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Chapter Eleven
Joyelle
“What are we doing at the airport?” I asked the driver.
Lizzy pointed to the helicopter with an H on the side. “I’m guessing we’re taking that,” she smiled. “And I thought being picked up by limo was a treat. I can only imagine what luxurious place we are staying at.”
“I told you, we are camping,” I said.
“Sure, and you told me Richard was sending a car to pick us up, too. So I’m going with my way of thinking. Maybe we’re staying at an all-inclusive resort or maybe a log cabin on a lake or maybe…”
“A tent,” I stated firmly. “And whatever it is, you’d better pretend you’re enjoying it. I’m only going because you sent him that text. Now you owe me.”
Lizzy chuckled as we approached the chopper. “If that is Richard’s brother, then I don’t mind if we sleep on the ground.”
I hadn’t noticed anyone but Richard waiting on the tarmac. Clark definitely looked younger than Richard, but I could see the resemblance. As the driver opened our door, I grabbed hold of Lizzy’s arm and shot her a warning look. “You’re here to have my back. This is not a double date. Got it?”
Lizzy sighed. “You’re no fun, do you know that? I mean, why bring me to the candy store and then tell me I can’t have any.”
“Because we’re here shopping for me, remember?” I said jokingly.
“Damn it. Why do I have to be such a good BFF?” Lizzy laughed as we got out of the limo. “Now let’s go and get you all the sweets you can eat,” she teased.
When Richard smiled at me as we approached, my hunger for him returned. Maybe I shouldn’t have invited Lizzy. It was too late now.
Richard greeted me with a kiss on the cheek and said, “Joyelle, this is my brother Clark.”
“Nice to meet you. And this is my friend Lizzy.”
She extended her hand to Clark and said, “Elizabeth.” I looked at her in surprise. She never went by her full name. Then she shook Richard’s hand and said, “Nice to formally be introduced. Sorry again for intruding the other night.”
Really? Do you need to bring that up again?
“No problem at all. Are you ladies ready to get going? We want to make sure our camp is set up before it gets dark,” Richard said.
I turned to Lizzy and smiled. Told you. A tent. I would give her credit though, right now I didn’t care if we slept on rocks. I just was thrilled to have the weekend off and be spending it with Richard.
The flight to Errol was very enjoyable. We did a lot of talking through the protective headsets, but I could barely stop looking out the window long enough to keep up with the conversation. When we landed, Richard leaned over to me and asked, “You okay? You seemed a million miles away.”
I smiled. “Actually, my mind is where I want it to be. Right here. The view is amazing. I’ve never seen the mountains like that. Thank you.”
“I had given the pilot instructions to fly over the White Mountains at a low but safe distance, Richard said. I couldn’t help it. I knew my joy was radiating from me. Richard smiled and added, “From the look on your face it was good move. I can only hope you enjoy exploring them on the ground as well.”
“With any luck, we’ll see some wildlife,” I said.
Lizzy must’ve been listening, because she said, “I like nightlife, not wildlife.”
I rolled my eyes and whispered, “She might be a bit…”
“High-maintenance?” he asked. I nodded. “Don’t worry. She probably wouldn’t notice a bear if it was right in front of her. Not even sure if she noticed the view with how much she talked Clark’s ear off on the flight.”
“That will keep the wild animals at bay,” I half joked. A Jeep was waiting for us, and the pilot loaded everything into the back. There wasn’t as much as I thought there should be. “You packed extremely light for someone who was bringing all the necessities.” I knew Lizzy would complain no matter what there was, but I was hoping for a tent and sleeping bag at least.
“Not really. I was here earlier and set up the campsite. Figured you might enjoy your night more if you didn’t have to spend the first few hours--”
“Hey, I was up for the challenge,” I said.
Lizzy said, “I wasn’t. Thank you, Richard. I’m looking forward to sitting by a fire and relaxing.”
