn’t have met you otherwise.”

“And we’d all be learning how to do without electricity.”

“That, too. But the first is more important.”

Hanna glanced into the rearview mirror at Scott. “Getting too mushy up here for you?” she asked with a grin.

He smiled and shook his head. “Nope. I’m glad you’re marrying my dad.”

“Thanks, pardner. Maybe I can bring some life to this family.”

“Sounds great to me.”

“What do you mean by that?” Russell asked.

“Oh, doing new things, like learning to hang glide.”

Russell shook his head. “I don’t want to think about that. I still can’t believe you’d jump off a cliff with that thing.”

“Russell, it’s perfectly safe as long as you know what you’re doing — and are careful.”

“I still remember how far down it was.”

“We’ll talk about it later.”

“Aw, Dad,” Scott broke in. “Hanna can teach you.”

“That’s enough,” Russell said, firmness coming into his voice.

Hanna turned north and drove up the eastern shore of Buffalo Lake before angling west again, entering Deaf Smith County on U.S. Highway 60. Scott sat up as they passed the municipal airport outside of Hereford.

“That where you learned to fly, Hanna?” he asked.

“That’s it. Learned in an ancient Cessna 150.”

“Wow! Did you have to spin the propeller by hand to start it?”

Hanna frowned. “It wasn’t that ancient.”

“Oh.”

Hanna giggled. “I bet you think I fly in an open cockpit wearing goggles and a long scarf — you know, like Snoopy.”

“Not after playing F-15 with you,” Scott said.

Hanna remembered the Jane’s Simulations game they had played back in Seattle.

“You’re pretty good yourself. Are you making any headway teaching your dad?”

“I’ve tried it a time or two,” Russell said before Scott could answer.

“And?” Hanna prompted.

“I’m beginning to get the hang of it. I just don’t get much time to practice.”

“I see. Well, perhaps I can help. With two trainers, you should come along quite nicely.”

Hanna turned north off the highway and drove through a recent subdivision of large ranch-style homes with green lawns and well-tended shrubs and gardens. Modest-sized trees, mostly oaks, provided welcome shade, hinting of the coming summer heat.

Hanna parked on the street. They got out and walked toward the shelter of the front porch. Curtis Sidwell opened the front door and came out. He was of medium height and had a solid build that was not in any way soft. He wore jeans that appeared new and a crisp tan western shirt with pearl buttons. He carefully settled his wide-brim hat on his head and started down the walk.

“Lookin’ real GQ, Dad,” Hanna said.

“What?”

“You look very handsome.”

“Oh. Thank you.” He turned to Russell and Scott. “What did you guys think of Palo Duro Canyon?”

“It was awesome!” Scott said.

“It’s beautiful,” Russell added. “You wouldn’t think anything that big could be anywhere around here.”

“It surprises most visitors, what with everything else being so flat. Glad you enjoyed it.” He walked back to the house with them and held the door.

“Was Mom able to fix the zipper?” Hanna asked as she went through.

Curtis winked at Russell. “She fixed it. Don’t worry. You’re going to look great. Besides, your mother knows about safety pins and such.”

“But...”

“Everything’s under control.”

Hanna saw he was still smiling, but it was vying with his familiar “that’s enough” expression.

“Yes, Dad,” she said finally.

Curtis turned toward the back of the house. “Come on, Scott,” he said. “Let’s mosey on back to the kitchen and see if any of that lemon pie is left. Want some?”

“Yeah.” The boy hesitated, then glanced at his father and grinned self-consciously. “I think we’re supposed to leave you two alone.”

“I think you’re very perceptive,” Russell said. “Now, be gone.”

“Yes, sir.” Scott dashed after Hanna’s father.

Hanna watched him go, admiring his energy.

“I bet you were just like that as a boy,” she said, now that they were alone.

Russell shrugged. “I guess.” He paused. “I’m glad you and Scott hit it off so.”

