by JoAnn Durgin
He laughed. “Maybe we should have waited until we’re safely back on the ground, but thanks for breaking the pact.”
“What pact?” She gave him a coy grin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Opening a compartment, he retrieved a pair of aviator sunglasses. “My version of goggles,” he said. Oh my, he looks way too good. “I’ve got an extra pair. Want to borrow them?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine, thanks. Now, then, it’s time to get this baby up in the air.”
After radioing the tower, Cooper taxied down the small runway and the plane effortlessly lifted into the air. Feeling like a kid, Amy pushed as high in the seat as possible and pressed her face against the window, suppressing the urge to say “Whee!” For the better part of the next hour, they soared above the city with Cooper pointing out highlights of interest. Amy peered out the window as she listened, giddy as a small child. His love and appreciation of his hometown was obvious.
“The park directly below you is where Mom taught me to ride a bike,” he said before pointing out his childhood neighborhood.
“Wow,” Amy said, eyeing the impressive houses—mansions, really—with each sprawling home in the middle of several acres and a swimming pool in the backyard. “This must have been a great place to grow up.”
“It could be, yes.”
She had the feeling his response had everything to do with his father. Although it was on the tip of her tongue to inquire further, she refrained. Inappropriate timing. Soon after, he turned the plane and headed back toward downtown Austin, elevating the plane to a higher altitude. “The Driskill is directly below us now on your side,” he said.
“Yes, I see it! This is so great to see everything from the air.”
“Glad you’re enjoying the tour.” He sounded pleased by her enthusiasm.
“I’ll never forget it,” she said. When he turned his head, their eyes locked and something inside her shifted. A second later, he returned his attention to the controls.
“Next up is the main campus of the University of Texas. I imagine it’s pretty empty right now since the students are on their Christmas break. Even though I went to A&M, I spent a lot of time on this campus with my friends through the years.”
Amy spied the bell tower and marveled at the massive football stadium with its giant Longhorn symbol. “Sam Lewis graduated from Texas. I guess it’s true what they say,” she mused, “it’s so spread out and big here. At NYU, everything’s . . . well, much more contained, but that was a good thing during the winter months, especially.” She darted a quick glance at his handsome, dashing profile. “Why did you go to A&M instead of UT?”
“Engineering scholarship,” he said, adjusting a few controls. “And I played football. Both schools have great teams, but I spent some field time as an Aggie whereas I probably would have remained a benchwarmer my entire career as a Longhorn.”
“I learn something new about you all the time,” she said, smiling. “What position did you play?”
“Tight end. No comments, please.”
She giggled. “I wouldn’t think of it.”
“We’re coming up on the state capitol and government office buildings now.” He flew low enough for her to see the Texas and U.S. flags atop the capitol. “They have a woman dressed like Lady Liberty on the steps outside to greet visitors and they have dance demonstrations inside the rotunda. It’s a fascinating tour and very impressive. Maybe I can take you sometime.”
She turned away from the window. “Are you saying—”
“I’m saying I hope you’ll want to come back sometime.” He darted a glance her way.
Her heart picked up speed again. “I’d like that.” She turned to look out the window again. “It’s so charming here,” she breathed. “I can see why you love it so much.”
Concentrated on his task, he didn’t say anything for a full minute or more. “We’re starting our descent now,” he said. “You might feel a little pressure and your ears might pop.”
Within five minutes, they were back on the ground. “Thank you, Cooper.” Amy removed her headset and handed it to him. “Hands down, that was the best plane trip I’ve ever taken. It was incredible and very special.” When he helped her down from the plane, she felt wobbly, her legs like wet, limp noodles. Giving him a tremulous smile, she grabbed hold of his arm. “Whoa. Feeling a little shaky here.”
“I’ve got you.” Cooper slid an arm around her waist, keeping her steady.
“I was fine until I got out.” She put a hand up to her head. “Sorry.” Closing her eyes, she willed her equilibrium to behave.
