The Chase

Chapter Nine

Monday, April 8

“You all right?You’re awfully quiet, angel.” Seth reached over the armrest to grab her hand.

With the early-morning sun slanting through the plane’s window, Heavenly faced his dissecting expression. “I’m fine. Thinking.”

“About?” Beck quizzed in the seat across from her.

“You two ask a lot of questions.” She ignored the curious glance of the businessman whose plane Gloria had helped them hitch a ride on.

The small aircraft was sleek and luxurious. During her trip to Wisconsin on a similar plane, she hadn’t been in any frame of mind to admire the rich leather, big-screen TV, or sumptuous master suite. Now that she, Beck, and Seth were heading west again, she felt exactly the same—for very different reasons.

“You should get used to that. We want to know what you’re feeling.”

She shrugged at Beck. “After losing Dad, it’s taking me a while to sort out the rest of my feelings. I’m not as overwhelmed as yesterday but…”

“You’re still processing?” Seth asked.

“Yeah.” And now that Dad was where he’d wanted to be, she felt relieved she’d closed that chapter of her life. She had to believe he was at peace, just like she had to believe she would find her future by looking forward, not back. “I’m getting there.”

She had Beck and Seth to thank for that.

“Grief takes time.” Seth pressed tight lips together.

Clearly, he spoke from personal experience. Heavenly wanted to comfort him.

Beck nodded. “So will finding your new normal.”

“I’ll try to stop impatiently wanting everything settled now. We’re going back to LA. I’m willing to give the city another try. How much can I hate it?”

Heavenly caught them exchanging a determined glance. They intended to do whatever it took to make it her home for good. She owed it to them—and her heart—to give it her all.

Seth squeezed her hand. “If it’s any consolation, I’m still getting used to the idea that I’m a West Coast guy now.”

She sent him a little smile. “You don’t sound much like it.”

“You can take the guy out of New York but…”

She’d never want to take New York out of the guy. It would fundamentally change who he was, just like Beck was a reflection of all the places he’d been and everything he’d endured. It was one reason she’d fallen so hard for them both.

And they loved her. She still couldn’t believe they’d said the words. She also couldn’t believe they’d promised—in writing—to help her go. This morning, she’d tucked the note in her purse, torn between relief at having a contingency and never wanting to use it.

Collectively, they fell silent. The businessman pulled a laptop from his briefcase and wandered to a desk in the back. Lulled by the constant hum of the jet’s engines, Heavenly’s lids got heavy. Before she closed them, she realized the guys were drifting off, too. No surprise. Their four-thirty-a.m. wake-up call to catch this six o’clock flight had come early.

A dip of turbulence jolted her awake. From her dry mouth, Heavenly knew she’d been asleep for a while. Beck adjusted in his seat, hands folded over his taut middle, and slept on. Seth’s head lolled to one side. The slanting sun illuminating the disreputable scruff on his jaw didn’t disturb his Zs one bit.

She’d only promised them eight weeks, but did she really want to try life without them? Right now, her heart said no.

When the plane’s attendant appeared at the front of the cabin, Heavenly stepped past the guys and approached.

The woman flashed a professional smile. “Can I get you something, Ms. Young?”

“Water, please. And before we took off, you mentioned hooking up my phone to the plane’s Wi-Fi?”

“Of course.” The impeccably dressed woman demonstrated the procedure. “Now you can stream, text—”

“What about calling someone?”