by Randi Ocean
Bridget Stone. Not a bad name. “Hi, I’m Bridget Stone,” I said out loud, practicing introducing myself. “My name is Bridget. Bridget Stone here.” I was trying various deliveries to get comfortable with the name.
Steve came out from the front. “Is everything okay? I thought I heard you talking back here and wanted to be sure you were all right.”
“I’m okay, thanks.” I wasn’t sure whether he knew I was assuming a new identity when I walked off this plane, so I didn’t elaborate any further.
“We’ll be landing in Portland in about three hours, just before noon local time. Let me know if you need anything.” He looked down at my drinks and said, “Looks like you’re in pretty good shape,” and gave me a thumbs-up. I gave him a thumbs-up back and nodded. Fatigue was setting in. I hadn’t slept much and every muscle in my body ached, particularly my heart. I closed my eyes and fantasized about Adam as I drifted off to sleep.
**
“Ms. Ryan?” Steve said, touching my arm to wake me. “We are on our final approach into Portland. I need you to fasten your seatbelt. May I take these drinks?” I took a sip of the sparkling water and nodded. I looked out the window at what was about to be my new home. I’d never been to Portland, so it would be an adventure to explore a new city.
I looked through the papers again. I remembered seeing a document that said I would have a federal marshal as a confidant and facilitator to help me get oriented. Sally Creighton. She would be my new best friend. We landed as smoothly as we had taken off, and taxied to a hangar not unlike the one where Joe dropped me off. Steve climbed out of the cockpit and let down the stairs. He held my hand as I stepped down, and then went around to the compartment where my suitcase was stowed, and rolled it over to me. He shook my hand. “Best of luck to you,” Steve said.
Brian was in the doorway now, too. He waved. “Take care.”
“Thanks, gentlemen. A pleasure flying with you.”
I turned toward the car that was waiting as a woman got out and walked toward me. “Hi, Bridget, I’m Sally Creighton. Welcome to Portland.”
**
AN UNCERTAN AFFAIR: The “Affair” Series - Book 2
In witness protection, Emily Ryan is starting her life completely over as Bridget Stone of Portland, OR. Bridget is getting settled in her new life, and lands a job as an assistant to a food photographer using her skills from her previous life. When the photographer becomes a candidate to shoot the food for a new cookbook by a highly visible, celeb-chef author, Bridget is swept off her feet by the charismatic star. Could they both be in danger if she gets involved with him and she's recognized as Emily Ryan? And is there danger for others around them aside from her WitSec identity being revealed?
