Page 8 of Chase

“Just a moment.” She held up a hand, closed her eyes, and said a prayer for protection and strength.

Peace washed over her.

Her eyes opened. She nodded to Madelyne, and then she stepped forward. It was a brave leap of faith, but she did it. “I’ve got this, and God has got me.”

Madelyne cheered and hugged her. “You’ll be so happy you chose to go.”

“Yes, you will.” Brandon grinned and took her arm, escorting her toward the plane.

Lizzy wasn’t quite comfortable with his touch, too famous and buff, but she could imagine it was instinctive for him.

Brandon and Madelyne said their goodbyes, but Rockwell stayed close by. Four of the men followed Brandon and Madelyne. The other four waited next to the plane.

“Eliza,” Rockwell said. “These men will accompany you to Austria and unobtrusively watch over you and my friend Chase.”

She started to feel pressure in her chest again, but she’d prayed and she had to have faith.

“Miss Eliza,” the closest one said. “I’m Captain Peter Macon. Please call me Peter.”

“Hello, Peter. It’s Lizzy.” She tried to extend an olive branch.

They shook briefly.

He tilted his head and released her hand. “Elijah, Joshua, and Tony.”

Each of the men nodded to her but didn’t offer their hands. They all gave her what they probably thought were welcoming smiles, but they were too stiff and seemed as uncomfortable around her as she was around them. Tony was massive. The other men were buff but not veritable giants.

“Nice to meet each of you,” she managed, wondering why Peter hadn’t shared the other men’s last names. “Thank you for watching out for me.”

“Great assignment,” Peter said, obviously the spokesman and leader of the group. “Salzburg and Hallstatt are some of my favorite places on earth.”

“I’m ecstatic to see them,” she said, relaxing a bit. “I can’t wait to run in the green grass and sing ‘the hills are alive with the sound of music’.”

They all smiled a little more genuinely at that. She didn’t tell them she couldn’t run.

Tony murmured to Elijah. “What song is that?”

Elijah gave him an incredulous look. “Your sisters didn’t make you watchThe Sound of Music?”

“No sisters.”

“Lucky.”

“Not lucky.” Lizzy smiled at them, feeling a little more comfortable. She’d always wanted a sister. “Maybe we could watch the best movie on earth on the flight.”

She’d heard about watching movies on flights, though she’d never traveled. Anywhere. She and her mom had made ends meet, and as an adult running a family support center, she had enough for food, some clothing and toiletries, and the rent payment on her center, but never any extra to travel. This was a thrilling adventure. If only she could stay safe.

“Sounds like a plan,” Peter said kindly.

“You’re all right?” Rockwell asked Lizzy in an undertone.

“Yes,” she said bravely. “Thank you.”

He nodded to her.

Lizzy lifted a hand, climbed onto the plane, and looked around. There was a huge screen on the front wall, eight nice leather recliners, a long counter in the back with a fridge and snacks, and a couple doors she assumed were bathrooms or storage but might have been a bedroom. Who knew? She’d never been on a regular jet and here she was flying on a real private jet. Insane.

She settled into a leather recliner as soft as butter. The men sat down as well, but they thoughtfully left the recliners closest to her open, obviously giving her some space.

---