The Pairing (The Proposition #3)(49)

“So what kind of plane is this?” she asked over the noise.

Holding up a finger, he spoke into the mic on the headset. “Ground to Tower, this is Cessna 172 requesting to taxi for takeoff.”

Suddenly the sound of the tower came over her headset. “Clearance for taxi and takeoff, Cessna 172.”

“Roger that,” Pesh replied. The plane lurched forward and then started taxing down the runaway.

“Hmm, I’m guessing a Cessna 172?”

Pesh smiled. “Yes, it is.”

“It’s nice. I like it.”

“I hope you’ll be saying that again in a minute.”

Megan knew what he meant when the plane started gaining speed down the runaway. Just like when she was on a commercial flight, it was on the ground one minute, and then in the air the next. They soared into the blue sky while zipping through white, fluffy clouds. Once they had gained enough altitude, Pesh eased off on the rudder and glanced over at her. “You okay over there?”

She grinned. “Are you kidding me? This is amazing.”

“I’m glad to hear you like it. I didn’t know if you were going to take after your Uncle Aidan.”

“I hear you gave him drugs to make it.”

Pesh laughed. “Yeah, I did. He slept most of the way there.”

“Total wuss,” she remarked with a smile.

After adjusting one of the controls, Pesh said, “Well, I have to admit that my late wife wasn’t a fan, either. She tolerated flying with me because she knew how much I loved it, but most of the time, she’d take a pill to relax.”

“So she didn’t share your passion?”

“No, she didn’t. She always encouraged me to do what I loved. She never was one to make me choose between her or something else. She was that sacrificing.”

“That was really amazing of her to be that giving.”

When Pesh remained silent, Megan knew it was time for a conversation change. “Now that I know we’re going to Savannah, are you going to tell me where we’re going for dinner?”

He smiled. “It’ll probably be a late lunch when we get there.”

“So, where will our late lunch be?”

“Do you like the Historic District?”

“I love it.”

“Good. I’ve picked a restaurant there for us.”

“Do you come to Savannah often?”

“A couple of times a year, mainly for medical conferences on the Coast.”

“And you always fly?”

“I do,” he replied, with a smile.

The flight took less time than she thought, and with clear weather, it was totally smooth. As they started making their descent, Pesh glanced over at her. “Are you ready for the landing?”

“Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“It can be a little intense for some people. You see a lot more of the ground rushing at you than when you’re in a 747.”

She cocked her head at him. “I went skydiving, remember?”

“Ah, that’s right.” With a wink, he added, “You’re my little adrenaline junkie.”

Megan laughed. “I was. Not anymore.”

“What changed all that?”

“Mason. When you’re responsible for the health, safety, and happiness of someone else, your entire perspective changes.”

“He’s a true gift.”

She jerked her gaze to him. “Yes, he is.”

Pesh gave her a small smile before radioing the tower. Once he had clearance to land, they started rapidly losing altitude. The runway got closer and closer until the plane jolted forward and then began skidding along the pavement. When it finally came to a shuddering stop, Megan exhaled the breath she’d been holding. “Still okay?” Pesh asked.

She grinned. “Never better.”

The sound of the tower came in her headset as Pesh listened to the instructions. The plane started rolling toward one of the hangers. Once he had parked and powered down the plane, he got out to help her. After a quick talk with a member of the grounds crew, Pesh took her hand and led her out of the hanger. A cab waited to take them into the city.

She laughed as she slid across the seat. “What?” Pesh asked.

“I’m surprised by the cab. I thought you might really go upscale by having a limo or chauffeur-driven car pick us up.”

“I like to stay humble,” he replied with a wink.

She shook her head at him before turning to gaze out the window at the scenery. When they began winding through the antebellum homes of the Historic District, Megan felt her stomach growl. She’d been too nervous to eat breakfast, and then she hadn’t dared eat at Chuck E. Cheese’s.

The cab stopped outside a chic looking restaurant. As Pesh paid the driver, Megan hopped out and took in the sights around her. She loved the old world feel of the city with all its history and charm. Pesh offered her his arm, and then they walked inside. The restaurant’s popularity was evident in how crowded it was even at four in the afternoon. They were ushered to a quiet, candlelit table.

“Wine?” Pesh asked.

“Yes please.”

“White okay?”

“Sure.”

After the waiter left with their drink order, Megan surveyed the menu and sighed. “Everything looks so good.”