Page 8 of Max's Mission

They headed for the car, stowing the luggage in the cargo area of the SUV, before climbing inside.

The drive up the coast was an easy one, and they were soon pulling into the airport. Ezra flashed his ID at a guard, who recognized him and waved them through with a smile.

“It’s nice knowing people who know people,” Margot commented. “I hate airport security.”

“I wish I could fly you all the way to North Dakota. But Brooke’s got several board members coming in, and she asked me to take them on some helicopter tours, so I’m stuck here.” Ezra glanced at her in the rearview mirror.

“It’s fine. We’ll manage. Going through security alone will be a breeze. I’m upset about leaving the girls behind, but I will not miss lugging a stroller and two cooped-up toddlers through an airport.”

Max hid a grin. It’d be more of a breeze than she knew. Their first-class seats meant they could go through the expedited line.

Ezra pulled up near a hangar and parked. Brooke’s plane with her company’s logo sat outside. For this leg of the trip, Max had insisted on paying for the fuel and Ezra’s time. Brooke had protested, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. She did enough for them, and he never wanted her to feel like they took her for granted. She’d sicced Ford on him, but Max had simply handed him the check and told him to do whatever he wantedwith it if she wouldn’t accept it. Brooke’s company had founded a non-profit to help the local impoverished people. He figured Ford would add it to their coffers as an anonymous donation. Margot didn’t know he’d paid her, and he didn’t intend to enlighten her. He also didn’t plan to tell her that the money she gave him for her flight and for the hotel, he’d put into a high-yield savings account. Someday, all the money would go to the twins. He didn’t need it.

Getting out, they grabbed their luggage and headed for the plane. Ezra unlocked the cargo compartment, and he and Max stowed the bags. Once that was done, he lowered the stairs. “You two can go get situated. I have to do a few pre-flight checks, then we can get going.”

“Sounds good.” Max motioned for Margot to precede him onto the plane.

“Where do you want to sit?” She glanced back as she walked into the main cabin.

“Wherever.”

She picked two leather seats facing each other, with a small table in between. Stowing their bags, they settled in.

“You know, I don’t think I’ve thanked you for coming with me and for setting all this up.” Margot gestured to their surroundings. “Once again, you’ve put your business on hold to help someone else. Thank you.”

He waved a hand, then folded them over his stomach as he relaxed into his seat. While he was independently wealthy thanks to some wise investments with his military retirement and hazard pay, he couldn’t sit at home all day and do nothing. The boredom would drive him insane. So, he took tourists on speedboat tours of the coastline and offered parasailing adventures. “It’s not a problem. It mostly runs itself. I’ve hired a great crew. They flew into action when I called and haverearranged the schedule to accommodate my absence. I can keep up with the paperwork while we’re gone. It’s all online.”

“Well, I still appreciate it. I know I balked at you coming, but I’m glad now you didn’t listen. I don’t want to be alone when I do this.”

“I know.” He sent her a cocky smile, trying to lighten the mood. “And I knew then too.” Honestly, he was a bit uncomfortable with her thanks. He wasn’t here for that. He was just here for her.

The team liked to tease him that he had a thing for Margot. He always denied it, said she was just a friend. And that was true. She was his friend. But the truth was, he did have feelings for her. Margot was sweet and kind. Her soft, shy smile had drawn his attention the moment he met her. There was an elegance and a grace about her that just made her—special. As he’d gotten to know her and she’d opened up more, the attraction had only grown. She was brilliant, funny, sassy, and a wonderful mom.

He kept his feelings to himself, though, because he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. When they met, she was reeling from her husband’s betrayal. She didn’t need some guy fawning all over her. She needed a friend. Someone she could lean on and trust to be there. He’d done everything he could to be that person.

Margot chuckled. “Sometimes, it’s scary how well you know me. I mean, I know we spend a decent amount of time together, but we’ve only known each other a year. There are times where you know what I need before I’ve even figured out what’s wrong.”

He lifted a shoulder. “I pay attention. And you can’t sit there and tell me you don’t know the little quirks about me. Shall I remind you of the Saltillo tile incident?” He arched an eyebrow. She’d let the twins fingerpaint on his Saltillo tile floors. She’dcovered the tile with a tarp and paper, but hadn’t told him that until after he’d panicked.

She rolled her lips inward, amusement dancing in her eyes as she tried to suppress a laugh and failed. “Oh yeah. Sometimes, it’s just too easy.”

“I was sick, too, so more easily fooled.”

“Mmm-hmm, sure. Keep telling yourself that.”

One side of his mouth lifted. “I will.”

They kept their conversation light while they waited on Ezra to finish. Max asked about the progress on the clinic and learned they were closer to being open than he’d thought. It would be a great asset to the community, for the rural populations, especially, once it opened. Soon, they’d be hiring office staff, then clinical staff.

When Ezra ascended the steps and closed the door, Max was happy to see some of the sadness had left Margot’s eyes.

“All right, let’s get in the air, shall we?” Ezra stepped toward the cockpit. “If you need something, just come up front. There are drinks in the fridge here.” He pointed to a panel on the wall. “And snacks in the cabinets. It’s a quick flight, so we should be there shortly.”

“Thanks, Ezra,” Max said. “I think we’ll be fine.”

With a nod, Ezra disappeared.

True to his word, the flight was quick. About an hour after they took off, they touched down in San José. Max helped Margot down the steep stairs, then they retrieved their bags from the cargo hold. They piled into a car near the hangar, and Ezra drove them to the international terminal. Pulling into the drop-off lane, he parked, then helped Max retrieve the bags from the trunk.

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