Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Titus squeezed down the narrow aisle of the plane to find his seat. He passed the first-class passengers who were already getting drinks and snacks and wished he’d taken the time to have dinner before entering the terminal. However, he was running late and had no time.
The cabin was a beehive of activity, with passengers stowing their belongings and the flight attendants bustling around. Conversations vied with the clicking of seat belts. Titus followed a mother with two little girls who were giddy with excitement and bumping into seated passengers. He thanked God he wasn’t traveling with kids. Someday maybe, but not today.
Arriving at his aisle seat, he stowed his duffel in the overhead. A woman seated by the window nodded to him.
Titus settled in and fastened his seat belt, hoping his luck would hold and no one would sit between them.
The doors closed with a thud and the engines roared. Titus sighed in relief as the middle seat remained vacant. He wasn’t a small guy, and it would have been uncomfortable squeezing his legs together. That wouldn’t have been a problem if he had more time to make reservations, but there you go. At least he got an empty seat on the last flight out.
He glanced around the immediate area at the passengers. Some individuals wore earphones or were focused on computers. Titus closed his eyes. His one thought was of meeting Wyatt and Emelia’s parents, and he hoped both stops went well.
A light tap on his shoulder made him jump.
“Sorry.” The flight attendant apologized with a smile. “You were asleep, and we are going to land in a minute. Can you put your seat up?”
Taking a deep breath, Titus looked outside. The plane glided down the runway, lit up by huge lights, and maneuvered toward the terminal gates. There was an air of excitement as everyone readied themselves to depart.
As the seat belt light went off, everyone stood, gathered their belongings, and made their way off the plane in Newark, New Jersey. Titus walked into a flurry of activity in the terminal as passengers rushed to catch connecting flights or make their way to baggage claim. Announcements over the intercom kept people updated on gate changes. Vibrant colors in the advertisements adorned the wall. People were laughing and talking, some in different languages. Duty-free shops filled with customers. Scents of coffee and cinnamon mingled with the aroma of fast food. Titus’s stomach rumbled. However, he was eager to get on the road. He grabbed the AirTrain, then it was a short walk to the car rental office.
Emelia’s parents lived in Warwick, New York. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get a direct flight from Haywood Lake to the Newburgh, New York, airport, which would have been closer. Flying from Newark to Newburgh didn’t make sense. It would take more time and then he’d still have to drive to get to his destination.
The nonstop flight had been two-plus hours. Now he had another two hours to drive after renting a car. It would be late when he arrived in Warwick. However, he had a reservation at a Holiday Inn outside town close to where Emelia’s parents lived on Lakes Road.
After a quick stop for fast food and arriving at the hotel, Titus parked, stepped out of the car, took a deep breath, and stretched. It was late fall in New England. The air was cold and crisp. It felt good after the warm, humid climate of Florida.
After checking in to the hotel, he threw his duffle on the luggage holder and looked around. It was a comfortable yet typical hotel room. It held just the basics: a chair, floor lamp, a desk with a TV on the wall, two side tables, and a king-size bed that looked inviting covered in a thick white comforter and four pillows. There was a coffee maker for the morning. He shed his clothes, kept his boxers on, and lay down on the bed. It was too late to call Emelia just to say hello, so he sent a text that she’d see in the morning. Not that he would tell her where he was, just that he was thinking of her.
Emelia’s parents were not expecting him. He didn’t want them to call Emelia and mention that he was up there.
Then he needed to get all the background information he could on Wyatt before he moved forward.
Titus woke early. The curtains were still drawn. He got out of bed and peered outside. The sky was a riot of deep grays and salmon. The sun would rise soon. First up, take a shower, then dress and grab some breakfast.
Feeling refreshed from the shower, Titus walked into the breakfast room. Several people already occupied seats and were eating. The scent of vanilla permeating the air reminded him of Emelia, and he spotted a waffle maker in the corner. A small fridge held yogurt and containers of milk. After pouring batter into the waffle maker, he grabbed a plate and added scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, some strawberries and a banana for later. After two minutes, his waffle was done. He removed it and poured, be still my heart, real maple syrup over it.
Titus found a table near a window, set his plate down, then returned for juice and coffee. More people shuffled in, and Titus enjoyed watching them, especially those with little kids. He wondered how parents ever got to sit down and enjoy a meal. The kids were up and down. They wanted juice or milk. Whoops, the juice glass tipped over. What a mess. Made him glad he didn’t have any rug rats. However, a little girl with dark hair and brown eyes that looked like Emelia flashed before his eyes. Titus could see Emelia heavy with his child. It made him smile until one of the little kids screeched. The vision was gone as quickly as it came.
He picked up some brochures at the front desk before heading back to his room. It was eight o’clock. At nine, he’d call and ask Emelia’s parents if he could stop by. Titus made himself a cup of coffee and sat in the chair.
He wanted to get a better idea of the environment Emelia grew up in. The brochures included a map of Warwick, which was a plus, and a list of activities. So far, he missed the Applefest and the Historical Society’s walking tour of historic sites, not that he was into festivals or walking tours. Titus wondered if Emelia enjoyed those. The Warwick Valley Winery and Distillery sounded interesting. Maybe he and Emelia could come up another time and sample the wines, ciders and spirits. She’d probably like that. He knew he would. Later, if he had time, he’d explore downtown.
Titus glanced at his watch and realized it was time to act. Dialing Emelia’s parents, the phone rang, and a man answered.
Titus explained who he was.
“Why do you want to speak to us? Is Emelia all right? Is she with you?” her father asked, sounding concerned.
“Yes, Emelia is fine,” he answered. “She isn’t with me, and I can explain more when I come over.”
Emelia’s father gave him directions to the house.
“I would appreciate you not calling Emelia yet.”
Her father begrudgingly agreed. They hung up. Titus collected his car keys, closed the door to the room, and got into his car.
It was a short drive to Lakes Road. Titus steeled himself for the conversation ahead and hoped he’d get information that would not only ease Emelia’s mind but also not frighten her parents.