canceled the flight because of the snow. Maybe she’d
change her mind about the trip and stay.
Don’t be silly . She was a self-confident, successful
journalist doing her job. A generous woman going beyond her duty to help
others. One in a million who’d become so dear to his heart.
In an hour Roxanne would fly on a jumbo jet and remain in
the air for ten solid hours. Greg’s heartbeat raced and his stomach
somersaulted. A cold sweat moistened his forehead and he balled his fingers
against his pants. The panic attack. It was coming at him full speed although he
hadn’t boarded a plane himself. Damn, he couldn’t stay in the airport another
minute.
Oh God, let her come back safe .
****
As soon as she buckled her seat belt, Roxanne punched Greg’s
number on her phone. “Hi, it’s me. Are you already on the Interstate?”
“Yes, heading toward Florida. I left right away. The idea of
you up in the sky makes me sick.”
“You shouldn’t worry about me. I’m settled in a comfy bucket
seat, sipping an orange juice, compliments of Lou who upgraded my business
ticket to first class. Isn’t that nice?”
“Nice? It’s the least he could do. The man is a damn selfish
bastard for sending you on a long flight in your condition.”
Roxanne couldn’t help a chuckle. Things hadn’t clicked
between Greg and her boss. “Don’t get upset while driving. It’s not safe. Is it
still snowing?”
“It’s turned to icy rain where I am now. How about around
you? Have they cleared the tarmac, and the wings of the planes? Is it safe to
fly?”
“Yes, everything is fine. The wings are being deiced and the
tarmac salted.”
Over the loudspeaker, the head stewardess requested
the passengers to turn off their electronic devices. “Greg, I have to shut off
my phone. I’ll call as soon as I arrive.”
“Bye, Roxy. Take care.”
She pushed the off button and shoved her phone in her bag.
The plane slowly moved on the tarmac as she finished her drink and handed the
glass to the stewardess. Her gaze fixed on the window, Roxanne pictured Greg
clenching his steering wheel and cursing her boss at the top of his lungs.
Exactly as he’d done when they’d left Lou’s office.
Her two days in Atlanta had passed in the blink of an eye
with Greg at her side.
Everything had gone too fast, their shopping together, the
few hours at the offices of KNR, and the endless packing. He’d helped every
step of the way, asking for break here and there to rest and kiss. Long
passionate kisses that heated her all over, promising more pleasure if she’d
only allow him. “Later,” she promised herself. “After I fix the mess I’ve
created.” After she set the past to rest and felt free to entertain a
relationship again.
Dear Greg, she already missed him. He hadn’t complained
about sleeping on the living room sofa although he’d muttered something about a
cold shower when she retired to her bedroom.
The engines groaned and the plane lifted off the runway,
rising in the night. Down there the city unfolded like a dark map crisscrossed
by lit ribbons of icy highways and roads. Soon Atlanta shrank to a flat black
carpet spotted with sparkling dots and the plane slowly slipped into a cocoon
of clouds.
Roxanne lowered the shade and rested her head against the
back of her seat. Images and conversations cluttered her mind. Greg had
mentioned that when she returned they’d have to talk and plan. She was ready to
listen. If only his plans could match her heart’s secret desire.
For the first time in her life, she longed for tranquility.
A peaceful existence, preferably in Fort Lauderdale, where she could continue
to work and enjoy the beach and the pool. Big bonus, Greg’s presence.
Except for the hours he’d spent at the hospital, he’d been
at her side every moment. And she’d relished their togetherness.
Could she dare dream of a future with him?
Greg was attracted to her but... To marry a woman expecting
another man’s child
change her mind about the trip and stay.
Don’t be silly . She was a self-confident, successful
journalist doing her job. A generous woman going beyond her duty to help
others. One in a million who’d become so dear to his heart.
In an hour Roxanne would fly on a jumbo jet and remain in
the air for ten solid hours. Greg’s heartbeat raced and his stomach
somersaulted. A cold sweat moistened his forehead and he balled his fingers
against his pants. The panic attack. It was coming at him full speed although he
hadn’t boarded a plane himself. Damn, he couldn’t stay in the airport another
minute.
Oh God, let her come back safe .
****
As soon as she buckled her seat belt, Roxanne punched Greg’s
number on her phone. “Hi, it’s me. Are you already on the Interstate?”
“Yes, heading toward Florida. I left right away. The idea of
you up in the sky makes me sick.”
“You shouldn’t worry about me. I’m settled in a comfy bucket
seat, sipping an orange juice, compliments of Lou who upgraded my business
ticket to first class. Isn’t that nice?”
“Nice? It’s the least he could do. The man is a damn selfish
bastard for sending you on a long flight in your condition.”
Roxanne couldn’t help a chuckle. Things hadn’t clicked
between Greg and her boss. “Don’t get upset while driving. It’s not safe. Is it
still snowing?”
“It’s turned to icy rain where I am now. How about around
you? Have they cleared the tarmac, and the wings of the planes? Is it safe to
fly?”
“Yes, everything is fine. The wings are being deiced and the
tarmac salted.”
Over the loudspeaker, the head stewardess requested
the passengers to turn off their electronic devices. “Greg, I have to shut off
my phone. I’ll call as soon as I arrive.”
“Bye, Roxy. Take care.”
She pushed the off button and shoved her phone in her bag.
The plane slowly moved on the tarmac as she finished her drink and handed the
glass to the stewardess. Her gaze fixed on the window, Roxanne pictured Greg
clenching his steering wheel and cursing her boss at the top of his lungs.
Exactly as he’d done when they’d left Lou’s office.
Her two days in Atlanta had passed in the blink of an eye
with Greg at her side.
Everything had gone too fast, their shopping together, the
few hours at the offices of KNR, and the endless packing. He’d helped every
step of the way, asking for break here and there to rest and kiss. Long
passionate kisses that heated her all over, promising more pleasure if she’d
only allow him. “Later,” she promised herself. “After I fix the mess I’ve
created.” After she set the past to rest and felt free to entertain a
relationship again.
Dear Greg, she already missed him. He hadn’t complained
about sleeping on the living room sofa although he’d muttered something about a
cold shower when she retired to her bedroom.
The engines groaned and the plane lifted off the runway,
rising in the night. Down there the city unfolded like a dark map crisscrossed
by lit ribbons of icy highways and roads. Soon Atlanta shrank to a flat black
carpet spotted with sparkling dots and the plane slowly slipped into a cocoon
of clouds.
Roxanne lowered the shade and rested her head against the
back of her seat. Images and conversations cluttered her mind. Greg had
mentioned that when she returned they’d have to talk and plan. She was ready to
listen. If only his plans could match her heart’s secret desire.
For the first time in her life, she longed for tranquility.
A peaceful existence, preferably in Fort Lauderdale, where she could continue
to work and enjoy the beach and the pool. Big bonus, Greg’s presence.
Except for the hours he’d spent at the hospital, he’d been
at her side every moment. And she’d relished their togetherness.
Could she dare dream of a future with him?
Greg was attracted to her but... To marry a woman expecting
another man’s child
Similar Books
