A Masterpiece Of Our Love (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 1)

by Nikki Lynn Barrett

  He was glad she didn't want to fly right now. The idea of taking a spur of the moment flight didn't appeal to him at all. Letting her get comfortable with the plane, he could do. That would be easy. He brushed her hair back before kissing her forehead. "Okay. Let's go."

  Chapter Twenty Four

  "Hey, Hunter! It's been a while!" A short, plump man wearing a security uniform waved ecstatically at them as he led Becca to his plane. "Taking a night spin?"

  "No sir, not tonight. I'm just showing my girlfriend the plane this evening." He had his arm around her and at the word girlfriend, he gave her right shoulder an affectionate squeeze. "Arthur, I'd like you to meet Becca."

  "I've heard so much about you, Becca." Arthur held his hand out, his smile warm and friendly. "Hunter speaks so highly of you, but he's never brought you around. I was wondering if you were imaginary."

  She laughed and held out her hand to shake his. "I can assure you I'm very real."

  "Good. I'd hate to think he's paying you so we all would finally believe that such a woman existed." He let out a hearty laugh that made his belly shake. "Just giving Hunter a hard time. We all enjoy a little picking around here. He's no exception. Wait till I tell Dan that I met the infamous Becca."

  "I had a feeling you two were taking bets," Hunter chuckled. "How much does he owe you?"

  The man's cheeks turned a little red, his grin widening. "You're good, man. He owes me fifty bucks. But, I'll have to take a picture of you two in case you don't bring her by again. He'll want concrete proof." His tone was hopeful.

  Hunter shook his head, still smiling. "The things I do for you crazy old-timers. You have nothing better to do than take bets on my life, huh? What do you say, Bec?"

  "I won't be the reason he doesn't earn that fifty dollars. They want a picture? We'll give them a photo to remember." She smiled over at Arther, who already had his phone out. She winked and turned to Hunter, cupping his face and leaning in for a kiss. She closed her eyes as the flash of the camera lit up and her lips met Hunter's.

  "Ha, love it!" Arthur pumped a fist in the air. "I'll take that fifty and take my wife out for the night. She'll enjoy it. Seriously, it's wonderful to meet you, Becca. We might pick a lot, but Hunter here is a good man and it's nice to see him happy. Always had a feeling one day you two would end up together."

  Becca smiled. Just how much did Hunter talk about her? Apparently a lot! "It's great to meet you, too."

  "Now, if you're done making me a just slightly embarrassed, I'm going to take Becca to see the plane." Hunter fist bumped Arthur.

  "Go on, have fun. Don't be a stranger." Arthur waved them on. Hunter grasped Becca's hand and led her away.

  "Embarrassed, hmm?" Becca teased. Then she laughed. "Funny how they're taking bets about me being real or not. Do I want to know what you say about me?"

  "Hey! Only the best." Hunter feigned hurt. "See what I mean though? Everyone around me knew I was in love with you. It took me a lot longer to realize it." They stopped in front of a small plane.

  Becca sucked in air and her knees buckled. Planes. Dang it, she hated planes. But this had been her idea.

  "Angel, we don't have to do this, you know." Hunter must have sensed her hesitation. He gently touched her shoulders, keeping her steady.

  "No, I think I do. I don't want to always be so afraid of them," she said firmly, squaring her shoulders and mentally scolding herself. She inhaled and exhaled deeply a few times. She could do this. They weren't going in the air. She was just sitting and exploring. That's it. One step at a time. If she could never fly again, then at least she had to say she tried. She wasn't a quitter. This was her starting point.

  "All right. Here we go then." Hunter opened the door to the plane and helped her up. She stood inside now, on shaky legs. She swallowed hard. Oh man, she was really doing this. Stepping on a plane after twenty years! Hunter pulled himself up and now stood by her side.

  "You okay?" he asked softly, pulling her into his arms.

  "Honestly? I'm not sure. I don't know how I feel yet about being on a plane even if we aren't taking it in the air." Her pulse quickened.

