“You’re a wonder,” he said.
“You have no idea,” she replied.
* * *
—
Back at home, Stone handed Joan the paperwork for the airplane to be filed. Then he went to his desk.
Joan buzzed him immediately. “Dino on one.”
Stone pressed the button. “Yeah?”
“Congratulations,” Dino said.
“Jesus.”
“I understand we can now fly nonstop to your house in England.”
“That is correct.”
“Have you flown it yet?”
“I flew it up to Islesboro yesterday and back this morning.”
“When do we leave?”
“You’re just dying to fly it somewhere, aren’t you?”
“I am, and so is Viv.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know where.”
“Gotcha.” Dino hung up.
Joan buzzed. “Faith called, and I told her about the new airplane.”
“She’ll need to take the Gulfstream course and get a new type rating.”
“We’ve already scheduled it, starting Monday,” Joan said.
Stone hung up. “Jesus,” he muttered to himself.
9
Callie showed up on time in another watchable dress. He took her into the study and made her a martini and himself a Knob Creek on the rocks. He handed her the cashier’s check. “There you are,” he said. “Nice dress.”
“Thanks, you just paid for it, and the note on the Bentley, too.”
“Will you have any money left?”
“Yes, that came from the new owner of your Latitude.”
“I should have known.”
“You know,” she said, “dealing with so many wealthy people over the years, I’ve seen a lot of nice houses, but this is the most comfortable one I’ve been in.”
“That’s high praise. Thank you.”
They sipped their drinks.
“Now,” he said, “you know everything about me, except where I buy my underwear.”
“Ralph Lauren outlet stores,” she said. “Usually Vero Beach.”
Stone laughed. “Sorry, I underestimated you. Now, it’s time for you to tell me about you.”
“I’m from a small town in Georgia called Delano. Went to the local schools and hung out at airports. I got a degree in aviation management at Embry-Riddle University, plus my license, instrument rating, and a few type ratings—turboprop and jet—then I flew corporate for a couple of years. One of my passengers offered me a job with his aircraft sales company, and the rest you already know.”
“Never married?”
“Once, for about fifteen minutes, while I was at Embry-Riddle. That was enough. I’m a free woman.”
“The very best kind,” Stone said.
Fred came into the room and informed them that dinner would be served in ten minutes. Stone introduced him to Callie.
“How do you do, miss?” Fred said. “Mr. Barrington, congratulations on the new airplane.”
“Thank you, Fred.”
Fred disappeared, and ten minutes later began bringing in dishes.
* * *
—
They were on dessert when Callie put down her fork. “That was wonderful,” she said.
“I’m glad.”
“I can’t wait to see your next move.”
“Would you like to see the master suite?”
“Love to.”
He poured them both a cognac, and they took their glasses and the elevator upstairs.
She invited him to unzip her, and she wasn’t wearing a bra. She turned to give him a full view. “I’ll bet you’re a breast man,” she said.
“The sight of breasts is good for morale,” Stone replied.
“And they’re original equipment,” she said.
“Always to be admired, though I’m not picky about that sort of thing.”
They snuggled in bed, and she fondled him. “This was the only thing I didn’t know about you,” she said, “but I guessed right.”
He did some fondling of this own, then they got down to cases.
* * *
—
When Stone came out of the bathroom the following morning, Callie was sitting up in bed, with her beautiful breasts on display.
“What a wonderful sight,” Stone said, kissing them. The dumbwaiter bell rang. “Excuse me, that’s breakfast,” he said.
She pulled up the covers.
“It’s all right. Breakfast is arriving alone.” He took the trays out of the lift and arranged them on the bed.
“How’d you know what I’d like?” she asked.
“I was feeling my way,” Stone replied.
“I was referring to breakfast,” she said, laughing.
“Who doesn’t like scrambled eggs and sausage?”
“Nobody doesn’t like that.”
“Good. Would you like to fly somewhere with me tomorrow?”
“Sure. Where did you have in mind?”
“How about Paris?”
“I could be dragged there. I’ll need to pack, of course.”
“Travel light, and we’ll shop. Oh, and some friends will be coming.”
“Would that be Dino and Vivian Bacchetti?”
“I forgot, you know everything about me.”
“I do now.”
“They’re good people. You’ll like them.”
“I’ll look forward to it, then.”
* * *
—
After breakfast, they made love again, then Callie excused herself. “I have to complete the sale of your airplane,” she said.
“Give me your address, and we will call for you at eight in the morning. I’d like to be in Paris for dinner.”
She handed him a card. “That’s everything,” she said, “all the numbers.”