Their pilot announced they were approaching the Houston area.
“This is exciting, Aaron. I hope we can raise a lot of money and get more help for Royal,” she said, slipping into her suit jacket.
* * *
By Wednesday afternoon they had finished the interviews, the dinners, the talks to groups, and were flying back to Royal. Aaron knew some money had been sent directly to Royal, some checks had been given to Stella and some to him. He sat with a pen and pad in hand figuring out a rough total. She remained quiet.
When he raised his head, he smiled. “You’ve done a wonderful job, Stella. As far as the money, the checks that have been promised and the ones we’re taking back with us total approximately a quarter of a million dollars. That’s tremendous. I don’t think the mayor himself could have done any better.”
“I’m just astounded by the help we’ve received. Some of it was from out-of-state people seeing interviews that got picked up and broadcast nationally. I can’t believe I’ve had three more offers to go on television news and local interest shows after the first of the year.”
“You look good on camera.”
She laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. That isn’t why I’m asked.”
“I think that’s a big part of it.”
“I’m sure that it’s much more because Royal has some touching stories.”
“They do, but it helps to have a pretty lady tell them.”
Shaking her head at him, she changed the topic. “I’m hungry and ready to get my feet on the ground in Royal and have dinner.”
“That’s easy. Where would you like to eat? I’ll take you wherever you’d like to go?”
“After being gone this week, I’m happy to eat at the inn.”
“That suits me.”
“Good,” she answered, certain their lives would change and wondering if Aaron would leave hers.
“We’ll be on the ground now in about thirty minutes,” he said, and she looked out the window, glad to get back to Royal and home.
“It’ll be my last two nights in the Cozy Inn,” she said, thinking how soon Aaron would be leaving the hotel, too.
“Stella, would you like for me to go with you to a doctor’s appointment?”
“I’ve got to find a doctor in Royal. I went to Houston to my sister’s doctor, but I want a doctor here.”
“Definitely. I’d like to go with you and meet the doctor.”
“I think that would be nice. I’ll ask about a pediatrician here, too. I don’t want to drive to Dallas each time I need to see the doctor.”
“No, you shouldn’t. I’ll make arrangements for our plane to take you to Dallas when you need to go, but I think you should have a doctor here.”
“Thanks, Aaron. I’m glad you’re interested.”
“Stella, you’d be surprised if you knew how deep my interest runs. You and this baby are important to me,” he said in a serious tone and with a somber look in his brown eyes. Her heart skipped. How much did he really mean that? He had included her with the baby. She figured that he had an interest in his child, but she had no idea of the depth of his feelings for her.