Runway Romance (Love in the Air Trilogy) (11 page)

“Yeah. And, yeah.”

“Good. Sleep well. I’ll see you soon.”

“Goodbye.”

Jenny reattached her cell phone to the charger and slipped back into bed. It was an honor to be responsible for people’s loved ones, living or dead. Rich was right.

This time when she fell asleep, her dreams were filled with visions of Richard gently caring for the ghost flight passengers. They would be delivered safe and sound. And, Rich was partly to thank for that.

It softened her heart to think he would take even more thoughtful care of his living loved ones. One of them might even include herself one day.

Chapter Thirteen

Laundry tumbled in the dryer as Jenny answered e-mails and returned phone calls. “You’d think I’d been gone a week.”

It was distraction therapy, but it was mostly working. She only felt anxiety for short periods of time; when she thought about explaining her issues with driving. “How can someone else help you when your problem is about sitting still?”

She told herself that Richard was probably an excellent teacher and would have some insight. She had nothing to worry about.

Her inner voice reminded her that she had repeated that phrase more than ten times throughout the day.

“Yes, I know.”

A knock on the door interrupted the discussion with herself.

“Richard. What are you doing here?”

“I can leave if you want.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I’m just surprised. I thought we were meeting later.”

“We were supposed to. I had some free time now. I figured you might be getting a little nervous.”

“You figured right.”

“Put on some shoes and let’s get to it.”

“Now?”

“No time like the present.”

Jenny’s stomach churned like the Devil’s Punchbowl on the Oregon Coast and chill bumps formed on her arms.

“I know you’re scared. It’ll pass.”

“What if it doesn’t? Are you prepared to have me throw up all over your car?”

Rich suppressed a smile, then closed the space between them. He gently ran his thumb across her cheek. “You’re so beautiful.”

Jenny added an accelerated heartbeat, trouble breathing and sweaty palms to her list of symptoms.

“Your hair is like silk.” He wound several strands around his finger then let them slide back in place when he let go. “Are you still thinking about driving?”

Jenny shook her head. Her lips parted as she leaned forward, pressing her mouth to Rich’s. She closed her eyes as a warm sensation slid down her spine, settling in her knees. Her hands found their way around his neck, her fingers tugging lightly at his hair.

Their bodies aligned hip-to-hip when Rich’s arms surrounded her, pulling her closer still. Everywhere he touched seemed to be alive with nerve endings. They tingled and pulsed as he awakened the embers of fire lying just below the surface.

Rich leaned back so he could look into Jenny’s eyes. “I wanted to do that since the moment I met you.”

Jen’s smile formed slowly. “The timing was perfect.”

The pause that followed was filled with electric awkwardness. Jenny didn’t know whether to kiss Richard again, thank him for settling her driving nerves or ask him to come inside. “I’ll get my shoes.” She spun quickly out of his arms and into the house, shutting the door behind her.

After taking a few steps, she winced. She quickly reopened the door. “Sorry.”

“I love a woman who kisses me, then slams the door in my face.” Rich’s smile deflected any ill-will in his comment.

“Would you like to come in?”

“You’ll just be a minute, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll wait out here.”

“I’m really sorry.”

“Forget about it.” He leaned forward and kissed her quickly on the cheek.

“It’s forgotten. I’ll be right back.”

True to her word, Jenny was back with sneakers in tow within less than a minute.

“I thought I’d take you to the old movie theater parking lot. The only thing you can hit there is a lamp post.”

“I’m not worried about hitting anything.”

Once they were in the car heading to their destination, Rich said, “I thought that was why most people didn’t want to drive.”

“That’s probably true.” Jenny shared the story about the accident.

“So, you’re worried about someone hitting you?”

Jenny nodded.

Rich thought for a moment. “I think defensive driving is what we’ll focus on. Ways you can respond if you think someone is going to hit you. First, we’ll start with the basics. If you have a good foundation, it makes everything else easier.”

“I already know all this stuff. It’s the other drivers I need help with.”

“We’ll get to that. Every car feels a bit different. You need to get to know the car first. I’m going to have you drive slow, then put the brakes on gently. Then, do it again, only this time slam on the brakes. Then, one more time, driving fast right from the start and then putting on the brakes. Got it?”

“Got it. I still don’t know why, though.”

“You will.”

“You’re the driving coach.”

When they arrived at the parking lot, Rich reviewed his instructions again. Jenny did as she was told, pressing the gas pedal lightly. The engine made a roaring sound, but the car didn’t move. She tried again.

