Read Online Runway Romance (Love in the Air Trilogy) by Merri Hiatt - Free Book Online Page B

heard a word wrapped around the moan. She strained to hear as the vision became muddled and blurry. This time the words were unmistakable. “Richard.”
    Jenny sat upright in bed, sweat dripping down her face and her heart beating rapidly. She jumped out of bed and ran to the light, needing to illumine every inch of space to blot out the images running through her mind.
    As she looked around her room, her breathing began to even out. When it was steady again, she retrieved her cell phone from the charger, found Richard’s card and called him.
    “Your dime.”
    Jenny took a deep breath as her shoulders relaxed, allowing her neck muscles to slack their tension. “More like a quarter these days.”
    “Jenny?”
    “Yeah. I’m surprised you recognize my voice.”
    “I’d know it anywhere. What’s up?”
    “I was just… I had a… Are you okay?”
    “Sure, why?”
    “You’re working the ghost flight.”
    “You heard. Everyone’s a bit freaked out by it all. I consider it an honor. We’re being entrusted with people’s loved ones. I’m usually carrying luggage around, that’s just possessions.”
    “I never really thought about it like that. You have such a different perspective than I do. It’s fascinating. I want to sit at your feet and learn.”
    “Just call me Buddha Novatney. Seriously, though, I think we learn a lot from each other.”
    “I don’t want to keep you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I had sort of a weird dream.”
    “Will you tell me about it tomorrow? We’re still on, right?”
    “Yeah. And, yeah.”
    “Good. Sleep well. I’ll see you soon.”
    “Goodbye.”
    Jenny reattached her cell phone to the charger and slipped back into bed. It was an honor to be responsible for people’s loved ones, living or dead. Rich was right.
    This time when she fell asleep, her dreams were filled with visions of Richard gently caring for the ghost flight passengers. They would be delivered safe and sound. And, Rich was partly to thank for that.
    It softened her heart to think he would take even more thoughtful care of his living loved ones. One of them might even include herself one day.

 
     
    Chapter Thirteen
     
    Laundry tumbled in the dryer as Jenny answered e-mails and returned phone calls. “You’d think I’d been gone a week.”
    It was distraction therapy, but it was mostly working. She only felt anxiety for short periods of time; when she thought about explaining her issues with driving. “How can someone else help you when your problem is about sitting still?”
    She told herself that Richard was probably an excellent teacher and would have some insight. She had nothing to worry about.
    Her inner voice reminded her that she had repeated that phrase more than ten times throughout the day.
    “Yes, I know.”
    A knock on the door interrupted the discussion with herself.
    “Richard. What are you doing here?”
    “I can leave if you want.”
    “No, that’s not what I meant. I’m just surprised. I thought we were meeting later.”
    “We were supposed to. I had some free time now. I figured you might be getting a little nervous.”
    “You figured right.”
    “Put on some shoes and let’s get to it.”
    “Now?”
    “No time like the present.”
    Jenny’s stomach churned like the Devil’s Punchbowl on the Oregon Coast and chill bumps formed on her arms.
    “I know you’re scared. It’ll pass.”
    “What if it doesn’t? Are you prepared to have me throw up all over your car?”
    Rich suppressed a smile, then closed the space between them. He gently ran his thumb across her cheek. “You’re so beautiful.”
    Jenny added an accelerated heartbeat, trouble breathing and sweaty palms to her list of symptoms.
    “Your hair is like silk.” He wound several strands around his finger then let them slide back in place when he let go. “Are you still thinking about driving?”
    Jenny shook her head. Her lips parted as she leaned forward, pressing her mouth to Rich’s. She