“Nah,” Brody says with a shit-eating grin on his handsome face. “I wanted to keep her in the dark just a little longer.”
Hank walks ahead and we follow him alongside the building. “Well, Miss Delilah, all you have to do is keep your hands and feet inside at all times,” he says over his shoulder.
As we turn the corner of the building my face lights up. In the distance, in the open field, I see a hot air balloon being blown up by a few men. The burner is loud as the fire heats up the balloon until it is standing straight up.
Hank hops into the basket and checks the lever and gadgets near the jet.
My heart is pounding, and I stop dead in my tracks.
“What’s the matter, Dee?” Brody asks, still holding my hand.
“I-I’m afraid of heights,” I admit.
“You have got nothing to worry about.”
“Are you sure it’s safe?” I ask nervously as Brody pulls me toward the basket. “What if there’s a hole in the balloon or the fire runs out of fuel?”
“Dorothy.” Brody faces me, his hands are firm on my shoulders, and he locks eyes with mine.
“I don’t know if I can . . . I mean, this is . . . I have never done this before.” I try to steady my breathing.
“Listen to my voice. I will hold you the entire time. You have been chasing sunsets, this time I want you to capture the sunrise.”
His words take root and embrace my heart. Tears well in my eyes and I tuck my lip under my teeth. And as much as I want to plant my feet in the soil, I can’t. I really do want to capture the sunrise with him.
“What do you say? Will you please hop in that basket and go on this ride with me?”
My nervous smile slowly disappears. I nod and take a small step, then another. Before I know it, Brody is helping me into the basket.
Once inside, it surprises me at how sturdy the wicker is and how spacious it is. It can fit at least ten people.
Brody climbs in and wraps his arm around me, giving me the reassurance I need to feel secure when it lifts off from the ground.
Hank pulls the lever with his gloved hands and the loud burn of the fire lifts the basket.
We ascend. I hold my breath and I cover my eyes.
Brody kisses my cheek, pulls my hands down, and whispers in my ear, “If you close your eyes, you’ll miss going over the rainbow, Dorothy.”
I slowly open my eyes, take in a fortifying breath, and look out to the open skies seeing hues of purple, indigo, and blue. As we get higher, it’s as if the earth is being pulled away from me. And although the night still lingers into the early morning, the glow in the far distance lets me know the sun is ready to make an appearance.
We are traveling with the wind and I can’t believe how high we are. It’s cold up here, but I welcome the chill. Hank drives the balloon higher as we glide through the clouds and before I know it, we are on top of them.
The sunrise finally breaks the horizon. It’s so calm, peaceful, and powerful as it brightens miles of the green hills of Temecula Valley around us. It’s a weightless feeling standing in this wicker basket as if I’m floating in a dream.
I turn to face Brody, my eyes lift, and our gazes lock. “So, this is how it feels to be on cloud nine?”
“Everything below us, I want to give you. You deserve to be spoiled,” he says, tucking loose strands of hair behind my ear as his soft-spoken words warm my heart.
I wrap my fingers around his neck and press a chaste kiss to his lips as my silent thank you. He glances at the corner of my eye and wipes the lonely tear that rolls down my cheek.
“Thank you,” I say.
That cute boyish smile I love so much, makes an appearance on his handsome face. “So, does that mean I can keep on surprising you?”
“Yes. You have won me over with this surprise.” Emotions overwhelm me. The kind that warm my heart and want to burst out of my skin because this moment is too good to be true.
Feeling a moment of bravery, I grip the edge of the basket and look over the edge. I gasp at how high we are and immediately step back. Yup, still scared of heights!
I lean back into Brody’s chest and his arms wrap around me, then he kisses the top of my head.
“I know you’re afraid of the dark and of heights, what else are you afraid of?”
“Horror movies,” I say.
“And why’s that?”
“When I was about ten, Dylan had a few of his friends over and I begged to watch Jaws with them.”