“Let me help you into the hangar and get you some water.”
“No, I’m fine. This is embarrassing enough, but I can’t have you thinking I’m a wimp.”
“Nothing about you can be classified that way. The Cessna’s pretty smooth, but some people have that reaction if they’re not used to a smaller plane. Do you want me to take you back to the hotel so you can rest before dinner?”
“You keep thinking I need to rest. I’m no wilting flower.”
He laughed. “I know that.”
“As a matter of fact, in New York, I’m capable of working an entire eight-hour day—sometimes more—without the benefit of a nap.”
“I was actually thinking maybe you’d like to nap a little . . . with me. In the truck,” he added. “No hanky panky involved.”
“Oh, you!” Feeling better, she pushed away from his hold and hurried across the tarmac toward Matilda, thankfully feeling much steadier on her feet. Quiet laughter followed her. Smiling, she spun around and ran straight into him. Putting one hand on that rock-solid chest, she lifted her head when he didn’t move. Didn’t try to kiss her. Didn’t say anything. The problem was, she couldn’t see his eyes since he still wore the dark sunglasses. That bugged her to no end, as if he hid secrets. Smoothing the wayward shock of hair from his forehead, she ran her finger in a gentle pattern over that endearing, crescent-shaped scar. Beneath her other hand, she felt the rise and fall of his chest, his ragged breathing.
“Cooper,” she said, swallowing hard, “I think it’s best if we put the pact back in place now.”
He looked away and blew out a breath. “Exactly.”
As he drove them out of the airport, she sensed the change in their behavior. The constant barbs and back-and-forth exchanges had slowly transitioned into mutual admiration and fascination. Since she was leaving for Houston tomorrow and then heading back to New York late on Wednesday, how could a relationship with this man work by any stretch of the imagination? She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the seat, knowing he watched.
You’ve brought this man into my life for a reason, Lord, and I’m going to trust You know what You’re doing.
She’d never doubted His guidance in her life before, and she wasn’t about to start now.
Chapter 32
She’d know that lush, dark head of hair anywhere. As Amy spied Cooper coming up the grand staircase from the lobby to the mezzanine, all she wanted to do was run to him, run her fingers through those thick waves and give him a kiss he’d never forget. This is getting ridiculous.
When he rounded the corner and approached the lounge area outside The Driskill Grill, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. In his dark, double-breasted suit with white shirt and deep red tie, he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen. Stopping a few feet away, he moved one hand over his heart. As he made his way to where she sat on one of the loveseats outside the restaurant, she rose to greet him.
“You look ravishing, Amelia.” The whispered words thrilled her heart, the kiss on her temple sent shivers everywhere. His glance was admiring as he took in the length of her, making the past few months of diligent workouts and watching calories worth every sacrifice. Not to mention the manicure and pedicure at an obscenely overpriced New York salon. Tossing her classic, black jersey dress into the suitcase at the last minute had also been a very good instinct. The necklin
e dipped—low enough to make her feel like a woman yet not revealing anything it shouldn’t—and the cut emphasized her waist before skimming over her hips and falling to her knees. Paired with the strappy, high-heeled silver sandals she’d worn to the rehearsal dinner and wedding, she’d aimed for classic elegance. A dainty silver bracelet and matching earrings—Celeste’s gift for her last birthday—were the perfect complements. As they walked together toward the entrance of the restaurant, she caught him stealing another glance.
Cooper crooked his arm, offering it to her. “Shall we go in to dinner now?” Tearing her gaze from his, she was afraid to ponder what those blue eyes might be telling her.
This is crazy. They hardly knew each other. And yet we know each other so well.
Escorting her into the restaurant, he pressed a gentle hand on the small of her back in an intimate yet appropriate manner. Pulling out her chair, he waited until she was settled. For the next two hours, they talked quietly, laughed together and sampled one another’s entrées. The cuisine was top-notch, the company even better. Attentive and responsive, he managed to turn the attention back to her whenever she ventured into personal territory. Oh, yes the man was smooth and purposeful. Most people wanted to talk about themselves, and she wondered why he seemed reluctant to share details about his life.
