Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
“Can I make you a drink? Orange juice or mimosa?” she asked me with a polite smile.
I shook my head. “No, thank you.”
Her gaze moved to Colt. “Colt?”
“No, thanks, Lori. I’m good for now.”
She nodded as she started to put the bottles under the cabinet. “We’ll be taking off as soon as Judd finishes his check of the plane. Do either of you need anything before that?”
My mouth felt dry, and I had a hard time forming words, so I just shook my head and slowly sat down on the sofa. I was seriously nervous about flying in this small plane…but now I also couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something between Colt and Lori.
I knew I was being ridiculous. I’d slept with other guys during the last ten years, and I couldn’t expect Colt to have been celibate. I tried hard to push those thoughts from my head.
“There are belts there, as well as on the single chairs. I would suggest the chairs for takeoff, they’re more comfortable.”
“Thank you,” I managed to get out, but it sounded hoarse.
“Ma’am, would you like a bottle of water?”
I nearly sagged with relief. “Yes. That would be nice. And please, call me Ensley.”
Lori gave me a smile before walking to the front and returning seconds later with two bottles. One for me, one for Colt.
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
She reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. “Is this your first time on a private jet?”
“How can you tell?” I asked with a laugh.
Winking, she replied, “Because it’s not my first time. My husband hates flying, and when he accompanies us on the jet, he usually has to take a little something to help him calm down. If you change your mind about a drink, you’ve still got time to take the edge off.”
“You’re married?” I wasn’t sure why I needed that clarification.
Lori beamed. “Going on three years. He works on my father’s ranch.” Motioning with her head toward Colt, she added, “Colt was his boss the last couple of years.”
I nodded, taking a sip of water.
Lori took a few steps back. “I’ll be prepping for the flight, but if you need anything, just give me a call.”
Colt knelt in front of me, cupping my face with his hands. “Are you going to be okay, Pip?”
Closing my eyes, I drew in a few deep breaths. “I think so. I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”
“I promise we’ll be fine.”
Nodding, I replied, “I know we will. I just need a few minutes. Once we get into the air, I’ll be okay.” I leaned my head back against the seat and closed my eyes.
The next thing I knew, Lori was gently shaking me. I opened my eyes and quickly looked around. Colt was in the chair across from me, his head buried in his laptop. When I looked back at Lori, she was smiling.
“We’re going to be pushing back from the gate, so I need you to buckle up.”
I quickly fumbled to get my seat belt. “Yes, of course. I’m so sorry.”
“No worries. I’ll be right up front if you need anything.”
“Thank you, Lori.”
I watched as she headed toward the cockpit. She said something to her father, turned and sat in a small seat, and buckled herself in.
Judd came over the speakers, and Colt shut his laptop.
“Okay, kids, sit back and enjoy the flight.”
“How many times have you flown on this plane?”
Colt smiled. “Over a dozen times.”
“No issues?”
He tilted his head and regarded me. “Pip, do you really think I’d put you in danger?”
I chewed nervously on my lower lip. “No, but I can’t help but be nervous.”
Reaching across the narrow aisle, he motioned for me to take his hand. I laced my fingers with his.
“I promise you, everything will be fine.”
The plane jerked forward, and I looked out the window to see that we were taxiing toward the runway. I closed my eyes, dropped my head against the back of the seat, and prayed like I’d never prayed before.
I’d always been a nervous flyer, so I wasn’t surprised by what I was feeling. Colt started talking, but I kept my eyes tightly closed.
“Do you want me to tell you where we’re staying?”
I opened one eye and glanced over, causing him to laugh.
“That might make me feel a bit better.”
“We’re staying at the Fairmont Banff Springs. We’ll be in the Crown Suite.”
A thrill of excitement raced through my body, and I quickly forgot all about being on the small plane. “Is there Wi-Fi on this plane?”
Colt let out a roar of laughter. “Can you just be surprised?”
Sighing, I replied, “I can, but it would be a nice distraction.”
He shook his head, looking out the window. The pilot came on and said we’d been cleared for takeoff. Ten minutes later, we were in the air, and I was finally breathing a sigh of relief.