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“You didn’t wake me,” I assured her. “What’s all this?”
“You were nice enough to invite me to come along with you on this amazing adventure.” She shrugged, and I let her go so that she could turn back around to pay attention to the food. “I figured the least I could do was make you a nice breakfast. I used my grandmother’s recipe for the biscuits.”
“They smell divine,” I told her. “Everything does.”
“I hope you like it,” she said as she took the bacon out of the frying pan and placed it on a plate with a few paper towels to drain.
While she finished her preparations, I set two places at the island near the stove. It wasn’t as formal as the dining room, but it was my favorite place to sit and get ready for the day. I also put some coffee on, and just as she was taking the biscuits out of the oven, I poured us two cups.
Over breakfast, we chatted about our work and other aspects of our lives. Georgia told me a bit more about Lucy. “She’s my best friend, but she’s nothing like me,” she said with a giggle. “The girl has more energy than a toddler. I don’t know how she keeps going for so many hours without stopping.”
Her comment made me think of last night in bed, but I didn’t bring it up. We were going to need to be at the airport in about an hour if the flight was going to stay on schedule, and I didn’t want to do anything to delay it, even though I also wanted to do everything to delay it if doing so meant taking her back to the bedroom.
“Anyway,” she said with a shrug, “how did you end up acquiring these properties?”
“Well, the house in Maui was one of the first I bought,” I explained to her. “It was right after I’d gotten into the business, and I knew as soon as I saw it that it was a good deal for me.” I’d already told her quite a bit about how I’d gotten into the business, how I’d always loved houses but didn’t want to be an architect who worked for a big firm. And being a realtor had never been the right path for me. “It was priced to sell, and the property itself didn’t need too many improvements, so I snatched it up. At the time, I wasn’t sure how often I’d be able to get out there to see it because it’s so far, but Kaylee was so excited, we decided to make it an annual trip.”
She stared at me for a moment, unblinking, and I realized I’d fucked up. “Kaylee?” she repeated.
“That was my wife’s name.” I hadn’t mentioned her before, had I? I didn’t think I’d said anything to Georgia about her. “She passed away.”
Her face fell, and tears formed in her brown eyes. I’d never seen anyone react so emotionally to such a statement. People usually just apologized.
Georgia reached across the table and placed her hand on top of mine. “Oh, God, Beau. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay,” I said with a small shrug. “It’s been a few years. I’m all right.”
“Still, what a tragic thing to go through. Jesus. I’m so sorry,” she said again, and I could tell she really meant it.
With the strong smile I’d developed over the years, I nodded, “Thank you. Anyway, Maui is a beautiful place. I’m sure you’re going to love it.”
I saw Georgia’s expression transition over from being upset that I’d gone through such a tragedy to the same enthusiasm with which she’d responded when I’d mentioned Maui the other day. “I can’t wait,” she admitted. “I love the beach, but I’ve never been to the tropics. I’m guessing the ocean in Seattle isn’t really the same as it is in Maui.”
We both laughed. “No, not even a little bit,” I assured her. “The water may be a little cool this time of year still, but it won’t be as freezing as it is up here or even in Seattle. We should be able to swim. And the house has a pool and hot tub.”
“That sounds amazing.” She stared at me unblinking for several seconds the smile on her face saying it all.
“We should go get cleaned up if we’re going to make it to the airport on time,” I said, noting that she seemed to be done eating, and I was stuffed full. “Thanks again for breakfast. Everything was delicious.”
“Absolutely,” she said as she picked up her plate to carry it over to the trash to scrape it off. “I’m glad I could do something to repay your kindness, in just a small way.”
She’d done plenty to repay my kindness, but once again, I found myself doing everything I could to avoid thoughts of the bedroom so we weren’t late for the flight.
About forty-five minutes later, we were showered and in the truck headed to the airport. “So this flight leaves from Sitka?” Georgia asked. “Are we flying to Juneau in a small plane again?”
I grinned at her. “You’ll see.”
She arched an eyebrow, but she didn’t ask further questions. I had a feeling she knew she’d like the surprise I had in store for her.
When we got to the airport, I pulled right up next to my jet, which was already pulled out and ready to go. Leaving the keys with one of the airport employees, I went around to open the door for Georgia as the baggage handlers grabbed our suitcases.
“Wait a minute!” Georgia exclaimed, taking my hand. “Are we flying in this? You chartered a jet!”
“No, not exactly,” I told her, feeling a bit sheepish.
“Oh.” She looked around, clearly thinking she must’ve missed a smaller plane hiding behind the jet.
“It’s not chartered.” I led her over to the plane where my flight crew was waiting for us. Besides the pilot and co-pilot, I had the same flight attendant I always used on these longer trips. Charlotte, an older woman with decades of experience, stood at the top of the steps. “Good morning, Mr. Ramsey, Miss Mattingly. Welcome aboard.” She gestured with her arm for us to enter, which we did with a quick greeting and a thank you from each of us.
