Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
CALDWELL
My hold is firm on Mable’s hand, maybe too firm. I lift her hand and kiss her delicate fingers before setting it back in my lap, loosening my hold, but not much. She fights a knowing smile.
The car pulls onto the private tarmac, and I feel Mable go still beside me. I follow her gaze to the plane waiting on the runway. She’s seen wealth before, but this is different. This is generational and institutional and excessive in ways that can’t be hidden.
“Holy shit,” she breathes.
I squeeze her hand. “It’s just a plane.”
“That’s not a plane. That’s Air Force One’s cousin.”
I do laugh then, low and genuine. “It’s excessive. I know.” We use it for many things, a vast majority political.
“How many people does it seat?”
“Twenty. Maybe thirty if we’re cozy.”
“Okay then.” A small laugh leaves her. I’ll take it. It’s not as though I can hide any of this. Not when I’m taking her home. I need her to fall in love with not only me but the country too.
The stairs are already down. I keep her hand in mine, leading her on board.
The cabin is all cream leather and polished wood. There is a bedroom in the back that I’d love to make ours, but my parents will be joining us shortly.
“Here,” I tell her, picking a spot for us that is more isolated from the rest.
She settles into a window seat, and I grab a blanket. “Do you want something to drink?” I ask her.
“Doing my job for me?” I turn, holding my hand out to James to shake. He pulls me in for a half hug.
“You’re back. How’s the baby?” James’s whole face lights up at the mention of the newest member of his family. He’s worked for us for a handful of years. We have traveled a lot together. There have been times I think the plane is more his than ours. He runs this place, including the captain.
“Perfect and tiny, man.” He shakes his head, holding his hand up. “Like this big, but my wife swears they’re not as fragile as they look.”
Mable giggles.
“What’s going on here?” James turns toward her. A flash of jealousy hits me when she drops her head back and gives him a bright smile. It’s ridiculous. James married his high school sweetheart. They are madly in love.
“I’m Mable.” She holds her hand out.
“It’s lovely to meet you.” He shakes her hand, giving me a knowing look that says About damn time. “I’m James.”
“You too, and congratulations. What’s the baby’s name?”
“Savanna,” he says proudly. That longing hits me again.
Sure, I had some fucked-up thoughts about getting Mable pregnant.
That it would bind her to me, but it’s more than that.
I wasn’t sure if I’d ever want kids or if I’d have the time.
Now that’s not as stiff a sacrifice, and with Mable, I’m willing to make it.
I want to see her pregnant with our children.
It hits me hard just how badly I do want that.
How since I met her, I’ve been envisioning spending the rest of my life with her.
This time home isn’t only going to be about getting Mable to fall in love; it’s also to see how this all plays out. Not only in the public eye but also with my family and, most importantly, Mable. Then I might have to make big changes no one will be happy about.
Too bad for them, Mable’s happiness will always come first. She’ll be my wife and the mother of my children one day. At least that’s my plan, and if I’m good at anything, it’s getting things to go how I want them. I’ve spent my whole life maneuvering deals.
James and Mable go back and forth talking, and I end up getting our drinks. My parents board but must get the message that I sat over here for a reason. They take an area up and to the left but give us smiles before sitting.
I’m about to sit beside Mable when I hear the loud click of heels on the stairs. Cordelia appears in the cabin doorway, all smiles, her eyes finding Mable immediately and then over to me.
“Wells! I hoped I’d catch you.” She moves past me without waiting for an invitation, dropping into the seat across from Mable. “Eleanor mentioned you were heading back early. I had some business in the city, so I thought I’d hitch a ride.”
Fucking hell. I wanted to be alone with Mable.
“John, can I get an espresso?” Cordelia asks him.
“James,” I correct.
“Shit, sorry, see, I need the coffee clearly.” She lets out a playful laugh, but I can tell it’s fake. Maybe she’s embarrassed for calling him the wrong name. She knows James, or at least she should.
I stare at her, my jaw tight. “Cordelia,” I say, my voice low. “A word.”
“After takeoff.” She smiles at Mable, all teeth. “Did you enjoy the wedding?” Cordelia asks her.
That old temper of mine flares again. The one I thought I mastered keeping under control long ago. I don’t want to share Mable right now—fuck, maybe ever.