Brody chuckles. “Is that why you never learned how to swim?”
“Yes.” I shrug with embarrassment. “When my mom found out, she grounded Dylan.”
“Why him and not you?”
“I tried to tell Mama it was all my idea. But Dylan stepped in and took responsibility.”
“What was his punishment?”
“Mama not only gave him extra chores but took away his television privileges. And since I was so scared to sleep alone in my own bed, I slept in his bed for a month.”
“You slept in his bed for a month? I have to give him props. Dylan’s got more patience than I would have if Avery did that to me.”
I laugh at the memory and love it at the same time. This was how we became closer.
“It was one of the best childhood memories I have with him,” I admit. “Ever since then, Dylan and I have been close.”
“And you’re not close to Drake?”
“We’re close too. But at fifteen, who would want their baby sister tagging along?”
Brody sighs, rubbing my arms with his hands. “I had a great time meeting your family.”
“I think you won Mama over.” I giggle. “She called me the other day asking about you. Not about me, but about you, and when I was planning on making a trip out to the ranch so she can cook for you.”
“She made some killer apple pie.”
“She is the best when it comes to baking,” I say as my stomach growls.
“Okay, no horror movies on Netflix night. Check . . . Anything else?”
“Other than that, I think I’m good.”
Maybe there’s one more thing . . . afraid of losing you.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Delilah
Kayla is pleased as we scan the new sales data and the booked-out reservations for Evergreen for the rest of the year, including the commercials and the ad campaign as we discuss it in Peter’s office.
“The numbers look promising and the decline in profits she predicted has since vanished.” Peter removes his glasses and rubs his eyes.
“Delilah, the figures are very encouraging,” Kayla says as she closes the folder and smiles. “How in the world did you get Phoebe Powell to mention it on her talk show?”
I giggle and my eyes meet Peter’s. “Well, she’s my future sister-in-law.”
“Delilah has a few connections up her sleeve we were just as surprised about,” Peter says. “The moment she left the resort, I swear she was like the Tasmanian Devil. It’s amazing how quickly this all turned around the last couple of weeks.”
I pick up the carafe and pour myself more coffee in my mug that has a hot air balloon on it. Brody bought it in the gift shop after we captured the sunrise and it’s now one of my favorite memories.
“Kayla, I think you should start considering booking weddings,” I tell her, pointing to her empty cup as my offering for a refill.
“You think?” She raises her cup and I pour. “My parents and I never thought of it as anything other than a campground and a honeymoon destination. You really see it as a wedding destination?”
“Are you kidding? When I was there, I thought it was the most romantic place to have weddings, showers, or any other function.”
My mind wanders for a beat to the unforgettable weekend I had with Brody just a few short weeks ago.
Then him meeting my family, then me meeting Gerard, and reading an excerpt from his precious journals. We sat there, hand in hand, and I never would have guessed his father
had Alzheimer’s by the way Gerard spoke of Brody as a child. The emotions swirling in Gerard’s room were palpable, and I will cherish that intimate moment Brody shared with me.
“Do you have a facility to hold such events?” Peter asks Kayla, bringing me back to the here and now.
“There is an outdoor venue we have used for banquets for the staff and the arboretum may be small but is doable to house about thirty guests.”
“There’s so much potential,” I say.
We casually go over plans to expand the grounds and another way to increase profits for the next hour when my phone chimes. I glance at the screen at a text from Brody about Avery’s fashion show tomorrow night and that he’ll pick me up at seven sharp. He told me all about his sister after the hot air balloon trip and I’m finally going to meet her.
He’s been in Virginia all week, and I miss him. I shoot a quick text to let him know I will call him after my meeting and how I’m looking forward to seeing him.
Ever since we got back from Phoebe and Dylan’s engagement party, things have been going so well. He’s been staying at the house when Sydney sleeps over at Levi’s. Last Saturday, we went to see Jerick.
