Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 100202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“Nope. This is good.” The guest’s voice was gruff.
“Okay then, here we go.” Hands on the controls and feet on the pedals, I took off, and the earth fell away as we rose into the clear blue sky. “It’s a great day for flying. Not a cloud in sight.”
The guy grunted.
Theo hadn’t been kidding about the quiet-type comment.
I started in on what I hoped was a sufficient tour, pointing out the resort, the original lift, and the new expansion Reed had busted his ass on. We were up and over the Madigan peak before I realized I hadn’t even asked the guy’s name.
Fantastic helicopter pilot? Check.
Great skier? You bet.
But I was not cut out for this scenic helicopter tour bullshit.
“I’m so sorry, but I didn’t catch your name,” I said into the headset as we skimmed down the backside of the mountain. There was a mumble that I didn’t quite catch.
I flew us through the valley and up to the ridgelines we usually used for the backcountry tours. If the guy wanted a photo op, there was no better place. I set the skids down on the hardpack. We hadn’t had new powder in three days. “Feel free to change seats to get a picture. It’s completely safe while we’re stopped.”
“You’re a hell of a pilot, aren’t you?” he asked, his voice clear as day through the headset.
No fucking way.
I held completely still as the guy moved up to the front bench, hoping I was wrong.
“I wish I’d realized that sooner,” he said. “Wish I’d realized a lot of things sooner.”
“We’re not doing this here.” Anger and disbelief mixed in my head until I couldn’t separate the emotions.
“Well, it’s the only place I could nail you down to do it.”
I turned, looking over my shoulder as Dad tugged off his skull cap and unzipped his jacket from where he’d fastened it all the way to his nose. “The things I would say to you, if I even wanted to say them, shouldn’t be said in a helicopter while I’m flying it.”
“Seems like you’re not flying it right now.” Dad shrugged, the gesture so like mine that my jaw locked.
“You know I could just walk out, right? I don’t mind hiking back up for the bird later, if that’s what it takes.” I was just stubborn enough to do it too.
Dad lounged against the backrest. “From what Reed tells me, this helicopter is your baby. I don’t think you’d abandon it on a windy peak. Plus, I’m paying you for the tour, so from where I’m sitting, you’re mine for the next”—he checked his watch—“thirty-eight minutes.”
Fuck him.
“So tell me, Weston. Are you a mature businessman? Or are you the rebellious teenager who walked away without so much as a goodbye eleven years ago? Because I’m the weathered, aging father who just needs the chance to apologize, if you’ll give it to me.”
Fine, as lines went, that was a good one. Plus, I had to hand it to him, he’d shelled out a ridiculous sum of money just to get me alone. And if you leave him up here to die, you’ll spend the rest of your life in jail instead of Callie’s bed.
Logic won.
“I’m not going to have this conversation with you in the back like I’m some sort of chauffeur.” I motioned to the copilot’s seat.
“You actually want me that close to you?” His silvery brow furrowed.
“It’s easier to push you out midair if you’re up here,” I deadpanned.
“I can’t tell if you’re serious or not. That was always the hardest part about you, not being able to get a read on what you were thinking.”
“Guess you’ll have to chance it.” I looked forward, leaving the choice up to him.
“Damn it,” he muttered, but unbuckled and moved between our seats, taking the copilot’s position.
“Don’t touch any of the controls,” I warned.
“Or what?” He fumbled with the belt but got strapped in.
“Or you risk the chance of killing us both, and while you might be done with your life, I’m just starting to like mine.” I looked out over the snow-tipped peaks and thought about Callie’s smile, her hands, her laugh—anything to keep me focused on my future and not the past that was dredging itself up beside me.
“It’s the girl, isn’t it?” he asked. “The love of a good woman will do that for you.”
“Rule one. She’s not up for discussion.” Callie didn’t love me. She had to know better than that.
“Okay.” He put his hands up like he was under arrest. “Damn. Reed said you were prickly—”
“Down to thirty-two minutes.” And I was going to count every single one of them.
“I haven’t had a drink in a year,” he said.
“Good.” It was. I couldn’t deny that.
“I’ve somehow managed to keep the love of a good woman,” he continued. “She’s not your mom, but…I love her.”