a breath. “Seems risky. Besides the fact that I’m a magnet for terrorist plots, I’m also a hot mess inside my head. I need a lot of counseling. The rampant thoughts I’m experiencing are disturbing, far worse than they have been for the last six weeks.”
“You aren’t a magnet for terrorist plots, baby. And yes, you’re gonna need counseling, probably for years. But I’ll be right by your side.”
“For years?”
He narrowed his gaze. “Which one has your breath hitching? The idea of having counseling for years or the idea of me being by your side for years?”
“Yeah. I don’t even know for sure.” She shuddered.
“One day at a time.”
“What did your parents say when you told them we weren’t coming tonight?”
“They were very concerned of course, but they understood why we needed an extra day before we drive out there. And, baby, if you aren’t up to it, we won’t go.”
“You realize we have another problem now, right?” Her eyes were wide. “I have another problem.”
He smiled and kissed her nose. “Yeah, you’re not getting back on a plane again in this decade, are you?”
“Decade? Bracken, I can’t imagine ever flying again, passenger or flight attendant. I’d probably have a panic attack and need to be comatose.”
“I know. I get it. So, we won’t be vacationing in Italy this summer.” He shrugged. “We’ll drive to Iowa. I hear it’s lovely in the fall.”
She giggled. Thank God. “First we have to drive back to Dallas. From Maine.”
He nodded. “No problem. Think of all the sights we can see along the way.”
She stared at him. “You think you have it all figured out, don’t you?”
He shrugged. “Not everything. There are plenty of issues that worry me. But for the short run, yes. I’d like to spend a few days relaxing at my parents’ house and then slowly drive across the country, making our way back to Dallas. I’d like you to trust me to take care of the details so you can relax.” His voice dipped lower. “I’d like you to consider the fact that you’re it for me. I’m not going anywhere. I intend to hold your hand while you work through all this shit, every step of the way. I’d like you to let me hold you at night and wipe your tears when you can’t take it anymore.”
Her breath hitched.
He smiled at her. “I can sense your hesitation. I hate that you’re letting your doubts get between us. If you have actual doubts about me or us, that’s one thing, but I think you’re creating problems that don’t exist because you’re worried I won’t be able to take the heat. I can handle this, baby. I promise. Let me show you.”
A tear slid down her cheek, and he wiped it away.
Yes, he was definitely right. She was pulling into herself. It was perfectly normal. He couldn’t blame her, but he prayed to God she wouldn’t cut him off. “I’m sure we could arrange a phone call with Dr. Rawlins if you want.”
She shook her head. “I just need some time and some sleep.”
He decided to take another angle and face what had happened head-on. “I was incredibly proud of you today. You were under a lot of stress and even more pressure, but when the going got tough, you shoved your own problems to the side and took care of business.”
She nodded, offering him a wan smile. “At least there’s that.”
He stroked her cheek. “Why did you trade places with Shayla?” He knew the answer, but he wanted to see if she knew.
She licked her lips. “I just couldn’t… I mean, I couldn’t watch yet another friend of mine be held hostage while I stood by helplessly.”
He cupped her cheek and held her tight, kissing her forehead. She was fully aware of everything, even her own decisions.
“How was Shayla when you last spoke to her before we left?”
Bex sighed. “She seemed good. Stronger than I expected. Stronger than I felt. She was heading back to Dallas on the next flight. She didn’t want to stay in Portland overnight.”
“I can understand that.” It might have been different if Shayla had been with Bex, but Bex was with Bracken. He felt a little guilty for not doing more to make sure Shayla and the other flight attendant, Raeann, were taken care of. He’d been singularly focused on Bex and making sure she wasn’t going into shock.
Bex reached up to set her palm on top of the back of his hand over