“Cooper,” she said as they finished their dinners, “could you tell me a little more about what you meant in Baton Rouge when you talked about giving your heart to the Lord and then—”
“Ah yes, the stupid comment.” He took a quick sip of his water. “I fell away from the Lord when I was in my mid-teens and it lasted a few years. For one thing, I was something of an anomaly at A&M because I was both the newspaper editor and an athlete.” He gave her a small smile. “Others weren’t sure whether I was a geek or cool unless they got to know me. It’s almost like I had a dual iden—” He stopped abruptly and cleared his throat. “I got caught up in the whole fraternity and sports thing and wanted to experience the world before I was ready.”
“A lot of young people do,” she said, wanting him to know she understood.
He nodded. “When I started my career, things took off quicker than I expected and I faced a lot of choices early on.” His gaze moved to hers, and she glimpsed a sadness. “Choices I wasn’t prepared for, both professionally and personally. I willingly fell into some common traps because of bad decisions. But, I’ve never been arrested, never been addicted to alcohol, tobacco, drugs or anything else. I’ve never physically hurt anyone with my bare hands or behind the wheel of a car. For a time, I partied too hard and liked the fast lane too much, but that’s all behind me. My mom taught me right from wrong and instilled solid Christian values in me early on, but I was determined to put God to the test. And so . . . I did.” After wiping his napkin over his mouth, Cooper laid it on the side of his plate. “The Lord’s brought me to my knees a few times and humbled me. He’s taught me some invaluable lessons, and some were pretty hard to accept at the time.”
Amy’s eyes welled and a tear dropped from her lashes. She tried to wipe it away before he noticed, but he missed nothing.
“I’ve disappointed you.”
“Don’t be silly,” she said, brushing away another tear and dabbing at the corners of both eyes with her napkin. “We all make mistakes. I make a ton of them on a daily basis. If you harbor any illusions that I’m some kind of perfect Christian, you can forget it. I think the main thing is that we learn from our missteps.” She lifted her eyes to his. “Witnessing how the Lord can sometimes turn our mistakes into life’s sweetest blessings is one of His miracles.”
“I don’t think you’re perfect.”
She’d opened her mouth to continue, but closed it instead.
“What I think,” he said, leaning close with a smile that reached the deep recesses of her heart, “is you’re open to God’s leading, and you’re willing to follow His call. That’s a beautiful quality and a whole lot more than I can say for most people, Christian or not. Besides, if you were perfect, you sure wouldn’t be sitting here with me.” She adored the way his eyes crinkled at the corners. “All I’ve learned up to this point helps me appreciate the woman sitting across from me all the more. I’ve needed a woman like you, but I didn’t know it . . . until you came along and tore apart every preconceived perception I had of what a relationship could be.”
Shaking her head, Amy stared at him. “I take it that’s in a good way?”
“The best way.”
Sitting back in her chair, she gave him a helpless look. “We’ve only known each other for two days. Barely forty-eight hours. This is completely crazy.”
“By whose standards of measure?”
“What do you mean?”
“Tell me something.” Taking her hand, he laced their fingers together, holding on tight. “How long did your parents know each other before they fell in love?”
She shook her head, wondering what prompted his question. Love? “My parents weren’t your typical love story.”
“No love story should be typical. How long?”
Giving up this line of questioning wasn’t on the horizon, it seemed. “Two weeks.”
“And when did they marry?”
Turning her head, she blew out a breath. “They were engaged within a month and married the next month.” She stopped short of asking him if he’d been talking with Mitch. Mitch knows Landon, not the man sitting here at the table. Wanting to ask Cooper about his parents, she refrained, given his reluctance to discuss his dad.
“You should know I spoke with Kevin at the reception. I shared with him my thoughts about how special you are.”
“You did?”
