Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“It’ll be fine,” I assured him. “You can go back to sleep, Blue.”
Turbulence rocked the plane again, shaking us like we were a damn box of jellybeans.
Jack was awake now. That was for sure. I said a silent goodbye to the wonderful last half hour where he’d actually seemed like he finally felt safe on a plane.
“Jesus Christ,” Jack muttered, gripping his thighs hard in front of him as the plane continued to get choppier, like an unsteady boat at sea.
“Hey,” I said softly, laying my palm on top of one of his hands gently. “It’ll pass. Just, ah, close your eyes and think about being back in Big Rock Cove.”
A violent flash of lightning lit up the sky outside the window and I grimaced a little.
“The only big rock I’m thinking about right now is the one at the bottom of my stomach,” Jack murmured.
I still wasn’t used to seeing him scared. Nothing scared him, typically, and I’d spent the last twelve years knowing that in any situation, he would always be steady and strong, never showing an ounce of trepidation even if he felt it.
This was different. Even though I felt totally safe in the plane, I knew there was no way I could convince him to calm down.
It was no help that as we continued our landing, the turbulence only got worse. It was storming like hell, and the closer we got to the ground, the wind only seemed to rock the plane more. By now, Jack had his fingers laced with mine, gripping tight as a vise.
“Road trips,” he muttered in between looking out the window at the thunderstorm. “Only road trips in the future, so help me God.”
I couldn’t hide a smile. “I promise.”
The plane shook so hard that we must have lifted an inch out of our seats, and gasps filled the cabin. The old man in front of us had been holding a book and it dropped out into the walkway.
“Everyone please, remain seated,” came another announcement.
“Land this thing,” Jack said softly, biting his lower lip. “Let’s go.”
Slowly, finally, we closed in on the runway. The heavy thunk of the wheels hitting the tarmac finally came, and after a rush of brakes, the plane was finally still and safe on the ground.
“Thank the Lord and the High Heavens above, holy mother of God,” the elderly man said. “Whewie!”
“Folks, welcome to Kansas. As you can see, the weather conditions are summer thunderstorms, seventy degrees, and rainy as all get-out. Thank you for flying with us, and have a safe evening.”
Jack was still gripping my hand, but finally, he looked relieved—even if he did still look like he’d just seen a ghost.
I leaned over to press a kiss to his lips. Immediately his grip on my hand released a little, then tightened back up again after he’d had a moment to react.
I kissed him just as hard as I had back in Big Rock Cove when there was nobody around. Here we were surrounded by a plane full of people, but I didn’t give a shit. I had to kiss him. He needed it, too. And as we kissed I felt him relax a little under my touch.
As I slowly pulled back, keeping my face close to his, Jack took a deep breath, letting out a sigh of relief.
“I should have done that way sooner,” I murmured.
“I definitely wouldn’t have protested.”
I hummed, kissing him again gently this time before pulling back to look in his eyes. “It’s nice to know Jack Damien is at least capable of getting scared,” I said, letting a smile creep onto my lips.
“Shut up,” he said. “That was fucking terrifying, and you know it.”
“It wasn’t fun. But I knew we’d be okay.”
“Glad one of us did,” he said.
As the plane made its way to the gate, I turned my phone back on and got a flood of text messages from Mom.
>>Momma Jo: You two forgot to take a slice of that red velvet cake for the plane.
>>Momma Jo: Oh well, I’ll feed it to your father. I’m sure there will be no complaints there.
>>Momma Jo: What the fuck?!
>>Momma Jo: Just saw online that there are awful thunderstorms over there. Let me know when you land, OK, kid?
>>Momma Jo: Or have Jack text me. I gave him my number. What a wonderful friend you have in him. Better at loading a dishwasher than you, hah.
>>Momma Jo: Kidding, sweetheart. I love you.
>>Momma Jo: Watching the weather radar and having myself a little anxiety attack, I’ll tell you that much.
>>Momma Jo: Sure hope your pilot’s alert tonight!
>>Momma Jo: Oh, also, I’ve got plenty of seeds for you to plant sunflowers in your new garden when you’re back. Some for zinnias, too.
>>Momma Jo: Text when you land!!!! :-O :-X xoxo
I smiled as I leaned over, showing the texts to Jack. He finally let out a good chuckle, finally totally calmed down from the landing. He turned his own phone back on.