Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
I let out a sigh and lean back, closing my eyes. “Gosh, I haven’t talked about it in a long time, but after our parents passed away and it was just Carrie and me… she had extreme nightmares.”
His voice is deep and thoughtful. “I can imagine it was hard for both of you.”
I peek at him through my lashes, and his eyes are filled with concern. I turn my head to look at him fully now. “Yeah, it was, but maybe harder for her. She was eleven. After that, she would have panic attacks if I left her alone. She couldn’t go to school for weeks, she was in therapy trying to learn how to deal with it all, and it helped, but she still had these feelings that something bad was going to happen… to me. That I would leave her. I could barely leave her side. I had to hire someone to sit with her so I could work at the diner at night when she was asleep just so I could make money. It was a mess for a long time, but she got better. A lot better…”
“But?”
I smile sadly. “No, no but. She did get better. She started to excel, she really started to do better after high school and when she met Philip. She still has panic attacks, but he can usually help her through them. He’s really understanding and helpful.”
He nods. “That’s good. That has to be a relief for you.”
I nod. “It is. But she called me last night and told me about a job offer Philip was given. His company wants to promote him, and it’s more money. It would be out of state, but he doesn’t feel like he should turn it down, not with them just starting out.”
Ford is quiet, searching my face, and I see the second he reaches a conclusion. His voice is husky. “And if they go, she thinks you should go too?”
I reach over and put my hand on his arm. “That’s what she said, but I don’t know. We’re going to talk about it when she gets home. Maybe I can go for a few weeks and help her get settled and then come home. I know she’s an adult, but I will always think of her as that little girl that would cling to me. She’s my little sister but—”
He wraps his hand around mine. “But she’s like your daughter. I get it. I understand. Whatever you need to do, we’ll make it work.”
I look at him with eyes wide. “You need an assistant… I can’t expect you to just hold my job for me. Not when everything is so in the air.”
He laces our fingers together. “We’ll make it work. I completely understand your need to be there for Carrie. I would do the same for Ollie. But I want you to know, I’m not just going to let you go, Lilian. I need you.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask him what he means. Does he need me as his assistant or something more? Quickly I push that thought away. One kiss and I can’t seem to get him out of my head. “Well, nothing is set in stone, and I’m going to talk to her and Philip when we get back.”
The pilot comes to stand in front of us. “Ford, we’re ready for takeoff.”
He nods. “Sounds good, Ben. Thanks.”
He looks at me curiously before turning away and walking toward the front of the plane.
“What does Philip do?”
“He does sales. He went to school for marketing, and he’s like a top salesman at the big dealership in Jasper. He’s really good, too, from what I hear. I met his boss at the wedding, and he raved on and on about him.”
Ford nods, and he’s about to pull his hand away when the plane starts to move. I squeeze it and then force myself to let go and squeeze the armrest instead. Ford looks at my white knuckles. “Shit, Lilian. You’ve never flown before?”
I shake my head stiffly. “Nope. I’m fine. We’re fine. No big deal.”
I can feel his eyes on me, and I concentrate on taking deep breaths and letting them out slowly.
He pries my fingers off the leather and then wraps his hand around mine again. He leans toward me so I can feel the heat of his body against my side. He talks to me softly. “The key is to get your mind off of things. Do you want to talk or do you want to listen?”
There’s a slight jerk as the plane starts to pick up speed. The roar inside the cab is loud, and I clench my eyes shut. “Listen. I want to listen.”
I lay my head back and listen to Ford talk. He jumps from one topic to another, and eventually, once we’re up in the air, I can feel myself calm. He holds my hand the whole time, never letting me go. We joke about the first time we met and when I came in for the interview. I still can’t believe he hired me without any experience, but he says he has a good sense about people. We talk about Ollie. We talk about his brothers. We talk so much that I’m surprised when I hear the pilot announce that we are about to land.