Page 49 of An Enchanted Spring

“You too, nephew. Take care of things if they don’t go as planned,” Aidan said with a finality that, in Emma’s opinion, was a bit unnecessary. Unless this Les character was a dodgy pilot. Or maybe they just said goodbye like this every time.

Well, every family had their weird quirks, she supposed.

“When do things ever go as planned with us?” Colin replied, and they both grinned like fools before pulling each other into a tight hug. They slapped backs, and Emma looked away when she noticed Colin’s damp eyes.

Wow. They really did love each other like brothers, if Aidan’s departure caused this much distress.

“Emma. I can’t thank you enough,” Colin said, pulling her into his arms. The hug surprised her; she felt like she’d had more human contact in the last hour than in the last ten years. She awkwardly hugged him back.

“You don’t have to thank me,” she replied.

“I do.” He lowered his voice. “Can you keep a secret?”

“I’m a publicity manager, remember? Secrets are second nature to me.”

“God, I hope so,” Aidan muttered.

“What was that?” she asked.

“God, I’m ready to go,” he said, louder.

Colin beamed at her, then whispered in her ear, “In all my years of knowing Aidan, he’s never looked so alive. Thanks for letting him take care of you.”

She blushed and managed a nod. She was uncomfortable enough realizing that she needed help; it only made things worse when it was acknowledged.

She gave Colin a little wave as they walked outside, where Cian had a black SUV waiting. She slid into the vehicle, and Cian shut the door behind her. She glanced at Reilly, who was sitting in the front seat. When she caught Aidan’s eye, he didn’t look away. He returned her stare grimly.

“This is not how I wanted to spend my day,” he said, surly.

She laughed, causing Reilly to turn around.

“It’s for the best,” Reilly said pointedly.

“When did you become her sire?” Aidan muttered.

“The moment I met her,” Reilly retorted. His eyes softened when he focused on Emma. “You’re safe with me, lass.”

“But not with Aidan?” she couldn’t help but tease.

“Not even close,” Aidan murmured so only she could hear. Her pulse fluttered. “Cian, what’s our current flight status?”

They pulled directlyonto the tarmac, and Cian drove straight to a private hangar. Before he even had the SUV in park, all doors opened and airport personnel helped Emmaout of the car and into the waiting jet. A cheery flight attendant handed her a mimosa, and a uniformed officer checked their passports and luggage.

Even Aidan MacWilliam couldn’t escape TSA.

Emma looked around in awe. The jet was lushly appointed; the cream-colored seats faced each other in groups of four, a table separating them into cozy conversational areas. Outlets were everywhere, and she hadn’t missed when the flight attendant pressed a button to lower the giant television screen into a discreet compartment in the floor. The minibar at the front of the cabin had a blue light around it, and a door at the back of the cabin stood open, displaying the stewardess’s prep station.

Reilly slid into the seat facing her and let out a heavy sigh. “I hate when Les is the pilot.”

“Why?”

Reilly pouted, transforming instantly from a man to a petulant school boy. “He doesn’t let me in the cockpit.”

Emma stared for a moment, then burst out laughing. “You’re kidding.”

“Nay,” Reilly said, shaking his head sadly. “He follows the rules all the time. Makes for a stodgy life, if you ask me.”

“Stodgy?” she repeated.

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