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“Better?” he asked.
Palmer nodded. “I’m queasy.”
Kent took the emergency bag from the pocket in front of him and handed it to her. “Just in case.”
“I’m so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be. Everyone has issues with the air pressure. You’re just more susceptible because of your situation. We knew this could happen.”
“Everything had been going so well.”
“It still is, Palmer. This isn’t a setback. Hell, it’s not even a hiccup. I probably could’ve prevented it, but we were both asleep.”
“The sun woke me, and as soon as I moved . . .” She sat back and buckled her seat belt. Palmer reached for Kent’s hand, clasped it, and then rested her head on his shoulder. She stayed like that until after they’d landed. He was a comfort to her that she didn’t realize she’d needed until this flight. Now more than ever, she wished they weren’t friends and taking this trip because she didn’t want to say goodbye to him.
SEVENTEEN
They arrived at Logan International Airport, collected their luggage, and then took a shuttle to car rentals. Kent kept the style of car he’d rented for their trip a secret. Palmer had one request—a convertible. He’d searched every rental agency until he’d found the one he wanted. The car had to have unlimited miles and no end date on returning. The latter was difficult, but he’d worked out the details with an agent. Kent didn’t want to put an end date on their trip, and he wanted to return it at any location.
After he filled out the paperwork and took the keys, he and Palmer walked through the garage until they stopped in front of a Jeep Wrangler. It was brand new, according to the clerk, and the top went back easily with the push of a button. Kent had done his research and knew the top had a panoramic roof, and if they wanted, they could recline their seats and look at the stars during the night.
“Is this what we’re driving?” Palmer asked as Kent went to the rear and opened the tailgate. He peeked around the side and smiled.
“It is. I found a beach we could drive on in Plymouth,” he told her as he loaded their luggage. “We need a permit, but I already took care of that.” Kent came around to the side and opened the passenger door for her.
“It’s so purple.”
“Also, in my research, I found out that Jeep comes out with some cool color every year. This is it.” He also found out that renting an exclusive color was near impossible unless the company ordered a handful for their fleet.
Kent ran around to the other side and climbed in. He pushed the button to start the engine and then spent some time hooking his phone up to the navigation system. Once it was set up, he got out and took a picture of their car and uploaded it to their Instagram account.
“Do you think people will care?” she asked him.
“I think so. Besides, it’s a cool-looking ride. Don’t you think?” Kent pushed the open button on the panel near the roof and watched as the roof retracted. Palmer suggested she get a sweater for the ride in case she got cold, and Kent agreed. He reached into the back and grabbed the sweater Palmer had packed for the plane and handed it to her. “If it gets too cold, we’ll close the top.”
“I feel silly because I asked for a convertible.”
“By the time we get south, we’ll want the top closed because it’s too hot,” he joked.
He drove out of the parking garage, showed the proper information for the rental, and followed the GPS guidance. Their first stop, after coffee and donuts from the nearest Dunkin’, would be to a medical supply store. Kent hadn’t brought this up with Palmer, but he’d bought a wheelchair for her. He wanted it on hand for when they’d need it, which could be anytime. He didn’t want anything to damper her trip, even though he knew seeing the chair would probably do so.
When they were a block away, Kent told her what he had done. “Please don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad,” she said, but her voice didn’t match her expression.
Kent pulled into the parking lot and shut the car off. He turned in his seat to face her, but she kept her gaze forward. “Hey,” he said as he took her hand in his. Palmer didn’t fight him, but she also didn’t turn to look at him. “I’m not saying we have to use it at all, but we’ll have it in case of emergencies. We’re going to do a lot of walking, and I don’t want you to miss out on anything.”
“It’s just—” Palmer didn’t finish her sentence because Kent pulled her into his arms.
“I’m sorry.” He soothed her. “I should’ve talked to you about it. I knew it would be a hard choice for you to make, and I’m trying to make things easier on you. It’s going to stay in the back until we need it.” He hoped that day wouldn’t be anytime soon. She nodded against his chest and pulled away.
