The Cowgirl's Chosen Love - Vivian Arend Page 0,15
spend a lot of time talking about. Although it had to be said. Having a woman who could deal with a little blood without panicking was a good thing.
Not that he planned to get shot again anytime soon.
In front of them, Lisa pivoted until she could lay her arms over the backrest and speak to Julia. “The fact they have their own plane is out of this world. I can’t tangle my brain around it either. But I will say, after Josiah and I flew first class to London a month ago, I’m very willing to be spoiled.”
“Spoiling is good,” Julia said, smile fixed in place.
But she tugged her fingers free a moment later, staring out the window as the conversation continued around them.
Screw this. Zach slid his arm along the back of the passenger seat then angled to whisper in her ear. “You okay?”
She glanced toward the front of the van before meeting his gaze. “It’s a little overwhelming.”
“The fact our corporation owns a plane? Or that we can use it to make two people who are very important to us extremely happy by letting them get married on their own terms?”
“When you put it that way…” That cute little nose wrinkle was back. “It’s still overwhelming. How many other people do you know who own a private plane?”
“Julia, let it go.”
She offered him a heated glare but changed the topic. “I didn’t have a chance to tell anyone about our fake dating. Except Finn. I caught him in the barn before I met up with you. But my sisters don’t know, and neither does Josiah.”
“Is that really something to worry about right now?” Zach asked. “This is a fun, celebratory getaway. Nobody in Vegas knows us, so it’s not as if we have to put on an act.”
“Right. So there’s no reason for you to hold my hand.”
There was every reason he needed to hold her hand. Also on the necessary list: he needed to stroke her skin and lean in close while he breathed deep enough to send her scent ricocheting through his system.
Give her some damn space.
Easier said than done. He pulled back far enough to offer her a wink. “I like showing my affection. Everyone knows this. Hugs, holding hands…”
“Then you go right ahead and hold Finn’s hand all you want,” she said with a smirk for a second before her jaw dropped. She leaned past him, gaping out the side window. “Holy crap. Is that our plane?”
Tamara had turned down the drive at the small airstrip where the company plane was stored.
“We’ll definitely be taking off on time,” he assured Julia.
She stared in fascination, unaware her entire body was pressed up against his side. She might have been trying to put more physical distance between them when she was alert, but it was clear she was just as comfortable around him as he was around her.
Still, he didn’t want her to realize where she was and panic. He eased back to give her a better view, describing what he knew of the plane and what would happen over the next few minutes so she wouldn’t be taken by surprise.
Julia nodded as he spoke, offering him a real smile as the car came to a stop. “That sounds a lot simpler than the security I remember going through before.”
“Stick by me. If you have any questions, I’ll help.”
Only the instant they poured out of the car, it was clear he had no chance of being the one by her side as they headed onto the plane.
Tamara gave everyone final hugs and kisses, including Julia, who was looking a little wide-eyed.
At least until Tamara stuck a finger in her face. “These two are terrible at taking pictures,” she said, gesturing toward their sisters. “It’s your job to do better. And don’t forget, we want lots of selfies so you’re in the shot as well.”
Brilliant. The tension in Julia’s body vanished as she accepted her walking orders. “I can do that.”
Then she was off, Lisa and Karen sweeping her with them toward the freestanding stairs.
Finn met Zach at the back of the van, passing bags to the crew coming forward to handle them.
His best friend eyed him for a moment.
Josiah stood waiting to one side, arms folded over his chest. The veterinarian had only been a part of their group for the past six months or so, but it was clear he knew how to read a situation.