Page 49 of Chocolate Cherry Cabin

“Are you crazy? I’m not letting you fly me anywhere.”

“Why not?”

“Because if I get mad I can’t just get out and walk home.”

Louis chuckled before realizing she might actually be serious. “Please?”

“No.”

“I promise I won’t fight with you. Although that might be very boring for both of us.”

“I doubt a flying adventure with you could ever be boring.”

“It’s less risky than driving. Most days.”

Louis loved being in the air. The freedom of it, the way his mind felt more open than it ever did while he was on solid ground. Ideas came to him. Songs and musical chords.

“What does that mean?” she asked doubtfully.

“Statistically, car accidents happen much more often.”

“Have you ever flown anyone out of this grass-runway airport?”

“I have.” Originally, he’d landed here with a woman in need of a safe place after an attack in the ocean town of Indigo Bay. Sheriff Conroy Johnson had found him in the right place at the right time. While Louis still didn’t know much about the situation, he knew the woman had hidden out at a nearby ranch until things blew over. But that day, circling the familiar landmarks and then setting down on the grassy landing strip had brought back memories. Good ones that had made him miss the town and had stirred the desire to return one day.

“Come fly with me,” he coaxed. “You’ll like it.”

“I’m still stuck on your claim that it’s safemost days?”

Louis didn’t reply, simply watched her debate playing hooky with the plans she’d already made for herself. He knew she had several days off. Most likely bored and alone. What could be more appealing than an adventure?

“Let’s go play,” Louis urged. “Let me show you the town from above.”

“Today?”

“Yup. Right now.”

He resisted the urge to check his watch. They had time for a quick flight before he had to be in the city to catch a commercial flight to his game a few hundred miles away.

It was now or never—not just for his schedule, but for hers. Soon Calvin and the boys would be back and she’d have too many distractions and reasons not to go play.

“You think I need to run away from my problems?” she asked. The wind was toying with her ponytail, flicking strands that curled around her face.

“They’ll all still be there when you land.”

“You think I need perspective then?”

“Why can’t you let loose?”

“Why do you always push?”

He shifted closer to her, under the large oak that bordered their properties. “Why do you always say no?”

“Why, Louis?”

“Because I want to see you smile.”

She shot him a grotesque grin. “Satisfied?”

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