“For the rest of this flight, let’s get some rest.” He stuffed the image back into the envelope. “And at some point soon, I want to hear about what happened in Seattle. You’re helping me with this, so I owe you big-time. I’ll help you.” He pushed the tray table up and turned off the overhead light. “I would help you anyway, just so you know.”
A smile crept onto her lips as she peered out the window into the darkness. She glanced down toward the earth beneath the flying tube. A few lights indicated they were passing over a small town. Finally, her eyelids grew heavy, so she rested her head against the seat and closed her eyes.
A strong, warm hand covered hers on the armrest, gripping it. Nathan’s hand on hers brought her comfort. Warmth from his body wrapped around her, and she realized he’d moved into the middle seat to sit right next to her. To hold her hand? She shifted toward him and leaned her head against his shoulder.
He’d somehow known that she needed human touch.
Nathan’s touch. He always found a way to be in tune with her needs, it seemed, even before she knew them herself. The scent of him soothed her edgy nerves and stirred something deeper within. She’d denied herself this man before, and at the moment, she questioned that decision so long ago. Nathan offered stability. He was protective. She could trust him because he’d never let her down.
She was the one who had let them both down. Erin no longer wanted to be that person. If anything, she wanted to be the kind of person Nathan could believe in.
God, help me find a way to tell him everything...
She drifted to sleep with the image of his warm brown eyes searching her soul.
At the airport, Erin groggily followed Nathan to his truck in the parking garage. He waited for her to climb in, then shut the door. She stretched while he walked around and got into the driver’s seat. One searching glance from him made her feel self-conscious. Was her hair a mess? Did she look as awful as she felt? She wished she didn’t care what he thought.
He started his truck and turned the heat on to warm it up in the cool morning hours. She yawned and quickly covered it.
“We have a long drive ahead, so you still have plenty of time to get more rest.” He steered from the parking lot.
“I’m good.”
“I want you to be awake when we talk about all of this. And I want the truth from you too.”
The truth. What was he talking about? Her heart rate kicked up and brought her fully awake. Which truth did he want? She wasn’t ready.
She sucked in air. “When have I lied to you?”
“I meant, I want the truth about what happened in Seattle. I don’t like that danger seems to be coming at us—at you—from all sides of the country.”
She exhaled slowly. “Agreed. I don’t know much about Seattle, but we’ll talk about it later.”
His cell rang, drawing his attention. He glanced at the screen, then at Erin. “It’s Mom.”
Instead of using Bluetooth, he pressed the cell against his ear. Wanting privacy? “Hi,” he said.
Erin couldn’t make out the words from the soft voice on the other end but watched his face morph between joy and fear.
“I’m on my way,” he said. “We’re just steering out of the airport.”
He ended the call. “It’s Dad ... he ... he woke up.” Nathan’s smile portrayed relief. “He hasn’t said anything, but he’s awake.”
“I’m glad, Nathan. I’m so glad he’s finally awake.” She wanted to reach across the console and squeeze his arm, connect with him, but held back.
He tucked his cell away.
“Me too. I know you need to get home soon too.” He glanced at her.
He didn’t want her along? That made sense. Nathan wanted his privacy. “I can take a cab or Uber.”
“That would cost you hundreds of dollars at this distance. Besides, if it’s all right with you, and you’re not too tired, I could use your support.”
She heard the need in his voice. He wasn’t just saying the words so she wouldn’t feel awkward about going along with him. He truly meant them. Was it a good idea for her to let him depend on her? Still, how could she deny encouraging an old friend? “I’m good to go, then. I want to be there for you and see your father too.”
For the life of her, she had no idea how she and Nathan had been sucked into a vortex together, even though they’d worked hard and long—a few years, actually—to stay apart.
Why was Providence pulling them together? For what purpose? And she wanted that. She couldn’t deny she wanted another chance, but could she trust herself not to destroy them both again?
Oh, Nathan, don’t depend on me too deeply, too much. Remember, I have a habit of running.