Page 60 of Cowboys at Coconuts

Stuffing the claim ticket in her pocket, Alex rushed toward security, pulling her carryon behind her.Flight 666? You’ve got to be kidding me.

Breathing a sigh of relief after making it through security without seeing any of Tony’s cop friends who occasionally patrolled the airport, Alex found her gate, propped her feet on top of her carryon, and tried to relax.

After the ticket agent called her group, Alex got in line and boarded. Shoving her bag in the cabin overhead, she plucked a magazine out of her purse and exhaled.Let the adventure begin.

Chapter 57

After a tumultuous flight on a tiny, connecting plane the size of a prehistoric, flying bird, Alex still squished between two enormous men who thought every arm rest was theirs, couldn’t disembark fast enough. She had practically held her breath the entire time because of the airborne germs and had decided in advance that she wouldn’t use the disgusting restroom.

Upon landing she said a little prayer of thanks after the scary flight number. Gathering her purse and carryon, she entered the airport, checked the monitors, and glanced at her watch. I’ve got to remember to move the time ahead one hour for Eastern Standard Time when I arrive, otherwise, I’ll be later than usual. Chuckling to herself, she considered the possibilities ahead.Should I wander through the Big Apple, explore, shop, dine, and think about my relationship with Tony before seeing Gage?Mind flitting from one option to another, she passed a Starbucks, ordered a venti skinny vanilla latte, a bag of almonds, and headed toward her gate.I’m not about to miss this flight.

Balancing her coffee, purse, and carry-on, she found a seat near a charging station and plugged in her phone.I want a full charge in case I get lost.Finally relaxing, Alex sipped her coffee and tore into the bag of almonds. Checking her email, she breathed a sigh of relief that Hannah hadn’t contacted her.I hope she has my board report ready to go the minute I return.Staring at her cellphone, Alex wanted to text Suzy and Hope but decided to keep it a mystery.

A booming voice made her jump as agents began calling groups to board. In Group 4, Alex dumped her coffee cup in the recycle bin and stood in line near the gate. In fact, it seemed as though every passenger stood in line at the same time. A huge bottleneck occurred. Finally, two groups were called, but not hers. Alex noticed airline employees at the counter were whispering, checking the monitor, and glancing at the remaining passengers.What the hell?

After what seemed like forever, an older employee said, “We’ll be calling four passengers to remain behind. The aircraft is over the weight limit.”

Alex’s stomach churned.They had better not call my name.The lingering passengers fidgeted and gawked at one another as the woman grabbed a microphone. She called out Mike Hunter, Scotty Stephens, Jackie Easterly, and Alexandra Mitchell. “Will the four of you approach the counter? The rest of the passengers may continue boarding.”

“Oh, my God,” Alex said to no one. “No. Just no.” Glancing from the relieved passengers who happily handed over their boarding passes to the stern woman behind the counter, part of her wanted to bolt for the plane. But she knew TSA didn’t joke around, and she wasn’t in the mood to go to jail.All I want is to go to New York City on a big ass adventure. Why are there roadblocks literally everywhere?

The older employee reached for Alex’s boarding pass. “We’ll rebook you on a flight tomorrow morning.”

Gripping the ticket so hard, she punched a hole through the paper. “No. I paid for the flight like everyone else. Let me on this plane.”

“Sorry, ma’am. We’re overweight.”

Alex leaned forward and hissed, “What the hell do you mean overweight?”

The woman spoke slowly as if Alex were addled. “The plane weighs too much. We have several international passengers on this flight who have a great deal of luggage. Luggage is heavy. It’s unfortunate but we can’t take any chances, as I’m sure you understand.” Clicking on the keyboard, she said, “Let me see what flights are available—”

Stiffening, Alex said, “No, Idon’tunderstand. Besides, if this is all about weight, I’m not overweight. By the looks of some of the passen—” She stopped herself. Counting to five, she said, “I’ve had some complicated-as-hell years. Sorry about my French. Nothing earth shattering but an extremely annoying relationship mainly due to my boyfriend’s crazy ex. I’m sure you have more worthy people with bigger problems, but—” To Alex’s dismay, her eyes filled with tears. “This trip is a gift to myself. I’ve never done anything like this. Please let me board.”

Glancing at the passenger list, the clerk murmured something about her spiteful ex-husband’s first wife. Handing Alex her boarding pass, she told her to board then called another unfortunate passenger to stay behind.

Chapter 58

Finally rushing on the plane with every other passenger seated, a woman across the aisle glared at Alex. “I’m only late because they held me up.”Not that it’s any of your business.

Gratefully buckling her seatbelt, she observed the flight attendant demonstrate how to perform the oxygen . . . “In the event of an—”

Peering out the window, Alex stopped listening as the plane ascended. Tops of trees disappeared into a patchwork of countryside.I’m ordering a chardonnay. I’m on vacation. I don’t care what time it is.

Seated in the back of the plane near the disgusting restroom, Alex wasn’t about to complain. Not. At. All. She was bound for the Big Apple. That’s all that mattered. Thrilled no one was seated next to her but feeling a bit sorry for whomever got left behind, Alex fished a book out of her purse. She also reached for earplugs since two toddlers were a row ahead and already squabbling and wailing. Their young mom handed them baggies filled with Cheerios and gold fish crackers.

Pushing the ear plugs in as far as they’d go, Alex felt her shoulders relax.I haven’t had time to read a book in months.This will be a treat.She remembered buying the novel on Amazon, but for the life of her, couldn’t remember the plot. As she cracked openThe Marriage Lie,she scanned the praise for the novel and couldn’t wait to dive in. After a few pages, she grimaced and slammed the book shut.The damn plot is about a plane crash.Oh, my freaking God. Who wants to read about a plane crash while on a plane?Shoving the book back into her purse, she glanced out the window, but curiosity got the better of her. Reading quickly, she wondered whether the husband was on the Orlando or Seattle flight and how in the world could he be on both? Her heart raced but she couldn’t put the damn thing down.

When a flight attendant asked if she wanted anything, Alex nearly jumped out of her seat. “Yeah, thanks. A chardonnay and a Diet Coke.”

The attendant rolled her eyes, likely since she had to retreat to the front of the plane for the wine. As passengers lined up for the restroom, the flight attendant turned sideways to pass them. Wading through the long line, she eventually brought the wine, and asked Alex for cash.

Raising the tray, Alex placed the Diet Coke between her legs and plucked out a five. After paying for the wine, the stewardess said, “Have a nice flight.”

“It’s been great so far,” Alex deadpanned. She held her book in the air. “As long as the pilot keeps us airborne, I’ll be happy.” While she read and sipped her wine, a long line of passengers, who apparently didn’t bother to go to the restroom before takeoff, made their way to the toilet. The last one left behind a scent that made Alex’s toes curl. Coughing, she tore off pieces of her napkin and stuffed them in her nose.

Another passenger who looked like a typical gym rat tried his best to make eyes with her as his Sponge Bob-type body took up the entire aisle. She had zero interest in the musclebound guy. Tony and Gage were more than enough to juggle. Using the book as a cover, she held it in front of her face and took deep whiffs until the obnoxious smell dissipated.

As the landing gear strained, she peered out the window. The skies had turned an ominous, inky black. Lightning slashed through the heavens.Oh, no. Please get us down safely and I’ll—she tried to think of a bargaining chip—I’ll be nicer to Hannah. Thank you, God. Amen.

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