Page 62 of The Rented Bride

“You look great,” he said.

She shrugged. “It was the best I could do, considering….”

“It’s perfect.”

They stared at one another for two heartbeats before Cassie said, “Let me get my purse.” She grabbed the small clutch sitting on the bureau and hurried to his side.

They went downstairs to the entrance that opened into the courtyard.

Henry waited in the foyer with their coats. “The car is ready.”

Trent nodded at him. “Thank you, Henry.”

Trent took Cassie’s jacket from Henry. “Is this the only coat you brought?” She nodded and he frowned, but held it out for her. “We’ll get you a warmer one when you return.”

“Okay,” she said, and slipped her arms into the sleeves.

Stepping outside, a bite of cold wind stung her cheek. The sun hung low on the horizon, painting the sky in a wash of grays, blues and ambers. She was a bit surprised when Trent opened the front passenger door of a black Range Rover. She’d assumed they’d be driven by Henry. She slipped inside and when her bottom hit the soft leather seat she was in heaven. Heated seats—of course—and warm air blew from the vents.

Trent strode around the front of the SUV, opened the driver’s door and got in behind the wheel.

“I could live in this car,” she said.

He laughed and shifted into drive. “It’s the heated seats, isn’t it? They’re a deal breaker in this cold country.” He navigated along the winding drive, down the hill and out onto the main road.

Cassie folded her hands in her lap and watched out the window. In the distance, the lights of Vail twinkled in the dusky night. “I hadn’t thought I’d have the chance to see some of Vail. My schedule wasn’t going to afford me the time.” She smiled in his direction. The lights of the dash shadowed the angular cut of his jaw and cheekbones.

Trent took a left. “When you return on Sunday, we’ll go into town.”

“I’d like that.” But then where was he taking her tonight?

A few minutes later, Trent drove past the Eagle County Airport sign.

“The airport?”

Trent smiled as he drove through the facility to general aviation. A helicopter came into view up ahead near a small hanger.

Cassie whipped her gaze onto Trent. “Trent…what’s going on?”

He brought the Range Rover to a halt twenty feet from the helicopter, left the engine running, and got out of the car. A man emerged from the helicopter as Trent hurried around to her side of the car. He opened the door and held her hand as she got out of the vehicle.

Trent closed the door. “Our ride.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“Why not?” He led her across the tarmac to the waiting pilot.

“Mr. Weston.” The pilot looked at Cassie. “Ma’am. Beautiful night for a flight.”

“Liam.” Trent nodded and helped Cassie into the helicopter.

As they took their seats and buckled in, the pilot waved to another gentleman who took possession of the SUV and drove away. A moment later, Liam sat in front of them, strapped into his restraints and powered up the helicopter. The whirl of the blades vibrated through the cabin.

“Prepare for lift off,” he said.

Cassie swallowed hard and tensed. Trent slipped his right palm beneath her left and laced their fingers.

“I’ve never been on a helicopter,” she said.