Martyman had gone to the kitchen area to get a black garbage bag and said, “Yup. We’re headed out gallivanting early tomorrow morning as we do most Saturdays.”
Tracy stood and picked up the empty plates and pizza boxes on their table. “What do you do when you’regallivanting?” she asked, stuffing trash in the garbage bag as Marty held it.
“We find yard sales or visit antique stores,” Rachel said. “Then go to lunch.”
“Always fun.” Martyman nodded and asked, “You want to ride home with us, Coop?”
As they all lived on Triple C-Central, Rachel teased, “We’re going your way.”
“Cash, will you and Tracy be okay flying from here to Triple C-East?” Coop asked.
Cash looked at Tracy. “What do you say?”
“I say it’s a party in the sky.”
Cash looked at her over the top of his sunglasses again and winked. “That’s my girl.”
“I saw the Hummer you and Chase share parked at your ranch on the Fourth. I can drive it back here if you want me to copilot,” Derek offered.
Cash said only half-jokingly, “Nah, I’ll teach Tracy how to land.”
Chloe said good night to Tracy and thanked Cash for the pizza. Cooper, Austin, and Abilene passed out hugs and then Chloe herded the children into the house. Martyman, Rachel, and Coop were next to leave. Then Cash helped Derek finish tidying up as Tracy ducked into the bathhouse and emerged in her tank top and shorts. Derek walked them out of the pool area and through the gate.
“See you at the family dinner tomorrow with Chase and Jade,” Derek said.
“See you tomorrow,” Cash said and snared Tracy’s hand.
“Thanks again for the interview, Derek,” Tracy called with a wave. “Good night.”
As crossed the field to the helicopter, Cash expected at any second Tracy would stop walking and back out. To sidetrack her from her fears, he said the landing gear was called skids. He told her to always approach a helicopter from the front and not the back because the tail rotor spins so fast it’s difficult to see and therefore dangerous. When they made itto the helicopter, he opened her door. She hesitated and he saw her shiver in the warm sun setting behind Pikes Peak. Fully knowing Derek would give her a ride, Cash decided on a lighthearted approach.
“Would you rather Uber it to Triple C-East?” Cash asked.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“I’d follow you into hell, Cash,” Tracy admitted, heart thumping and knees shaking.
“Said the angel who takes me to heaven.” Acknowledging her compliment as the vote of confidence it was meant to be, Cash said, “If we ever experience hell, let’s escape it together.”
“Together,” she whispered, locking her eyes onto his blue ones.
“You’ll never forget your first time,” Cash said with a cocky grin.
Tracy gave him the sassiest smile she could manage. “No, I won’t.”
Cash pulled her close for a quick kiss. “Hop in and buckle up.” Tracy climbed into the helicopter and with some minor assistance from Cash, she fastened her seat belt. He closed her door and sprinted around the front of the helicopter. Sitting next to her, he handed her a headset and put on his. Then he began hitting buttons, explaining what some were and that others had to turn green. “How much do you weigh?”
“Did I look fat in my swimsuit?”
“Hardly.” Cash chuckled. “The chopper needs to know.”
“One ten.”
“I gauged your weight to be half of mine the day I met you,” he said and placed his hand on her thigh. “You looked like the sexy spitfire you are in that bikini.”
“Thanks,” Tracy said, so riddled with anxiety she could hardly sit still in her seat.
“Green lights, plenty of fuel.” The blades overhead whirred. “We’re ready to fly. Okay?”
