Firecracker (Forever McAbee Book 1) by Claire Foster

Author:Claire Foster [Foster, Claire]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Southern Sparks Publishing
Published: 2024-08-06T00:00:00+00:00

One thing I may have conveniently forgotten to mention in all those late-night talks with Beau was how much I hate flying. I would almost prefer the twelve-hour drive from Pelahatchie to Houston to avoid getting on an airplane. When he showed me the tickets, he was so excited. I’m tired of always letting him down so I kept my mouth shut and tucked my fear away in a tiny, little box in my chest.

The drive to the airport was quiet. At least on my part because Beau is never quiet. His constant stream of chatter has helped to keep the spotlight off my anxiety. He’s so at ease. He’s carted our bags, gotten us breakfast and settled us both on the plane with a huge smile on his face. And here I am feeling like I’m going to throw up every time the plane moves.

At takeoff, my eyes squeeze shut as we’re hurtling down the runway. The noise has always been the worst part and I can’t focus on anything other than the horrible whooshing sound outside the plane and inside my head.

“Firecracker, everything okay?” Beau’s hand comes to rest on my thigh.

“Fine,” I grit out shortly.

“You don’t look fine.”

“Breathing through your nose is supposed to help, right?”

“Help what?”

“Anxiety,” I say in a small voice.

“Right.”

“Then why isn’t it helping?” I snap, eyes still glued shut.

He pauses. “Tess, are you scared of flying?”

“No,” I fib.

“Well, let's try easing up on the death grip you have on the armrest there and look at me.”

“I can’t.”

“You can’t?”

“I can’t open my eyes until we’re in the air.”

“Then open your eyes, baby.” I peek one eye open. “Good job,” he teases. “Now the other one.” When I obey, he takes my hand and kisses the back of it. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re scared of flying?”

It’s difficult to talk when I continue breathing deeply through my nose. “I don’t know. I didn’t want you to think I was being difficult.”

“You’re always difficult. I’m used to it,” he jokes with a smug grin. “Seriously though, we could have driven if you’d said something.”

The plane dips slightly with turbulence and I immediately tuck my head in my lap. “It was twelve hours,” I squeak.

“Tess, if you don’t know by now that I would do anything to make you comfortable, I’m not doing a very good job.”

“I’m sorry. I wish I could be cool about this. I am excited about the trip, but I hate planes. I don’t know anything worse than being stuck in a giant, tin can thousands of feet in the air.” The words are muffled by my position and Beau puts a large hand on my shoulder to bring me upright.

“How about I try and take your mind off it?”

“There’s no possible way I could stop thinking about plunging to my death right now.”

“I have a few ideas. Come here.” He lifts the armrest I was clutching so our two small seats become a slightly larger bench.

“What are you doing?”

“Come here and I’ll show you.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.