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CHAPTER FIVE
Joanie
Showing up the next day, there was a bounce to my step.
“Chipper eh?” asked Martin, the baggage guy.
I waved cheerily.
“A good night’s sleep will do that,” was my reply as I clattered up the metal steps to the plane. “Lots of zzz’s.”
Martin just shook his head, swinging some expensive luggage into the hold below.
But as I prepped the nuts and champagne, no one showed up. Weird. There was definitely a passenger, their suitcase was already here. So where was our missing billionaire?
Suddenly, footsteps sounded on the metal rungs, a cheerful whistle lilting in my ears.
“Captain Tanning,” greeted Martin from below. “Good to see you again sir.”
A deep male voice sounded.
“Good to see you too,” he replied. “We’ll be taking off in, oh, about five minutes. Just give me some time to get settled in.”
And then the captain appeared. I did my usual perfunctory nod, but then stopped mid-way. Because this man was gorgeous. Tall, at least six four, that dark head almost brushing the ceiling. Incredibly bright blue eyes twinkled my way. Were they natural? Or was it colored contacts? But as he smiled, I realized there was no way this guy was wearing colored contacts. Because those eyes danced with humor, the sparkle real.
“I’m Captain Tanning,” he said, holding out a hand.
I took it, blushing a little. This is just the pilot, came my internal voice. Get yourself together. He’s probably going to hear all the moans going on once the plane’s taken off.
So smiling a little nervously, I took his hand.
“Nice to meet you Captain,” came my stilted voice. Oh god, why did I sound so weird? So I tried to be professional and business-like. “Estimated take-off time is in five, but our passenger hasn’t shown yet,” I said, shooting a worried look at the clock on the wall. “What should we do? Should I radio the control tower and see if they know where he is? I’m not even sure what to say because the manifest doesn’t list his name,” was my admission.
But Tanning’s smile grew even wider.
“Naw, no need to do that. I’m the passenger,” he said, that Crest-white grin dazzling to behold. “A couple years back, I got my commercial pilot’s license, so we’re taking this baby ourselves.”
I gaped at him.
“You’re the passenger?” I stammered.
The gorgeous man smiled again.
“Aye-aye mate,” was his reply. “Headed to Tucson today for a business meeting, flying is what keeps me sane, you know? Some of those meetings go on for hours, you’ve got to have ways to release the stress.”
I immediately liked Tom Tanning. Not only was he insanely handsome, but the guy had a sense of humor as well. He was lighthearted, the type of guy who probably never fell into a depression.
“All aboard,” he grinned again. “Now if you’ll just let me get this bird in the sky.”
And with that, the door to the plane closed. It was just me and him in the G6, the cabin empty. But I was in good hands because Captain Tanning was all business then. Pulling on the headset, those blue eyes narrowed and focused, calm hands guiding the G6 as it nosed its way out of the hangar. And before I knew it, we were up in the sky, cruising the blue highway with nary a care in the world.
But I was here for a job. So with trembling hands, I put together the welcome tray. Nuts and champagne, as always.
“Mr. Tanning. I mean, Captain Tanning,” I stumbled nervously. “Can I offer you champagne and almonds?”
The man glanced sideways at me, showing that smile again.
“Naw sweetheart, no drinking on the job. Maybe a glass of water though. Could you?”
