Across the aisle, Damon Carrie still held a small can of mace spray within his grasp. Axe noticed the young man’s distrusting attitude and chose to ignore it.
But then Axe focused his attention on the one person who he, unfortunately could not stop thinking about. Ellie Carrie was supposed to be fastening her seatbelt, but instead she stood up and was walking briskly toward him.
The urgency in her steps surprised Axe.
The deep emerald colored eyes showcased her determination and her stubbornness. Axe respected her for both. Before she could say a word, Axe held up his hand and stated, “You need to buckle up, Eli, so you guys can get the hell out of this country.”
The woman only took a few steps closer toward him. Axe could smell her light perfume. He noticed some tresses of her long, curly auburn hair had escaped from the ponytail, and were now fanning around her face.
“You saved not only my life,” Ellie whispered and angled her head so only Axe could hear her potent words, “But you saved the lives of everyone on this plane.”
Axe could tell the woman was getting emotional and that was the last thing he wanted. No. He did not want gratitude. He did not want fame. He did not want acknowledgement.
“It’s time to take off, Eli,” Axe said, his voice becoming stern. “Go buckle your seatbelt.”
“Eli?” Ellie questioned. “Why do you call me that?”
“My nickname for you.”
So he had given her a nickname. Perhaps she mattered to him just a tiny little bit. “You saved my life, John, or whatever your real name is, and I know that means something to you,” Ellie continued to keep her voice low, wanting to keep their conversation as private as possible. When Ellie noticed Axe was about to speak, she swiftly held up her hand and said, “Otherwise you would not have risked everything.”
“I don’t have anything to lose, Ellie,” Axe informed the woman. He turned on his heel, keenly intent on leaving. To his surprise, he watched as Ellie side-stepped in front of him.
“Please,” Ellie spoke, her voice close to begging “I’m pleading with you to stay in my life.” Ellie gestured toward her family. She noticed that Duff was assisting Sibby and Samuel and Riot kept guard just outside the entrance of the jet. Ellie tried again. “If you don’t want to stay in contact with me, that is fine, but I am clearly begging you to please keep in touch with at least my father.”
Axe did not reply.
There was only tense silence.
Ellie hedged further along by boldly asking, “Your name.” She doubted she would ever know this man’s real name, but she knew in her soul that she needed to try. “Please tell me your real name.”
“Never.” Axe took a step toward the exit. He no longer wanted to face the young woman who was questioning him. “Buckle up because you’re leaving.”
“Please stay in contact with my father and with me.”
“Why?” Axe asked before he could stop himself. This woman was becoming more potent to him by the moment and Axe despised that. He did not want this woman to matter to him. He held up his hand. “Forget that. Don’t answer.”
“If you don’t keep in contact with us there will be a giant void within my life that I will never be able to fill,” Ellie answered. Tears were beginning to gather within her soulful eyes, but she resisted the temptation to cry. Ellie shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not giving up on this, John. I will go to the ends of the earth to locate you.”
“It’s time for you to sit down, Ellie.”
“My name is Ellie Carrie,” Ellie told the man because she knew Axe would be walking out of her life in under a minute. “My family is from Daffodil, Georgia. We have a beach house on a secluded street named Happy Avenue.” Ellie took a step back. “Remember that information because you better find me, John.” After taking a deep, deep breath, Ellie said, “If I don’t see you, please know that I owe you my life.”
“You’re the realest person I have ever met, Eli,” Axe whispered back. He wanted so desperately to hold her, just for one split second, but knew he never could. “Have the most productive life you possibly can.”
The magic of the moment was shattering. The torment of evilness plummeted through her radiant soul. Ellie knew at that precise second that she would never see John again. He had no interest in staying in her life…and she was certain of that.
The ache was excruciating.
No. No. No.
“John, I-” Ellie began only to have John cut her off. He tenderly placed his hand on her upper arm. He tilted his head a few inches forward so his words were only a mere whisper, when he said, “Eli, I need you to forget about everything that happened tonight because nothing good will ever come of it. Forget about me, Eli, and don’t look for me. Ever.”
Axe then turned and ran down the steps. Ellie wanted to respond, but she stood there, watching as the man who had saved her life would be forever gone.
John left…
John left…
John left…
A short man with a medium sized build edged his way out of the cockpit. He barely made eye contact with Ellie when he said, “Time to buckle up, miss. We’re leaving.”
Samuel Carrie ran toward the front of the plane, noticing that Riot and Axe had just left. He rushed past the pilot, but only to be grabbed by the man. “Sir, we have to go.”
“No!” Samuel watched as the door began to shut. “I was just in the back of the plane. I was….” Samuel turned to the pilot. “We can’t leave yet. I need to thank those men.”
The pilot did not blink. “You and your family are in harm’s way. We must leave.” The pilot latched the door shut. He eyed Samuel and Ellie with no sympathy. “Buckle up because we’re leaving.”
Numb with regret, Ellie could only turn in silent anguish.
The man named John was gone.
Forever.
Ellie located her luxury chair and buckled her seatbelt, as if she were an obedient child. She knew her twin was glancing at her, silently communicating his own disbelief at the surreal situation.
