The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann

Author:Claire Kann [Kann, Claire]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2022-04-12T00:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

Going to Glass Bead Winery & Vineyards sounded great in theory—until Joy saw the helicopter waiting to take off.

In the car, she drifts toward the front seat like a vengeful ghost. “The agenda didn’t say anything about a helicopter, Malcolm,” she seethes into his ear. “I thought we were driving and stopping by the cabin first. I smell like goat. Adorable baby goat.”

He turns to her with a smirk. “That’s your fault, darling.”

“I can’t go to a fancy winery smelling like goat in wrinkled clothes.”

Summer giggles in the front seat.

“First time for everything.”

“If it helps, I also smell like goat,” Fox says, tone completely flat. “We can make up a cover story about how we rescued them from near death on the freeway and returned them to their farm. We had to hold them the whole way to keep them calm and came straight there to make our appointment. We even have the pictures to prove it. People love animal rescue stories.”

“Your grumpy mind,” Joy says. “I love it.”

It’s a short trip from the parking lot to the launch pad walkway. Their pilot meets them there, shaking Malcolm’s hand and confirming the registration and destination, and goes over the particulars of the ride.

“It’s even smaller than I thought.” Fox has suddenly gone full grump—tense jaw, furrowed brow, and angry glare.

“Careful there or you’ll make the jump from grump to grinch,” Joy teases.

That earns her an amused side-eye. “Grinches are very misunderstood creatures. Green ones hate Christmas. My nemesis would be that.” He gestures with his chin to the helicopter just as the blades start up. The sound is a lot to take in—loud, uncomfortable, and almost piercing.

“Are you scared of flying?”

“No.” His worried face implies otherwise.

“No?”

“Maybe.”

Joy raises her eyebrows. “Maybe?”

“It’s heights more than flying. That thing is small. There’s no way to avoid looking out a window.”

“You could keep your eyes closed the entire time. You could also hold my hands. I’ve been told they have incredible comforting powers.”

Fox scoff-laughs as Summer runs from Malcolm and the pilot over to them. “Okay, so they don’t have a helicopter available that will fit all four of us, so we have to take two. Who do you want to ride with?” She’s asking Fox.

“I’m fine with Joy.”

“Are you sure?” She turns to Joy. “He’s afraid of flying. I was just thinking he might be more comfortable with me being there.”

“Oh. I had no idea. Hmm.” Joy can feel how bad her acting is but keeps going. “Malcolm went through all this trouble for you so you should probably stay with him. Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Fox.”

Their helicopter is bright purple with two tan seats for passengers in the second row. It is small, nearing claustrophobic levels. Their seats are so close together their shoulders touch. The sound is surprisingly more bearable once they’re inside, and the pilot hands them each a headset and instructs them to put on their safety belts.

Joy holds out her hand. Fox takes it, then promptly squeezes his eyes shut.

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