Chapter Eighteen – Ensley
Ensley
“I am so jealous!” Emeline said, looking through my closet. “I want to go to Banff.”
Smiling, I slipped a piece of lingerie I’d bought and never worn into my suitcase. I was borrowing a piece from my mother’s luggage set, since I needed more space than my own little carry-on provided.
“You’d leave the baby?”
She made a face over her shoulder. “Heck no. But it is rather exciting! What do you think he has planned?”
I couldn’t help it, I giggled. “I have no clue. But I told him it had to be better than what Caden planned for Lilibeth.”
“Uh, I think he already made it better by taking you to Banff.”
Sitting on my bed, I sighed. “I know, right? Anything else will just be a bonus.”
Walking out of the closet, she held up a blue dress I’d bought three years ago for my family’s charity dinner. I never wore that, either. It was an off-the-shoulder, tea-length satin-and-tulle dress. “I’ve never seen this before. It’s beautiful.”
“I bought it a few years ago. After getting it home, I didn’t think it was formal enough for mom’s charity dinner, so I’ve never actually worn it.
“This would be perfect for that fancy dinner you mentioned. And this blue will make your eyes pop.”
“It’s going to get wrinkled during the flight.”
Emeline carefully folded it and set it in the suitcase. “Ask the hotel for a steamer if there isn’t one in the room. It’ll be easy to get any wrinkles out.”
She walked back into the closet and came out with a pair of silver pumps. She carefully slipped those into the suitcase, as well.
“Did you pack hiking boots? Your good winter ones?”
“Yes, Mom. I did.”
Emeline smiled. “I’m so happy for you, Ensley. It took Colt long enough to get his head out of his ass, but seeing the two of you together tonight was nice.”
“It feels great to have him home, and for us to have put the past behind us.”
“I’m sure getting the answers surrounding Grady’s death has helped, as well. My heart just breaks for him. What a terrible thing to weather on your own.”
I sighed. “Yeah. I wish he’d spoken to at least one of us. Before I forget…when we get back, Colt and I would like to talk to you about doing something in Grady’s name.”
“Like what?”
Shrugging, I said, “I’m not sure yet. Colt thought maybe a benefit rodeo. We haven’t done one of those in forever.”
“That would be fun. Maybe if we start planning now, we can do something this summer.”
“Mom’s going to help us start a nonprofit organization, as well, in his name.”
Emeline took my hands in hers. “I’m sorry, Ensley.”
Frowning, I asked, “For what?”
It was her turn to shrug. “That it took so long to find out the reason for Grady’s death. I’m just…sorry…that’s all.”
Pulling her into a hug, I whispered, “I’m sorry, too, Emeline. I’m sorry, too.”
We broke apart, both of us wiping tears away. Emeline clapped and said, “Okay, enough of that. Let’s get you packed and ready to go! What are we missing?”
I stood and looked down at the suitcase. “I think I’ve got everything. He told me to plan for being outside, a couple of nice dinners, and lots of relaxing.”
“Do you know where you’re staying?”
Shrugging, I answered, “No clue. But I think that makes it all the more romantic.”
My younger sister smiled. “The light’s back in your eyes, and you have a beautiful glow to your cheeks.”
I placed my hands on my cheeks. “I feel alive again. I don’t know how else to explain it.”
“You deserve happiness, Ensley. You deserve everything good in your life.”
I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you, Emeline.”
She cleared her throat. “Now that Colt’s back…are you still thinking about IVF?”
“I honestly haven’t thought about my plans in the last couple weeks. I guess it depends on how things go with us.”
“Ensley, you can tell by the way he looks at you that he never stopped loving you.”
I nodded. “I never stopped loving him, either. Hence never finding a partner for a baby.”
My sister smiled. “I hope you have the best weekend. I can’t wait to hear what Colt planned. Do you think he’s still good in bed?”
I gaped at her. “Emeline!”
She laughed. “What? You used to tell me all the time how amazing your sex life was. I’m guessing he’s still good. Ooh! Or maybe he’s like a fine wine—age has only made him better.”
Rolling my eyes, I replied, “I told him no sex on the first date.”
Emeline huffed. “Please. If you can manage to go this whole weekend without any sexy times, then I’ll actually be disappointed in you.”
It was my turn to laugh. “I think I’ll be disappointed, as well.”
We both fell into a fit of laughter before I got back to packing.
I shut the suitcase and set the smaller bag I’d packed with carry-on items on top. “When I told him that he had to outdo Caden, I was actually just messing with him. I never dreamed he’d take it this far.”
“I have a funny feeling he’s making up for leaving.”
Nodding, I replied, “Oh, he most certainly is.”
