Page 47 of Sam's Salvation

“They always are. Until they aren’t.” Ezra laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “I’ll get your bags loaded up. Come on board whenever you’re ready.”

“Okay. Thanks, Ezra.”

“Anytime.” The man nodded, then picked up the luggage and walked away.

Sam wandered closer to the hangar to wait on Audra. He’d used the restroom on the plane. She hadn’t. He was sure it was because the tight space was difficult for her to move around in right now. She’d have more room on Brooke’s jet.

The outer hangar door opened. Audra spotted him and smiled. His breath stuck in his chest. Would she ever not do that to him?

He cleared his throat and held out a hand. “You ready?”

“Yes.” She took his hand, and he led her toward the plane.

“I’m looking forward to that bed.”

He brought their hands up and kissed the back of hers. “Me too. It’s been a long day.”

On board the aircraft, they took seats in the main cabin for takeoff. Ezra climbed in and stowed the stairs, then shut the door.

“I’ll use the intercom to tell you when we’ve reached cruising altitude. You’re welcome to get some shuteye at that point.”

Sam nodded. “Okay, thanks.”

“Yep.” Ezra turned, then disappeared into the cockpit.

Audra wrapped an arm around Sam’s and leaned into him, yawning. “I hate jetlag.”

Sam chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “Everyone does. But at least we’re sleeping close to when people in London are.”

“Not nearly enough, though.”

Definitely not. But it would do for now.

The engines spun up, and they were soon moving away from the hangar. Within minutes, Ezra had sent the plane rocketing down the runway and they were in the air. Twenty minutes into the flight, he came over the intercom to tell them they were at cruising altitude.

Sam unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up, extending a hand to her. “Come on. Let’s get some sleep.”

She unbuckled and let him help her to her feet. They wandered into the back of the aircraft and through a door.

“Whoa.”

“No kidding.” Sam shook his head. He hadn’t been to the back of the plane when he’d flown in it before. A queen-size bed sat against the far wall, tufted headboard and all. Stacks of pillows were piled on the gray comforter. On either side of the bed was a nightstand with a lamp.

“When you said bed, I was envisioning a cot that folds down from the wall.” Audra walked toward the bed. “This is amazing. I might actually sleep soundly.”

“Well, let’s find out.” Sam snapped on the bedside lamp, then slapped the light switch on the wall and toed off his shoes on the other side of the bed. He pulled the covers back.

She hesitated, a slight scowl on her face.

“What?” He frowned.

“I wish I hadn’t packed my pajamas in my suitcase. I hate sleeping in my clothes.”

A wicked smile erupted on Sam’s face. “Don’t stay dressed on my account.”

Red stained her cheeks. “I’m not giving up any shows tonight. Sorry.” She lifted the blankets on her side and climbed into bed.

He joined her, turning off the light, then pulled the blankets up as he moved closer. “That’s all right. I remember the details quite well.”

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