“You must be Irish,” said the man who got out of the helicopter and waved at Doc before he drove away. “I’m Naughton.”
“Nice to meet you, and thanks for this.”
“Don’t thank me. I never get the chance to fly this thing. In fact, if there’s anywhere else you want to go before we head to the ranch, just say the word.”
“I don’t suppose this thing would get me to Colorado.”
“You’re right, it won’t, but one of my brother’s planes probably could.”
I doubted I could go even if I wanted to. Until Harris was well enough to be questioned, there was still the matter of no one knowing we’d returned to the States. I looked over at Doc’s brother. Obviously, his family knew. Maybe later I’d ask Doc if we could read Buck in. If so, I would do everything I could to get back to Flynn.
“It’s a quick flight,” Naughton said, handing me a headset. “But it’s a beautiful one. I’ll fly you past a couple of local landmarks that are only a little out of the way.”
The first was Hearst Castle, which I’d heard of but never visited. “Believe me, it is way more impressive from up here than it is walking through it,” he said as he circled around to go down the coast.
“That’s Morro Rock you see off in the distance. Something else that is better seen from the sky than on foot. Let’s just say that seals aren’t very good housekeepers.”
“It really is spectacular from up here. All of it.” I waved my hand in the direction of the rolling hills we were flying over.
“We’ll be at the ranch in about fifteen. Relax and enjoy the rest of the ride.”
“That was quick,” I said when we landed.
“Kade probably warned you that our mother was anxious to meet you; otherwise, I might’ve shown you a few more of the sights.”
“I can’t wait to meet her.”
Naughton laughed. “I hope he warned you not to eat before you came.”
“He did. So did your father.”
I removed the headset and handed it to him.
“Listen, I don’t know a lot of detail about what my brother does. Hell, up until a couple of years ago, I thought my father was nothing besides a vineyard owner who liked to dabble in technology. But I do know that my parents are laying out the red carpet for you. So whatever it is you’ve done, I want to thank you for your service.”
I wasn’t sure what to say, and then I thought about something Doc had said earlier. “You’re welcome.”
When the blades wound down and I climbed out, I saw someone who looked familiar walking toward me.
“Stella? What are you doing here?”
She walked up and put her arm through mine. “I heard you and I have been relieved of duty.”
“Oh yeah? I thought Doc was going to let me decide for myself.”
“I think you’ll agree once you see the present I brought you.”
“Did you get me my own airplane so I can fly back to Colorado?”
“Sadly, no. But once you see what it is, I doubt you’ll want to anyway.”
“You’re right.” I removed my arm from Stella’s and rushed toward the best gift life had given me as I saw her walking toward me. “Flynn,” I said, pulling her into my arms.
“Surprise!”
“I’d ask what you’re doing here or how you got here, but I don’t care. All that matters is that you’re in my arms. I missed you so much.” I put my hands on either side of her face and kissed her again and again. “Do you know how much I want to be alone with you?”
“I feel the same way, but this was actually Sorcha’s idea, so you at least have to meet her.” Flynn took my hand and led me in the direction of the house. “You’ll love her, by the way.”
“There he is,” said a woman with a Scottish accent who I had no doubt was Doc’s mother.
“Mrs. Butler, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” When I held out my hand, she swatted it away.
“My name is Sorcha, and we hug in my house.”
“I told you,” mouthed Flynn. “Isn’t she great?”
“Come and we’ll eat, and you can tell me all about how you conquered the evil Argead.”
Burns approached and put his hand on my shoulder. “Welcome to Butler Ranch, and don’t say you weren’t duly warned.”
“Listen, before you get started, I need to be on my way,” said Stella. “You like your surprise, right?”
I shook my head. “I love it.”
Stella put her hand on my cheek. “This is what you look like when you’re happy. It looks good on you, Irish.”
“It looks good on you too.”
“We’ll catch up soon, at the Roaring Fork.”
She said goodbye to Burns and Sorcha and then rushed out the door. “Flynn, see if you can get a helicopter ride while you’re here!” We watched as she ran over to where Naughton waited.
“The plane ride was thrilling enough. I’m not sure I’m ready to ride in one of those.”
“You’d love it. Naughton took me over the ocean on our way here.”
Flynn’s eyes opened wide. “The ocean? Is it far from here?”
“It’s less than a half hour’s drive, lass,” said Sorcha, taking both of our hands and leading us over to the table. “Have you not seen it?”
“Never.”
Doc’s mother put her hand on Flynn’s cheek. “Something tells me you’re going to be seeing quite a lot of it in the days to come.”
“Does she know something I don’t?” I whispered in Flynn’s ear.
She shrugged. “I was going to ask you the same thing.”
I had no idea how much time had passed while Flynn and I sat at the table, talking to Burns and Sorcha. The entire time, I either held Flynn’s hand or had my arm around her shoulders.
When she excused herself to use the restroom and Burns left the room too, Sorcha got up and came over to sit beside me.
“You love her, don’t you?” She put her hand on my cheek that I was sure was bright red.
I leaned forward. “I think I should tell her first, don’t you?”
She sat back in the chair and clapped her hands. “I knew it.”
“Sorcha,” said Burns, shaking his finger at her. “What are you up to?”
She stood and grabbed his hand. “Hush, you, and help me clean up the kitchen.”
I got up to help too.
“Not you,” she said over her shoulder. “It’s a lovely time of day for you and Flynn to take a walk in the vineyards.”
“Would you like to?” I asked when I saw her come around the corner.
“Are you sure we can’t help?”
“Go on now, lass. You helped cook. We’ll take care of this.”
“I knew you had,” I said once she and I were out on the porch.
“You did not.”
“Yes, I did. I could even tell you which part.”
“Okay, Mr. Smarty, what did I help with?”
“You made the cornbread and the chili.”