“Me too. You have a wonderful son, Russell. I’m looking forward to sharing my life with both of you.” She smiled at the twinkle she saw in his eyes. “But especially you.”

He pulled her close. She watched in anticipation as he tilted his head. The familiar electric tingle raced down her spine as he kissed her gently. She leaned forward and returned it with feeling. Her knees grew weak as she saw how much his emotions matched hers. She was breathless when they broke.

“I love you,” he said in a husky whisper.

“And I love you.” She looked into his eyes, admiring what she saw there.

*      *      *

“What else can go wrong?” Hanna said. She knew tears were near, and she didn’t want that. Not now.

“Calm down,” Carol said firmly. “This safety pin will work just as well as the zipper. There. Looks just fine.”

“It’s not only the zipper, Mother. First the Flahertys’ plane was late. They missed the rehearsal, and we all missed the dinner party.”

“That couldn’t be helped, dear. They’re here now. You and Russell will be just as married as if everything went fine — which it never does.”

Hanna turned and walked to where her bouquet lay on the table. She fingered the delicate blossoms.

“But I wanted everything to be perfect,” she said. She looked down. “This dress has been nothing but trouble, and the service is about to start, and we don’t have a wedding cake. What happened to the caterer?”

Carol rushed over and gathered her daughter into a gentle hug. “Hush now, dear,” she said gently. “Don’t you worry. I don’t know what happened to the caterer, but I have some friends working on it.”

Hanna stepped back. “But...” She stopped when she saw the unshed tears in her mother’s eyes.

“Honey, in a few minutes, your father is going to walk you down the aisle and give you to Russell.” She dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “Listen, dear. You’re marrying a fine man. That’s what’s important, not all these piddly little things.”

Hanna looked down as she felt the heat of embarrassment. A glimmer of a smile came to her face as she thought about it. “I think the guests might wonder where the cake is,” she added softly.

Carol grinned as she swatted at Hanna with her handkerchief. “I said we were taking care of that.”

“What do you think happened?”

“Who knows.”

Hanna’s lips curved into a wry grin. “Suppose she got asphyxiated when she drove past the feedlot east of town?”

Carol laughed. “There are plenty of feedlots around Amarillo, dear.”

Hanna nodded. “Yeah, that’s right. I suppose we’ll find out later.”

“Yes, and by then it won’t make any difference, will it?”

“No, Mother, it won’t.”

Hanna jumped as a knock sounded at the door. Carol opened it a crack.

“Time for you to take your seat,” Curtis said softly. He looked past at his daughter. “How’s my princess?”

“Fine, Dad.” Hanna was surprised to find she meant it. A peace had descended over her.

Curtis grinned. “I’ll be back after I deliver your mother to an usher.”

“Thank you.”

Carol went out, and the door closed. Hanna could hear the faint strains of the organ playing “Sheep May Safely Graze.”

A few minutes later the door opened again. Curtis smiled, looking a little uncomfortable in his tuxedo but beaming nonetheless.

“It’s time,” he said. He extended his arm.

She took it, and he escorted her through the hallway outside the sanctuary, stopping before the open doors. Hanna felt a quick stab of fear. She looked down the long aisle. The music stopped, and a moment later the wedding processional began. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Russell standing there before the minister. His eyes found hers and seemed to pull her forward. Hanna felt a warm glow as she saw that smile she loved so. She could hardly breathe.

With a peal of organ trumpets, the processional began. Curtis and Hanna started their solemn march toward the waiting groom. Hanna felt her eyes sting as she approached. It seemed to take forever, but at last she was there. The minister said something, and her father replied. Then Russell took her arm, and they turned to face the minister.

Hanna had to force herself to concentrate on the ceremony. She exchanged her vows with Russell. Then came the electrifying moment when he slipped the ring on her finger, and she placed a wide gold band on his finger as they repeated their vows.

The minister concluded the ceremony and turned to Russell. “You may kiss your bride.”

