Chapter 27 Hold My Hand - Tight!
The closer they got to the airport, the more nervous Andrea became about getting on the plane. She wasn’t used to feeling this way. Never, in all of her years, had she been afraid to fly. But after her last experience, she couldn’t help but think of all of the awful things that could happen while she was gliding through the air at over 200 miles an hour with nothing beneath her but open space.
“It’ll be fine,” Case assured her, squeezing her hand. “This isn’t a charter, Andrea. This is my crew. I know them all well. They’re very experienced.”
Andrea nodded, only slightly jealous that he had his own plane and crew, but then he needed it to get to all of the races from one weekend to the next. Still, she’d always wanted her own jet.... But then, if she was going to be afraid to fly, what was the point?
The car pulled up near the small, private jet, and the crew members came out to get the bags. Andrea felt more important at the moment than she had in a long time, especially when Case took her hand again and led her up the stairs to his own luxurious ride.
There were only four seats in the back of the jet, but they were leather and comfortable. The interior was quite posh, with high end finishes on everything, all in a pleasant tan color with brown accents. Andrea sank into her seat, thinking she might even take a nap if she wasn’t terrified once the plane took off.
Case took the seat next to her and flashed a reassuring smile. “It’ll be fine.”
She nodded. “I wasn’t afraid before. It’s just... the turbulence last time. And sliding on the runway. For a minute, I thought that might be the end.”
“I can understand that, but I can assure you my pilot is the best. That doesn’t mean there won’t be any turbulence, but if there is, he can handle it.”
“Is there a co-pilot?” The idea of there just being one person on the plane who knew how to fly it was alarming.
“Yes, there is. And if all else fails, I also know how to fly.”
Andrea raised an eyebrow. “You do?” She had no idea.
Case shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. “Yes. I’m not technically certified to fly something this powerful, but I know how. You’ll be fine, beautiful. I promise.”
Andrea felt color creep into her cheeks at the compliment. He was so sweet.
“Can I get you a drink, Ms. Sparks?” The flight attendant was a short man with dark brown hair and a pleasant smile.”
Not knowing what to say, Andrea looked at Case. “Why don’t we open that bottle of champagne I’ve been saving, Randy?” he said. “This is as special an occasion as any.”
The young man nodded. “Yes, sir.”
A few minutes later, Andrea was starting to relax, a glass of champagne in her hand, and the plane in the air without incident. She could get used to flying this way—no other obnoxious passengers around. The champagne was wonderful, and she could feel it starting to affect her before Randy even refilled her glass. She’d have to be careful, though. The last thing she needed was to meet Case’s parents tipsy—or worse.
As they traveled, they chatted about what life was like growing up. Andrea was getting to know more about Case each day she spent with him, and after hearing about his dad, it was no wonder he was such a good man. Charles Meyer had passed away from a brain tumor when Case was only in high school, but he’d taught both of his children valuable lessons about how to be good people before he died.
His mom had never remarried but dated—a lot. Case seemed to think his mother didn’t quite take all of those lessons to heart. Andrea figured she was just lonely and had never gotten over her husband’s death. She even felt a little sorry for her, even if she was about to make Andrea’s New Years a little less than pleasant.
"I just hope Mom behaves herself," Case said, shaking his head.
Andrea's eyebrows arched. "Me, too. What should I do if she brings up Sarah?"
Case thought for a moment before he said, "Honestly, Andrea, it might be best just to let her say her piece. I can't quite explain the relationship between my mom and Sarah, but it's best not to argue with her, if you can help it."
Andrea really didn't like the idea of that. It almost sounded as if Case was taking Sarah's side. Did that mean she wasn't supposed to defend herself? Perhaps he was just trying to protect his mother, but it left a bad taste in her mouth.
Since they were almost to Seattle, she decided to let it go--for now. As they started their descent, the plane began to rock slightly. Andrea felt herself being jostled up and down. She grabbed Case's hand. “It’s okay. The pilots have it under control. It’s just a little bit of turbulence.”
Her grip on his hand tightened as she remembered that awful landing in Chicago, but after a few minutes, the flight smoothed out, and the pilot announced he thought it would be fine the rest of the way to the airport.
Andrea kept ahold of Case’s hand just in case, and he continued to reassure her until the plane was safely down in Seattle. She looked into his green eyes, glad to have him at her side, and he said, “I promise you, Andrea, I won’t ever let anything happen to you.”
“I believe you.” She leaned in and pressed her lips to his, happy to have a moment alone before they were thrust back into the chaos of family life.
As Andrea stepped off of the plane, she felt as if she were getting ready for battle. From what Case said about his mom, she was a lot more like Sarah than Andrea had realized until now. If she wanted Case in her life, this was a battle she couldn’t afford to lose. She just hoped she could make it through without making Case's mom hate her, but if she was that fond of her arch-rival, Andrea wasn't sure how that was possible. And at the moment, she wasn't even sure Case would be on her side.
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