Jerry laughed. “I most certainly did.”
Liddie turned from Paco to Jerry. She was now afraid to take her eyes off either one of them. “You both had better leave me alone.” She straightened up and called out. “Parker!”
Nothing.
“Parker!”
Jerry laughed and Liddie felt Paco’s fingers touch her hair. She grabbed at her head and flung around to face him. “Stop it!”
In that instant Jerry got up. Liddie felt a calloused hand grab her upper arm. She pulled it loose, but Paco grabbed the other and tried to pull her off the seat. She saw Jerry begin to hoist himself up to help.
Panic ripped through her. She picked up the bottle of beer and tried to hit Jerry. He blocked her arm and stretched to grab it. Liddie pulled her arm back and whipped the bottle hard toward the front of the cabin. It exploded at the door of the cockpit with a smash.
“Why you rotten bitch,” Jerry grabbed her other arm. Liddie began to fight harder. Paco was pulling her out into the aisle. Jerry let go with a grunt when she kicked him in the gut.
Paco quickly grabbed both her arms and pulled them back, wrapping his legs in front of hers to keep Liddie from kicking. Jerry recovered and raised a fist to punch her. Liddie screamed.
The cockpit door flung open.
“Get the hell away from her!”
Paco released Liddie and took a step back. She pushed past Jerry and ran to take refuge behind Garrett.
The fuming pilot made a beeline for Jerry. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He pushed Jerry, who stumbled back, grabbing a seat to keep from hitting the floor. “You want to get thrown off this plane?”
“Just playin’, Wade,” responded Jerry with no apology. He rubbed his shoulder. Paco was already at the back of the cabin and Jerry began to retreat as well. “No big deal.” He nodded toward Liddie. “We didn’t know you were so interested.”
Garrett kicked the nearest armrest and the loud crack of wood startled Liddie, who’d run for cover behind the bar.
“Get in the back and stay there,” he ordered, and then waited until the door closed behind the unscrupulous pair.
“You all right?” Garrett approached her quickly, his attitude demanding an immediate answer.
Liddie nodded. “Yes. Thank you.”
Garrett put his hands on his hips, took a deep breath and shook his head. He studied her, searching for signs of distress.
“I’m all right, really.”
The pilot came around the bar and reached for the fridge. Liddie flinched.
“Oh yeah, you’re just fine.” He opened the door and grabbed a bottle of seltzer. “You see why you shouldn’t be here.”
Liddie’s shoulders dropped. Was he actually going to blame this on her? She squeezed past him to escape the bar area. Their hips touched and Garrett moved over to let her pass.
“I’m just saying,” he nodded toward Parker. “You may want to think about booking a way to get home from Dubai.”
Liddie moved toward the cockpit. She wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Instead, she started picking up the shards of glass that were now strewn across the Berber carpet. Garrett grabbed some paper towels and crouched down beside her to soak up the beer.
“You don’t have to do that,” she said softly. “I can clean up.”
The pilot ignored her and continued to soak up the small stains. When finished, he put out his hand and motioned for her to put the glass on the dirty paper towels. Liddie obeyed.
They stood up, and Garrett walked behind the bar, looking around for a garbage can. He pulled open a drawer and emptied his hand into it.
“I don’t think that’s a garbage can,” noted Liddie.
“It is now.”
Liddie tried, but couldn’t keep from smiling.
“I put a dent in the cockpit door,” she pointed out. It was about a foot from the floor. The bottle chipped the exterior of the wood grain on the door and left a clear mark.
Garrett shrugged. “Maybe it wasn’t you. Maybe it was the same ape who broke the arm of that leather seat.” He glanced back at the furniture arm he’d broken. “Better that than you, don’t you think?”
Liddie took a deep breath. She felt queasy. If she were in a car she could roll down a window and get some fresh air. She put a hand to her stomach, hoping to settle her nerves.
“Why don’t you go sit down,” advised Garrett.
Liddie nodded and moved toward a seat. She stopped to check on Parker first. Her boss was no longer snoring, but still deep in sleep. A flash of anger stabbed at her.
