Flight to Paradise (Flight Trilogy, Book 1) (39 page)

“You might be wondering how I did all this. First, Emily, being the classic female predator—looking for any man that would give her a life of luxury—I knew I might have difficulty. Even if I could entice a man to take her, I couldn’t afford that she would ever want to go back after Ryan. That’s when I decided to do it myself. I had a letter mailed to the apartment in Texas. It was designed to look like a mass-mailing. I’m sure you remember…

Dear
Resident
:

Career
opportunities
await
as
“
Excalibur
Homes
”,
a
regional
homebuilder
and
subsidiary
of
an
Atlanta
-
based
national
conglomerate
,
expands
into
the
Metroplex
.

…but it was all staged. There was only one letter. My people at Excalibur were told to do anything necessary to hire Emily. I knew once I smothered her with money: jet-rides to Atlanta on the corporate jet; wining and dining; and finally an invitation to join the company as my personal assistant, I knew she couldn’t resist.

“Emily, if I were giving you a grade, I’d have to say you flunked ‘Predatory-101’ by not doing her homework.” He laughed. “If you would have done any research, at all, you would have seen that the path to riches was definitely
not
on the back of an airline pilot.

“Keri, you see now why I mailed you the key to my New York condo and insisted that you take advantage of it on your next layover. There was no doubt that when you hooked up with Ryan the two of you would end up there. The hotel staff assured me that they would make certain you and Ryan bumped into each other. They had multiple backup plans just in case there was a hitch in the street-side meeting.

“Rex, I knew you would never settle down, so finding the right bait for you was easy. I figured a flight attendant working for the same airline would be perfect, but it couldn’t be just any flight attendant. This girl had to be stunningly beautiful, but more importantly, able to pull something like this off. I must say, my people did a great job finding Candi. She was ideal for the job—a flight attendant, a struggling wannabe actress, and she had even done a little work on the side with a Hollywood escort service. In addition to a large cash payment, plus a bonus if she pulled it off, I offered to foot the bill for her to visit one of the best plastic surgeons in L.A. for a few cosmetic touchups she’d been wanting, but couldn’t afford. It was a win-win for both of us. Rex, you being the typical egotistical womanizer that you are, I knew you would never be able to resist a cute little thing like Candi. All I needed was for Keri to catch you fooling around with her, and I knew that was only a matter of time. Having few friends at the airline didn’t hurt. They were nice enough to work with us to make sure that all of the ‘coincidental’ scheduling of flight crews took place.

“As I stated in the beginning of this message, my master plan was designed to give everyone what they wanted or, in some cases, what they deserved. Therefore, my gift to Emily is Rex. I cannot imagine two people more deserving of each other. Emily was positioned at the Watford Hotel, and thanks to the wonderful management and staff at the hotel, multiple scenarios were developed to ensure a meeting with Rex. I assume with great confidence that Emily and Rex are here today. Congratulations to both of you.

“All-in-all it was a fairly complex operation, but as they say, ‘money talks’.”

“Keri, I knew that once Emily was out of Ryan’s life, and Rex was out of yours, you two would eventually find each other. Ryan, please forgive me for playing God with your life, but I always knew that you loved Keri, just as I know now that you will take care of my little girl. And to be honest, that’s why I did all this: because I love my little girl and want her to have the desires of her heart.

“Oh. One more thing. I hope you take good care of my grandson.” He winked. “Let’s all hope that that day in New York turns out the way we wanted it to.”

Keri’s mouth dropped. “How could he have known?” She turned and looked at Ryan with amazement. Her eyes watery and her cheeks wet with tears.

The tape ended and Darby hit the button that retracted the screen and opened the drapes. Light filled the room.

“Is that it?” Emily exclaimed. “Nothing for me?” She grabbed her designer purse, storming for the door. On her way out, she yelled, “You haven’t heard the last of me! Come on, Rex. Let’s get out of here. I need to find a good lawyer.”

