Champagne Brunch: The Stiletto Sisters Series by Ainsley Claire (easy readers .txt) 📗

“Is everyone okay?” Lilly asks.

“We’ve not talked to them,” Jim says through the phone, “but we’re headed there now. The National Guard is lifting them into their helo. Someone is on a stretcher.”

Walker nods and manages a smile, but I can tell we’re both still nervous. I hope everyone is okay. My stomach churns.

“Jim, where are they taking them?” Walker asks. “I want to be sure I have a police presence there, given what we suspect.”

What do we suspect? I knew Walker had to have information I didn’t.

“I don’t know yet,” Jim reports. “I have a team, along with the NTSB, on their way to investigate what happened. It’s too dark to start much tonight, but my team will put up a perimeter.”

“Okay,” Walker tells him. “We’re here at Nate’s. If you can bring them here, please do so.”

“That’s my plan.”

Chapter 25

Mia

I look out the window of the helicopter and see lights dotting the dark ground below. Evidently, Walker has gone to Nate’s, so that’s where we’re headed too. As we approach, Jim calls and lets them know we’re close.

The helicopter touches down softly at a corner of Nate’s estate—much better than our last landing—and I can see Nate, Lilly, and Walker waiting. Then my heart drops when I see Axel. The air whips my hair into my face as I step down, and I’m grateful that Jim is helping me. I’m sore and a bit of a mess.

Marci remains calm, cool, and collected as Jim helps her down. She was on the back bench on the other side of the helo from me during the crash. Our pilot broke his leg, but he was in good spirits and will likely be home tonight, though they were airlifting him to a hospital. Jim insisted we head out quickly in case there was some sort of team tracking us.

All I want right now is a serious drink and a bath. Well, and maybe a few days of uninterrupted sleep, too.

As the helicopter takes off again, Marci goes crashing into Walker’s arms. She was my pillar of strength through everything, but now she’s finally crying and letting it all go. As she should.

“You’re okay,” Walker keeps repeating as he rubs her back.

Nate and Lilly embrace me, and I’m so happy to be here right now. Until we were located and I knew things were going to be okay, I was going on pure adrenaline. Now I’m wiped out.

“Are you okay?” Lilly asks.

I nod. “It was a bit harrowing to start with…”

“I’m so happy you’re okay,” Axel says as he steps forward and carefully takes me into a hug.

I still can’t quite process that he’s here. I don’t have any idea where we stand right now. I know we need to have a long conversation, but I don’t have the energy at the moment.

“I have an idea,” Lilly says. “Why don’t you take a minute to get cleaned up. You can take a bath or a shower, and I can lend you some yoga pants and a sweatshirt. If you’re hungry, we have some cold pizza or I’m happy to order something else.”

“Cold pizza and a glass of something strong would be greatly appreciated,” I tell her.

“I second that,” Marci agrees.

We move into the house, and Lilly squeezes my hand. “We really are so happy you’re okay.” She shows me to a guest room and leaves to get me some clothes.

A minute later, as I’m considering running water for a bath, Axel comes in with a bourbon and some pizza.

I take a deep breath. “Thank you.”

He looks at me seriously. “I have a lot of apologizing to do, and I hope you’ll give me the chance to talk through everything with you. But right now, I know you’re exhausted, and I’m just so grateful you’re okay. If you’re not comfortable with me sticking around this evening, I’ll leave. But I want you to know I’ve been worried, and I care about you.”

I smile at him, and before I can respond, he adds, “And Jeremy was terrified. Because he cares about you too, and because he’s sure you’re his good luck charm.” He manages a laugh.

I have to smile at that. “He’s so superstitious.”

“They say baseball players are the worst,” Axel says with a shrug. He sighs. “Okay, I’ll let you get cleaned up and relax a minute. Are you okay if I stick around? I mean, here at the house—not while you bathe.”

I chuckle, and my stomach flutters. “Yes, you can stay.”

“Great. I’ll be here when you get out.” Axel turns and heads down the hall, leaving me alone with my cold pepperoni pizza and bourbon.

When I look at myself in the mirror, I can see a small scratch on my face—probably from the canopy of the helicopter, which broke during the crash. What the hell happened? I still don’t really know. I’m also covered in mud. I look down and my outfit is trashed. There’s no hope of ever getting it clean again, but we’re alive, and that’s what matters.

I drink the two fingers of bourbon almost in one gulp. It burns as it goes down, but after a moment it smooths out my anxiousness. I munch on the slice of pizza.

As inviting as a bath is, now I just want to get cleaned up, so I hop into a warm shower. While I’m in the bathroom, I hear Lilly yell from the bedroom that she’s leaving me clothes. I thank her, and as soon as she’s gone, I get out and dress.

Lilly’s yoga pants are short and make me look like I’m waiting for a flood, but she gave me some warm socks, so I don’t care. Up top, I’m swimming in a Naval Academy sweatshirt.