“Parker?” she asked. When he didn’t move, Liddie put a hand on his arm. “Parker?”
His breathing stayed steady with no response. Liddie realized there was no point in trying to rouse him. Even if he did wake, it would only be for a moment or two. Experience with her aunt’s various prescriptions told her that.
He looked like a little boy when sleeping, with the precisely cut blonde hair falling neatly toward a relaxed brow. She pushed a strand away from one eye. The worst, she sensed, was over. They’d have a more serious discussion, and he’d understand why the men had to go. Garrett, she hoped, would back her up on that.
Liddie took a seat farther from the crew cabin and closer to the cockpit.
“Take this.” Garrett handed her a glass of ginger ale.
“Thanks.” She took a quick sip. There was ice in it, and the cool carbonation went down nicely.
“Do you think they’ll…” she began, but stopped. She didn’t want to sound like she needed Garrett Wade. Yet, she couldn’t count on Parker.
Garrett sat down across from her. “Do I think they’ll try that again?” he finished, and then shook his head. “No. They’re stupid but not suicidal.”
Liddie heard the ice in her soda clink both sides of the glass. Her hand was shaking. She quickly put it on the table.
“Don’t you have to fly the airplane?”
Garrett breathed deep and leaned back. A heavy pair of worn work boots came up to rest on the table. “I like giving Mike the opportunity to gain flight time. He’s more than capable.” His legs were crossed at the ankle like a lazy cowboy, though Liddie doubted he sat around much.
She turned to stare out into the night, not knowing what else to say. He’d been arrogant and abrasive in the bathroom, but protected her from the other men. How confusing. The presence of Garrett made her feel uncomfortable. Why? She couldn’t say for sure. She only knew that something wasn’t right.
Garrett sat quietly with his head tilted back and his eyes closed. Liddie noticed he needed a shave. A few more hours, and he’d have a healthy five o’clock shadow.
“Parker said you were in the Berets?”
Garrett lifted his head, as if surprised she might know something of him. “Central Command, Middle East, parts of Africa… for about twelve years.”
“Makes you pretty tough, I guess,” she shrugged, before realizing that it was quite a sacrifice for him to do so. “And a little honorable, at least, for serving the country and all.”
“A little.” He smiled, amused by her clumsy attempt to show some respect for his service. She put her head down for a moment, so he didn’t catch her brief embarrassment.
Liddie caught him glance at Parker. Was he watching to see if Parker would wake and catch him speaking with her?
“Why did you become a pilot?” she asked, suddenly interested in what made this guy tick. He was an interesting mixture of good and bad, so she decided to keep her guard up. If she could stay on his good side, Garrett Wade might prove to be an asset in the future. “You like flying?”
“Plus the pay is okay,” explained Garrett. “But after spending so much time on foot, fighting on the ground, it’s kind of nice to get lost in the air.”
“Peaceful and free, I’d imagine.”
“Exactly.” He’d dropped all arrogance and Liddie didn’t know why, but she felt herself relax, thankful that they were having a civil conversatio
n.
“Must be nice,” she sighed casually.
“You feeling trapped?”
The question surprised her. “Trapped? No, not at all. I don’t know why you would think that.”
“Because maybe you’ve gotten yourself into something,” He tilted his head to study her, “Something you ought to get out of.”
“Why are you trying so hard to get me away from Parker?”
His expression turned to one of slight aggravation. Liddie saw his hand form a slight fist in his lap, yet his demeanor remained calm.
“What happens when I’m not around, Miss Nichols?” He nodded toward Parker. “What happens when I’m not around, and the idiots in the back make a move on you again?”
Liddie shifted uncomfortably. “I’ll tell Parker. He’ll take care of it.” She grunted with satisfaction. “They’re probably as good as fired now.”
Garrett shook his head. “Not gonna happen.”
A foreboding chill ran through her. What if he was right? What if Parker didn’t care? What if Garrett knew Parker better than she? Liddie looked out the window, intent on ignoring any provocation to bash Parker.