I got over my fear of water and learned how to boogie board . . . unsuccessfully, but it was a start. I still haven’t coordinated paddling my legs while holding onto the board for balance to stay afloat. And since that time was dedicated to Jerick, I didn’t want to steal the moment away from him.
“Delilah is full of ideas,” Peter tells Kayla. “With the profits, this may be something you can look into. Weddings are big bucks, Kayla.”
“Absolutely,” I say as I think about my wedding catalog and all the cutouts I have glued to it since I was a kid.
Peter gathers the documents and straightens them in a pile. “Now that’s settled, let’s grab some lunch. There’s a new seafood restaurant I’m dying to try.”
“Seafood sounds divine. But I will have to take a raincheck,” Kayla says as she glances at her watch then looks back up at us. She smiles as she rises from her chair and shakes our hands. “I can’t thank you enough. And anytime you want to stay at Evergreen, just let me know. The rooms are on us.”
“I may take you up on that offer. Me and the Mrs. have been wondering what we should do for our ten-year anniversary.” Peter chuckles. “Delilah talks highly of the amenities.”
“I had a fabulous time when I was there,” I say.
“Well, I’ll have my secretary call you to make the arrangements,” she says, slipping the folder in her leather case. “Until then, keep me posted on the winter edition.”
“Absolutely,” I say.
Settling back in my office after lunch with Peter, I lean back in my chair and just when I am about to call Brody there’s a couple of thuds at the door. Today is just one of those days.
“Knock, Knock.” A sweet southern accent startles me and yet it’s a reprieve from the stress warring in my head. “I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time.” Bea is one of the publicists I met my first week on the job. She enters my office with a few boards in her hand. Her strawberry blonde hair and warm smile brightens the space as I motion for her to have a seat in the empty chair in front of my desk.
“Bea. Hi, please come in.” I quickly gather papers, clearing my desk. “This is a pleasant surprise.”
“Well, I heard you nailed the Evergreen project, and needed your opinion on something. You got a sec?” She holds up the 11x17 of an actor I recognize all too well.
I give her a few suggestions, a couple of taglines, and draw up a rough article for the pre-production pitch meeting in a few weeks.
The afternoon flies by as Bea looks at her watch. “Oh, my!” she squeals. “I best be on my way. I have taken up more than just a sec. Thanks for your help and the chitchat.”
“Anytime, Bea.” I smile as she leaves my office and I’m feeling good that I could help her out.
I realize I haven't completed some tasks and decide to work from home. I slip my laptop into my bag when the office phone rings. I check the time, for a split second I'm tempted to let it go to voice mail since it's past office hours. I'm already late to meet Sydney for an early dinner at Tawney's then she’s coming with me to my weekly group session. And although I sent her a text earlier to let her know I was still at the office and running late, she's probably calling to see what my ETA is.
“Hello, this is Delilah Marshall speaking,” I answer.
“Hey, babe. Damn, it’s so good to hear your voice.” My spine stiffens, muscles lock, and I’m battling whether to say something or just hang up. Time stops and all I hear is his breathing as memories collide and the bile creeps up my throat.
“Todd . . . h-how did you get this number?”
“It’s not hard to find you when your face is plastered on a few articles and tabloids.” His voice is low and yet it echoes in my ear.
“What do you want?” I sneer, trying my best to sound unaffected and that I’m not scared of him anymore.
But I am.
Every fiber of my body recoils at the sound of his voice. And even though he can’t hurt me, I can feel the stabbing pain and the slicing to my spirit as if he’s in the same room with me.
“I’ll tell you what I don’t want . . . is to see you with that bastard again. It’s not going to happen, Dee.” His warning voice is icy, and chills creep up my spine.
“It’s over, Todd.”
“The funny thing about being incarcerated, you have time,” he snarls. “Time to think, reflect, and like I told you before . . . You. Are. Mine. And that fucking Saint Clair asshole I saw you with . . . let’s just say he’ll be forced to say goodbye to you.”
