She leans back, pulling her knees under her as the rain continues to fall. It shouldn’t be dark yet, but a storm is brewing.
“What is it now?”
“They still grow a small amount, but it’s not a business. One day, it’ll thrive again, hopefully with the same things and more fruit trees.”
“I would never have pictured you as the farming type.”
“Well, I’ve never tried it. I might be no good at it, but I love the peacefulness of the secluded land. I probably wouldn’t live there full-time.”
She’s silent for a moment.
“My dad always talked about owning a farm one day. He wanted one in Florida to grow oranges.”
I picture the man I met at Memory Care, oblivious to the fact that he had a grown daughter. Guilt for snooping into her private life creeps up on me, and I know I should tell her about it.
If she is innocent, how will I ever explain that I thought she was an agent without telling her the whole story about Steelhart?
I can’t dwell on it.
“What about you?”
“I just want...I want to have a loving, happy family. I want my kids to have both their parents. Wherever that happens is fine with me.”
My grip tightens on the controls. I know her mom died when she was little, but I don’t know how long her dad has been sick. My parents have hated each other for as long as I can remember. Fallon and I celebrated their divorce, hoping they’d both find happiness and fulfillment without each other. Turns out, they were both miserable human beings regardless.
“That sounds like a good life to me.”
We’re nearing the airstrip, and I radio to the farm to confirm our touchdown time. Kate seems to be feeling better, sitting up and silently observing me as I command the aircraft.
“As soon as we arrive, I’ll get you something to eat. I think that will revive your energy level.”
She nods, looking out the window at the storm continuing to grow stronger around us. I try to ignore her presence so I can land this plane safely. Every passing moment with her makes it more difficult for me to focus on what I need to be doing to keep us alive.
I told myself before that I had to keep my attention on her to protect myself, but now that I don’t think she’s a threat anymore, she’s distracting me from the true danger at hand.
CHAPTER 25
KATE
Maybe it’sthe blood loss, but after years of dating a guy who couldn’t even hold down a regular job, competency is my new kink. Watching a man pilot a jet is one of those things that I never knew was attractive. Now that it’s happening, I’m in a daze.
“Buckle up,” he instructs..
I comply, connecting the latch of the seat belt.
Moments later, the wheels touch down seamlessly. Even in the storm, he lands us smoother than any commercial aircraft I’ve ever been on.
The medication he gave me only dulled the pain in my arm. I want to cry, but I’m trying to be tough.
A thought pops into my brain. “What were you doing at my apartment?”
His forearms are tense as he commands the controls, and my body hinges forward as we begin to pull to a stop. He doesn’t answer until we’re no longer in motion.
“Jackson texted me.”
He turns to face me, clicking his seat belt off. A blush creeps up my neck as I realize Jackson must’ve told Luke I was crying my eyes out in the backseat.
“I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
