Pink Slips and Glass Slippers (33 page)

“Sorry, that wasn’t one of my best landings.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” Brooke inhaled his scent and grinned, “Now what?”

“Let me pull into the terminal. I don’t like this storm.”

Brooke scanned the area and didn’t see any jumbo jets, “Where are we?”

“Welcome to Executive Airport Orlando. I’ve been here before, but it’s been a long time.”

A man with orange flashlights guided Chase into what looked like an old arena. He slowed to a stop, then flipped a series of switches. Brooke thought, it’s not like shutting off a car. How does he know what to do?

Chase said, “Sit tight, I’ll help you out,” then slid past her and popped open the hatch. Brooke felt a whoosh, then Chase extended his hand, and said, “Here, take my hand. I don’t want you to sprain your ankle.” She loved the way his eyes danced above his smirk. Gripping his strong hand, Brooke felt a tingle.

Chase stepped backwards down the small ladder without losing his grip on Brooke’s hand. Standing on the concrete, the stench of oil and fuel lingered in the stale air, eradicating her nostrils of Chase’s aroma. He gripped her elbows with both hands and faced her, asking, “Are you sure you’re alright?”

She sensed a deeper meaning in his eyes, a vulnerability. Brooke lowered her voice, “Yes.”

Chase looked like he wanted to say something else, but instead, guided Brooke away from the small craft and into a tiny gate area—with the ambiance of a bus terminal. Chase powered up his smart phone and said, “I hope she found us a car and hotel. You hungry?”

Brooke eyed the two vending machines and hoped that’s not what he meant, saying, “A little.”

Chase’s phone beeped. “Oh good. Keep your fingers crossed while I check voicemail.” Brooke heard a muffled woman’s voice through the cell pressed to his ear. He frowned throughout the message, then said, “Shit.”

Brooke stood still, staring at him. Chase lowered his phone, and said, “Bad news. My travel agent couldn’t find us hotel rooms or even a rental car. The closest hotel is an hour from here, and without a rental car, that’s not even an option.”

Chase said, “I have a pull-out couch in the plane. It’s not that big, but it beats nothing.”

Brooke eyed him and said, “Well, well, isn’t that convenient?”

“I’ll sleep on the captain’s chair. You can have the couch. I’m so exhausted, I could sleep standing up.”

Brooke insisted, “You’re bigger. You can have the pull out—”

“I wouldn’t think of it. The bed’s yours. I’m fine in the chair—it reclines.”

Inside the plane, Chase set up the bed while Brooke viewed from the steps. Her heart raced, she felt a stirring and blushed, unable to control her urges. It had been easy to hate him since the pink slip call, but his side of the story altered her paradigm. Her barriers were falling in his presence. The memories of that night came flooding in.

“All set,” Chase whirled around.

“Thanks.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ve slept in tents before.”

“Good, because unless we get lucky on a car and hotel rooms, we may be backpacking to Disney.”

Brooke laughed nervously, then said, “I don’t care. I just want to find Parker.”

Chase kept his mind preoccupied enough to avoid worrying, but the mention of his son’s name made him cringe. He said, “I’m gonna walk around and give you some privacy to get ready.”

Chase bounded down the steps; Brooke glanced at the chair and guilt overwhelmed her. Brooke considered Chase’s good qualities—marveling at how nice he truly was and how he kept getting more attractive by the minute. Beyond his good looks, he had a kindness that drew her in like a high-powered magnet. She recalled his patience when she hurt her ankle, how he interfaced with other people, devoid of pretense. And now, with
his
son kidnapped by the woman who deserted him, he offered her the comfy bed. He didn’t fit the mold of lawyer, dukie, selfish greedy executive, shark, or snake.

Brooke surveyed outside—coast clear—she pulled off her dress, removed her bra, then slipped on a North Carolina T-shirt and grinned. Let’s see Mister Wonderful when he views Tar Heels.

Brooke laid down on her side, facing the plane’s door and hummed. She heard footsteps, then a knock, “It’s me. Permission to enter…”

Brooke giggled, then said, “Permission granted captain.”

After the whoosh of the door, Chase’s face glowed, his smile illuminated from the hangar’s dim lights. “My, don’t you look cozy.”

“I feel bad. You sure you don’t want the bed?”

“Don’t worry about me,” he pulled the door shut and lowered the lock bar, “I’m fine in my pilot’s chair. It’ll be like the college days.”

Chase broke the silence, “Just to make myself clear, it doesn’t bother me to give you the bed…Wanna know what does tick me off?”