His snicker rumbles and fills the line as my heart bangs against my rib cage.
He’s capable of anything. I have witnessed too much. The beating of a man that owed him money. The gun I found in his apartment. Blood drenched clothes I knew he wore when he ended someone’s life. And the raise of his hands, the threats he’s made to me that he’d hurt my family if I ever told anyone.
All the horrible memories barrel my thoughts. Tears pool in my eyes and my hands shake holding onto the receiver against my ear.
“What do you mean, Todd?”
“I’m never letting you go. Don’t you see? We are meant to be together. For better for worse. Sickness and in health, till death,” he pauses for a beat, “do we part.”
Silence fills the line when I realize he’s hung up the phone, leaving me frightened once again.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Brody
“This mini drone is the new technology and a prototype of what’s coming. With its quiet engine and solar panel plate, it has an extended battery bank giving it an airtime of about six hours.” Natalie holds up a miniature black plastic airplane that looks more like a toy from a Cracker Jack box.
“And we get to test out this new toy,” I say, stretching out my arm as Natalie hands it to me. “Who gets to play first? Me or Twilight?”
“Wish I could.” Mark raises both his hands. “You know that saying ‘you break it, you buy it’ . . . The way Charlie’s been lately, throwing anything she can get her hands on. I swear that woman is PMS-ing all the time.”
“Well, stop pissing in her Cheerios,” I say, examining the drone.
“And knowing Charlie, you probably deserve it,” Natalie adds as she pulls out another device from the silver case.
“Whatever to the both of you,” Mark pipes up then turns to me. “Listen, Zac Efron, Ben’s working on another mission and Quinn is on a special assignment, so it looks like you just won a brand-new airplane,” Mark says in a game show host voice. “But wait, there’s more . . . Vanna White, show our contestant what’s behind door number two!”
Natalie raises the wristwatch and makes a show of it as she hands it to Mark with his palms up.
“That baby flying hummer comes with a high-tech, luxury watch worthy to wear to the Oscars,” Mark continues. “With a press of a f
ew icons, you can see what’s going on in the air and control its course.”
Natalie screams as Mark tosses the wristwatch at me to catch. “Mark, are you crazy?”
Mark and I laugh. “Sparkles, calm your britches. Mike Piazza caught it,” he says, winking at her.
“So, you’re saying I can take this bad boy back with me and give it a test run?”
“Muff is expecting a full report to see if we should invest in this plaything.”
“It’s hardly a plaything, Mark,” Natalie huffs as she hands him an invoice.
“Are you fucking kidding me? This piece of plastic is costing us a hundred thousand?” Mark yelps and points his finger at me. “You break it, you buy it, James Bond.”
I chuckle. “Okay, Lee, tell me how this expensive Cracker Jack toy works.”
Natalie programs the watch and the tablet with the drone, then we head outside to give it a test run. The wristwatch lights up after the drone lifts off in the air and we see ourselves on the small screen. Natalie works the tablet to record our analysis as I work the watch to control its course. And Mark, well, he waves at the drone floating in the air as his contribution.
After testing the drone over the clear skies of Virginia, we’re back in Natalie’s office going over the recording, device specs, and listing suggestions it may need. I glance at the clock on the wall and all I can think about is getting back home and seeing Delilah. I shoot her a quick text letting her know I miss her.
“There’s a bit of a delay, but the clarity of the picture isn’t all that bad,” Natalie says, writing on the survey form.
“The airspeed is good too,” I tell her as I motion her to jot it down. “As well as how quiet it is.”
“The only thing missing is to test it for a longer time period,” Mark suggests. “We have this bad boy through next week. It was only in the air for about thirty minutes and we need to see how long it can stay up there till its juice runs out.”
“My sister’s fashion show is tomorrow night. How about I test it while it hovers over the location? I’ll launch it before I head over there, watch the crowd and venue, play Where’s Brody? and . . .”
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