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“It’ll be fine, Abe,” Allison said bravely. “Thank you for finding someone so quickly.” She turned and headed back toward the group lingering by the plane.
Birch watched her steadily but unlike when he’d first approached them his gaze was dark and fathomless. He wasn’t giving anything away. She couldn’t tell if he was okay with the situation or if he’d been pressured into this just like she was. Maybe he’d just taken the job because of his respect for Isaac. He obviously didn’t care for her as he hated all actresses. This situation definitely had the makings of misery.
She didn’t focus on him but looked to Detective Jones and the other officers. “Thank you for your help.”
“Of course.” Detective Jones and the others took turns shaking her hand and then she grabbed her carry-on suitcase and started toward the plane.
Her suitcase was tugged from her fingers and Birch’s bare arm brushed against hers as he walked along, right in her space. A warm quiver shot through her that she forced herself to ignore.
“I hope you have warmer clothes packed,” he said gruffly. “Jackson Hole isn’t quite as warm as here.”
She glared at him, looking so tough carrying a bag in each hand with his biceps bulging. “What do you care? If I remember right, anyone in my profession is a pampered devil. I’d think you’d be thrilled to have me be chilled and uncomfortable.”
She reached the plane and stomped up the stairs, trying to ignore Birch as he handed their bags off to the pilot and then followed her onto the plane. It was difficult. He had a commanding presence that was hard not to notice.
She chose one of the huge, comfortable recliners at the rear of the plane, nearest the bathroom, and watched as he walked down the short aisle and sat … right beside her. Oh, no. The flight to Jackson Hole was two hours. She couldn’t stand to sit here battling her frustration and attraction to him. She wanted to sit by Rachel and Abe and chat with her favorite people.
As she debated how to slip away, Abe and Rachel walked on the plane. Rachel took one look at the seating arrangement, grinned, and hurried to take a spot up front by the cockpit, on the opposite side of the cabin from Allison and Birch. This plane wasn’t huge but it was luxurious and there were comfy armchairs and even a couch and a table for dining.
Allison stared after Rachel and Abe, begging with her gaze for her family to come rescue her. They didn’t. They simply reclined their chairs and got all cozy together as if they were going to sleep the flight away. Well that made sense as it was three a.m. and they were probably exhausted like she was, but Allison had no clue how she was going to relax and sleep with Birch right next to her. And dangit why did he have to smell so good?
“I won’t apologize for my comments earlier as throughout my life I have been proven correct on those assumptions time and time again,” Birch said quietly, “plus the fact I made a promise …” His voice trailed off. “Suffice it to say I don’t normally associate with actresses but I don’t believe you are a ‘pampered devil’ and I hope we can both be mature enough to work together to keep you safe.”
“Mature enough?” Allison sputtered. She pivoted toward him as the pilot shut the exterior door and nodded to the two of them before walking to Abe and Rachel, saying something to them in passing. Allison waited until he shut the door to the cockpit to hurl at Birch. “It’s mature of you to claim all actresses are she-devils? What if I claimed all military men were pompous, bigoted jerks?”
“I never used the term ‘she-devils’.” Birch smirked at her. “Though I do appreciate the descriptor.” The plane started taxiing back to the runway and before she could throw an insult at him he asked, “Were you raised by military men?”
Allison blinked. “No.”
“Have you had countless experiences with various military men taking advantage of you and your brother, using you both as pawns to further their career, trying to control your every word and action to make them look good,” his voice dropped, “and being the reason your brother …” Again his voice trailed off.
Allison’s stomach felt squeamish. That sounded horrible. She waited for him to finish the thought about his brother but his jaw was set and he obviously wasn’t going to say any more.
“No,” she admitted. “I’ve never had a bad experience with someone in the military.” On the contrary, Isaac Jewel was the military hero she knew best and he was singularly impressive. She respected him and adored his wife, Cosette. Cosette was a brilliant chemist who created perfume and cologne and was currently expecting twins. Observing the love and devotion Isaac had for his wife made Allison long even more for someone wonderful to share her life with.
The plane started gaining speed and Allison buckled her seatbelt. She glanced across the dimly-lit cabin at Rachel and Abe. For all the world they appeared to be sleeping already but she had a feeling they were both listening in. She lowered her voice instinctively, “Your mother took advantage of you and used you to further her career?” she guessed, remembering the conversation on the beach how he’d said that his own mother didn’t like him. His mother was an actress? Merrill, Merrill … she couldn’t think of anyone in Hollywood around fifty that shared his dark, attractive looks or with the last name Merrill.
He nodded shortly. “And my sister and all of their friends and associates.” He bit out the sentence.
“I’m sorry that you had such a bad experience with women in my profession, but you have to see that we’re not all like that.” His sister could be close to her age. Merrill? She was drawing a hard blank on that name.
Birch’s gaze traveled over her face and then settled on her eyes. He studied her as if he were administering a lie detector test. Finally he said in a harsh murmur, “I grew up around, and have associated with, hundreds of people in your profession. I have yet to be proven wrong on my assumption.”
Allison wanted to scream and rant and prove him wrong but she knew screaming and ranting wouldn’t help the situation. Instead she pushed the button to recline her chair, took the blanket and pillow strategically placed nearby, and got comfortable, ignoring him completely. He didn’t seem to care as he parroted her and settled in to sleep.
Allison usually thought the best of people and tried to live with a glass half full type of mentality. Both were going to be a struggle over the next few weeks if she had to be in close proximity with the narrow-minded man next to her.
