Storm Watch (eBook)

Chapter II

The woman didn’t appear to be in a hurry as she swayed gently toward concourse C. It didn’t seem to matter that she only had mere minutes to walk the quarter mile to her plane’s boarding gate. There was something about her that made every eye turn and take notice. The black suede jeans, jade silk shirt, and black leather jacket showed off a voluptuous figure. The smooth gait in suede jade pumps smacked with sophistication.

Therrin searched through his wallet for his American Express card as he stood in the long line at the Hertz rental booth. A hypnotic fragrance captured his senses and forced his gaze in the direction of the exotic breeze. As his eyes made their point of contact, his heart lurched in recognition. It was her. He couldn’t believe it. After all, he hadn’t seen her in years. Therrin himself followed the swaying figure down concourse A, B, and finally, C, mindlessly maneuvering in and out of the heavily populated boarding areas. He couldn’t take his eyes off the back of the long, flowing burgundy halo that waved to him like a flag.

Someone bumped him hard, so hard that it jostled his bag, causing the clasp to break free. Dress shirts, T-shirts, socks, along with a variety of other clutter scattered in a free fall across the width of the concourse.

“Damn!” He glanced for a brief moment at the mess, only to look up and find that he’d lost his mirage. Therrin stared at his disgruntled belongings. He allowed himself to laugh aloud at the disgusted glares he was getting from the sea of faces around him. No one stooped below the dignity of the harried airport traveler to help him retrieve his things. He grunted as he too disappeared into the jumbled crowd, leaving behind several hundred dollars’ worth of designer labels.

Therrin hurried on in the direction he had last seen the woman. He almost passed by the passenger waiting area when he caught a glimpse of her heading up the ramp. The flight attendants were about to close the doors when he scrambled in.

“Excuse me, sir,” a gorgeous redhead drawled. “Are you on this
flight?”

Therrin blinked. “Uh, well, you see I was on standby and…”

A hand beckoned for the ticket he didn’t have.

“I lost all of my luggage back on your concourse, trying to get the last damn flight…out. You want my ticket? Go join the blue light special! I doubt if there’s anything left by now!” he spoke quietly, smugly. He hoped he won.

There was only a brief hesitation. “I’m sorry, sir. We do need a ticket…”

Time to get black! “If that ain’t a—”

Airport security walked up. “He’s right. All of his stuff was scattered.” One of the unarmed airport guards snorted.

The senior flight attendant didn’t hesitate. “Sorry about that, sir. We’ll try to recover as much as we can.” She nodded to the security guards, who disappeared as quickly as they had appeared, and Therrin found himself being ushered quickly up the ramp to the plane’s narrow entrance.

Once inside the plane, Therrin was aghast. Now what? His heart pounded furiously.

Have I lost my mind? Where am I going?

“Sir?” It was the senior flight attendant again. Was he imagining all this, or was she trying to hit on him? “We’ll need a credit card to phone in to the ticket counter.” He handed her the slightly damp plastic he had been clutching in his hand. She smiled sweetly. “We’re not very full tonight, so you can just find a seat and make yourself comfortable.”

The woman snuggled down into her seat. The plane was cold. She wished she hadn’t worn such a thin blouse. Inwardly, she smiled at the thought of the fresh ocean air and warm sunshine that awaited her in Brookings, her new home. Her lips curved slightly.

Their eyes locked at that exact moment. His heart skipped a beat. She still had that same beautiful, serene face and that secret little smile that invited you to discover her world.

She saw the man. Where had she seen him before? In the airport? No. She frowned slightly. Before that. There seemed to be something very familiar about him.

The Fasten Your Seat Belts bell was chiming, and another flight attendant was welcoming the passengers and announcing their destination. Now it was Therrin’s turn to frown. Brookings? Where the hell was Brookings? He paused briefly in the aisle, trying to catch up with his reeling senses.

The woman arched her eyebrows ever so slightly and turned toward the dark window.

She could still see his boyish reflection. He was quite handsome. Dark complexion and dreamy large eyes deepened by dark circles. Speaking of which, Eunique stared back at her own reflection.