Her heart was ripping into shreds. Ellie watched as her father pounded on the side window, trying so desperately to gain Axe’s attention. But none of it mattered...
Samuel pounded on the window a few more seconds even though he was certain the men who had saved everything he valued, were now in fact gone. Misery shone through his conscious.
The grief of the situation rattled his core. When the jet began to propel forward, Samuel hastily fastened himself into a chair.
Unbelievable pity encompassed his body.
“I didn’t get their contact information,” came Samuel’s soft words. Ellie had never seen her father look so deflated. He ran a hand through his salt and pepper hair. “I have no way to thank them.” That heaviness weighed on him. Samuel glanced at Ellie. “I only know the fake names that they called each other…not their real names.”
“They never wanted you to know that, dad,” Ellie whispered. Just the action of talking caused her throat to hurt. Her body was wilted. Her mind was contemplating just how everyone’s entire existence had been altered. Ellie thought of John. “We will never see them again.”
Ellie knew she needed to say that for her dad and for herself. It was the truth that needed to be spoken. It was the truth that needed to be acknowledged. It was the truth that needed to be accepted.
“You’re right, Ellie,” Samuel choked out. “We will never see them again and we owe those men our lives…we owe them everything.”
Chapter 5
THREE YEARS LATER
It had happened again.
Ellie Carrie was having an unusual morning…maybe the term unusual was overstating it, but it was just starting differently than most. Nearly every morning consisted of Ellie rising early; jogging on the treadmill, showering and getting ready for work.
She would easily have two cups of coffee between waking up and leaving her apartment. Then along her way to the Carrie Corporation, she would stop and purchase
various flavored drinks for her staff.
The knock on her door was not really a surprise when there were often bodyguards rotating shifts both outside the apartment complex and inside her living area.
After checking the peephole and surveillance equipment, Ellie quickly unlocked the door. The floral arrangement should not have surprised her, yet it did.
“I see someone has another book about to be published,” came the proud voice of the downstairs doorman. George Ett strolled past two bodyguards and advanced further into the apartment. “And a very good morning to you, Ellie.”
“Good morning, George,” Ellie stepped back to allow the doorman more room. She waved her hand toward her kitchen. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“No thank you, Ellie.” George placed the large floral arrangement on a section of the granite kitchen countertop like he had previously done before. George took a step back to admire the display. Vibrant yellow daffodils filled the cobalt blue vase, causing his mood to brighten with energy. “I always know you have a brand new book coming out when you receive a vase of daffodils.”
Knowing where this conversation was headed, Ellie was quick to say, “I will most certainly autograph novels for you and your entire family, George.” Just like she had done religiously for the past couple of years. It pleased her immensely that George and his family cared about her novels.
With a pleased expression upon his face, the man winked at Ellie, swiveled around on his feet and waved a hand over his shoulder. “Thank you, Ellie. Have a great day at work.”
“Thank you, George,” Ellie called as she checked her wristwatch again, gauging her time. “Please tell Ginger and the kids hello.”
After Ellie heard the click of the door shut, she spun around…and instinctively knew…this bouquet was just like the others.
And like always…there was no card.
No note.
Just a bouquet of the loveliest flowers that Ellie had ever seen.
And then she thought of him.
The man who had saved her three years ago.
The man who went by the fake name of John.
The piercing sensation within her soul made Ellie want to weep with both happiness and desperate despair. That night, so long ago haunted her like a story that had no conclusion.
Yes, she was alive.
Yes, she thanked John and his friends for saving her life.
But…that was it.
She had not seen him again and the image of his face continued to enter her dreams…and her nightmares.
There was no closure and only questions remained…
John, are you alive?
Will I ever see you again?
How can I thank you for saving my life?
You saved me…you saved me…you saved me.
Ellie placed the stunning flower arrangement on an end table beside a framed black and white photograph of her family. She glanced at the yellow blooms and the framed picture, knowing that both of those items were special within her heart.
She resisted the urge to sit on the light brown sofa, knowing there would not be time to fully relax and admire the flowers. So instead Ellie stood and took a few silent moments to gaze at the gorgeous blooms.
She thought of Daffodil, Georgia. The quaint seaside community was her favorite place. It was there that her parents’ owned the beach house aptly called the Carrie Compound.
It was at this peaceful destination that the family could participate in sailing, walking along the shore and enjoy the sure magnitude of the ocean. The private complex included the main house with four smaller houses strategically located throughout the massive estate.
In was in Daffodil that Ellie could concentrate on writing her books. Sure, she still continued to write her novels in the city when time allowed, but it was in the existence of the small community that she could produce her best work.
It was in Daffodil that she could concentrate and really think. It’s where she knew she could excel.
Ellie thought of The Coffee Attic where a person could purchase the best cup of coffee, sit out on the massive wrap-around deck and view the ocean waves thundering from the sea.
Her heart warmed when she thought of Stanley’s, the quaint bookstore with quirky owners. It was there that a person could purchase an antique book or a new release. The large nineteen-foot wooden castle had been constructed in the children’s reading area, so kids of all ages could laze around and enjoy a great book, letting their imaginations freely explore.
