CHAPTER 19 #3
She focused on Ian, who looked so calm and confident as he turned the yoke, sending the plane dipping into a smooth bank. Claire spotted the round ball of Epcot and several other Disney landmarks as they descended under Ian’s competent hands.
She’d miss those hands.
She’d miss him.
Would he text her? FaceTime? Would she still be able to meet with him?
All thoughts flew out of her head on final approach, and Claire focused on breathing as the ground seemed to come up to meet them.
She took a deep breath and braced herself, yet the jolt as the plane’s wheels hit the ground still came as a shock.
The Cessna didn’t seem to want to stop, groaning as it tore down the runway.
“See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Angie gave Claire another perfect smile.
Claire inhaled deeply, held it, and slowly exhaled, grateful to be on the ground. But as the plane gradually slowed and began its swift taxi to the terminal, the lump in her throat tightened to pain.
What did the future hold for her? Everything seemed to be up in the air.
This week, she needed to check in with her office since her leave of absence was ending, and depending on how her mother was doing, she may need another extension.
All weekend, Mom told her she was doing well, but she tended to underplay problems, so Claire needed to see for herself.
And then there was Ian. How would things be with him from now on?
The plane came to a stop, and Ian flipped a few switches, then removed his headset and turned to Adam. For a few moments, the brothers grinned at each other. Adam clapped Ian on the shoulder and said something, to which Ian nodded and answered in one word.
Then Ian swung around and looked at Claire expectantly, his blue eyes sparkling, his mouth curving into a smile that could only be described as cocky. He extricated himself from the cockpit, climbing nimbly over the console, and moved to open the door.
Claire saw movement out of the corner of her eye and caught Angie rising out of her seat, regarding Ian with a hunger that made Claire’s stomach clench.
“Nice landing.” Angie’s lips curved into a seductive smile. “You obviously haven’t lost your magic touch.” There was no mistaking her double meaning.
Claire looked away as she stood, the uncomfortable sensation in her middle becoming a dull ache. Outside, a golf cart pulled up, and an attendant scrambled out to place a little red carpet at the foot of the stairs, then headed for the back of the plane to unload the luggage, Claire guessed.
“Well, it was nice flying with you,” Angie said. “Good luck with everything.”
“Thank you.” Claire shouldered her purse. “You too.”
Adam finished entering something in a black book and moved to exit the cockpit. “Well, Miss Burns. How was the flight?” His questioning blue eyes, identical to Ian’s, were oh-so-serious.
Claire smiled at him. “Better than I expected.”
Adam nodded, seemingly satisfied with her reply. “Ian is a good pilot,” was all he said.
Ian’s eyes twinkled. “He knows I’m the better pilot, but he’ll never admit it.”
Adam’s narrowed gaze flicked to him. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
Ian chuckled.
“Any luggage in the cabin, sir?” the attendant called from outside.
“Nothing back there, no.” Ian turned to Claire. “Ready?”
She nodded.
He quickly descended the stairs and turned, offering his hand to help her down.
He motioned toward the golf cart. Claire slid into the back seat and scooted over, watching Ian settle in beside her.
“Aren’t they coming?”
“They will. Adam has some things to take care of on the plane. Did you order a car?”
“No. Aren’t there taxis here?”
Ian shook his head, his gaze on the bright yellow hibiscus planted near the gate. “Call an Uber or a taxi. I’ll stay with you, and we can talk.”
The golf cart lurched to a halt near the gate. “You want me to wait, sir?” the attendant asked.
“Thank you, no. Go ahead and head back in case the others need a ride. I’ll walk back to the plane.” He helped Claire out of the golf cart.
“You were impressive up there.” He had been, and Claire thought he should know.
His lips curved into a smile. “Think so?”
“I know so. I watched you. You did everything yourself.”
“I told you that you could come up and check out the cockpit. Why didn’t you?”
“The truth?”
“Always.”
“I was too terrified to unbuckle my seat belt.”
He shook his head. “So little faith in me, Penny.”
“Not you. The plane.”
He led her up the hibiscus-lined path to the entrance. “Don’t tell Adam that. He takes great pride in the way his mechanics maintain his fleet. Besides, most problems are due to pilot error.”
He opened the door, and Claire stepped into the FBO. On one side, a long desk occupied the entire wall, with a sitting area in front of it.
Ian motioned with his chin. “Restrooms are that way. They also have coffee, and there’s a—”
He closed his mouth and stopped short, his eyes instantly narrowing.
Claire followed his gaze.
Oh my God.
A very familiar tall man rose out of an armchair, hazel eyes bright, a huge grin on his face.