AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The night is just getting started, honey,” he says with a wicked flicker on his lips.
And I wonder exactly what Handsome Ransom has planned for us next.
He suggests that I change into my dry clothes and I don’t hesitate to do it. Once the boat drops us off, Ransom speeds us away to the local airport and I gasp when I see it.
“Another helicopter?” I ask in amazement. “Ransom, this must be costing you a fortune.”
“You’re worth every penny.”
We board, and before I know it, we’re in the air and sticking to the coast as it glitters just as bright as the ocean. We fly inland a bit and then I see it.
“Oh, Ransom.” I give his hand a hard squeeze when it comes into view.
Just ahead of us sits the caldera of Kilauea Volcano glowing like a sunburst, fiery red, burnt orange, spasms of yellow, and flashes of white.
The helicopter gets in low and a crew member takes a photo of us with one of nature’s greatest wonders burning bright behind us.
Another picture for the group chat, for sure.
We circle the area for a small eternity, following the lava flow right to the open sea.
I was here with Bess and Nettie at night a few cruises back, and yesterday as we traversed the dangerous terrain and inhaled enough toxins to require a new set of lungs, but this? This is a tour of the volcano.
Ransom Baxter knows exactly how to do things right.
Speaking of doing things, the helicopter hikes into the sky and spins to the left before taking off with a start and we watch as the volcano grows smaller by the minute.
But to my surprise, something else comes into view.
“Is that the Emerald Queen?” I gasp at the sight of it. The ship glows like a jewel against the backdrop of the navy Pacific, lit up and glittering like a gorgeous woman ready to take on the night.
“That would be her,” he says. “Get ready to hop on board. We’re going home.”
Two things run through my mind.
One, Ransom Baxter has lost his mind. And two, I’m not ever going to jump out of a plane, let alone a helicopter.
How in the heck are we supposed to get off of one moving vessel and onto another?
If there’s a parachute involved, I’ll kindly have to inform the handsome man by my side that I’m not the right woman for him.
I’m the furthest thing from a daredevil. In fact, the only dare-devilish thing I’ve done so far in life—emphasis on devil—was marry Stanton—and believe me, I hardly survived the effort.
To my delight, not a single parachute is involved. The helicopter lands on a helipad at the top of the ship, which I did not know it had!
Ransom helps me off, and before I know it, he’s kissing me goodnight in front of my cabin.
The kiss is long and lingering and involves far more anatomy than we’ve ever inserted into the delicious equation before.
I’m about to invite him inside when his phone goes off.
He glances down at the screen and frowns. “It seems the captain isn’t impressed with my use of the landing pad. I’ve been called to the brig for an emergency meeting.” He blows out a breath. “How about we get together tomorrow? I’ve got the whole day off.”
“The whole day? The whole day won’t be enough.” I kiss him warmly. “I can never get enough of you. Thank you for a magical mystery date that I will never forget. Can’t wait to spend the day with you tomorrow.”
“Perfect. What should we do?”
“We can play it by ear,” I tell him. “But no matter what happens, I think we should discuss the case.”