“Where you from?” Garrett asked suddenly, letting his boots rock back and forth on the table.
At first, Liddie didn’t answer. He was changing the subject, but after a second thought, she decided to welcome it.
“Wisconsin,” she replied politely. “Farm country, I guess. Then Jersey.”
Garrett nodded. “Didn’t peg you for a New York girl.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It’s not an insult,” he reassured her politely. “Just an observation. I’ve always favored country girls over city ones. More honest.”
Liddie searched his eyes and realized he was telling the truth. She saw nothing nasty in his expression, just a lazy regard for her.
She felt a tingle low in her body and shifted in the seat. “You’re going to be nice to me, now? Or are you just pretending?”
“I spent summers in Michigan,” said Garrett, ignoring the slight challenge. “With my grandparents. Until I was about eleven. They had a house on a huge lake.”
Liddie laughed to herself. He was controlling the conversation. Considering the fact that he’d saved her from Jerry and Paco, perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to cut the man some slack. “Lake Michigan, maybe?”
“Hmmm. Could be,” said Garrett. “But Lake Huron sounds more familiar. They passed when I was in college and had sold that house long before. I never thought to ask, but it was a great memory. I really came to appreciate the outdoors.”
“You’re parents must be proud of your service.”
Garrett nodded. “Lost my mom when I was in Iraq. Never knew my dad.” He shrugged. “I’m the product of some romance my mother never talked about.”
Liddie’s eyebrows popped with interest. “You ever investigate to find out who he was?”
“Nope. Don’t care.”
He said it quick, and Liddie nodded, understanding that while some found it necessary to reconnect, he didn’t. If anything, she sensed, this was a man with few close connections.
“I lost both my parents,” offered Liddie. “Kind of sucks, doesn’t it? No matter how old you are.” She took a deep breath and looked out the window. There was nothing to see; only her face reflected in the glass.
“I’m sorry,” said Garrett politely. “Any siblings?”
Liddie felt the pain of her parents loss sting at her eyes. Why? It had been so long ago. She’d been able to speak of it countless times since. Why so emotional now? She took a moment to answer.
“No,” she said firmly. “No brothers or sisters. Just a few relatives and a truly wonderful aunt.”
Did she sound lonely? For a moment, Liddie feared she had.
“Have you met Maxon’s family?”
Garrett was watching her too closely now. Like he was trying to get into her head. Liddie cursed for letting her guard down.
“No. I mean, I met his father a few times, but that’s about it.” She turned to face him. “Why?”
Parker let out a moan and rolled over. Garrett looked at him, pulled his feet from the table and stood up.
“He’s not waking…” Liddie began and then stopped, suddenly realizing that it sounded as if she wanted the pilot to stay.
Garrett paused, as if considering whether to leave. Instead, he squatted down next to her, putting one hand on the back of the passenger seat and the other on its arm.
Liddie looked into his face, not knowing what to expect. Her tongue instinctively moved to moisten her lips.
“If they come back out,” began Garrett, suddenly stopped by the unintended invitation of her slightly puckered lips.
Liddie leaned back quickly, disgusted with her own involuntary reaction.
“If they come anywhere near you for the remainder of the trip,” he went on firmly, “You throw another bottle, glass, or any other damn thing you can find, straight at that cockpit door.” He glanced again at Parker. His voice got louder. “I don’t give a damn how many dents it gets. Do you understand?”
He hesitated, almost as if he wanted to say more. Liddie swallowed hard. She felt her fingers move, wanting to reach out and thank him again. The assurance, the knowledge, that he would protect her, made her want to thank him. Profusely.
Instead, she simply nodded.
Garrett's eyes fell to her mouth, and then he stood up and walked back to the cockpit.
****
“I’ll take it, Mike.”
Garrett collapsed into his seat.
What the hell just happened?
He turned to the younger pilot, who was stretching in the seat beside him. “Do me a favor and take thirty minutes. You’re looking a little worn.”