“What?”

“Seeing
that
God-awful shirt. You’re gonna give me nightmares.”

They both laughed, then Brooke said, “Lucky for you I had it in my bag.”

“Tar Heels give me a rash.”

“Very funny. Blue Devils give me…never mind.”

After a brief pause, Chase said, “I’m not even tired now. I feel like I’m a kid on a sleepover.”

Brooke giggled, “Me too.”

Chase inhaled, then said, “On a serious note, thanks for coming along. You’ve helped me keep my mind off things.”

“Don’t mention it. I feel responsible for this mess and I can’t even imagine what you must be going through.”

Chase sighed, then said, “I’m sorry about everything. I…I can’t believe how my words came out so wrong. I’m such an idiot sometimes. I can only imagine how it made you feel.”

Brooke warmed. “I’m glad you weren’t the evil CEO after all.”

“I don’t know how long I can stay a CEO there. I feel like I’m in quick sand—I’ve failed as a husband, I don’t spend nearly enough time with my son, and Pharmical isn’t the same company I joined. I’m sorry about the way they treated you…I wish I had been there—none of this would have happened.”

“That’s sweet of you to say, but, honestly, it was the best thing that could’ve ever happened to me. I feel like a new person. I love working with children—especially Parker. He’s so cute…I just adore him. You must be so proud.”

Chase’s eyes misted. He needed to shift gears or spend the night balling. He said, “We’ve spent all this time talking about me. What about you?”

“What do you want to know?” Brooke’s mouth went dry.

Chase dabbed his eyes, then said, “Why isn’t a gorgeous, intelligent woman like you married?”

Deep breath, then a dry gulp, she said, “I was.” Brooke wanted to change the subject.

“Are you divorced?”

“No, my husband died.”

Silence, then, “I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have asked…”

“No, it’s okay. You told me your personal story, now it’s my turn. You sure you want to know? This could take all night...”

“Of course. I’m wide awake anyway…”

Brooke inhaled deeply, “I married my high school sweetheart—Tanner—we went to Chapel Hill together. He played football, I ran cross country. After college, we married,” Brooke’s eyes moistened.

“If this is too hard for—”

Brooke continued, “No, I’m okay…we were broke, but happy, both working hard, and in love…”

Chase heard Brooke sniffle, then paused, lowered his voice to a near whisper, “What happened?”

“Well, I became pregnant, and we were so happy. Then a few weeks later, we got the news that Tanner had a rare form of leukemia—CML. By the time he went to the doctor, it was stage four. He lost eighty pounds so fast, I lost the baby, then he couldn’t take it anymore…” Brooke couldn’t continue as a tear dropped off her cheek.

Chase climbed out of the cockpit and began caressing Brooke’s hair. He slid his silk handkerchief from his back pocket, and without uttering a sound, handed it to her. Brooke blew into it three times, then said, “I’m sorry—”

Chase placed his finger across her lips and said, “Don’t be. I can’t imagine what you went through.”

Brooke said, “Well, you and I both kinda went through the same thing. I’m not sure what’s worse—suicide or killing yourself with drugs.”

They gazed into each other’s eyes in silence. Eventually, their sadness subsided, replaced by a tranquil comfort. Chase eased in beside Brooke, caressing her hair in soporific strokes, until her eyes closed and her breathing deepened. Holding Brooke, his mind drifted to Parker, who could only fall asleep with his soothing presence. He quietly said a special prayer.

He smiled at Brooke. She even looked cute sleeping. He began murmuring into her ear, “How could I have been such a fool? Why couldn’t I have met you sooner?” Brooke rustled with lips curling, eyes closed; Chase froze.

After Brooke’s breathing returned to a deep wave, he held her and closed his eyes.

***

Where am I?
Panic permeated, her fluttering eyes made it difficult to focus…

His arm wrapped around the back of her shirt. Brooke budged, then realization set in. Brooke relaxed, and recalled the previous night. I don’t remember sleeping with him—did we…She felt for her panties—still on—and breathed a sigh of relief.

Brooke eyed him closely. Chase’s breathing was heavy and Brooke wondered if they slept facing each other all night. Brooke decided not to wake him; his large hand warmed her chilled back.

Settling in, Brooke remembered the sweet things he said—while he thought she was sleeping. He could have easily taken advantage of her; though part of her wished he had, she appreciated how he respected her. Once again, she realized she had misread him, a rare gentleman.

