Chapter Nineteen
Eli got Kinley settled in one of the comfortable plane seats and made sure her seatbelt was on. He smiled at the way she looked around the inside of one of his family’s private jets.
“It’s like one of those movie planes,” she commented.
He grinned. “I’ve never had to ride a public plane. I don’t think I could handle the crush of people.”
The engines started to rev, and he reached for a file he wanted to work on when he noticed Kinley began to get anxious and took her hand. “Have you ever been on a plane before, honey?”
She nodded. “When I was little with my parents.”
“You didn’t like it?”
“It was fine. It’s just my parents … died in a plane accident when I was sixteen.”
Dammit, he should have known this. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t know. I’ll hold your hand the whole time, and then we can drive back to Arkansas if this is too much for you.” He had so many other questions but thought it was the wrong time to ask.
She turned her head and smiled at him. “Just being here with you helps. I know you won’t let anything happen to me.”
He bent toward her and growled in her ear. “You’re damn right, I won’t.”
He chuckled when she shivered, so he pressed a kiss to her temple and sat back.
The ride was smooth, and a tailwind got them there faster than the crew predicted.
He walked with her toward the car his father had waiting for them, never letting go of her hand. In his other hand, he had both of their bags. They hadn’t packed a lot because he planned on taking her shopping, and he still had a lot of clothes at his condo in Virginia.
He pulled her under his arm as they sped down the highway. He got a kick out of watching Kinley look right and left, trying to take in everything at once.
“It’s so big and busy.”
He chuckled. “Yes. I tell you, I’m getting used to the slow pace of Arkansas, and I really like it.”
“I do, too. It’s very different from Nebraska. I like Arkansas much better.”
“Good, because we’re going to be there a long time.”
She smiled at him.
Eli waited for the driver to open his door, got out, and then helped Kinley out. He took her hand and led her into the building where his condo was.
“Well, hello, Mr. Turner. It’s good to have you back.”
“Hello, Charlie. How are you and your family?”
“They are doing well. Thank you for asking.”
Eli caught a look in Charlie’s eyes when he glanced at him and then Kinley.
“Charlie, I want you to meet my girl, Kinley. Baby, this guy is the boss of the building.”
Kinley giggled and held a hand out. “It’s nice to meet you.”
He shook her hand. “You, too.”
Eli caught a peculiar look in the man’s eyes. “What?”
“Um, it’s just, may I speak with you privately?”
Eli nodded and led Kinley to a chair and set their bags down. “You stay there. I’ll be right over here.”
“Okay.”
“All right, what’s going on?”
Charlie cleared his throat. “It’s just your fiancée has been here a few times.”
“My what?” he asked softly so as not to startle Kinley.
“She’s been here a few times. She said she was taking measurements.”
A low burning sensation started to build in him. “What was her name?”
“Kendra Patterson.”
“How did she talk you into letting her into the condo?”
“I’d seen her here with you a small number of times.”
Eli could remember a few times when she and Rick had been to his place.
“And she had her own key that you gave her. That’s the only reason we let her in.”
His brows pinched together until he remembered he’d given Rick one years ago. That bitch.
“That woman is my partner’s wife. Ever since he died, she’s been on me. Hell, she was trying for me before he died. She’s a viper.”
The older man started to fidget. “I am so sorry, sir. I take full responsibility.”
“No, she’s good at manipulating. Get a locksmith here to change the locks immediately. She’ll throw a fit when she can’t get in, so have the police here to escort her out.”
“I would enjoy that very much. She’s not a nice person. I always thought it was odd that you were with her. Now, your little miss over there is exactly the type of woman I see you with.”
Eli smiled. “She’s pretty special.”
“I’ll make that call now, sir. Tell me if there is anything else you need from me.”
“I hate to inform you, but I’ll be selling the condo. I’m moving to Arkansas. I bought into a security business.”
“Well, I really hate to see you go, but I like the idea of you in a safer job.”
“My family also does.”
“Call down if you need anything.”