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“That bit of all-right is your girl?” the singer asked, which sent his bandmates looking out every available window on that side of the plane.
The brooder with the cleft chin turned to the singer. “Mate, we need to upgrade our groupies.”
Even the serious one let out a long, low wolf whistle.
Before the plane had even stopped, he and Beck unbuckled, grabbed their bags, rose from their seats, and darted for the front.
Impatience chafed. It seemed to take forever before the door opened and the airstairs lowered. With a hasty wave to the band, he and Beck bolted onto the tarmac, toward a sprinting Heavenly.
As they plucked her off the ground, relief swept over her face.
Seth held her close and studied the red-rimmed strain around her eyes. “It’s okay, angel. We’re here now.”
“Thank you.” Her voice trembled as she clutched him tight.
He couldn’t stand it another second. He slanted his lips over hers, drinking in her stress and replacing it with reassurance.
From the plane’s open door behind him, the raucous cheers of the band resounded. Heavenly tensed. “Who are they?”
Beck grumbled the name of the band. “Twerps. But at least they were entertaining.”
Heavenly laughed. “They’re the most up-and-coming boy band right now. But I’m way happier to see you two.”
“Come here, little girl. Show me how happy.” Beck cupped her chin and pressed a hungry kiss to her glossy lips, melting her against his chest.
Seth growled and eased up behind her, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her shoulder.
Behind him, the British boys whooped and hollered. He ignored them while the stairs of the plane retracted and the door slid shut. As the jet started taxiing away, he and Beck each clasped an arm around Heavenly’s waist and headed to the parking lot.
“Which car is your rental?” Beck asked, eying the four possibilities.
“The beige sedan.” Heavenly pointed.
“Give me your keys,” Beck insisted. “I’ll drive. You relax.”
Heavenly’s expression softened and she handed him the fob. It was telling to Seth that such a small offer seemed to lift a weight off her shoulders. He was determined to erase as much of Heavenly’s tension before the day ended as he could.
After stowing their bags in the trunk, they slid her between them on the bench of the front seat. Beck sent her a tender smile. “Which way to the farm?”
She paled. “Y-you want to go there now?”
“Why wait? You have a promise to keep, and it will be twice as hard tomorrow.”
Seth nodded. “We’ll be beside you.”
When she glanced over her shoulder, Seth followed her line of sight to the brushed silver urn strapped in the backseat.
Heavenly sighed but gave him a pensive nod. “Make the next right. The road will take you straight to Bayfield. I’ll show you where to turn after that.”
The closer they rode to her former home, the more tense Heavenly became. Beck squeezed her knee in silent support, as if he, too, sensed her stress ratcheting back up. They tried to soothe her with small talk and tender words, but those would only comfort her so much when she had to say her final goodbye to the person who had most impacted her life.
Before long, they arrived at a small, picturesque town nestled on the shore overlooking Lake Superior. He blinked, then Bayfield was in their rearview mirror. Heavenly directed Beck down a winding collection of two-lane roads.
A few minutes later, they pulled into a long, overgrown brick driveway. In the last good hour of sunlight, Seth got an eyeful of the farm—and had to stifle his shock. It was hardly the impressive gem Abel had beamed about a mere week ago.
Beside him, Heavenly stared gloomily out the windshield. “Dad always took so much pride in this place. Now look at the disaster it’s become.”
Beck killed the engine and took her hand. “I’m sorry. I know that upsets you.”