  "Just take it easy. Deep breaths. You say the word and we'll get out of here." Hunter planted a kiss on her cheek. "Let's get some light in here." He moved away from her. She could see his shadow and heard him shuffling around. Then came the light.

  Becca took in her surroundings. On each side of the plane were seats. She counted eight of them. Four on each side. She recalled sitting by the window that night. When the lightning hit, she recalled the brightest flash. She cringed and fought to breathe. What had she been thinking?

  No. Don't go there. I can do this. I can. It's just a plane.

  Just a plane? No. It was more than that. A plane had the power to take her whole world and turn it upside down. It had changed everything about her life. Everything.

  Okay, but anything could do that. A car. A bus. A train. A building for that matter.

  She could do this.

  "Angel," Hunter said from behind her.

  She shrieked.

  "Hey. It's okay. Come here." He pulled her back in his arms. "I went through the same feeling. It gets better. Remember, it's your pace. Whatever you need, I've got you. I'll keep you safe."

  She knew he would. He always had.

  "How many times did it take you just sitting on a plane to get past the fear?" she asked. Her throat was so dry. She wished she'd asked to pick up a bottle of water or something before doing this.

  His deep green eyes met hers. "Thirty-seven."

  The number and the certainty in his voice struck her as odd.

  "Each time the memories eased, a little at a time. I'd climb up and sit in different seats. I even climbed in the cockpit a few times. I'd freeze. I'd feel sick to my stomach. I wanted to yell and scream and put a hole in the plane for what I felt, what I lost. But I fought those feelings down, pushed myself to get past them. The last time before I felt okay, I brought two pictures with me. One of you, and the only one I have of my parents. Now I carry those pictures in my wallet all the time."

  "You only have one picture of your parents? You never got to go and get things from where you lived?" She hadn't either of course, but then for whatever reason, her grandparents never wanted to go there. They'd sent someone to deal with it. She never understood why.

  He shook his head. "No. I don't even know what happened to the house or anything in it. Back then, I never really thought about that stuff, you know? I just accepted that I had to live somewhere else and never thought about getting anything from home. Hell, for that matter, I don't even remember why we were on the plane in the first place. I do remember I wanted to be at some kind of sports camp and wasn't happy that I didn't get to go." Hunter gestured to the seats. "Want to sit?"

  "Yes." Sitting would be good. Maybe the dizziness would go away if she sat. She moved toward one of the seats and folded herself lower. She crossed her legs, realizing she felt a little better now that she'd been on the plane longer. Hunter lowered himself into the seat across from her. He reached for her hand.

  "You know it wasn't until the nightmares started and the incidents on the island that I started really thinking back and wondering why. Where were we going or coming back from? Why were were on the same plane? It never really phased me before that."

  "I've wondered that off and on, but never pushed forward with it. Not like my grandparents would tell me anything. I asked my aunt once, but she claimed she knew nothing about it. I don't know if she lied or meant it. I figured it wasn't meant for me to find out."

  Hunter frowned and she wondered what he wanted to say. What was he thinking about? "Want to see the front? See the view from the cockpit?" His face lit up.

  She just smiled, loving the way his mind changed gears. "Sure." This time, when she stood, her knees weren't so shaky. She followed Hunter as they sat side by side in the front of the plane. Becca glanced at all the gears, buttons, and knobs. "Wow. How do you keep track
of everything? It looks so complicated!"

  "It really isn't, actually," Hunter assured her. "It takes a lot of learning, but it's not that bad. I know, looks can be deceiving. I'll teach you one day, when you're ready."

  She marveled at how he said when, not if. Hunter put so much faith in her. He believed she could actually one day be ready to let him take her out on a plane, let alone teach her to fly? Then again, she'd been so fearful of learning to drive, and he'd let her at it on an open road on the way back to Vermont the first time she'd visited with him on the island. She remembered being scared out of her mind, and the nice car he'd rented only made her feel worse. She thought she'd crash it, mess up because of her knee or just not be ready.

  Turned out, she'd done well. She went home after that and begged her aunt to help her get her driver's license.

  Becca laughed. "Intimidating. That's all I have to say. I think I'll leave the flying up to the pros."

