Think About Love Read Online Free Page B

the employment agency, and tonight after she and Dexter had— hopefully— regained custody of Kippy at this afternoon's family court session, she would drive Kippy back to Seattle in the rental car and get her settled with the temporary nanny. Then, tomorrow, she'd be able to focus on the open house, knowing Kippy was in expert hands.
    Samantha jumped at the sound of Cal's voice.  
    "What?"
    He handed her a set of headphones. "Once I start the engine, the headphones will blank out some of the noise and let us talk without shouting."
    "Thanks."  
    She didn't want to talk, not today.
    She watched as he flicked switches, wondering how these machines really worked, whether she'd feel panic when he swept them up into the air. She felt the urge to ask questions, nervous talk, and suppressed it. The engine began humming, and she saw the helicopter's blade slowly rotate.
    A moment later the helicopter lifted, tilting forward and sweeping upward into the sky, sweeping panic into Samantha's throat. Then, as they lifted over Seattle's harbor, the world straightened and they flew level, out over the water.
    It was perfectly all right, she told herself, watching Cal's hands on the controls.
    "How long have you had this helicopter?"
    "Three years." He studied something out the side window, his voice oddly intimate through the headphones. "Brent and I used it for fishing trips in the mountains. Then Brent moved to California, and I bought his share."
    He'd bought Brent's share of the business, too. The documents were filed under AGREEMENTS in the company minute book.
    "You should have gone away this week. You could have had a few days fishing before the open house, instead of going nuts waiting for the event."
    He flashed her a grin. "How could I have harassed you, watching over your shoulder, with no cell phone reception? Have you ever been up in a helicopter before?"
    "No."
    "Nervous?"
    "Not now."  
    Below, a sailboat leaned into the wind, crossing Puget Sound toward Port Townsend. She twisted her head, watching. "What do we do about customs?"
    "I called ahead. A customs officer will meet us at the airport."
    Had he checked entry procedures since he offered her the ride yesterday, or had he always known? "Have you ever been fishing on Vancouver Island?"
    "No. I haven't done much fishing at all lately."
    And he probably wouldn't for some time, she thought, once he began the new project. She'd expected his curiosity to make this journey difficult, but he seemed relaxed, and she felt her tension ease in response.
    He gave her a sideways grin. "I'm pretty hyped about this new project. I doubt if I could sit waiting for fish to bite. You've been going flat out for quite a while yourself, getting us into the new premises. Great location, by the way. Several of the project leaders have mentioned that they appreciate looking out over the harbor instead of the rock-face view we had in the old place."
    "Thanks." It was a bonus that Cal was so often appreciative of her efforts.
    "Is this where you came in December?"
    "Yes."
    "You didn't look all that rested when you came back after Christmas."
    She turned away to stare at a small island passing by on their right. She didn't want to talk about December. She'd come back in shock from the plane crash that took her sister and brother-in-law's lives, knowing Dorothy too was still grieving deeply. It was only after she'd made her first couple of monthly visits to Dorothy that she realized having Kippy was the best thing that could have happened to help them recover from Sarah's death.
    Now the authorities were threatening to take Kippy from Dorothy. She mustn't let it happen, couldn't allow Sarah's child to stay in foster care.
    She realized Cal was still waiting for an answer and said, "I brought along copies of some of the likely resumes that have come in this week for the development jobs. Do you want the details?"
    "Give me a rundown," said Cal.

    The closer Cal flew to Nanaimo, the more