Page 8 of Landon

Once parked, Landon alighted, and by the time the driver opened her door, Landon was there with an outstretched hand to assist her down. Noel placed her hand in his, and her breath caught in her throat at the feel of his long fingers wrapping around hers. The same surge of warmth she felt earlier coursed through her again, confirming it wasn’t a one-off reaction.

The moment her feet touched the ground, the connection broke, but not before she noticed the slight furrow in Landon’s brow, as if he, too, was puzzled by the lingering sensation. He turned away, heading toward the back of the SUV. Noel followed, her heart still fluttering slightly. The driver opened the trunk, and Landon grabbed their bags before she could even offer to help.

“I’ve got it,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. He nodded toward the small, sleek jet parked nearby. “This is their jet.”

“Oh,” Noel muttered, the word slipping out before she could stop it. As they walked toward the jet, a giggle bubbled up unexpectedly.

Landon glanced back over his shoulder with a quizzical look in his eyes.

She shook her head quickly. “Sorry. It’s just… I’ve never flown on anything other than a commercial airline. You know, crammed in with a hundred strangers, usually stuck between two people who invade my personal space.” She gestured toward the jet. “This? This is way out of my league.”

His gaze held hers for a moment longer, and she felt the heat of his attention. Even as they walked, she fought the urge to squirm under his scrutiny.

Landon stepped aside at the base of the jet’s steps, gesturing for her to go first. As she climbed, she couldn’t help but think of the romance novels she read at night. The thought made her wince, her cheeks heating.

She shook her head, trying to banish the thought. Romance novels were a secret love of hers, a guilty pleasure that offered a refuge from the harsh realities of her job. People often dismissed them as fluff, but she knew better. They provided hope, a reminder of the beauty in connection and the possibility of a happily ever after, even in a world often filled with pain andhardship. And in her business, sometimes seeing the worst of what can be done to a child, her evening escape into romance helped to balance the scales of emotions in her weary mind.

As she entered the plane and looked around the interior, she tried to cover her wide-eyed expression of awe.Toto… I’m sure as hell not in Kansas anymore.She chalked up her wavering attention to finding herself in an unusual and exceptionally different atmosphere than she was accustomed to.

Her job was either spent in a cramped office, the courtroom, or various homes that ranged from the wealthy to the poor. Flying on a private jet was not something she’d ever expected to do, much less on the job. She had seen photographs of ultra-rich jets before. This one was probably modest compared to many, but the plush leather seats facing each other with small tables between were a luxury she had never experienced.

“Hello, I’m Jana. You must be Ms. Lennox and Mr. Sommers.” An attractive woman in a flight attendant uniform walked from the front with a pleasant smile. She looked at Landon and indicated where he could stow their bags. He stepped around the two women, placed their bags into a bin, then turned toward Noel.

Uncertain where to sit, she hesitated, her gaze moving between Jana and Landon. “Do I sit somewhere special?” she asked.

Jana smiled. “No. Sit anywhere you like. I’ll bring out refreshments when we’re in the air.”

Nodding her thanks, Noel moved to the closest chair, ensuring it was near a window, and sat down. The plush leather seat was contoured to fit the human body, and she felt cradled. Even the seat belt buckle was shiny.

She glanced up, curious to see where Landon would sit, when another man walked through the doorway, his gaze circling the interior.

“Mr. Westerly,” Jana greeted. She showed him where to stow his bags and asked what he’d like to drink once they were in the air.

His gaze didn’t return to Noel but held Landon’s with a steely expression. The two men shook hands as they introduced themselves.

“Mike Westerly. I’m the chief ranch manager for Mr. Fugate. Been with the family for a long time. Stan and his parents wanted the kids to see a familiar face. They figured that’d make them more at ease.”

“Hello,” she greeted. “I’m Noel Lennox.”

He inclined his head. His broad shoulders and sturdy frame bore the mark of a life spent tending to the land. Deep lines etched his sun-kissed skin, offering evidence of countless days spent under the relentless sun and in the biting cold of early mornings. His thick and neatly combed silver hair framed a face that exuded quiet authority and wisdom. He dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt with the Fugate logo stitched over his heart.

Landon lifted a brow. “We didn’t meet you at the ranch?—”

“No, no… sorry about that. I was trying to make sure everything would run smoothly while I was away. Just made it back to say goodbye to Thurston and the family before I came here. It’s real nice to meet you two. It’ll be good to get those kids away from that bitch.”

Before Mike could claim a place to sit, Landon deftly moved to the seat closest to Noel. He sat facing her, with only the small table between them. Mike turned, moved to the opposite side of the plane, and settled into a seat.

Stunned at the added person to their group and surprised that the Fugates didn’t mention someone else coming with them, she noticed Landon’s assessing gaze on her. She made bug eyes at him as her lips curved. His gaze dropped to her mouth, and hislips twitched. The situation was surreal, and she wondered what other surprises were ahead.

She mouthed, “Anyone else coming with us?” Landon shook his head and pulled out his phone. Noel wondered if he was checking in with his employer. She sighed as his attention stayed on his phone and pulled out her e-reader. It appeared her flight to Jamaica would be spent reading since, so far, Landon had seemed to be a man of few words. When she glanced to the side, Mike had earbuds in, and his fingers flew over his phone keyboard.

As the jet taxied down the runway, the hum of the engines grew louder, and Noel instinctively gripped the armrests. Her knuckles whitened as the plane surged forward, lifting off the ground with a rush of power. The sensation of being propelled skyward made her stomach lurch, leaving her feeling momentarily untethered. It wasn’t until she noticed Landon’s steady gaze on her hands that she realized how tightly she was holding on.

“Sorry,” she muttered, forcing her fingers to relax, though her heart still raced. “I don’t fly often. It always feels like my stomach stays on the ground while the rest of me hurtles down the runway.”

Landon gave a small nod, his expression softening, a hint of understanding in his eyes. “No problem. Would ginger ale help?” Before she could respond, he turned his head and called over his shoulder. “Jana? Can you bring some ginger ale for Ms. Lennox?”

“Certainly,” the efficient attendant agreed, disappearing behind the deep blue and gold curtain that separated her area from the passengers' sight. Moments later, she returned, gliding gracefully through the slight sway of the aircraft. In her hands, she carried a crystal tumbler filled with amber liquid.

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