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Slade: Don’t forget you need to let me know when you land.
Your man’s doing okay, but he misses you. Hope you have a
good visit.
Becca:Made it! Just landed, With my folks now. Thank you!
“Never mind fiddling with your phone, Becs. Talk to us. Tell us how you’ve been. Tell us about Jacob.”
Her dad laughed. “Give her a minute, love. If this Jacob’s worth his salt, then she probably needs to let him know that she’s here – so he won’t worry.”
He caught her eye in the rearview mirror and she smiled. “That’s right, Dad. I think you’ll approve of him. I had to promise to let him know when I landed safely.”
“Good.”
“That’s nice,” her mom added. “Oh, and before I forget. Caroline’s invited you to some party thing at Cattleman’s tomorrow night. I saw her earlier in the week. She’ll be disappointed that your man’s not with you – I told her you were bringing him.”
Becca laughed. Caroline was an old school friend. She hadn’t changed over the years; she loved to organize parties and keep up with the gossip. She was glad for Jacob’s sake that he wasn’t here. She couldn’t see him enjoying an evening at Cattleman’s – or being the source of gossip. “I don’t think I’ll be going to that.”
“Oh, but you have to. It’s for Callie. She’s leaving for a new job out west somewhere.”
“Oh.” Callie had been Becca’s best friend in high school; they hadn’t kept in touch much over the last few years, but Becca still thought the world of her.
Her dad caught her gaze in the mirror again. “He doesn’t have a problem with you going out without him, does he?”
She rolled her eyes at him. “No, Dad! He doesn’t.”
“Good.” Her mom turned around in her seat and smiled at her. “You’ll go then. You can’t let Callie leave town without giving her a send-off.”
Becca nodded. She’d rather catch up with her old friend than spend the evening in front of the TV with her folks anyway.
~ ~ ~
Jacob and Slade waited while Trick closed the plane up and then the three of them walked back across the tarmac to the building together. It wasn’t that late, but it had a been long day – he knew it had been even longer for Trick – he’d been flying back and forth, bringing people back from San Diego since late afternoon.
“Are you sure you’re going to be up to the Kansas trip tomorrow?”
“You know I am.”
“I can find another way there if you like.”
Trick laughed and rolled his eyes at Slade. “What do you reckon? Should I tell him that yeah, he’ll have to make his own way to Becca? And that I doubt he’ll be able to get a charter before Monday?”
Slade laughed, “Not if you like breathing.”
Jacob laughed with them. “I’m not that bad. And I mean it; I know it’s been a long couple of days for you and it has to be hard, too. You and El are close.”
“We are. In fact, if you’re feeling magnanimous, I wouldn’t mind taking a few days off – after we get you to Kansas and back. I’d like to go and hang out with Elliott and his mom. They’re wearing thin on each other. They’ve spent the best part of the last year in each other’s pockets. They could use some space, but they refuse to give each other any. I thought if I’m there, it might be a distraction at least.”
“Of course. Take the plane. There are no flights on the books next week anyway are there?”
“Nothing definite, but Andrew said the sales guys might …”
“No.” Jacob shook his head. “If the sales team can’t wait until the week after next, Andrew will have to make other arrangements for them. Take the week off, take the plane. And if El wants to go up, go fly – okay?”
Trick nodded. “Thanks, boss. I know he’d like that. He’s missed it. I’ve missed him.”
“I know. Take him up – go for a joy ride. Put the fuel and anything else the two of you need – or want, on the company card, okay?”