Cooper took a sip of water and nodded. “Kevin may be quiet, but he’s one of the sharpest guys I know. He noticed my preoccupation with you, and he wasn’t the only one.” The way he trailed his fingers over her wrist in a light caress was tantalizing. Knowing she should withdraw from his touch, she couldn’t. “Amy, I can’t believe our good-bye tomorrow will be final in any sense of the word.” He paused. “Do you?”
“No.” The word was quiet. Wiping away another traitorous tear, she dared to meet his gaze.
“I want to see you again. Soon. Please tell me that’s what you want, too.”
Her resolve softened at the depth of emotion in those incredible eyes. “You know I do. But,” she said, waving her hand, “your life is here in Texas, and mine is in New York. We’re worlds apart.”
“I say we let God handle the details and not fight it. Have you ever been in love before?”
That question took her by surprise. “Not supposed to ask that one.” Lowering her gaze, she twisted her hands together in her lap. “I’d hoped to project this image of a sophisticated, professional woman who’s had at least one serious relationship in her life.” She turned her head and looked away. “I must sound pretty pathetic to you.”
“Not at all. If anything, I think the Lord saved you for me.”
“What?” Fumbling for the right words, she gave him a helpless look. “I do believe . . .”
“You believe . . . what?” The man was uncanny in reading her, as though he could see past any veneer straight into her mind, her heart. “Is that so impossible for you to believe?”
She inhaled a deep breath. “How do you expect me to react when you say things like that?” Glancing at her lap again, she smoothed her napkin, needing something to do with her hands. In the boldness of his statement, if she didn’t know better, she’d think Landon sat at the table with her.
“Time is immaterial. We understand one another better—and have more in common—than a lot of people who’ve been married for years. It’s the special kind of relationship that only happens once in a lifetime.”
Taking a deep breath, she held up one hand. “One of us has to be rational, and this is happening so fast,” she said. “I’m scared, but it’s not you that’s scaring me. You make me feel things I’ve never felt before and I have no idea wha
t to do with all this . . . overwhelming emotion.”
“Well,” he said, “we can trade e-mails, burn up the phone lines and talk a little Texan.”
“What’s Texan? Considering it’s the second time you’ve mentioned it, this must be something important to you.” Sipping her water, she relaxed. “Tell me, is it something Christians do? Clarification: something Christians should do?”
Cooper’s laugh was deep and wonderful. “Flirty talk, sweet talk, but within the bounds of propriety. At least until marriage when it becomes a matter of personal preference and—if you ask me—priority.” His grin was borderline provocative, stirring all kinds of emotion. “You know how powerful words can be, Amy.”
She snapped up her head. “What did you say?”
“I said words can be very powerful. Don’t you agree?” If Cooper sensed she was bothered, he didn’t show it as he signaled their waiter for the check.
Pondering his words, she remained silent. As much as she wanted to believe him, doubts niggled at her mind. The biggest problem—one she couldn’t admit to this man—was that she’d fallen hard for him. For a split second, she wondered if Cooper really was Landon. No, couldn’t be. Crazy idea. Why would he mislead her? Still, how could there be so many similarities? It made no sense unless he was some kind of actor. Or a writer wanting a good story. She needed to stop this train of thought now . . . it was dangerous.
Chapter 33
You have to tell her. The thought nicked at Landon’s conscience and guilt wound its way into his heart, squeezing him so tight at times he almost couldn’t breathe. Loosening his shirt collar hadn’t helped. He’d dropped all the hints and clues he could think of to point Amy to the truth, so she’d figure out his true identity. Coward. An almost unbearable burden rested on his shoulders and he’d been either too chicken, too selfish—or both—to come straight out and tell her. What a sham—he was a man who prided himself on being honest to his core. No Christian man should lead on a woman and act this way. He had no excuses except his own selfishness in not wanting to let go of her. When the truth was revealed, would she hate his guts or find it amusing and laugh it off? Somehow, the latter didn’t seem likely.