  He crossed his arms over his chest and quirked a brow. "So, are you saying that I'm a pro?"

  "Maybe. I'm not sure yet," she replied with a sly grin. Staring out the large window, she pictured Hunter sitting right where he was now, but up in the air. Then she wondered how pilots felt while they were so high above the ground. They were responsible for others' safety and their own. That seemed like such a huge weight to carry. She could probably say the same thing about other vehicles, but she already knew there was a big difference from driving a car to flying a plane. Maybe she needed to stop overthinking. "How do you feel? When you're flying, I mean?" Curious to his answers, Becca looked over at him again.

  His gaze met hers. "Free," he responded. "I feel free. It's like I'm away from the craziness of the world. I didn't feel that at first, but that's what it's like. There's nothing holding me back."

  Becca understood that feeling very well. She enjoyed the feel of being free. Free from the restraints of her legs when she pushed herself to walk again, or when she lost herself in a painting. She could be whatever or whoever she wanted on that canvas.

  She almost wished she hadn't come into the cockpit with Hunter. The idea of all those buttons and gears terrified her. How did one keep track of every single thing? She gripped the seat and stared back out through the window. Lightning bolts sliced the sky. Storms, lightning, the plane. No, she couldn't do this anymore. "Hunter, a storm is coming," she whispered. Dang it, did she sound dumb or what? This was the summer of storms, in more ways than one.

  He shot from his seat a little faster than she'd anticipated. "Let's head out then."

  She reached for her purse and stood, keeping an eye on the sky. She knew she wasn't in any harm. The storm was still far enough away, and they weren't going anywhere on this plane, but she wasn't ready to face both of them at the same time.

  He stood close and rubbed his hand up and down her back. "We can go home, or..." he leaned close, kissing her ear, "Make new memories with planes and storms."

  Her heart thudded against her ribcage at the feel of Hunter's lips near her skin and at the same time, a rumble of thunder warned the storm was coming closer. "I don't-"

  "This is just as much for me, Bec," he whispered. "I- I've kind of been afraid to fly ever since that night a few months ago. Something happened inside me and I don't know how to explain it. Todd keeps asking about me going back to work and I'm not ready. I've had flights since then, but they're been short and easy. I saw that lightning the same time as you and I wanted to panic. It's still up to you, but I was thinking about sitting on the plane while the storm moves over us."

  She was torn. The last thing she wanted was to be inside an aircraft during a storm. She had to remind herself they weren't going anywhere. They would just hold each other. They would be together.

  She'd do it for Hunter. Whatever it took to help him. Becca kissed him and muttered against his lips. "Okay. I'll do it. We'll stay here for a while." If only she could get her erratic heartbeat under control. She was overcome with a nervous feeling.

  "Really?" His eyes widened. "I didn't expect you to say yes. I appreciate this."

  "I told you I'd do what I can. I meant it."

  "I know, angel. I know." He closed the door to the cockpit and sank to the floor against it. He held his arms out, looking up at her with a half smile. "Come here."

  Thunder rumbled again. Becca slid down next to him and he immediately pulled her close, kissing the top of her head.

  "That song you were singing when I had you close your eyes to give you the camera, will you sing it?" he pleaded. "The one your mom used to sing to you."

  The rain began. Becca stared up at the ceiling, listening to the plop-plop-plop of the drops slamming against the aircraft. I'm safe. I'm here in Hunter's arms and he won't let anything happen to me. She closed her eyes and imagined they were somewhere else, somewhere off the plane. She let the memory of her mother singing the song to her fill her mind. A good thought. Her mama had a sweet voice, or at least, that's how Becca imagined it. The words played in her mind and she opened her mouth. Despite her dry throat, her voice came out clear as she started singing.

  The rain, it's only water

  The sun will shine another day

  The storm is not much farther

  The air will be clean when it goes away

  Don't be afraid of the thunder

  Don't let the lightning make you cry

  Just close your eyes and dream away your pain

  No matter where we go

  I'll always keep you close to my heart

  Hunter held her close while she sang. When she stopped, he kissed along her hair again. "That's beautiful."

