Thomas grinned. “I guess when we get married, this won’t be so bad.”
I rolled my eyes. He’d been teasing her for months now. I knew why. He’d wanted to ease the awkwardness that seemed ever present when Cora was around.
After what felt like seconds, she appeared in the doorway of her bedroom. “Ready.”
My gaze dropped to the small carry-on she had in her hand. My eyebrows rose to my hairline. I knew the woman was practical, but that tiny amount of luggage seemed absurd even for her.
“That’s it?”
“It’s all I have. Besides, I really don’t think I’ll have to be there long. My sister gave me her baby. I’m the only living relative. Where else is the baby going to go? No judge in their right mind is going to give him to Colter Briggs.”
I didn’t want to put a cloud on her optimism, but this thing could go south really quickly. If it did, there was no telling how long she would be in Texas.
“But what if it isn’t?”
She shrugged. “I’ll deal with it then. Right now, I just want to get there, meet Elias, and get him away from his disgusting father.”
I wanted to argue with her, but one thing I’d learned about her was her fierce independence. The fact that I was even helping this much was a giant feat. Not that I wouldn’t have accompanied her anyway. When I said there was no way she was going alone, I had meant it. “All right.”
Thomas stepped forward and held out his hand, motioning for her to give him the bag.
Her grip tightened on the handle. “I’ve got it.”
“Until you give it to me.”
She rolled her eyes. “I can carry my own luggage.”
“Do you hate my mother? Do you want her rolling over in her grave?”
Cora leveled her eyes at him. “Your mother is alive and well. I sent her flowers last Tuesday.”
“So, an even better reason to hand it over. If she catches wind that I didn’t carry your luggage, she’ll kill me.” He chuckled. “She loved them by the way. I even got a promise that she’d make her grape leaves when I visited next time.”
“Really, I’ve got it.”
Thomas didn’t budge.
“Don’t we have a flight to catch?” I asked.
Another huff, and she handed it over. “Fine, but just know I can carry it myself.”
My best friend gave her a wide grin. “Duly noted.”
As we reached the threshold to leave, Cora paused, glanced over her shoulder, and exhaled, mumbling something I couldn’t quite hear. Then she closed and locked her door.
Part of me wondered if she had the same feeling I did, and she just didn’t want to voice it.
The drive to the private terminal was quiet. Cora stared out the window while Thomas handled the logistics with the crew. An hour later, we were settled in our seats and climbing toward cruising altitude, the Chicago skyline disappearing below us.
Thomas was sitting off by himself with his face buried in his tablet, learning everything he could about Colter Briggs.
I’d taken my usual spot mid-cabin, window. Cora had curled up in a seat across from me.
“When I was in the hospital, you said that you helped raise Maya, right?”
Cora looked at me and smiled, nodding. “Yeah, our mother died giving birth to her. I mean, my dad was amazing, but trying to raise girls wasn’t easy for him. He was heartbroken and still managed to stay strong for us. He died right before her high school graduation, and she spiraled. Drinking, smoking, drugs, all of it.”
“How did she find Valle Perdido?” It wasn’t exactly a tourist destination.