The pilot’s voice comes over the intercom, letting us know we will be taking off soon, and I force myself into my seat, my shoulder pressed against Mable’s. I reach over and put my hand on her leg.
Cordelia chatters through takeoff—about the wedding, about mutual acquaintances, about nothing, her voice filling the cabin. Has it always been this annoying?
The moment the captain says we’re clear, I’m on my feet.
“Cordelia. Now.” My tone brooks no argument.
Mable’s eyes are wide. “I’ll be right back, beautiful,” I soften my voice to tell her before heading toward the rear of the plane, and Cordelia follows me.
“What are you doing?” I stop and ask her when I think we’re far enough away.
“Should we?” She motions to the bedroom.
“No, here is perfectly fine.” Hell no am I going into a bedroom with her alone. I’d lose my mind if Mable did that.
“Sorry, you seemed to want to have this chat in private.”
“I don’t want to have this chat at all. But I’m flying home.” She tilts her head like she doesn’t understand why I’m worked up over this. Am I overreacting? She keeps coming.
“Eleanor said you were leaving early, and I had business in the city. I didn’t realize I’d need permission to board a family plane.”
That’s the thing: She’s not truly family. It’s my mom that is close to her mother. Because of that, we’ve all been pushed together. It’s a dick thought, but it’s there, nonetheless. She seems to make Mable uncomfortable, which in turn makes me on edge.
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” Her expression turns, and she looks confused. “Wells, what’s wrong?”
I stare at her. “Caldwell,” I correct her. The only person to ever have called me “Wells” is Mable. The first time had been when I had my mouth on her, so lost in the pleasure I was giving her she couldn’t say my full name.
“Oh sorry, I heard others saying it. I thought it was a new thing.” She puts her hands up like I’m being dramatic.
“The press. They thought we were getting married. Printed it as a headline.”
“Oh.” She laughs lightly and surprised. “That old rumor? It’s been around for years. You know how they are.”
“Mable heard it.”
Cordelia’s expression shifts, softening into something almost sympathetic. “Oh no. Is that why she’s so quiet? I thought she was just nervous about meeting everyone.” She steps closer, her voice dropping. “I would never want to cause problems for you. For either of you.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Well, I wanted to get back home, and because I want you to be happy.” She puts her hand on my arm, familiar and sisterly. “It’s a new place for Mable. New country, new customs, new everything. She’ll need friends. I’m trying to help.”
I look at her, searching for the lie. The same eyes that cried at my grandfather’s funeral peer back at me.
“You’re being protective,” she continues gently. “I understand. But you’re going to smother her if you’re not careful. She needs space to breathe. To find her place.”
I run a hand through my hair. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. “She’s overwhelmed.”
“Of course she is. Anyone would be.” Cordelia smiles, reassuring. “Let me help. I can show her around and introduce her to people. Make her feel welcome.”
I want to say no, but I need to speak with Mable. I want her as comfortable as possible, and if that pisses people off or hurts their feelings? Well, I don’t give a fuck. Not when it comes to Mable.
“Just... back off for today,” I say finally. “Give us space.”
“Of course.” She squeezes my arm. “I’m here if you need me. Either of you.”
“Hey,” I say, stopping her before she goes. “I need you to stop with all the touching.”
Her brows pull together. “What do you mean?”
“Stop with all the touching. That sentence doesn’t need further explanation.”
“All right,” she laughs, holding her hands up again. “I got you.” I’m not sure she does, but she turns, heading back down the hallway.
I stand there wondering if I’m making something out of nothing. If the protectiveness I feel is necessary or just excessive.
Mable’s waiting when I return, her eyes finding mine immediately. “Everything okay?”
“Fine.” I sit beside her, taking her hand, trying to shake the doubt Cordelia planted. “I wanted to clear the air. About the press rumors. I don’t want it to be awkward for anyone. She agreed.”
“Oh.” Mable’s expression doesn’t change, but I feel her fingers tighten in mine. “That was nice of her.”
“Yeah.” I kiss her knuckles, watching Cordelia settle back into her seat across the aisle, already pulling out her phone, looking helpful and harmless.
Maybe I’m wrong about her. Maybe the jealousy I felt seeing Mable smile at James and hearing Cordelia’s voice has me seeing threats where there aren’t any.
Mable leans into my shoulder, and I wrap my arm around her, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve just been outmaneuvered somehow.