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“What?” Cameron’s heart was thumping in his chest.
“I think I’m having a heart attack.”
“Jesus!”
“I can get us down first.”
And he did. The next five minutes were a blur as Gene brought the plane down. Cameron sat beside him feeling helpless. He’d taken what they called a pinch-hitter flight training course which was intended to prepare him for a situation just like this. He knew enough to land the plane—in theory, with the help of an air traffic controller in his ear. Fortunately, he didn’t have to test the theory. Gene brought the plane down with his customary perfect landing. As soon as he turned off the runway and onto the taxiway, he grasped at his chest. “You’re in charge now, Cam.”
Cameron taxied the rest of the way to the FBO, mostly by pointing the plane toward the flashing lights of the ambulance parked outside and hoping for the best. It wasn’t pretty, but he got them there. As soon as he brought the plane to a halt and shut the engines down, he looked at Gene. “Are you okay?”
Gene nodded. “I will be.” He didn’t look it; he looked gray, and he was struggling for breath.
Cameron let himself out of the cockpit and opened the door. As soon as the steps were down, the paramedics came up. Gene got himself out of the cockpit, and they got him down the steps and into the ambulance. Cameron tried to follow, but they shooed him out. One of the linemen came and took his arm. “We need to get the plane tied down, and then we’ll give you a ride to the hospital.”
Cameron nodded and followed him inside, pulling out his phone as he went. He had to call Gene’s wife. He had to figure out a way to get her here.
~ ~ ~
Piper sat watching the sun go down over the lake. This place was amazing. She loved that she got to live here. It might not be quite as amazing as it was last night—when Cam was still here—but it was still pretty fabulous. She might even have to have a glass of that wonderful wine he’d bought her. She’d liked it so much that he’d told her to look out for a delivery later in the week; he was going to send her a whole case of the stuff.
She got up to go through to the kitchen and pour herself a glass. Before she got there, her phone rang, and she went to get it from the counter. It was Smoke’s name on the display.
“Hi,” she answered.
“Hey. Have you had a drink this evening?”
“No. You’re a mind reader, though; I was just about to get a … Oh! What’s happening? Do you need me to fly?”
“Yeah. If you can? Gene had a heart attack taking Cam home.”
“What?!”
“Don’t worry. He’s okay. He’s at the hospital, under observation. He’s a stubborn old mule. He called it in, got them diverted, got the plane safely on the ground before he gave in to it. Apparently, the scariest moment of all was letting Cam taxi back to the FBO.”
She let out a little laugh at that. “I can be at the airport in ten minutes. What plane do you want me to take, and where am I going?”
“We’ll meet you there. We’ll take Papa Charlie and pick up Gene’s wife, Rita. Then we’ll have to see how things are. Cam might have to get home; Gene might be there for a while. We’ll have to play it by ear, okay?”
“Absolutely.”
Chapter Fifteen
Piper watched out the window as Smoke brought the plane in to land. She’d never flown into an airport like this before. There was no tower, no one to talk to on the radio after air traffic control cleared them to land. It was a private runway. The Hamilton-Groves runway—the family runway—Cameron’s runway. She shuddered at the thought.
“Are you okay?” Smoke looked over at her.
“I’m fine. I’m just thinking about Gene’s wife. How she must be feeling right now.”
Smoke nodded grimly. “We’re about to find out.” He taxied the plane to the southern end of the runway. He’s explained to her that the corporate hangar was at the northern end, but the family one was down here. She could see a large house with well-kept grounds leading down to the runway. There was a car waiting outside the hangar. The headlights flashed as they got closer.
“There they are.”
Piper smiled. She loved that the Hamiltons had gone to get Gene’s wife as soon as they heard what had happened. When Smoke brought the plane to a halt, Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, Chelsea, and a woman she assumed was Gene’s wife all got out of the car.
“Thanks for coming, both of you.” Mr. Hamilton gripped Smoke’s shoulder and nodded at Piper.
“Of course,” said Smoke. “Are we ready?”