Two days ago, she had left Max. Left him, her life, her belongings, everything that made sense in her now-senseless life. Now this. Brookings. Eunique’s eyes fluttered softly, closing then opening. She was startled to find the man’s eyes in the reflection of the window, searching hers. What the hell? She bit back the annoyance that stirred on her lips. She didn’t like anyone staring at her.

“Excuse me! I’m expecting someone in this seat!” She jerked around to face him. He seemed amused. “Yes, me!”

“Pardon me?”

The flight attendant was back. “Uh, Mr. Gamble, are you sure you’re on the right flight, sir? We could find no—”

“Of course I’m on the right flight! This is heading to Brookings, isn’t it?” He didn’t take his eyes off the woman seated next to him, who was now wearing a scowl on her face.

“Well, yes, but—”

“Did you go ahead and charge my ticket?” He took command quickly and finally.

“No, but—”

“What time are we going to arrive in Brookings? I have business.”

“We’ll be landing there shortly after ten thirty Oregon time, sir.”

“That’ll work.” He smiled smugly and turned his full attention back to his seat companion. “Sorry, I’m not usually this rude, but I’ve had a really rough night.”

“Well, it’s going to get rougher if you don’t get out of my seat!” The woman’s voice was low and sweet.

“Is that a promise?” He was beginning to enjoy himself.

“Look, there are plenty of empty seats around, so why don’t you just excuse yourself and go find one, okay?”

Before he could reply, the plane began to taxi down the runway, and almost simultaneously, they were pressed into their seats as the aircraft took to the air. Therrin closed his eyes tightly. Is this some kind of breakdown? What am I doing here next to this…this…

“Your card, sir.” It was that silly flight attendant again.

“Drinks?” he asked, grateful that apparently there wasn’t going to be any further scene.

“We’ll be serving in just a few moments. What can I get for you?” The flight attendant leaned down to take a closer look at the five-o’clock shadows.

“Beer.” He winked at the woman stiffly seated next to him. “How about you?”

“I don’t drink,” she hissed.

“Perrier for the lady,” he gave the not-so-happy flight attendant the order.

“Look, I know you’re just trying to be nice, but please—”

“You don’t remember me, do you?” Therrin sat up a little in the seat and gave her his most serious stare.

“Am I supposed to?” she retorted, scanning her memory. He loved the way her thoughts mirrored in her face and eyes. She had the most expressive countenance he’d ever seen.

“Don’t worry, I’m almost never insulted,” he chuckled at her rebuff. She deliberately turned away from him, refusing to allow herself to be drawn any deeper into this ridiculous spar. He watched her closely with an amused grin on his face.

She picked through her well-organized purse, lightly fingering her compact, lipstick brush, and credit card holder. The stranger’s aggressiveness was disconcerting.

“Here you go.” It was another flight attendant back with their beverages. “Ice, hon?”

“That’s fine,” he responded for the woman, ignoring the attendant’s obvious lack of finesse. He was well schooled in women’s games. “Just leave that and the glass,” he dismissed her abruptly. His seat companion was peeved.

This handsome stranger was far too self-confident.

She glared at him as he poured her sparkling water over the ice and handed the beverage to her. She started to ignore the gesture but decided not to risk a spill on her silk blouse. She continued to avoid his direct gaze. He smiled with that funny, lopsided grin that had provoked many a courtroom adversary yet convinced many a juror. She sipped her drink, glad that it was not tomato juice. She watched him out of the corner of her eye as he poured his beer into the flimsy plastic cup. At least he has a little savvy. She smirked inwardly. He took a long, slow swig, leaned his head back against the seat, and closed his soulful big eyes. She turned and stared at him openly, trying to recall who he was.

“Therrin Gamble,” he said without opening his eyes. She was annoyed that he knew she had been watching him. She decided not to answer him but instead set her own beverage on the little pull-down table in front of her and continued rummaging absently through her purse.

“You used to work for Jorgenson and...