“I think I’m all right,” began Mike, but Garrett stopped him from stating his case.
“I know, but go get yourself a granola bar and soda. Maxon’s out like a rock and the two idiots made a play for Miss Nichols.” He shook his head in disgust. “Go sit out there and relax for a half hour. Don’t try to make conversation, just smile politely and sit down in a seat not too close to her.” He grabbed one of the training manuals crammed between the seats. “Read this for awhile or rest your eyes. It’ll make her feel better to have someone out there.”
Mike pushed aside the booklet. “I got my games.” He pulled a fancy cell phone from his pocket and Garrett laughed.
“That’ll work.”
Before the door even closed, Garrett had clicked off the autopilot. He wanted to fly, to be in control of something. Unlike Liddie, he had a choice. He knew what was going on, and now, he wasn’t too sure that she did.
It was smart of her to throw the bottle at the door. Hell, who would have thought she’d have that much kick in her. Not Parker, that’s for sure.
What an ass he was. Leaving a woman like that unprotected. The more he thought about it, the angrier Garrett got. Liddie Nichols appeared to be more naive than he’d originally thought. A farm girl from Wisconsin. No wonder she hadn’t a clue. Who would believe such a family could exist. Certainly not someone who only saw the outer shell of the Maxon clan.
Could she be involved? Garrett was having doubts, considering he’d almost confided in her. He almost told Liddie how those summers with his grandparents were the happiest times in his life. How his mother didn’t offer much more than food and shelter after his father walked out. How Garrett had practically raised himself until finding a home in the Army.
Liddie would have shown pity like so many others. Only this time, it wouldn’t have made him angry. This time, he sensed, it would have brought them closer together – a collapse of two people into each other.
Garrett took a deep breath, thankful that he hadn’t given in to emotion. Liddie’s lips came to mind, being moistened by a quick swipe of her tongue. Garrett wiped his brow. An appreciation for Liddie may be the one thing he did have in common with Parker.
The plane jumped from
the bumps of a few air pockets. The turbulence brought him out of his thoughts and back to the plane. Garrett liked when it got choppy. Usually. He pushed forward on the controls and the plane began to descend.
For Liddie, he decided, this trip was getting rough enough.
Chapter Six
It was a good two hours after Liddie’s encounter with the men, when Parker finally stirred from the pill‑induced sleep. He stood up, let out a huge yawn, and stretched dramatically toward the ceiling. The sudden performance jolted Liddie from thoughts of Garrett. She’d been replaying their conversation repeatedly in her mind, trying to understand what he wanted from her – why he thought it was necessary to plant doubts about Parker.
“Get ready, Liddie, we’ll be landing anytime now,” said Parker, leaning in to give her a nudge. His breath still smelled of brandy.
He was about to walk to the bar, but Liddie grabbed his sleeve. “Parker, can we talk for a moment?”
“What’s up?” He squatted down beside her and Liddie was suddenly struck by the differences between the two men. While Parker was taller with the clean complexion of a beach boy, Garrett’s face was well worn, with a wrinkle here and there, and the never‑ending trace of a five o’clock shadow. While Parker’s eyes were clear and icy blue, Garrett’s were dark and intense. One appeared light and carefree, the other troubled and intense. Each provoked a quiver of anxiety, though Liddie wasn’t prepared to understand why that was so.
“Well?” asked Parker, playfully poking at her nose with his finger.
Liddie pointed toward the back door. “It’s those men, Parker. I tried to wake you up. The one came out and made a play for me. Then the other came out and started.”
Parker’s brows came together. “Did they touch you?”
“Yes.” Liddie took a deep breath. “They grabbed me and tried to drag me to the back. I tried to fight them.” She nodded toward the cockpit door. “Garrett stopped them.”
“Garrett?” Parker’s eyes narrowed. He stood up and rubbed his mouth with one hand.
“He told them to leave me alone and they did,” explained Liddie. “I yelled for you several times, but you wouldn’t wake up.” She stood up to stand beside him.
Wild Suspicions (Romantic Suspense) Page 6