Glancing at her watch, Emeline blew out a breath. “I guess I need to get home. You’ll text me when you land?”
Kissing her on the cheek, I said, “I will.”
Emeline slipped on her coat, gloves, and hat. “And take lots and lots of pictures!”
“Got it!” Trailing her to the front door, I went to follow her out.
“Don’t come out here, it’s cold.”
“Let me at least make sure you get to your car.”
Rolling her eyes, Emeline said, “I did grow up here, you know.”
I smiled as I watched her make her way to Levi’s truck. “Be careful driving home!”
She waved her hand before slipping into the truck. I watched until the red lights slowly faded, then walked back in, shut the door, and quickly made my way over to the fireplace to warm up.
I pulled out my phone and sent Colt a quick text.
Me: I’m all packed up with the help of Emeline. I only packed two nice dresses, will that be enough?
Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I headed to the kitchen to make a cup of tea. The chill from being outside felt like it was sticking to my bones. My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out.
Colt: Should I pick you up tonight? Our flight leaves early.
Me: Are we flying out of Denver?
I watched as the little dots moved across my screen.
Colt: We’re flying out of Granby.
I blinked at his message. Then I hit his number, not even giving him a chance to say anything when he answered.
“What do you mean, we’re flying out of Granby? Do they even have an airport big enough?”
“Big enough for what?”
“Uh…the jets, Colt. The giant planes we use to fly around in the sky?” He laughed. But when he didn’t reply, I asked, “We are flying in a big plane…right?”
“I don’t know what big means to you…”
I let out a humorless laugh. “Like an American Airlines plane that has lots and lots of seats and pretzels.”
“No, we aren’t flying on a plane like that. We are, however, flying on a jet. It’s small, but very nice.”
I was positive that if I looked at myself in the mirror, all the color would be gone from my face. “Who’s flying this very nice jet?”
“My old boss.”
“Your old boss?”
“Yes. He owns the Lazy T Ranch, the one I used to work on. He’s a pilot, also, and he works for the Canadian Forest Service. So he’s very experienced.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “You realize this isn’t starting our second first date off on a very good note, right? Seeing as I’m afraid of heights even in the biggest planes.”
His voice was both warm and serious as he said, “Ensley, I would never put you in danger. I promise you, Judd is an amazing pilot.”
“Are we staying at the ranch?”
“Oh no, you don’t.”
I mentally cursed. I was hoping he’d slip and tell me.
“I’m not telling you where we’re staying.”
“Can’t blame a girl for trying.”
He chuckled. “We have to leave early, so get some sleep, Pip. I’ll be by around seven.”
“You know I’m not going to be able to sleep.”
“I could come by and keep you company…”
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. “Remember, no sex before, or on, our first date.”
“Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
Laughing, I said, “Good night, Colt.”
“Good night, Pippa. I love you.”
Biting my lower lip, I let those words settle around my heart before I whispered, “I love you, too.”
The call ended, and I couldn’t help but grin like a fool as I hugged my phone to my chest. It took everything I had not to kick and scream like a middle-school girl who’d just been asked out by her first love.
Colt motioned for me to precede him up the steps into the private jet that would take us to Banff. The moment I stepped inside, I drew in a sharp breath.
A dark wooden cabinet was fixed to one wall of the plane, with a TV mounted on top.
A round silver tray held a few different bottles of alcohol, and my first thought was to wonder how none of it fell when the plane took off.
On the other side, opposite the cabinet, was a long white leather sofa.
Beyond that were eight single leather seats, four on each side of the plane.
“Wow,” I whispered, as I moved forward and dropped my purse and backpack onto the sofa.
“Pretty nice, isn’t it?” Colt moved around me and placed his backpack on one of the single seats. “Drink?”
I glanced up and looked at him. “What?”
“You’re staring at the booze. Do you want a drink?”
Shaking my head, I said, “It’s not even nine in the morning.”
Colt laughed. “Hey, you were looking at it, so I thought you wanted one. I know you’re nervous about flying.”
“I’m trying to figure out how it doesn’t fall over when the plane takes off.”
Smiling, Colt walked over, pulled me into his arms, and kissed me on the forehead. “The flight attendant puts it up before we leave.”
I felt my cheeks grow hot. “Well, that makes sense.”
An older man, probably around the age of fifty or so, stepped onto the plane. He was good-looking for his age, with his salt-and-pepper hair and eyes so green, they reminded me of a meadow we had on the ranch. In the spring, the grass turns almost emerald. The same startling shade as his eyes.
The second he saw Colt, a wide smile erupted across his handsome face. He held out his hand, and Colt gave him a few firm shakes.
“Colt, it’s good to see you.”