Chase’s eyelids flickered, then popped open. He flinched, then as his pupils focused on Brooke’s deep blue eyes, he grinned. Brooke said, “Good morning sleepy head.”

Chase yawned, then said, “Good morning sunshine. How long have you been awake?”

“I just woke up a minute before you,” she lied, “I didn’t want to disturb your sleep—plus, you’re so warm,” thinking
inside and out.

Chase beamed while his eyelashes lazily blinked. Neither one of them moved; they just looked deep into each other’s eyes. Chase finally said, “Any idea what time it is?”

As Brooke shook her head, Chase slid his hand to rest on her neck, and kissed her.

Brooke pulled back, and said, “It’s time for me to find a toothbrush—and a shower.”

“You’re perfect to me.”

“You need a nose job and glasses.” They both laughed.

Chase’s eyes revealed a deep desire, but the task at hand weighed on him. Before breaking from their cozy cuddle, he said, “I enjoyed our sleep over.”

Brooke smiled and said, “I did too.”

He gazed into Brooke’s eyes one more time, then slid backwards out of bed. Brooke couldn’t help but stare—he looked so cute with his hair tousled, standing in his boxer briefs. Thoughts of Parker flooded in and they kicked into action.

Chase pulled his slacks on, slid into his shoes, and said, “As much as I’d like to watch you dress, I’ll provide you some privacy. I’ll go make a few calls outside where I can pick up a better signal. Come out when you’re ready.”

Brooke propped up on her elbows, with fingers interlocked under her chin and eyed his strut to the exit. She heard a rustling, guessing the giant door to the hangar was opening. She pulled on her dress and ran her hands up and down and sighed.
I’m not sure it’s any better than yesterday
…Brooke squinted through the plane’s tiny window out the large opening and fretted.

Gripping the compact, Brooke utilized a small ration of makeup. She couldn’t untangle her hair, but eyed a cap beside the pilot’s seat—Blue Devils—argh, I’d rather be bald than wear that thing.

She raked her fingers through her hair once more, still unable to ease out the snarls. In bare feet, she eased down the prickly steps to the rough concrete, then slipped on her heels, and strode toward the opening. The rain had paused, but clouds remained.

Brooke spotted Chase, cell pressed to his ear, back turned. He looked mighty fine in khaki’s and collar-less black shirt. She marveled at his v-shaped upper torso and toned bicep—not bad without a shower.

Hearing Brooke’s heels, he spun and smiled, raising his forefinger in the air, saying, “Thanks a million. You’re a lifesaver.”

He clicked the off button as she asked, “Good news?”

“I’ll say. Grab your bag—I found us a car. A cab’s on its way.”

***

“I can’t move.”

“C’mon Rusty, we’re past checkout time and Parker’s starving.”

“Get a late checkout…There’s Cheetos still left in the bag…I need to sleep.”

Heather sneered, “We’re leaving without you—”

“I don’t give a shit!”

“Nice language in front of a four year old,” Heather scrunched her brows, “We’ll be out in the car waiting. I’m gonna go check us out.”

Heather slammed the door before he responded, then faced her wide-eyed son, and said, “I’m sorry, he gets that way when he drinks too much. I wish he wouldn’t…” She surveyed the street, and said, “Hey, you wanna go to Waffle House?”

“Do they have Mickey Mouse waffles?”

Heather laughed, “I don’t know—let’s go find out. Rusty’ll be a while, I bet. It’s best to let him sleep.”

***

“Why won’t he answer?” The cabbie sped toward the Orlando airport. Alamo held his reservation for the one available rental car in the entire area. A full-sized SUV—with tinted windows—and, if no hotel rooms became available, it would do.

“Who won’t answer?” Brooke asked.

“Oh, my private eye. After what I paid him, he better not have run out on me.”

“It’s too bad we can’t call the cops…”

The cab driver glanced into his rearview mirror; Chase gripped Brooke’s knee and she took the hint, mouthing
sorry
to Chase. They rode in uncomfortable silence.

Once inside the airport, Brooke went to the restroom while Chase stood in the line that extended beyond their rope barriers. She still had some unresolved questions. Chase seemed too perfect last night—he had to be hiding something. She resisted asking him about the woman he escorted into the hotel, but was dying to know the truth. Brooke contemplated calling Melissa—the only person she trusted with her keys—to have her open the infamous
package,
but she didn’t want her to see the note. Not until she could see it first. And, she wanted to see a picture of Heather.
All of this has to wait.