“Make sure I do what?”
We both turned. Paxton stood in the doorway dressed in jeans, converse sneakers, and a light blue sweater that made her eyes stand out all the way across the room.
“Invite Corina for Thanksgiving.”
She smiled. “I didn’t have to. I guess Tripp realized she wasn’t leaving and he invited her.”
Trevor slapped my arm and winked. “There ya go. I’m out of here. Later y’all.”
I followed him and stopped in front of Paxton.
“Hey,” I said, kissing her on the lips.
“Hey. Your mom said you were back here. So what’s the emergency? You broke me away from helping my mother decided between Antique White, Simple White, or Dover White.”
With a chuckle, I replied, “Sounds like I saved you.”
“You did! I was about to pull my hair out. Who knew there were so many shades of white!”
I took her in my arms. “Do you want to go up in the plane with me?”
Her eyes lit up like the Fourth of July. “Seriously? I’d love to! Are you just flying around for fun?”
“Yeah, but Dad needs me to check out a few things as well.”
She did a little jump and clapped her hands. “How exciting! The last time I was up in a plane was when your dad took us to see the Christmas lights that one year.”
“That’s right. You haven’t been anywhere? No vacations or anything?”
She shrugged. “Nope.”
Hell, I was going to have to fix that little problem. I made a mental note to plan a trip for us. Maybe over spring break or something.
Placing my hand on her hips, I motioned for her to walk out of the office. “Come on. Let’s go. Rob is waiting for me.”
My father had a hanger and a small runway adjacent to the ranch. He’d bought the property years ago when he was going for his own pilot’s license. He knew he would want to keep a plane here since the closet airport was a couple hours away in San Antonio.
The drive over to the hanger was filled with Paxton talking about what she was making for Thanksgiving. She had a cooking date planned the day before with my mother, Amelia, and Chloe. My heart ached when my sister Waylynn called. I could hear in her voice that she wanted to come home. But her asshole husband Jack had some fucking fundraiser and he needed Waylynn there. I swear the asshole was keeping her away from her family. I’d flown out twice with Chloe to visit my older sister. I could see the longing in Waylynn’s eyes for a child of her own. Dickhead wasn’t ready.
“Your dad got a new plane?” Paxton asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Yeah. He bought it about a year ago. It seats six.”
Looking over at me, Paxton wore a nervous expression, wringing her hands in her lap.
“You okay?” I asked.
“I think so. You’re sure you know how to fly it?”
I reached for her hand. “I wouldn’t take you up in this plane if I wasn’t sure I could fly it. I’ve flown bigger planes before.”
Her brows lifted. “Really? That’s kind of hot.”
Drawing my head back, I stared at her. “That turns you on?”
She nodded and chewed her bottom lip.
“Well, let’s see how you feel after we land,” I said.
Nervously giggling, she nodded.
Jumping out of the truck, I waved to Rob as I jogged around to open Paxton’s door. With her hand in mine, we headed to the plane. I hadn’t been the least bit nervous taking her up, but now anxiety swirled in the pit of my stomach.
I had to admit this was amazing. My hands still shook a bit, but Steed really did know what he was doing. We flew around, and he pointed out different places.
“Everything looks so different from up here!” I said into the microphone that hung from the giant headphones I wore.
“It really does. It’s amazing. I want to take you up during sunset. It’s beautiful.”
I smiled, loving the excitement in Steed’s voice. He really enjoyed this, and I loved being a part of it. “I’d love that. Would you take Chloe up too?”
“Hell yeah! She’s already seen the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean numerous times.”
The urge to ask him if Kim ever went up gnawed at the back of my mind. I wasn’t sure why; I hardly ever thought of that dreadful woman.
My internal battle with the question volleyed back and forth before I finally caved. “Did Kim ever go up with y’all?”
He laughed. “Hell no. She was never interested, and I never invited her.”
A small part of me fist pumped internally. “Is that your parents’ place?” I asked.
“Yep. I’ll fly over the guest house.”
“When are you going to stop calling it that?” I asked with a chuckle. “It’s your house now.”