Page 109 of Bling

Chapter Twenty-Five

“Did you really have to send a limo?” Isabelle said into the phone as she watched her nieces freak out in the driveway, on Friday morning. Garrett’s warm laughter washed over her and calmed her somewhat frazzled nerves.

“Relax, Isabelle. Let them enjoy it. I’m already at the jet, so get your ass in gear and get in the limo.”

She grinned. “Yes, Sir. I’m coming.”

“Not yet, but maybe when we get to the hotel,” he teased.

She shook her head. “Perv.”

Uncle Henry was feeling much better since his assault and had managed to spend three days at work this week. Now he was in the driveway, corralling the girls while the limo driver piled their luggage into the trunk.

“Ready, Daddy?”

Jacob frowned but nodded. Shows of wealth always made him uncomfortable.

Henry and Jacob sat on one seat while Isabelle and the girls sat on the other.

“There’s so much room in here, Aunt Izzy,” Sarah exclaimed.

Isabelle’s phone buzzed and she glanced at it.

I had the driver replace the booze with soda for the girls.

Her heart swelled as she read his thoughtful text. How was it that someone who seemed to have no understanding of how family was supposed to be was capable of such thoughtful moments?

She leaned forward and slid the panel open to show the girls where drinks and ice were.

“Does he have anything stronger in there?” Henry muttered.

Isabelle giggled and passed him her phone so he could read the text.

Henry let out a humph, but she didn’t miss the half smile on his lips for a brief moment.

“There’s a full bar on the plane, Uncle Henry,” she said with a wink as she held a glass steady for Sarah to pour herself a soda.

The ride to the plane was relatively short and she was soon walking up the narrow stairs and through the plane door.

Garrett had met them at the bottom and whisked the girls up the stairs for a tour.

They were looking around, a bit awestruck by the monstrous jet with its luxury interior.

“I’m sure the pilot will show you the cockpit after we take off. Private jets can still get away with that, unlike commercial airliners.”

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary, Mr. Oliver,” Jacob said gruffly as he stepped onto the plane behind Isabelle.

“Oh stop, Dad. Let them have a nice time.”

Jacob just scowled. “Where am I sitting?” he muttered.

“I’ve put you and Henry in these seats here. Isabelle, you’ll sit next to me. The girls can have the bench back by the galley so they can fight over the TV if they want.”

Isabelle smiled tenderly at him. “For not having sisters or daughters, you seem to know a lot about teenage girls.”

Garrett smirked. “Paul and I used to sneak over to the all-girl school when I was a teenager. I figure they can’t have changed much since then.”

“Paul? As in the governor of Colorado, Paul Andrews?” She rolled her eyes when he gave a sheepish nod.

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