“I don’t know how to be in that world,” Angela said, giving voice to just one of the many worries she had.
“You’re very fortunate in that Duncan has kept his two younger kids—Annie and Benji—out of the spotlight. They’ve lived a fairly normal life, all things considered.”
Angela hoped her skepticism wasn’t too apparent on her face. She didn’t know how normal a life people could lead when their father was extremely wealthy, the way Duncan Burke was.
“Okay. I realize that perhaps that sounds ridiculous,” Jude said. “But honestly, Annie and Benji are very down-to-earth people. Benji goes to the local high school and plays on the basketball team. Both of them attend church in Serenity Point.”
It wasn’t long before Jude pulled the car into the lot of a private airport. “You two can go ahead and get on board the plane while I supervise the loading of your things.”
“I’ve never been on a plane before,” Angela said as she stared out the window at the jet that sat parked nearby.
“Well, you’re getting introduced to the best way to travel for those who can afford it,” Jude said as he opened his door. “You’ll never want to travel commercially after this.”
“I can’t wait,” Kiara said as she got out when Jude did.
Angela moved a little more slowly. But soon, she and Kiara had been escorted on board the luxury private jet. A woman wearing a dark blue pantsuit with red trim greeted them with a friendly smile.
After they’d settled into a pair of soft leather seats, the woman asked them what they’d like to drink. Since they hadn’t even had breakfast yet, Angela asked for a cup of coffee.
“Once we’re in the air, I’ll have your drinks and some breakfast for you.”
After she’d left them, Angela turned to the window and stared out at Jude as he directed the men moving the boxes and suitcases from the trailer to the plane.
A man wearing a thigh-length black coat approached Jude, and the two men talked for a couple of minutes before Jude handed the man something. They shook hands, then the man went to the SUV and slid behind the wheel.
Jude stood watching as they loaded the last box into the plane, then he turned and headed for the stairs that led up into the jet. Angela watched as he disappeared from view outside, shifting her gaze to catch him as he walked into the area where they were seated.
“Everything is loaded,” Jude said as he took off his black wool jacket. After laying it on an empty seat, he sat down in the chair facing Angela. “We’re ready to go.”
Angela wasn’t sure that she was ready to go yet, but that decision had been taken out of her hands.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
“This is so exciting,” Kiara said as she buckled her seatbelt. “How long is it going to take to get to Idaho?”
“Should be about three hours or so once we get in the air,” Jude said. “We’ll have to transfer to a helicopter to fly from Coeur d’Alene to the estate.”
Angela’s stomach clenched. “A helicopter?”
“Wow,” Kiara said. “We’re getting all the new experiences in one day.”
Jude chuckled as he buckled himself into his seat. The flight attendant came back into the cabin of the plane, greeting Jude with a familiar smile.
“We’ll be taking off shortly.”
“Thanks, Tanya,” Jude said.
Tanya moved away from them and sat down in a seat near the cockpit. She’d barely buckled her seatbelt when the plane jerked into motion.
Angela gripped the arms of her seat, trying to prepare herself for the next few minutes. She didn’t know if she had a fear of flying, but she had a feeling she was about to find out.
“It’ll be fine, Angie,” Kiara said, her hand landing on top of Angela’s. She gave Angela a reassuring smile as she squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry.”
Famous last words. Angela had a tendency to worry, and in her mind, there was good reason to worry about her current situation.
She took a deep breath as she looked away from Kiara, only to find Jude watching her with a furrowed brow.
“Kiara is right,” Jude said, his low voice gentle and almost lost to the sudden roar of the plane’s engines. “It’ll be fine.”
