“Why?”
Ben shrugged. “Why not?”
“Have you ever flown this?”
“Nope. I stuck with smaller planes. I wasn’t looking to fly professionally.”
“Do you fly a lot?”
“Not so much anymore. I was still in college when I took flying lessons. I flew a lot more back then.”
“Was your dad on board with that?”
“You know him well,” Ben said with a laugh. “He was definitelynoton board with that when he eventually found out about it.”
The plane began a sharper descent, putting them on a final approach to Coeur d’Alene. It wasn’t long before the plane touched down on the runway with a gentle bounce, before the engines roared as the pilot deployed reverse thrust, slowing the plane.
Once the jet had stopped, they deplaned and made their way to the waiting helicopter. They boarded it, but it was a few minutes before they were ready to take off again since they needed to transfer the luggage from the plane.
There was little conversation as the helicopter lifted off and began the short flight to the estate. After landing there, Ben and Amelia got into one of the SUVs so he could drive her home.
It wasn’t difficult to see the toll the last twenty-four hours had taken on Amelia. She moved slowly, gripping the handle above the door to pull herself up into the passenger seat of the SUV.
Ben stood close by, just in case she needed his help. Once she was seated, she tilted her head back against the headrest.
When he slid behind the wheel, he noticed she hadn’t put her seatbelt on yet. Leaning closer to her, he reached for the belt and drew it across her body to click it into place near her hip.
“Thanks,” she said, her breath warm against his cheek.
He turned his head slightly and gave her a smile. “Anytime.”
For a moment, they both froze in place, and Ben was thrown back in time to when closeness like that would have resulted in a kiss.
That wasn’t who they were anymore, though, so Ben straightened and pressed the button to start the SUV. He’d once again convinced Luca it was safe for him to make the quick run into Serenity with Amelia, so it was just the two of them in the SUV.
“I really hope this wasn’t all a waste of your and Julian’s time,” Amelia said. “Not to mention the amount of money you spent on the flights and the tests.”
“Don’t you worry about that,” Ben told her. “I have a feeling that this has opened Julian’s eyes to another medical area that needs more attention. Solving your health mystery might end up helping others who are suffering like you are.”
“I hope so,” Amelia said. “That would make me feel better about it.”
“For Julian and me, even if it’s just answers for you, that is well worth it.”
“You don’t owe me anything, you know,” she said. “Especially after the way I ended the relationship between us.”
“This isn’t about anyone owing anyone else something,” Ben replied. “You’re a friend. Even family, thanks to Annie and Cole. Just accept that we wanted to do this for you.”
When Amelia didn’t respond right away, Ben glanced over at her. Even though lights intermittently filled the interior of the car, he couldn’t see her expression because her head was turned toward the window.
“Did you want me to stop and get you something to eat?” he asked as they passed through the outskirts of Serenity.
“I have food at home,” she said.
“I know, but maybe it would be easier to just grab something since you missed dinner on the plane. I think fast food might be our only option, though.”
"Are you hungry?” she asked.
He wasn’t really, but he had a feeling that she’d only eat if he said he was. “I could eat a burger.”
