AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Meg hates to fly.” She leaned closer to him, and her chest brushed his arm.
Liam chuckled. “Then why come along, Meg?”
“It’s Mexico. And I love Mexico.” Meg took another long gulp of her drink. “And tequila.”
He couldn’t argue with that logic, even if it was a little suspect of intoxication.
“Don’t think we’ll get to enjoy any of the scenery or libations there, but Meg likes the duty-free shop, so maybe she’ll get to enjoy that.” Callie backed toward the cockpit. “We’ll be making some calls and preparing for departure. Please, make yourself at home.”
Liam stepped to the chair that Paul motioned to. “You’ll find a few travel magazines and a homemade English toffee next to your seat, sir.”
Just like he was in his own recliner at home. Maybe it was just a coincidence, but it was an odd coincidence.
In minutes, the airplane taxied down the runway. His phone rang, and he quickly turned off the ringer.
Paul spoke up from behind him, “You can answer your phone, sir. We also have complimentary Wi-Fi if you need to work.”
“Not today, but thanks.” Liam sat back in his chair, the soft leather cradling his body and bringing out a long yawn. “I think I’ll take a nap.” He hadn’t had a nap in months. He usually wondered if he started a nap that maybe he wouldn’t wake up until the next day, so instead he’d just kept going. He was a human Energizer bunny without the fluffy tail.
Paul handed him a steamy towel, a second even softer blanket, and a room-darkening mask. The towel relaxed him, and he set the mask on his lap. The personal service was nice, but he wasn’t used to the attention. Liam had lived alone for almost fifteen years now. No one waited on him, and he wasn’t sure how to respond to every courtesy. So he sounded like a robot stuck on “Thank you” over and over.
To change his bachelorhood would take a special person, able to put up with his neurotic tendencies, his need to be alone occasionally to reboot his emotions and thoughts, and a woman who wouldn’t worry when he climbed rocks with disregard for the laws of physics, hanging by his fingernails sometimes. He’d even scared himself once or twice in the past, but he rarely took big chances anymore. He needed to be around. Maybe he wasn’t one to ever get married, but he did find himself thinking a little more about possibilities today. Of course, that could be because he had a moment to think.
And the amazing woman manning the plane doesn’t hurt.
“Thank you, Paul.” He returned the used face towel to the tray.
Meg already had her mask on, and her impressive snores bounced around the main cabin. The cabin lights dimmed, and the comfort of the special space soothed him.
He could get used to this.
****
Liam jolted awake as the tires touched down with a soft squeak. Vegas. He hadn’t been here since his early twenties for a bachelor party.
The loudspeaker released a short tinny crackle before a woman’s voice came through. “Welcome to Las Vegas, Nevada. There’s a line for fuel, so we’ll need to be patient. We’ll be back in the air shortly. Feel free to roam about the cabin to stretch your legs. Thank you for flying with Hera Aviation.”
Liam used another warm towel to freshen up while the plane taxied to the fueling center.
The plane stopped, and people scurried about outside.
“Mr. Young, if you’d like to visit the cockpit, you’re welcome to.” Paul folded the blanket and slipped it over the back of the chair after Liam stood. He crumpled at the ribcage as the plane’s headroom made his height significantly compromised. But he’d sacrifice much more than his back’s health to have Sam home.
He knocked on the wood surround outside of the silver curtain that led to the flight deck and waited.
“Come in.”
Liam split the curtain, and big brown eyes were the first things he saw. His gaze held to her. “How’s the refueling going?” he asked, his mouth dry as the Sahara Desert.
Callie motioned him in. “Really good. We’ll be ready to taxi and get back in the air soon. There is a little bit of turbulence due to a tropical storm off the Caribbean coast, so we’ll probably ask for seatbelts for your safety for the duration of the flight.”
“No problem. Better safe than sorry.” He truly believed that.
“You got a nap in?” Callie asked as she checked a few instruments before writing information on a clipboard that she placed back on a hook to her left. Every move was effortless. He’d always wondered if the ultimate power of flying could be his next hobby. In control of a machine above the clouds seemed like a feat that shouldn’t be possible, but with a little physics and a lot of training, the implausible became a reality. Sam had successfully learned the skill; there was no reason why Liam couldn’t.
Except for the lack of time in my schedule.
“A nice long one. I rarely get time to do that, but I don’t think I can afford a charter plane flight every time I need one.”
