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“True.” She sounded as if she was smiling.

He wanted to reach for her again. Caught himself again. “People like you and me go after what we want. We get things done.” He smiled as he said it, hoping she could hear his sincerity even if she couldn’t see his expression.

“You’re right.” Her voice sounded a little brighter. She held up a hand for a high-five. “Here’s to the problem-solvers.”

He tapped her palm to hers. “Here’s to us,” he agreed.

It was the strangest thing, stepping into her life like this. He had plenty of drive and ambition. Along with an abundance of determination to help her out of this dicey situation. No, she hadn’t shared the full story of her issues with Gallo.

Rhett didn’t need to hear all the details. He was certain that his urge to leap in and help—even taking drastic measures—stemmed from his hours spent with Max and the other Guardian Agency folks. Those training sessions and stories had increased his awareness of how quickly things could go wrong. He was better at recognizing fear.

He couldn’t stand by and let her deal with Gallo alone. Their rocky history didn’t make any difference. Especially not when he’d seen the debilitating fear in her beautiful eyes.

He had the time, means, and compassion to help.

And that was exactly what he’d do.

Soon they’d be in his resort, in a town he loved and knew well. He was already brainstorming how to fill the next few days and the months ahead with good memories.

Their marriage wouldn’t be conventional, but he intended to make it remarkable for her.

Chapter Seven

Trina feltterrible for yawning as they prepared for take-off. Since rushing her out of the Inn, before that really, Rhett had taken charge in a way that surprised her.

Which was dreadfully unfair to him.

She’d been viewing him through an old lens—from their days as college kids striving to top the competition. Logically, she’d known that the brash, impulsive Rhett Ellington wouldn’t have been entrusted with a property like the Cove in Key West. And yet, seeing him more frequently around Brookwell, she’d done her best to keep him in that box.

Building a wall around herself to block out any fond feelings or potential friendship was her safest choice. She didn’t want to like him. Had been perfectly content to keep him at arm’s length.

That plan had gone up in smoke.

He was the last person she might’ve dared to ask for help. And yet now she couldn’t see a way out that didn’t involve him.

“If you’re tired you can sleep,” Rhett said. He pointed to another pair of luxurious seats just past the wing. “Thosechairs recline to zero gravity. They keep blankets and pillows on board.”

A nap sounded delightful. She was wired and worn out from the emotional churning of the past few hours. “How long is the flight?”

“Just under two hours.” He ducked his head as he fastened his seatbelt.

She couldn’t quite take her eyes off him. His blond hair gleamed under the cabin lights and his hands, strong and sure, captivated her. “I’d rather sit with you.” Taking the facing seat, she secured her own seatbelt.

He smiled. “How long has it been since you’ve taken a charter?”

She had to think. “A couple of years.” She’d gone home for a Christmas holiday and cut the trip short when Luca had been invited as well. “It’s easy to get used to such a comfortable way to travel.”

“No kidding,” Rhett agreed. “Your dad flies himself quite a bit, doesn’t he?”

She grinned, thinking of her father’s joy when he was in the air. “Small planes in Europe, yes. It’s a hobby that keeps him young. He can be obnoxious about it sometimes,” she added.

Rhett’s soft laugh smoothed out her nerves. He was so good at that. Smoothing her out, keeping her calm.

“I bet being a pilot impresses your mom.”

Trina grinned. “You’re right about that. He had his pilot’s license when they met. I’ve heard them joke that she only married him for the convenient travel options.” She felt like a heel for implying her mother had been so mercenary. “Of course it’s not just that. They have a strong relationship and really do love each other.”

“And they love you too,” Rhett reminded her.