Sparky’s had the best Bloody Mary’s.
Eugene’s served the best pizza.
Jackson’s Restaurant created the best comfort food. The legendary eating establishment had won the award “Best Southern Fried Chicken” for the past five years. The creamy macaroni and cheese was handmade by a group of three grandmas that created the special recipe decades ago and who still continued to serve thousands of people a year.
The Montgomery Peach Farm grew the best peaches in the entire state of Georgia. Along with their peach and strawberry picking, people came from all across the country to consume their peach ice cream and famous peach cobbler. The Montgomery’s were known for their peach butter, peachy bbq sauce and peach taffy.
It was the Montgomery Peach Farm that provided field trips to local schools and where people could get a piece of fresh, warm peach pie with the most delicious homemade caramel topping.
Ellie glanced at the clock again, took one last look at the flowers and hurried to her closet. If she left in twenty minutes she would have just enough time to stop and purchase some treats for her staff.
Less than an hour later, Ellie Carrie placed the oversized coffee cup on the organized desk belonging to Thea Scarlett. The personable young lady glanced up and rewarded Ellie with a genuine smile that stretched across her kind face.
“You know I’m suppose to be fetching you coffee, right?” It was the usual thing that Thea told Ellie at least once every couple of weeks. It was old banter between the two women, who obviously valued one another. “I’m your assistant…” Thea spoke before taking a long sip of her flavored coffee. The woman’s low groan of approval made Ellie grin.
“Umm!” Thea sucked in a deep breath of air. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this caffeine right now…”
“I was baking last night so here is a piece of peach cobbler,” Ellie said as she placed a small container on Thea’s desk.
Thea smacked her hands in delight. “I love it when you get in touch with your southern roots and start cooking…yummy, oh, yummy, your peach cobbler is the best I have ever tasted and I will most, yep, most definitely be eating this for lunch.”
Knowing how much Thea loved peach cobbler, Ellie did not think the rich dessert would last until noon…already thinking that Thea would be eating it by ten o’clock.
Ellie set her own coffee on the circular oak table near her outer office door. She absently began flipping through the morning mail and said, “I wish you would reconsider that promotion that I offered you, but I am content if you don’t wish to accept it.” Ellie glanced at the woman who had been a major part of her own success.
Thea Scarlett was a pretty soul, inside and out. The woman of medium height had dark skin and coal colored eyes. Her afro-textured hair was short, but Thea often adorned her hair with different types of braids that only added to the woman’s beauty.
Ellie noticed today that Thea wore a lavender colored wrap dress with matching heels. The curly dark hair was natural, creating a high and gorgeous afro.
“Oh, we’ll talk about the promotion shortly, I swear,” Thea said. Now she stood and straightened her back as she said, “And I really do appreciate you offering it to me…”
“You have earned any and all promotions, Thea.” Ellie eyed the woman she considered a true friend. “Your intense work ethic is quite beyond exceptional. The wisdom you possess about the many business aspects concerning this company is truly magnificent.”
“This i
s why you’re an incredible writer,” Thea said, “You have a delightful way with words and know how to please your audience.”
That made Ellie grin. “Can I call you my ‘shero’ now?”
“Your what?” Thea cackled. “Did you just say ‘shero’…as in female hero?”
“Yes.” Ellie acknowledged. “You’re my ‘shero’….and I can see you’re trying not to smile….admit it, you like that term! She plus hero equals shero.”
“Ha!” Thea shook her head. “I actually do like that term. Why… I am a ‘shero’…..hmm….I might just strut down the hallway later.”
“I insist that you do,” Ellie remarked.
Thea theatrically winced. “Well, I’m sorry to say that you have no time to strut down the hallway today…your day is booked solid. You have the Snow meeting in twenty minutes and…”
Ellie let her assistant recite the events of the day, even though she already knew what her schedule consisted of.
Meetings.
Paperwork.
More meetings.
More paperwork.
An occasional work-related crisis or problem that needed to be fixed. In the three years that Ellie had worked at the Carrie Corporation, she had nearly mastered her day-to-day schedule.
“Are you okay?” Thea asked. She squinted her eyes a little as if trying to diagnose her boss. “You seem a little… I don’t know… quiet.”
“Quiet?” Ellie was amused by the wording. “I’m just thinking about certain aspects of things.” Who sent me the flowers?
My mind is on John…
“Well, I hear that Grant Grantson is thinking about you.” Thea handed Ellie a small stack of vanilla colored file folders. “At least that is what his secretary, you know Gina, confessed to me the other day.”
Ellie glanced at the folders as she stated, “You know I hate office gossip. I always have.” It was not news to Ellie to hear that Grant was thinking of her. The man had an office two stories above hers and had recently been on her floor more and more. “I like to keep my private life very-”
“Private,” Thea finished for her. “And just so you know, I do not gossip about you or this company.” Thea thought for a moment. “You know, now that I think of it, it’s usually just Gina that does the majority of the talking.”
Humping Her Hero Page 18