  "I don't remember more."

  "I love it. It's very fitting right now, too."

  A bolt of lightning lit up the night sky, followed by a loud and long rumble of thunder. The rain fell harder. Becca squeezed her eyes shut again, trying to drown out the view of the constant flashing.

  "I've got you, angel. We're safe."

  "I'm so-" She was going to apologize, but Hunter tipped her face toward him and kissed her lips.

  "Shh. No apologizing. It's all right. I love you with all of my heart, Rebecca Lange. I'm not the easiest person to deal with right now and I know it. I just don't want you to give up on me, or us, before we even begin." He gave her another spine-tingling kiss before he ran his fingers through her hair.

  "I'm not giving up on you Hunter. Ever," she promised. No way! They would make it through, no matter what. She knew that in her heart. "I love you too much to ever think about that."

  A gust of wind shook the plane. Becca shrieked.

  Hunter cradled her in his arms. To her surprise, he started singing the words she'd just sang to him. "I don't remember them all."

  Becca repeated them. Her voice came out shaky this time, but Hunter singing with her calmed her down. He ran a hand through her hair, keeping her close.

  "You hear that, storm? We're going to make it past you! Any storm! Bring it on!" Hunter yelled.

  Becca laughed. "You talk to yourself, and now you yell at storms?"

  "Yeah, I know. You should try it. You could even swear at it," he teased.

  "You want me to curse at a storm?" Her body shook as she held back a laugh.

  "Sure, why not?"

  "Oh Hunter, you're too funny."

  "Hey! I already said before, I don't want to be too much of anything. I want to be just right." He nuzzled her neck.

  She couldn't keep the smile away. Becca opened her eyes and looked him right in the eyes. They radiated with love and amusement. "I'm glad I decided to stay in here with you. This is fun and kind of calming, actually."

  He nodded in agreement. "Singing and yelling during a storm is good for the soul. And you are perfect for mine."

  Becca was about to say something when they were both startled by a loud banging. She jumped away from Hunter.

  "Who could that be?" Hunter jumped to his feet and rushed toward the plane door. He pushed it open.

  "You
two okay? I figured once the storm hit, I'd see you leaving."

  It was Arthur. Becca put a hand over her heart and forced herself to calm down.

  "Yeah, we're fine. We were listening to the sound of the rain and talking. We probably should head out now, though." Hunter turned to her.

  "Don't mean to bother ya, but I got worried is all."

  "No, no it's all right. I would have wondered, too."

  "If you're ready to go now, I'll drive you back on the cart so you don't get soaked," Arthur offered.

  "That's perfect. I'm ready to go. How about you, Bec?"

  "Yeah. We can go." She picked herself up off the floor, grabbed her purse and moved to stand beside Hunter.

  "Here, let me help you down and I'll shut off the light." Hunter kissed her cheek before he helped her step down on the wet ground. Her knee ached. She watched him retreat back into the plane.

  She hobbled over to the cart. Arthur came to her aide, offering his arm for her to hold. He said nothing, just shot her a kind smile. She situated herself on the seat and watched the storm unleash all around her. Minutes later, Hunter jumped out of the plane and landed on his feet. He slammed the door closed, then ran over to them. There was a smaller seat behind Becca which he leaped up and plopped himself on, immediately turning to hold her hand.

  "Ready? Here we go." Arthur climbed up next to Becca, put the cart into reverse and spun the wheel to head back. She watched quietly as they drove further away from the plane. Relief washed over her, but if she had to be honest with herself, that wasn't as bad as she'd anticipated.

  She might not know every single thing about Hunter, and he seemed to keep things in, but the one thing she could always count on was that he knew how to make her feel better. It always came down to the fact that he tried to put her first; her feelings and her dreams.

  She wanted a chance to do the same for him. By staying on that plane in the storm tonight, she had that opportunity. The worry she'd been feeling all day, especially when he snapped at her earlier, faded away. Somehow, she saw the light at the end of that tunnel. The rainbow after the storm.