Page 11 of Landon

“Vague answer, but I get it,” she said with a soft chuckle, her smile inviting him to continue.

He considered her for a moment longer, then decided to give her a glimpse into his world. “The tasks can be anything from designing intricate security systems to escorting high-profile clients out of the country and conducting investigations. We work with government contracts as well as private clients.”

“Like the Fugates.”

“Yes.” He nodded.

She studied him, her gaze searching but not invasive. “You like what you do.”

It wasn’t a question, just a quiet observation, but it hit him with surprising accuracy. He realized she had been reading him, peeling back the layers with a perceptiveness that felt both unsettling and oddly comforting. For a man used to being the one observing, being on the other side was a rare experience.

Staring into her eyes, he felt an unexpected sense of ease. She didn’t press him for details he couldn’t share nor did she make assumptions about his work—no clichéd ideas of glamorous bodyguarding or action-packed missions. She simply saw him, and that recognition stirred something deep within him.

Jana came back around with dinner trays. He grinned as Noel’s eyes widened at the fare. “Better than the meals served when squished in your seat?”

Laughter burst forth from her. “I’ve never flown far enough to get a meal on an airplane. I always had to buy my snacks from the airport before the flight. But then, I often didn’t have any room to get them out of my bag. This is… well, let’s just say I’ve never had a case where I was offered this treatment. I might get spoiled.”

Mike had woken up, and though they sat on opposite sides of the plane, he followed Noel’s lead by swiveling his seat toward the center, making conversation easier for the three of them. Landon leaned back, opting to mostly listen as Mike launched into a series of animated ranching stories.

Noel, ever the gracious conversationalist, smiled warmly, asking thoughtful questions about the ranch and showing genuine interest in the details Mike shared. Her eyes sparkled as she listened, her soft laughter punctuating his more humorous anecdotes. Landon admired her ability to engage, even as Mike’s tales grew more repetitive and overly enthusiastic.

After finishing his meal, Landon grew weary of Mike’s effusive chatter. Thankfully, the older man finally leaned back and soon drifted off to sleep, his snores filling the cabin.

Despite the tediousness of Mike’s stories, Landon had managed to glean a few valuable insights about the Fugates that could impact the mission. Mike had been summoned to the ranch house in the middle of the night and had been present for the family discussions about Pamela’s latest manipulative scheme—holding her own children hostage to extract more from Stan. It struck Landon as peculiar that the head ranch manager would be involved in such a sensitive, personal matter.

Mike’s familiarity with Tad and Penny was evident. He had known them since birth and clearly cared for them. But his loathing for Pamela was equally palpable. His face twisted with a sneer every time her name was mentioned, the disdain in his voice unmistakable.

Landon couldn’t help but question how impartial Mike could be when they eventually faced Pamela. The family might have intended to send a familiar face to comfort the kids, but Mike’s personal feelings could easily complicate things. Landon glanced across the cabin at the snoring man, and his mind churned with possibilities. He needed this mission to go smoothly—no unexpected confrontations or emotional outbursts.

But as he watched Mike, sprawled out and oblivious to the world, Landon couldn’t shake the unease settling in his gut. He had seen too many missions take unexpected turns when emotions ran high, and Mike was a wild card he couldn’t fully predict.

Noel’s eyes were closed, and he heard the slow, rhythmic breathing of sleep and smiled. He quietly stood and then walked toward the front of the plane. After using the restroom, he stepped out to see Jana putting away some of the food.

She twisted her head and smiled. “Is there anything I can do for you, Mr. Sommers?”

“I wondered if you knew anything about the storm approaching?”

“I’m afraid not, but I can have the pilot talk to you. I know we’re supposed to have a quick turnaround in Jamaica.”

“I’d appreciate any information the pilot can offer. That will help with my planning to know how much time we’ll have on the ground before we need to get back into the air.”

Jana contacted the cockpit, and momentarily, a woman in a pilot uniform stepped out. “Hello, Mr. Sommers. I’m the copilot. I was going to talk to you when we were closer, but now is a good time. I’m sure you’re aware of the hurricane approaching the Caribbean. The worst should be north of Jamaica. We hope that the time you will need to get from the airport to where you’ll take charge of the children won’t be more than three hours. That will give you time to return to the airport, and we can safely get into the air ahead of the storm. If not, we may have to depart to safety and come back to pick you up later.”

He nodded, glad to hear they would have that much time. “Okay, that should be doable. The children’s mother is supposed to have everything ready. I don’t know what the internet will be like for electronic documents, so I’ll need a few minutes with her, but then we should be ready for you to take off well within your timeframe.”

“Excellent, sir.”

He thanked the copilot and Jana, then returned to his seat. For the next few hours, he tried to focus on the upcoming transaction but found his attention continually glancing over to see Noel sleeping peacefully.

6

“Oh God, how long was I out this time?” Noel blinked rapidly, her vision clearing to find Landon’s eyes on her, his lips twitching in the barest hint of a smile. She couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. She was determined to coax a full smile from him before their trip ended.

“Not too long,” he replied smoothly. “And don’t worry—no snoring, no drooling. Although,” he added with a mischievous glint in his eyes, “you might have mumbled a bit while sleeping.”

Her eyes widened in alarm. “Really? What did I say?” A wave of anxiety rushed through her.Please, God, don’t let it be about how ridiculously attractive I find him.

A deep chuckle escaped him, a rich, warm sound that settled in her chest, making her heart skip a beat. She still yearned for a wide smile, but this laugh—oh, she’d take that any day.

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