Page 46 of Shattered Dreams

“I think you’re right.” I hug him and say, “Thank you for trusting me.”

“You’ve earned it. I’m proud of you.” He kisses the top of my head. “Ready?” he asks Stella, eager to go.

She nods, squeezes my hand, and scoots into the SUV.

“If you need anything, call,” Zane says, eyeing the plane, his greenish hue darkening.

“You better go or you’re going to throw up all over the place. I’ll be fine. I’m not worried about flying. I’m really not.”

“Good. Mel will let me know she’s got you, but text me too, okay?”

“I will.”

He hugs me tightly and quickly and climbs behind the wheel. Stella waves, and he drives off the tarmac leaving me alone with the flight attendant who’s standing on the staircase waiting for me to board.

I shiver and turn toward the plane. The wind’s sharp, and I want to get out of the cold.

A black truck speeds toward the private airstrip, and I frown. It’s not Zane’s SUV. He rounded a corner to reach the airport’s exit, and I don’t see his vehicle anymore. Maybe it’s Gage. Maybe he changed his mind and wants to say goodbye after all, but as the truck nears, my heart thuds in disappointment. The truck isn’t the same make and model as Gage’s. The windows are darker, and the box looks shorter. Perhaps the driver’s lost. The airport’s huge and he could have made a wrong turn.

“Miss Maddox?” the pilot asks, jerking my attention away. “If you want to land on time, you should find a seat.”

“Yes, of course.” I place my foot on the bottom step of the staircase.

The truck skids to a halt where Zane and Stella’s SUV was parked only moments ago and the driver’s side door flings open.

“Zarah!”

“Jerricka?” I ask, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

Leaving the truck’s door wide open, she strides toward me, her arms outstretched. She’s vibrant against the gleaming white snow wearing a black dress and dark green winter coat. Her hair is loose, blowing in the wind, and sunglasses hide her eyes. She’ssmiling, her lips coated in the red lipstick she favors, and a hint of Chanel Number Five drifts to me.

“Zarah, I’m so glad I caught you. I remember you telling me you were planning a vacation. Where are you going?”

“I’m visiting a friend out of state.” My mind scrambles as she hugs me. Did I tell her I was leaving or is she keeping track of me?

“Are you? That’s wonderful. It’s always nice to get away.”

Wanting to board, I extract myself from her embrace. The pilot disappeared into the cockpit and the flight attendant stands expectantly, shivering, waiting for me. “Yes, it is. I’ll call you when I’m back, and we can schedule dates and times for my next sessions.”

“I actually have a better idea. Can we go inside? Will you let me speak to you before you leave?”

Hesitating, I look to the flight attendant, but she offers nothing. Technically, I’m her boss, and she’ll do whatever I want.

“I guess that would be all right,” I say, gripping the rail and stepping up the staircase. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Coffee would be magnificent.” She crowds behind me as if she’s afraid I’m going to get onto the plane without her.

“Will you tell the pilot I need a few minutes?” I ask the flight attendant. “And Dr. Solis would like a cup of coffee. Cream and sugar, too, please.”

“Do you want anything, Miss Maddox?”

“No. I’ll wait until I’m in the air.”

We sit in a conversational area designed for business meetings, and I place my purse on the seat next to me and wiggle out of my coat. Smoothing my hair of static electricity, I ask, “Jerricka, what’s so urgent this couldn’t wait?”

I sound professional, not like the whiny, whimpering patient I am during our sessions.

She slips off her sunglasses and studies me, her eyes sharp. “I was hoping I could run something by you and see what you think.”

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