Page 85 of Tattered (Lark Cove 1)

I just hoped Willa made him work for it a bit.

“You okay, peanut?” I knelt down in front of Charlie.

She nodded, her eyes fixed on the plane fifty feet away. Her hand was clutching Thea’s, who wore the same nervous expression as our daughter.

I ran my fingers over her hair, then stood. “Are you okay?” I asked Thea.

She tore her eyes from the plane. “We’ve never been on a plane before. Are they supposed to be this tiny?”

Tiny? This was one of the larger Gulfstream models available and by far the most expensive. It was a good thing my mother wasn’t here for that comment. She would have gasped, then demanded I buy something bigger when we traded up every fall.

“It will be fine,” I assured them both. “This plane is as safe as they come, my pilots are the best there is, and this is a hundred times better than flying commercial.”

I hadn’t been on a commercial plane in over ten years, but I was sure my statement was true. We had no lines, no baggage limitations, and comfortable and spacious seating, plus I’d made sure the jet had been filled with Charlie’s favorite snacks.

“Mr. Kendrick?” One of the attendants approached, gesturing to the stairs. “You’re all set, sir.”

“Thank you.” I nodded, then took Charlie’s free hand and led them to the plane.

“Whoa.” Charlie’s whisper echoed through the cabin the second we stepped inside. Her eyes widened as she took in the cream interior.

My mother’s decorator was responsible for the interior of our plane. My sister Aubrey had asked to decorate it one year and we’d ended up with minimalist modern. Lillian Kendrick did not approve of minimalist, so from then on out, our jets had all been decorated like this one. Everything was rich, buttery leather and dark, gleaming mahogany. And the carpet was so plush, it felt like walking on a cloud.

I’d never felt uncomfortable in this plane before. Not once. Mom’s taste was extravagant compared to my own, but it was what I knew. It reminded me of my parents’ estate—my childhood home. It reminded me of Granny’s mansion, just three plots down from Mom and Dad’s.

But at this very moment, as I took in Thea’s expression, I was nervous to take a seat.

Thea was far from impressed. The worry she’d worn outside was now closer to panic, and it had nothing to do with getting in the air.

This was her first step into my life and she was terrified. Her feet were stuck by the door. She glanced over her shoulder, longing to retreat down the stairs.

Fuck. Was she going to run? I’d never dated a woman who hadn’t either had money of her own or had at least spent time surrounded by extreme wealth. Was this too much for Thea?

I’d been so glad when she’d finally agreed to this trip. But maybe I’d rushed it. Maybe I’d pushed too hard for her to come along. Maybe I should have given it more time.

It was too late now.

“Sir.” The captain emerged from the cockpit. “We’re all set.”

“Thanks, Mitch.”

He nodded and smiled at Charlie. “Hello, miss.”

She gave him a shy smile.

He bent, waving her close. “Would you like to sit in my seat for a minute? See what it feels like to be a pilot?”

Her face whipped to Thea, silently asking, Can I?

Thea nodded and reluctantly let go of her hand.

“Come on.” I took Thea’s elbow, practically dragging her to a seat. Then I sat across the aisle so Charlie could sit by one of us. “Was this a mistake?” I asked quietly. “This trip?”

“No,” she lied. Her eyes, filled with doubt, betrayed her.

“Thea, I—” Before I could tell her I’d cancel this whole thing if she was scared, Charlie came rushing out of the cockpit, her nerves erased by a moment in the captain’s chair.

“Can I sit by you?” Charlie asked me.