Hanna heard the congregation grow very quiet. Russell turned toward her and gently lifted the veil. With love in his eyes, he leaned forward and kissed her. Hanna’s heart raced, realizing she was now a wife. She smiled at her husband as he drew away, obviously a shorter kiss than usual.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the minister concluded, “it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Flaherty. They have asked me to invite you to their reception, which will take place in the fellowship hall immediately after the service.”

The organist began the recessional. Russell took his bride’s arm, and they started up the aisle. Hanna struggled to keep her emotions under control as she saw the faces of her relatives and friends. She glanced at her husband. He was hers now, until the moment death would part them.

*      *      *

The key refused to turn. “Blasted security!” The AT&T technician grumbled.

He tried several others until he finally hit on the right one. The bolt opened with a heavy metallic click. The man pushed open the sturdy steel door, flipped on the lights, and entered. He wrinkled his nose at the pungent odor of ozone. He closed the door and quickly scanned the room, then glanced down at his work order. He nodded to himself as he mentally checked off his tasks: perform routine diagnostics and reset the switch’s internal clock. Nothing tough about that.

He looked up from his clipboard and spotted the control console in the corner. Electronic cabinets lined the walls and formed steel islands, joined together by thick bundles of black cables. The man thought about the thousands of long-distance voice and data connections coursing through this room, all controlled by this digital tandem switch. He wondered what would happen if he brought the switch’s computer down rather than performing the scheduled maintenance; all those important calls, all that vital data, cut off instantly. The technician quickly shook off that thought. No, it wouldn’t be any fun to be out on the street looking for a job.

Arriving at the console, he ran through the diagnostics quickly, noting a few minor alarms that didn’t really mean anything. The switch was performing its tasks to its usual digital perfection. The technician made a few notes on his clipboard, then glanced at his digital watch, which he had set to the National Institute of Standards and Technology WWV time recording that morning. The switch was less than a minute off, but his bosses wanted the time exact.

After punching the key sequence into the console, the technician entered the date and time and waited until his watch ticked over to the new minute before hitting the enter key.

Minor irritation furrowed his brow as he reviewed the time entry. The time was right, but he had miskeyed the date. Instead of 6/10/2000, he had accidentally keyed 6/10/2200, what he called a “fat finger.” He cursed as he hurried to correct the entry, knowing that thousands of calls were receiving incorrect date stamps. What the billing programs would make of that he didn’t know and didn’t want to know.

The man paused in his rapid keying when he heard a sharp snap behind him, followed immediately by the unmistakable sound of cooling fans shutting down. He turned slowly, his eyes wide. He groaned as he saw white smoke pouring out of the ventilation louvers. An alarm horn started sounding, telling him the switch was out of service, something he understood only too well. Did I do that? he wondered. He dismissed the thought immediately, knowing it had to be a coincidence.

He looked down at the now-dead console. He decided quickly he would say nothing about keying in the wrong date. Hopefully the chaos caused by the massive disruption in long-distance service would mask his error. His beeper and his mobile phone went off at the same time. He sighed. He knew what that was about.

*      *      *

Hanna struggled to keep up with Russell’s long strides as they made their way arm-in-arm through the corridor to the fellowship hall. She clutched his arm tighter. The photographer had beaten them there and was off in a corner attaching a strobe to one of his cameras.

Hanna’s eyes went to the wedding cake like a magnet. There it was, three tiers and beautifully iced, but she knew it wasn’t the one the caterer had promised; it didn’t look like the picture. She guided her husband toward the table and looked closer. The icing was far from professional but had obviously been applied with love — and quickly. And the bride and groom looked a lot like Barbie and Ken. Despite her earlier anguish, she smiled.

“What do you think?” she asked. She watched him as a grin lit up his face.

“I think it looks awesome, Mrs. Flaherty.”

She giggled. “That’s going to take getting used to.”

“I guess, but won’t it be grand?”

She looked him in the eye. “Yep.”

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