CHAPTER32
They landed in Miami as evening’s final glow painted the tropical sky. Kari followed Ian down the tunnel and into the airport proper, marveling at her state. She had expected to be approaching a total meltdown. Seeing herself enter a big city’s airport terminal, surrounded by the crowds and lights and cold indifference of people too busy to care about others. Inserting herself back into the world she had struggled and yearned to leave behind. For good and forever.
Instead, all she felt was calm. She did not like the place. She did not like the crowds. But neither the clamor nor the throngs nor the alienness seemed able to touch her. She glanced down at the hand holding hers and wondered if this was what it meant to be in love.
When they passed the terminal shops and approached baggage claim, Ian drew her over to a side window. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, Ian.”
“Would it be okay if I took the lead out there? I know what to expect, is all.”
She resisted the urge to kiss him. Silly. Stupid, in fact. But still. “Of course.”
“Can I have your luggage tickets?”
She handed him the kitten’s carryall and rummaged through her purse. When she looked up again, she caught Ian staring out the side window, his expression somber. Grave. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He did his best to smile. “An unwelcome memory, is all.”
“Ian, tell me.”
He pointed at the gathering night. “When I arrived in California, I stood in a place just like this. My world had basically collapsed. I was the headliner for every bad-news entertainment blog. I thought my life was over. I was too crushed to feel it totally. I know that sounds crazy. But I was basically numb. And now . . .”
“And now it’s all so close,” she said.
“Yes.” He stroked the kitten through the soft mesh. “Right here. With me. Again.”
Kari breathed around the enormity of what she was thinking. “I spent the flight from Dallas reflecting on what isn’t happening. I mean, happening to me. Since you and Graham and Rafi took my side over this itinerary. It’s not that I’ve stopped being afraid. I am. And in a way, I regret taking this on. And I don’t like being here. Just the same, though, I’m increasingly certain this is the right thing to do.”
Ian continued nudging the little head with one finger, stroking Sienna through the soft screen. “That’s how I feel. Exactly.”
She loved finding the strength to be open about all her desolate secrets. With him. In this alien place. Being able to say, “It’s like Indrid said. Moving forward one step at a time.”
* * *
The Miami airport was old and in desperate need of renovation. But the general air of tired seediness was brightened considerably by the fragrances emanating from the Cuban restaurants lining the terminal corridor. Not to mention the salsa playing over a café’s intercom. Ian walked through the concourse with Sienna’s carryall slung from one shoulder, one hand holding Kari’s hand, the other gripping the one guitar case he had carried on board. Like he belonged. Like he had earned the right to feel this good.
He approached the uniformed lady driver with his name on the electronic board. Ian did his best to ignore the multiple stares pointed his way. If Kari even noticed the looks, she gave no sign. Ian shook the driver’s hand, passed over the luggage tickets, said, “I need to get my companion settled in the limo. Where are you parked?”
She handed Ian the keys. “Straight out the exit, sir. Cadillac Escalade with the hotel insignia on the door.”
They left the terminal, walking beneath a Miami Music Festival banner bearing his name and photograph. He could almost feel the city’s tension and energy trying to drive a wedge between them. Because he needed her. It brought an intense flood of pleasure, admitting this to himself. Once they were settled in the limo’s rear seat, he started in. “I need your advice, and I need to lay it out while we’re alone. You can’t ever say anything important in front of a driver—”
“I know all that,” she said. “My family. Remember?”
“Right. Of course. Sorry. It’s Connor. I am really, really worried—” He stopped because she began rummaging through her purse. “What is it?”
“I want Graham to hear. He’s the best I know at handling situations like this.” She pulled out her phone, dialed, said, “Let Sienna out of her case.”
He unzipped the flap and lifted the kitten onto the console between them. Sienna instantly padded over and settled into Kari’s lap. She placed the phone on the center console and pressed the speaker button. When Graham answered, they heard a sibilant rush so loud it almost drowned out him saying, “Just a minute!” Gradually, the noise diminished, to where they could hear him clearly. “Can this wait?”
“Not for an instant,” Kari replied. “What’s that noise?”
“They insisted on starting the engines while the crew was still loading your paintings. Something about losing their position for takeoff.” A door thumped shut, and the jet went quiet. “All right, dear. What is it?”
“Ian has something you need to hear.” Kari said to Ian, “Tell him.”
“Connor hasn’t recovered like I’ve hoped.” Ian swiftly recounted how the post-concert session had gone down. Connor’s utter lack of connection. The mechanical way he had responded, almost by rote. Ian finished by saying, “I tried to talk with Arthur about it—”