Rex rose, but before he left, Ryan said, “Hey, Rex.”

“What?”

“You wouldn’t happen to know your blood type, would you?”

“Yeah. It’s ‘O-negative’. Why?”

“Just thought you’d like to know that your vasectomy is good.”

“What?”

“David is not your son, he’s mine.”

Keri burst into tears. Ryan put his arm around her.”

“Dude, not too sure how you pulled that off, but it’s
definitely
the best news I’ve heard all day. You learned something from the Rexter, after all.”

“Good luck, Rex,” Ryan said. “And hey…no hard feelings.”

“Yeah, sure…It happens.”

Emily stuck her head back in the room. “Rex, are you coming?”

“Chill. I’m coming!” Rex shot Ryan one last look and said, “Bro, remember, I’ve always got your back. See you on the other side.”

* * *

Darby turned to Keri, while standing in the lobby. “Keri, your dad really was a good man. He talked with me a lot over the last year. He loved you very much. I’m sure you know that.”

“Yes,” she said, blotting a tissue to her eye.

“He felt it would be better this way. He always had his eyes on you and wanted only the best. He knew that Ryan was the perfect man for you from the beginning.”

“Thank you so much for being his friend,” she said.

Darby glanced outside. “Looks like your limo is here. He’ll take you to the Peachtree DeKalb Airport where
your
personal jet will fly you back to Orange County in style. You guys go home and we can go over the details when you’re ready. I think you need to be alone and digest what has happened today.”

After shaking hands and saying good-bye to Mr. Darby, Ryan and Keri walked out. “Just think, Ryan. Now we can get the best care possible for Martha.”

“You’re so sweet to think of my mother.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, thank you for including mom in your thoughts, so quickly.”

“Ryan,” she stopped and grabbed him by the arm turning him toward her, “she’s my mom too, remember?”

He stared into her eyes. “I know,” he said.

They looked up, after hearing the muffled voice of a woman, to see Emily, shaking her fist ranting words of revenge, “This isn’t over!” The car sped off.

“Looks like they both got what they deserved,” Ryan said.

“Yeah, I think they make the perfect couple.” They both looked at each other. After a few seconds of silence, satisfied smiles broke out on their faces. They headed toward the waiting limo.

CHAPTER 70

The
Ritz
-
Carlton
,
Laguna
Niguel
,
California

Three
months
later
—
July
1987

Moments before a beautiful sunset over Monarch Bay, Keri and Ryan stood beneath a Mediterranean-styled gazebo with adobe stucco arches and red tile roof, atop a 150-foot bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean: the perfect balance of elegance, serenity, and grace.

The unobstructed panoramic ocean view with waves crashing on the sandy beach below presented the perfect metaphor of past and future.

Powerful currents of emotions swept through the small gathering of friends as they witnessed the long-awaited and satisfying union of two soul mates.

At the conclusion of their exchange of vows, a reception was held in the Pacific Promenade Room at The Ritz.

Ryan stood before a small gathering of friends and family and said, “I would like to make a toast. Most of you know the journey that Keri and I have traveled to find each other.”

He turned, looking down at Keri seated by his side. “I have learned an important lesson through it all. There is no greater gift than the gift of love, and when you find it you will be satisfied. Keri is my gift, but I feel that God has given me more than a gift; He has given me a treasure.” He looked back at the people. “But more importantly, I have learned that when someone accepts the love you desire to give, you will be completely fulfilled. If you haven’t yet found love, have faith and embrace the hope that you will find it tomorrow, but until then, learn to keep giving it. Your days will be brighter and the pain and regrets of yesterday will fade away faster.” He lifted his glass in the air. “To love.”

After several more toasts were made by friends and family, the music began to play and the guests were invited to enjoy their weekend. The invitations sent to each guest included an all-expense-paid weekend at the Ritz.

