Page 57 of The Christmas Romance Wish

Emmie

CHAPTER 14

Holding tight to the helicopter’s safety handle on the wall, I say, “Okay, I’ll do it. Let’s go.”

Alex holds up another harness and shows me how to get into it. I get a pair of goggles and a safety check along with instructions—mostly to relax and enjoy the ride.

Not going to lie, I’m a little shaky, but Alex holds me securely. His gaze is reassuring. He won’t let me go.

And I don’t want him to. Not in the air or after.

After we get into position, he asks, “Ready?”

Breathless, I manage to say, “Ready.”

“Wait. One more thing.” He might not like flying, but he does seem to enjoy living on the edge, literally, as we hover inside the helo’s door.

Our eyes meet for a beat before Alex’s mouth presses firmly against mine, warming me through. I wear a wide smile, forgetting about the height and danger, feeling free and confident because Alex doesn’t treat me like I’ll break as my brothers have. He knows that I’m strong. He trusts me which helps me trust myself.

“All I want for Christmas is you,” he says.

“You’ve got me. Just don’t let me go.”

He counts down and then we’re free-falling for what feels like forever. My brain is on overload, unable to comprehend what’s happening, yet somehow goes quiet. However, my body feels it all—the cold, the wind, the freedom.

Alex must deploy the canopy because the rushing air smooths out. It’s more of a floating sensation than a roller coaster drop that would make my stomach launch into my throat.

When we’re about halfway to the ground, I realize that the fear of heights differs from falling with a parachute and strapped to an experienced jumper. There wasn’t much time for me to anticipate what was going to happen, but I built it up more in my head. Maybe I do that with a lot of things. Perhaps I should try to appreciate anticipation instead of thinking of it as an enemy and calculating all the ways things can go wrong.

What if they go right?

When we touchdown, I’m shaking and laughing and whooping. Alex picks me up and once more, my feet are off the ground. These bah humbugs love him.

We kiss again and it’s deeper and longer than the first.

An elderly man emerges from a farmhouse, beaming a smile.

“Sir, Santa has a special delivery for you,” Alex calls.

Still in our gear, we disengage, and then present Tom Marlin with his Christmas gifts. He tells us that he’s over the moon. We chat for a few minutes.

Thanking him for his service, the rest of the team pulls into the driveway. Jesse knows the man and they motion that they’re going inside.

“We have to get back. Merry Christmas, sir.” With a salute, Alex and I say goodbye and get into his Jeep which Paxton brought. He gets into a car with Shaylin. Jesse lingers, chatting with Mr. Marlin. They wave as we pull away.

Like when we sailed through the air, my thoughts surge. “I don’t know where to start. That was amazing. Exhilarating. And so thoughtful. Did you see Mr. Marlin’ssmile?”

“It’s the stuff I live for.”

“When I woke up this morning, I wasn’t expecting to skydive.”

“Stick with me, Emmie. Life is an adventure.”

“And there I thought living in the city was daring.”

“Hungry for lunch?”

“It’s only lunchtime? I feel like I’ve lived an entire lifetime just this morning.”

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