“Did you go over your checklist first?”

“Yes. I’ve done everything.”

Rich raised his eyebrows, questioning her reply.

“What? I did. You saw me. I checked everything. Mirror, seat belt, radio is off, car is in drive, emergency brake is… Oh. Guess I forgot that one.” She released the emergency brake.

“From the top.”

“Okay.” Jenny pressed the gas pedal lightly and the car moved forward. She followed Rich’s instructions. “I see what you mean. When I was going fast and braked, the car pulled to the right a little bit. Now that I know that, I can compensate if I ever have to brake quickly when I’m going fast.”

“Exactly. Give this student an A+.”

Jenny giggled. “This is actually making me feel more in control. I usually feel like the car is driving me, not the other way around.”

“I have some orange cones in the back. Let’s work on steering.”

“I’m ready.”

“Pop the trunk.”

As Rich got out, Jenny popped the trunk, thinking to herself that she really was ready for this. She couldn’t run scared all her life. It was just like the ghost flight. Everyone was freaking out and not wanting to be involved in any way, but Rich believed it was an honor. It was all a matter of perspective.

Driving is a privilege and something that needs to be learned and practiced. Just because it might be scary is no reason not to experience it. Acknowledge the fear, but keep moving forward. Don’t let fear be the guide. Don’t let the car drive you; you drive the car.

When the cones were set up, Rich said, “I’ll be by each cone, directing you which way to go if you get off course.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“It’s your first try, you might want to listen to me first, then you can go rogue on me.”

“Give me some credit.”

“I give you a lot of credit. Remember? Foundation first.”

“Just stand back.”

Rich grinned, but shook his head as he made his way to the first cone, being sure to give Jenny a wide clearance.

Jenny revved the engine, then pressed down on the gas pedal. The car took off like a shot.

“Crap!” Jenny hadn’t expected it to take off so quickly. She hit the brake pedal, but her foot slipped. “Shit! Get out of the way!” She turned the wheel hard to the right, running over the cone as two of the wheels became airborne. “No! No! No!”

Panic-filled tears filled her eyes as she held on to the steering wheel with a death grip. When the car squealed to a stop, she was panting heavily.

Rich ran over to her. “Are you okay? Jenny, look at me.”

“I could have killed you!”

“You didn’t even come close to killing me.”

“But I could have! This was a mistake. A big mistake. I should not be driving a car.” Jenny released her hands from the steering wheel only to find them shaking uncontrollably.

“You’re going to be fine. You just got a bit too confident. It happens. We’ll try it again and this time you’ll go slower.”

“No, no, no, no, no. I am celibate from driving from this point forward.”

“You were doing great, feeling empowered, remember? Don’t go backward now.”

“You saw what happened? I was driving on two wheels. TWO!”

“Only for a second.”

“Richard! I could have killed you and demolished your car. You can’t possibly think it’s a good idea for me to keep driving.”

“Breathe.”

Jenny opened her mouth to speak and Rich put his hand over her mouth.

“Breathe. Just breathe. Don’t talk. In. Out. Steady.” He breathed with her for several minutes, then removed his hand. “Better?”

“I hate that you’re always right.”

Rich laughed in a deep, earthy tone. “I’m definitely not always right, but I’ll let you keep on thinking that until you realize how untrue that statement really is.”

“Do I have to drive again?”

Rich reached through the open car door window and wrapped his arm around her. “You have a choice to make. Allow fear to control your life or kick fear in the ass.”

“I want to kick ass.”

“That’s my girl. Come on. Do it again, only go slow this time, until you get the feel of it.”

Jenny stared at the dashboard. “You do not control me. I control you. There’s gonna be some serious ass kickin’ goin’ on today!”

Jenny put the car in drive, released the emergency brake and headed toward the first cone. As she rounded it, Rich yelled, “Good! Number two’s just ahead. You’re doing great!”

Jenny repeated the course four times, going a little faster each time. Her confidence returned.

Rich sat in the passenger’s seat. “One more time, with me in the car.”

When she’d completed the course, Rich said, “High five,” and they slapped hands. “Nice job.”

“I do feel more in control now, but what if a big ol’ semi came barreling at us right now? How can I stop from getting hit?”

“You can’t, but you can be aware of your surroundings. How many times do you look left and right at a stoplight before going?”

“I don’t know what you mean. When it’s green, you go. When it’s red, you stop.”