After Ryan and Keri left the Pacific Promenade, they stopped in an adjacent private room. When they entered, Martha Mitchell, dressed in an elegant evening gown that she and Keri had picked out together, turned to greet them. “There you two are. My little lovebirds,” she said.

Keri hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. “Mom, you’re so beautiful.”

“Why thank you, dear. And I must say, seeing you in that wedding dress reminds me of the first time you two got married.”

Keri looked up at Ryan with a sympathetic but loving face, then back to Martha. “Well, we just love each other so much that we wanted to get married again.”

“I think it’s sweet that you wanted to renew your vows.” She looked over at her nurse standing beside her, holding her six-month-old grandson in her arms. “This time, little David got to see his mommy and daddy get married. I think that’s special.”

Ryan hugged his mother and said, “Mom, you know Keri and I are taking a little vacation, don’t you?” He knew she would probably never know they were gone, but he mentioned it out of habit and with the hidden hope that she might understand.

“That sounds wonderful. You two have fun. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

Keri hugged her again and then kissed David on his forehead. He smiled big. “Now you take care of your grandma for us, okay,” she said, tickling his tummy.

“I almost forgot,” Martha said. She reached behind her and returned with a small flat box wrapped in white wedding paper with a white bow on top. “Here, I wanted to give you something.”

Keri took the gift. “Martha you shouldn’t have.”

“It’s just a little something I thought you should have.”

“Should we open it now?” Keri asked.

“Why don’t you wait and open it on your vacation. I think it will mean more to both of you when you are alone.”

“Thanks, mom,” Ryan said. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “We’d better get going.”

After a change of clothes, they jumped into a stretched white limousine and sped off.

“Where are you taking me?” Keri asked.

“I thought you wanted me to surprise you.”

She snuggled-up to him. “I do. But you could give me a little hint.”

“Are you sure?”

“No.” She snickered.

“I thought so.”

After a short drive, the limo pulled up to a gate on the perimeter of the Orange County Airport. The driver spoke into a speaker box and the security gate rolled back. They drove past small private planes and up to a private jet parked on the ramp.

“So, are
you
going to fly it?”

“Are you kidding? I’m done with that. This baby comes—batteries included.”

“Batteries?”

“I mean pilots…just a joke.”

As they exited the limo, the young copilot greeted them. They ascended the stairs to the cabin while the limo driver assisted the copilot with their bags.

The interior of the Gulfstream-IV was luxuriously appointed: soft, tan-hued leather seating; hand-rubbed wood inlays with Brazilian mahogany maple surfaces polished to a mirror-like sheen.

Ryan stuck his head in the cockpit and said hello to the captain and then followed Keri through the spacious cabin as she rubbed her hand along the back of the hand-stitched leather seats.

“Check out the back.” He pointed to a shiny mahogany door that opened into a private sleeping quarter complete with lavatory and shower. A vase of thorn-less red roses beside the bed caught her eye.

She turned and looked at him with a seductive stare before walking over to take-in their sweet fragrance. Two small white envelopes peeked out of the stems. She slipped the card from the envelope marked “Read me first.”

Ryan could see her eyes becoming watery as she read.

June
23
,
1974

Dear
Ryan
,

I
believe
if
we
are
meant
to
be
,
nothing
can
keep
us
apart
.
As
long
as
I
live
,
I
will
patiently
wait
on
each
sunrise
and
follow
each
sunset
into
tomorrow
,
for
I
believe
it
is
the
path
of
the
sun
that
will
lead
us
to
our
hopes
and
dreams
.
Promise
me
that
you
will
never
lose
hope
in
tomorrow
.

I
love
you
,

Keri

Ryan asked, “Do you remember that?”

Speechless, she fanned her face, tears spilling from her eyes. She nodded. After a moment of silence she said, “You kept it.”

“It was all I had to remember you by. Every time I saw a sunset, those words would run through my head, even when I knew I had lost you to someone else.”