Page 66 of Too Far To Sea
The next restroom became available and Dana stepped inside, glad for the privacy to think. Her reflection in the mirror looked composed, but inside her thoughts were seatbelt-yourself-in-and-and-grab-a-sick-bag turbulent.
McKay had offered to walk her back to her room that night. That was the only time since he helped her when she was on her crutches. Officer Alvaro had ordered him to do so the first night. Had he also ordered him the night she found Chandler. She hadn’t thought it too odd at the time, as she enjoyed their conversation and his touch. A sting operation with an unknowing accomplice. Why hadn’t McKay trusted her enoughto include her in the plan? She wouldn’t have told Cheyanne if that was what they were worried about.
Dana used a damp paper towel on her face, trying to cool the heat of betrayal rising in her cheeks. Had Officer Alvaro encouraged McKay to stay close to her just for this operation? Was that the real reason she hardly saw him after they caught Chandler? They had taken advantage of Dana’s skills without her knowledge. Hastings Security would have worked with the cruise line. She would have. Trust was essential to a relationship. If under orders, McKay could have apologized even without giving her details. She would have accepted an “I’m sorry.” She would have been even more curious, but she would have accepted it. Second date mess? This was way beyond that.
There was only so little he was authorized to tell her. What could he say to Dana in the next six hours that could make things right? Nothing.
McKay scrolled through the movie selection. His finger hovered over each title without really seeing the titles. Avoidance was possibly his best course of action. Although he doubted Dana would say anything that would jeopardize the ongoing investigation, there could be someone on the plane who might overhear. The same protective instinct that made him good at his job now kept him silent. Once he was home, he could contact the cruise line legal department and get permission to disclose more of the details. Once Dana knew why they needed to talk to Chandler, she would understand. She had to.
Dana returned from the restroom. McKay stood so she could get back into her seat. The indicator light showed one of the restrooms was empty. Better to go now before they hit angryseas, or rather, air turbulence. They felt a lot the same. Dana’s tight smile indicated they’d already hit them.
When McKay returned to their seats, Dana was leaning against the window, wrapped in a blanket with a sleep mask on. The mask couldn’t hide the tension in her jaw. He counted her breaths. She wasn’t sleeping.
Still, he wouldn’t bother her.
McKay scrolled through the movies again. Why were there so many Hearthfire romances? He found an action movie and settled in for the duration. The first movie ended and he searched for another. Romances. Why so many rom-coms? There was nothing funny about finding someone you were interested in and having it blow up in your face.
Dana “woke” shortly before landing and stretched. “I love the extra leg room, don’t you?”
This was how she was going to play it? Polite chatter. It cut deep. “Yes. Did you sleep well?”
“As well as could be expected. Didn’t you?” She pointed to his screen.
“No, I couldn’t.” He was sure she hadn’t slept much at all. He wouldn’t call her a liar, since her answer could be interpreted in multiple ways. McKay tucked his headphones into his pocket while Dana put away her things.
The flight crew commenced their usual announcements. Then went on to remind passengers to pick up their luggage after customs and ensure it made their connecting flights.
Dana covered a yawn. “I hope the customs line isn’t long.”
“It usually is. At least you don’t have another plane to catch.”
The pop and whine of the landing gear vibrated through the plane.
Dana leaned her head back and looked at the ceiling. Her knuckles whitened against the armrest.
“You don’t like landings?”
“Not much.”
“Anything I can do to distract you?”
She shook her head.
McKay swallowed back a sigh. A continent away, she’d laughed at his jokes, shared his food, and trusted him. Nine hours ago, he was sure she would have let him distract her or at least hold his hand. If only he could tell her more.
The plane touched down with a gentle bump. The queuing of tired passengers began. Few people spoke, including them.
When they reached the terminal, Dana turned, “Thank you for everything. I had a wonderful time.”
She ducked into the bathroom.
McKay debated waiting for her. And decided against it—he had a flight to catch. The lines at customs were shorter than the last time he’d flown in. He didn’t see Dana again before he was through and out the other side. He should text her goodbye.
Wait. He never got her number.
He waited for a moment for Dana to emerge. The digital clock above the departure board reminded him he couldn’t. She could stay inside for hours. Some distances were meant to stay uncrossed.
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