“Yep. Lucky for me, my wife can give as good as she gets.”
That earns a snicker. “Well, I guess we’ll just see who can torture who the most then, won’t we?”
“That we will.”
Em laughs. “You ready to go see the helicopter?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Just a bit.Someof us don’t like makin’ people wait. Let me grab my backpack and then we’ll get goin’. Rhys is waitin’.”
Chapter 14
Em
“Jude? Is that you?” Rhys says. A huge smile takes over my pilot’s face as he makes a beeline for my husband and the two men hug, leaving me standing there lookingveryconfused. “How on earth do you knowthisguy, Em?”
Jude chuckles. “Funny story there. Rhys Cooper, meet mywife, Em Wilson.”
I almost laugh at how Rhys’s eyes jump out of his head. “You’re what now? Did I miss an invite in the mail?”
Jude wraps his arm around my waist. “It’s a long story, but Em here is my One.”
Recognition hits Rhys’s expression and it warms as he turns my way, holding his arm out for me. “Well, then. I guess I should be welcoming you to the family.”
“It’s not—” I say at the same time Jude blurts out, “not yet.”Not yet?
Jude’s head swings toward me in slow motion, reminding me of those clown sideshow games at the State Fair. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I said that. It’s just?—”
“Hey,” I say, stepping close and resting my hand on his shoulder as soon as I see the panic written all over his face. “It’s OK. You didn’t say anythin’ wrong. You’re right. We’re not there,yet. Doesn’t mean we’re not well on our way. I don’t think so, anyway.”
I must say the right thing because his panic vanishes and a slow growing smile appears, his gaze melting in front of my eyes. “Yeah, wifey. We’re definitely on our way…”
It’s not until Rhys clears his throat that I remember where we are.Work trip. Second date with your husband but still a work trip, Em.
“Lucky we’ve got a good lot of time before our first stop. Enough to fill me in on whateverthisis,” Rhys waves his hand between us, “but we really should get going. I’ve just finished all my pre-flight checks so we’ll just do a quick safety briefing then hop onboard. Sound good?”
I glance at Jude, happily seeing that his nerves have disappeared and all that’s left is an excited man ready to live out a childhood dream of flying in a helicopter.
And I, for one, can’t wait to be there to witness it.
After loading up my two backpacks into the chopper, Rhys confirms the flight plan and stops with me before the three of us do a quick headset check to make sure we can hear each other.
Rhys flicks a bunch of switches, the engine noise transforming from a high-pitched whine to a loud and thumping mechanical roar as the rotor blades start slicing through the air. I smile over at Jude when he reaches out his hand for mine.
“You OK over there, hubby?” I ask into the microphone.
“Yep. Just tryin’ not to pee my pants.”
I burst out laughing as does Rhys who grins from the pilot’s seat. “I’d recommend youdon’tdo that, cousin,” he chuckles. “We’re not comin’ back to base for at least seven hours and that’sa long time between changing pants. Besides, that’snotthe way to charm your wife.”
“I meant fromexcitement,” Jude implores, “I’m livin’ out my boyhood dreams right now.”
“I hear you,” Rhys replies. “I still get giddy every time I get to fly.”
“It’s yourjobthough.”
Rhys smirks. “Doesn’t mean I don’t love coming to work every day.”