“This is the fun part, Smith.”
Annabelle turned her head and locked eyes with him. His smile was gentle and she knew there was fear written all over her face.
“I get to be with you for two firsts. Am I not just the luckiest guy in the world right now?”
“R-real lucky.”
“It’s okay now, honey, we’re up.” His thumb brushed her hand softly. “Look out the window.”
His eyes were so clear today, this close she could see the small flecks of darker blue.
“Do I have to?”
“I gave you the window seat for that very reason.”
“I hate being pathetic,” she muttered, inhaling deeply. Turning, she looked out and saw the countryside growing further and further away.
“It’s not pathetic to have fears, Annabelle. That just makes you human like the rest of us.”
“Maybe.”
“Why don’t you like to show weakness?”
“I don’t have time for weakness.”
“That’s a hard philosophy to follow. I bet it’s been tested a time or two.”
It had been, Annabelle thought, but if she’d allowed herself to be weak when she was raising the boys, she probably would have failed to do what needed to be done.
“Would you like something to drink?”
She was saved from answering by the flight attendant, and for the next three hours she put everything else aside and enjoyed the one and only experience she was ever likely to have of flying first class. She tried to question Ethan about his family but he simply said she’d find out for herself soon enough, then closed his eyes and slept for the rest of the flight.
They reached Austin, Texas, in the late afternoon, and when Ethan opened his eyes, Annabelle saw that he was no longer the man she knew. This one was withdrawn, replying to her questions with grunts. His face had lost its perpetual smile, and Annabelle had never seen him look so serious.
After collecting their bags, they walked out the doors into the cool weather to a sign that readGeldermanin large blue letters. The man who was holding it was in uniform.
“Is that a chauffeur?”
“It is.” Ethan snapped out the two words as they approached and the man lowered his sign.
“Relax, will you?” She took his hand in hers, and he gripped her fingers so tight she yelped, so he released them.
“Mr. Gelderman.” The man nodded his head, then took Annabelle’s bag and walked toward a long, sleek black limo, where he placed the bag in the trunk. Ethan handed his over and it was stowed in there too. He then steered her towards the back of the car. Opening the door, Ethan then urged her inside with a hand on her back.
“I’ve never been in one of these,” Annabelle said, sliding over the seat to make room for Ethan. The leather smelled nice and there was so much space, she was pretty sure she could lie on the floor between the seats.
“I grew up in them,” Ethan said in a cold, clipped voice as he closed the door and sat as far from her as he possibly could. His eyes were on the view outside.
“How far are we from your home?”
“We’re not traveling the entire way in the limo. This is just taking us to where the helicopter is waiting for us.”
“Oh, God, are we flying again?”
She saw a small smile pull at his lips as he turned to face her.
“I thought you were okay with flying now.”
