She’d be driven to the estate, and from there, they'd take the helicopter to the airport in Coeur d'Alene, where the jet would be waiting for them. They'd arrive in New York in the early morning hours.
Even though Ben had an apartment there, Julian had arranged for them to stay at a hotel near where Amelia was having the testing done.
On Friday evening, Ben helped Amelia with her small suitcase as they walked toward the helicopter pad at the edge of the estate. The sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows across the manicured lawns. Julian walked ahead of them, his phone pressed to his ear.
"How are you feeling?" Ben asked, glancing at Amelia's face for any sign of discomfort. "On the scale."
She hesitated, then said, "Seven four."
Ben winced. A seven for pain was higher than he'd hoped. "Are you sure you’re up for this?”
"I'm sure," Amelia said, determination hardening her voice. "I've dealt with worse. And besides, this is too important to postpone."
Ben studied her face, noting the slight tightness around her eyes that betrayed her discomfort despite her brave front. He wanted to suggest they reschedule, but he knew how much she needed answers.
"Just promise you'll tell me if it gets too much," he said softly.
She nodded, her gaze meeting his briefly before shifting to the helicopter waiting ahead. "I promise."
The pilot greeted them as they approached, while the security team handled their luggage. Ben climbed into the aircraft, then turned to offer his hand to Amelia.
She gripped it tightly, allowing him to use his strength to help her up into the helicopter. Once she was seated, he helped her with the buckles of the safety belt, then handed her a headset so they could communicate during the flight.
It wasn’t long before they were all settled, and the whine of the blades spinning filled the air.
Amelia was seated next to the window, and as the helicopter lifted off the helipad, she leaned closer to it, watching as they rose above the forest.
Julian was off his phone, his gaze also directed out the window, though Ben doubted he was as fascinated by the scenery as Amelia seemed to be. It was a sight that both he and Julian had seen countless times over the years.
Ben’s favorite sight from the helicopter came in the fall when the forest was a patchwork of warm, autumnal colors.
They ended up spending most of the flight in silence, and Ben wondered what was going on in Amelia’s mind. But since Julian also had a headset on, there was no opportunity for a private conversation.
After they landed, it took them only a few minutes to transfer to the jet that was waiting for them. When they climbed onto the plane, Ben ushered Amelia to one of the more comfortable seats on the jet.
This wasn’t the same jet they’d had when he was growing up. They’d had this one for around five years, and it was an upgrade from the previous jet.
“Once we’re in the air, we’ll have something to eat, then you can rest in the bed in the back if you’d like.”
Amelia glanced around. “There’s a bed on the plane?”
“Yes. It makes travel easier for Mom and Dad. Though we’ve all used it at some point.”
“You or Julian won’t need it?”
“Nope. These chairs also recline into beds, so we’re fine.”
“Normally, I’d insist that you take it,” Amelia said.
Ben held up his hand. “Even if you weren’t struggling with your health, we’d both still tell you to take it.”
She gave him a slight smile. “Thank you.”
He reached out and covered her hand as the plane began to move. After a moment, she turned her hand over, and he interlaced his fingers with hers.
The warm pressure of her hand in his felt right somehow. Ben gave her fingers a gentle squeeze as the jet accelerated down the runway, feeling the familiar push back against his seat as they took off. He watched as Amelia's eyes drifted closed briefly, her free hand gripping the armrest tightly during the ascent.
When the seatbelt sign dinged off, Julian unbuckled and stood. "I need to make a few calls. The attendant will bring you something to eat shortly."
