3 "I Can't Wait For You"

Although the ideal bothered her, where he built his home had nothing to do with her hesitancy. She didn't wish to be near him. He was a man with a child. A man who could make her hear skip with a simple 'hello, there'. Her no-nonsense black shoes clicking against the wood, she started for the apartment she rented above Art Smarts, a whimsical shop catering to the island's artsy community.

Matt took the heavy toolbox from her grip and asked "Do you always maintain your own plane?"

"Every day." She noticed he carried the toolbox easily, and wondered if he was always a gentleman. Her heart beat a little harder.

"So, you're a mechanic, too?" he asked with that southern inflection.

"Not officially, but over the years I've learned a few things about plane engines."Most of it from my ex who owns a charter airline." Don't worry, Mr matt," she said, mentally batting Stuart Hersham out of her mind.

" I hire a professional to overhaul my plane twice a year."she added.

Halting again, she retrieved the toolkit from his grip suddenly, she didn't like his questions, and she certainly didn't like that she noticed too much about him, which vexed her even more, especially after his scrutiny of the last three days.

"I could probably help with your situation," she went on. "However, I won't be responsible for getting you to work on time. If something goes wrong and I'm late, you'll be late and vice versa. If something holds you up here or on the mainland," I Can't wait for you".

He held up a hand. "I understand. However, I've checked your flight history. Since you were hired by the post office seven months ago, you haven't missed a day or a time. Nor have you missed your other fares."His smile canted left." I'm a lawyer, Miss Lee and comprehensive research comes with the job."

A lawyer. Who'd had her investigated. What else had he discovered? A chill spilled through her bones. Three years ago, she had returned to her home town to escape a past that haunted her nights.

He dug a card from his pocket."Call me anytime and we will set up a schedule. I don't go to bed until eleven." She studied the print. Rogan B.Matt, Law offices of Matt and Matty. Address:Renton, where she often docked. Was he part of a husband and wife team?she thought.

He said, "I'm having a new one printed up this week, but the phone number will stay the same."

"Sure," she said. Intent on reaching her apartment, and trying to shake off his magnetism, she hurried down the boardwalk. All right, she would admit the man seemed like a nice guy. But then lawyers were always nice guys when they're on your side.

"Thank you," he called. "By the way, in case you want to reach me, I'm renting a cabin at The country Cabin B and B until our new house is ready."

Her sister's place. "Why am I not surprised?" Lee muttered. Kat operated the prettiest, best-priced B and B on the island. So not only had Rogan Matt spent the better part of the weekend tailing Lee, he had installed himself in Kat's life, too. Two sisters with one stone, so to speak. Fine, two could play that game.

In a couple hours, while she shared Sunday dinner with her sister, Lee would dig out some information about lawyer Matt and those dollars he was willing to dole out like halloween candy. Dollars Lee could use to safeguard Sky Dash and ensure her plane stayed in the air. She wouldn't, absolutely wouldn't, reflect on how or why he made her fingers tingle and her breath quicken.

........

Getting home, Rogan tucked the blackets around his son's shoulders. "Catch you in the morning, Dan the man."leaning in, he kissed the boy's forehead. After coming home from the Dock and the bath/cookie/milk/bedtime story ritual completed, it was time for lights out.

" Night, daddy." yawning, Danny turned to the wall. Clicking off the bedside lamp, Rogan started for the door.

The sheets swished. "Dad? Are you really gonna fly in that lady's plane?"

Rogan returned to the bed to sit at his son's hip. "yeah, buddy, I am. I don't like you being with a sitter so long after school."

What he couldn't say was he didn't like the ideal of a stranger watching over his child, even though the sitter was a respected woman in the community whose livelihood had been caring for kids after school for almost fifteen years. Hell, she came with an arm's length of glowing reports and references all of which he'd checked thoroughly. But Daniel was his remaining child. Rogan had given too many extra hours to his career when Darby and little Claire still lived. That mistake had been more costly than he could fathom, and one he would never repeat.

"But," Danny whispered, "aren't you scared?" of flying. Rogan gently squeezed his child's hand. "Truth?"

A quick nod.

"Sort of," he admitted. "however, I can't let it stop me from going to work, son. Or from getting into a plane. Yes sometimes things are scary, but we can't let them control what we need to do. Ms Tait will save me a lot of time with her plane." And I need to show you that fears can be overcome, that you don't need to be afraid for the rest of your life.

" Is her plane safe?"

" yes it is, she gets it checked regularly."

Still, Rogan's stomach clenched. Everyday he thanked all the deities for the earache that had kept Danny from boarding that fated flight. But, oh God, why had he not listened to Darby's intuition? Why had he pushed his wife to make that journey back to the City of Forks for her mother's sixtieth birthday?

The morning of the flight had been foggy. I don't feel good about this, Rogan, she'd said, and he'd replied, it'll b fine. You'll be there before you know it. I'll call you at lunch, okay?