Runway Romance (Love in the Air Trilogy) by Merri Hiatt Read Free Book Online

gourmet cheese and slippers.” Randee gave her co-workers a wicked grin, then turned and headed for first class.
    “Who are you sleeping with to get FC after only a year?” Jenny asked.
    “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
    “She’s one of the best,” Aida said.
    “It is odd how quickly she rose up through the ranks, though,” Geri said.
    “Guess that’s my cue, too,” Brindle said, following Randee down the narrow aisle.
    Jenny leaned around the dividing wall toward coach. “Natives are getting restless, let’s hurry this up. I’ll take emergency instructions and drinks.”
    “I’m on food and welcome,” Aida said.”
    “I guess that leaves me with being back-up and doubling up with you on instructions, Jenny. Just give me a nod when you need an extra pair of hands,” Geri said.
    “Got your back,” they said in unison, followed by, “Safe flight.”
    After the pilot greeted the passengers, Aida made her welcome and emergency instructions were finished, they buckled themselves into the slim pull-down seats for take-off.
    “I hate this part,” Geri said.
    “I love this part,” Jenny said.
    “It’s all part of the job,” Aida said.
    Once the plane leveled off, they removed the safety belts and began assessing passengers’ needs. A blanket was gathered to warm a fussy baby. A woman in a midnight blue suit wanted to read, but couldn’t get her light to work. Two children who looked to be about eleven or twelve were pressing their noses to the glass, amazed at their first flight.
    “We’ve got first-timers,” Jenny said.
    “I only have one pin in my pocket,” Geri said.
    “Here, take one of mine.”
    Geri took the pins and personally welcomed the boys. “Hi boys, are you having fun?”
    A boy with dark hair and wire-rimmed glasses nodded his head vigorously. “It’s awesome. The clouds are underneath us!”
    “We’re glad you chose Ballinger Air as your first flight. In celebration, we have a little gift for you.” Geri handed each boy a pin.
    “Wings! That’s so cool!”
    The nodder immediately began loosening the clasp, then pinned it on his shirt.
    “Thank the woman,” their mother said.
    “Thank you.”
    “Yeah, thank you.”
    “You’re welcome. If there’s anything else I can do to make your first flight special, let me know.”
    “There is one thing,” the nodder said.
    “Yes?”
    “Can we meet the pilot?”
    “I’m sorry, passengers aren’t allowed in the cockpit.”
    The nodder shrugged as he mumbled, “You’re the one who asked if there was anything you could do.”
    Jenny caught the interaction and headed to the front of the plane. When she reached the cockpit, she tapped once on the door.
    Brindle met her on the other side. “What’s up?”
    “Two young boys are first-time flyers and they want to meet the pilot.”
    “Captain Johnson, are you available to come to coach for a few moments to greet first-time passengers? They’re two young boys.”
    “Sure.” He slapped his co-pilot, Barry McDonald, on the back. “Will you hold down the fort, Barry?”
    “Will do.”
    “Remember, the goal is to avoid other aircraft in the sky.”
    “How’d you know that was the question I got wrong on the Ballinger exam?”
    “Just a lucky guess.”
    As they made their way down the hallway, Jenny said, “Thanks, Brendan. These boys are really excited about the flight.”
    “It’s my pleasure. I know how much it meant to me to meet the pilot when I was a kid.
    Is Kate in town? I’ve been calling her.”
    “She’s heading to Ireland for an extended stay.”
    “Is that your roundabout way of saying she’s been home for a few days but you didn’t want to hurt my feelings?”
    “Guilty. Sorry. You know Kate, she’s not really into relationships.”
    “Yeah, I know Kate. I just thought she might be ready to settle down one of these days.”
    “You want to be the one she settles down with?”
    Brendan met her gaze. “Ah, just forget about it. Forget I said