Page 48 of Final Approach (Lake City Heroes #4)

“In that order or...?”

“Food on the way to the hospital.”

“To tell Emily and Ethan before they see the news?”

“Exactly.”

“How’s your dad?”

“I don’t know. I can’t think about him at the moment.”

“Want some company?”

“Yes.” She turned into him, rested her cheek on his chest, and hugged him tight. “Thank you, Andrew.”

“Absolutely.”

“On a happier note, my supervisor texted while I was giving my statement and said that I’ve been found not guilty of any kind of misconduct on the flight.

He said many passengers spoke on my behalf and the video footage supported it all.

My suspension has been lifted and I can go back to work as soon as I’m ready. ”

“I’m so glad.”

“Me too.” She paused. “I don’t think I’ll be ready for a couple of days.”

“I think that’s understandable.”

The ride to the hospital was silent, and Andrew figured she was running different conversation scenarios through her head about how to explain everything to Emily. In the end, she’d probably say something entirely different. They made their way to Emily’s room.

Andrew stopped at the door. “Want me to wait out here?”

“No, come on in. It’s okay. You were there. You can answer any questions I might not be able to.”

“After you then.”

They knocked and entered to find Emily, Ethan, and their aunt Wendy playing a game of cards. The television was off, thank goodness.

Emily took one look at Kristine and said, “What’s wrong?”

“You guys are up late.”

“I couldn’t sleep,” Emily said, “so I figured no one else should either.” She frowned. “Now, what is it? I can see something’s going on.”

Kristine sighed. “Ethan, I’m glad you and Aunt Wendy are still here.” She nodded to Emily. “You’re right. There’s something I need to tell you before you see it on the news, and it’s going to be hard to hear. But just know that we’re in this together and we’ll get through it together.”

Emily and Ethan exchanged a glance and Aunt Wendy frowned.

“What is it?” Emily asked.

For the next thirty minutes, Kristine talked and Emily, Ethan, and their aunt sat in stunned silence punctuated with tears and shocked gasps.

After several rounds of hugs and two boxes of tissues, Emily fell asleep, and Andrew and Kristine found themselves back out in the hall. He took her hand. “Wanna get some coffee at the all-night diner around the corner?”

She yawned. “Okay, as long as it’s decaf, although I don’t think a gallon of the caffeinated stuff will stop me from sleeping.”

“I won’t keep you long.”

She curved her hand into the crook of his elbow. “I don’t mind. I like being with you.”

He pulled away and wrapped his arm around her shoulder to tuck her close.

“And I like being with you.” He stopped walking and turned her toward him.

“More than I even know how to express. I was terrified to tell you about what happened to Isaac Mason. But you didn’t push me away.

You offered me comfort. When my parents’ place was broken into by Tyler Mason to get me out in the open so he could follow me, you were there to help. You came looking for me—”

“Just like you came looking for me,” she said, “when I desperately needed someone to find me.”

“We make a good team, Kristine. If you’re willing, I want to see where this leads. The truth is, I’ve not been interested in anyone like I am you. I haven’t let myself. Being undercover and falling in love don’t mix well.”

“I’d think not.”

They hurried to the car and soon found themselves outside the diner.

“I’m not going back under,” he said, his hand on the door.

“And that makes me glad. I know there’s a need for it and someone has to do it, but I’m not gonna lie, I’m glad it’s not going to be you.”

“And I had a chance to plead some with God. About you. About the future. About everything. I think he’s brought us through this, to this point in time, for a reason. I want to investigate that further.”

She stood on tiptoe and lightly brushed her lips with his. “That’s one investigation I intend to be fully involved in.”

He grinned, then the wind whipped across the back of his neck and he shivered. “And I want to finish this in the warmth of the diner.”

She laughed and they hurried to find a booth in the back that offered a modicum of privacy. She slid across and he slipped in beside her.

They ordered and she yawned again. Remorse hit him. “Aw, Kristine, I should take you home and let you get some sleep.”

“No, no. I’m fine. I’d rather be here with you. All I’ll dream about is crashing a plane.”

“But you landed it. Beautifully, I might add.”

“I know, but I was terrified I’d crash, so I’ll dream I crashed it.”

He shook his head, then reached for her hands. “Are you okay? Tell me what I can do.”

She sighed and bit her lip, then blinked back tears. “No, I’m not okay,” she said, “but being with you makes me a lot more okay than I would be if you weren’t with me.”

“Then I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. But there’s something else going on. What is it?”

“I still haven’t found my mom’s letter to me. Dad said he burned it. Maybe he really did.”

“I’m so sorry.”

She shrugged. “I would love to have it, of course, but seeing the one she wrote my dad is comfort enough. I’m grateful for it.”

“You’ve been through every single paper in the house?”

“Pretty much.” She smiled. “I’m going to be okay, Andrew. In time.”

“I know. I believe so too. And time is one thing we both have. As long as God allows anyway.”

“I’m okay with that. Now change the subject, please.”

“Sure. Where do you want to go on our first date?”

“Second,” she said with a laugh. “Because I don’t have my wallet with me so you’re going to have to buy my dinner. And I want cheesecake.”

“Cheesecake. Of course. Two slices?”

She sighed and batted her lashes at him. “I may love you.”

His heart stuttered, but he simply smiled. “That’s the plan.” He leaned down and kissed her, long and sweet and solid.

She blew out a low breath when he lifted his head. “Honestly, that’s about got cheesecake beat.”

“About?”

She shrugged and snuggled closer. “You’ll just need to keep working on it.”

He laughed. “Happy to oblige.”