The plane began its descent, and Angela's knuckles turned white as she gripped the armrests. Jude wanted to reassure her again, but he also understood that some fears couldn't be talked away.
Unfortunately, all he could do was sit across from her and offer his verbal assurances.
When they landed with a gentle bump on the runway, he watched her exhale the breath she'd been holding. Her sister turned around in her seat, grinning widely.
"That was amazing!" Kiara called back. "Did you see how small everything looked from up there?"
Angela managed a tight smile. "I didn’t look out the window."
After they taxied to a stop, Tanya informed them they could unbuckle and prepare to disembark. Jude stood, reaching for his jacket and slipping it on with practiced ease.
"The helicopter is waiting for us," he explained. “But we have time if you need a moment."
Angela shook her head, squaring her shoulders. "No. Let's keep going."
Jude admired her determination. Many people would have been overwhelmed by now, but she kept pushing forward despite her obvious anxiety. It spoke to a strength that perhaps even she didn't recognize in herself.
As they stepped off the plane into the bright Idaho sun, Angela lifted her hand to shield her eyes.
"This way," Jude said, placing a gentle hand on her back to guide her toward the helicopter that sat waiting on the tarmac.
The helicopter was painted a deep blue with gold and red accents. The pilot in a crisp uniform stood beside it, checking something on a clipboard.
"Mr. Kessler," the pilot said as he lifted his head at their approach. "Good to see you again."
"Marcus," Jude replied with a nod. "How's the weather looking for the flight to the estate?"
"Clear skies all the way. Should be a smooth ride."
Kiara was already approaching the open door of the helicopter with enthusiasm, but Angela remained rooted to the spot.
"Second thoughts?" Jude asked quietly, moving to stand beside her.
"It's just… small," she said.
The irony was that the helicopter was actually one of the larger luxury models. But next to the jet, it did look a little smaller.
"Marcus has been flying for the family for over a decade. He's one of the best pilots I know. And Duncan would only ever have someone flying his aircraft that he trusted."
Jude hoped his words would reassure her. However, he didn’t know if her reluctance to board it had as much to do with the aircraft as with what waited at the end of the flight.
“C’mon,” he said, placing a hand on her back and once again gently urging her to follow her sister onto the helicopter.
Finally, she approached the steps leading up into the body of the helicopter. Jude waited until she’d climbed inside before following her up the steps.
The seats were configured with three seats facing two, which were then backed by another two, facing three. Kiara had taken one of the two seats, choosing the one closest to the window.
Angela had also chosen a seat, but rather than sit across from her sister, she’d chosen the middle seat of the three facing her.
Jude was left with the options of sitting beside Angela, beside Kiara or by himself in the other section of seats behind the pilots.
Knowing how Angela felt about flying, Jude couldn’t bring himself to sit far away from her. Turning, he settled into the seat beside her, closest to the door.
“This is a more complicated seatbelt,” Angela said as she tried to get herself strapped in.
“Here.” Jude helped her loop the straps over her shoulders and across her hips before snapping them all into the center buckle.
“Thanks.”
