The Next Day (Foothills Book 2) by Carrie Thorne (christmas read aloud TXT) 📕

Taking her hand, he let out a long sigh. “I may be dreading seeing my family, but I’m glad you and I get some time together.”

Passing the hullabaloo of the busy airport, they walked straight to the express line through security. Being the busy marketing executive he had become, he was in the air more often than not anymore. He walked through the airport with a shocking air of familiarity. The security guards practically called him by name.

After the easiest trip through security she’d ever experienced at the airport–not that she’d flown much–their pace eased as they neared their gate and she finally managed to catch up. “Is anyone picking us up from SeaTac?”

Accustomed to travelling for business, he didn’t bother with cozy sweats like so many of the others they passed in the terminal. Dressed in designer jeans, trim cut blazer, button-up top and leather shoes, he would look out of place if they were to fly coach. Not that he would ever stoop so low. “No. I have a rental car reserved so we can drive straight there.”

“Oh. Ok. Are they planning a big party or anything to welcome you home?” For all his hesitation, she knew he wasn’t estranged from his family; he called them every Monday after work. He hadn’t said it, but she got the impression he came from money. She followed his sister’s interior design blog, and it was great, but way beyond anything Claire could afford. As a high profile neurosurgeon, his mother must be well off, and his step-father owned a logging company which sounded quite lucrative.

Needless to say, Claire was more than a little nervous about meeting his wealthy family. They came from such different backgrounds. Different present, really. Her parents and brothers lived in the Phoenix area and saw each other often, at least once a month for family dinners. Ryder thought they were weird and rarely joined her; he was usually out of town on business or stuck in meetings anyway.

“We’ll be there for their annual winter gala, but otherwise, no.”

“First-class passengers to Seattle are welcome to begin boarding at this time,” a soothing voice announced over the loudspeaker as they approached the gate. She followed Ryder down the ramp and settled into their seats.

Maybe she ought to travel with him more often. This first-class thing was pretty great. Free drinks served before they even took off–although her stomach was too nervous to consider imbibing–easy access to the bathroom, and plenty of legroom. Cuddling up in the plush leather seat, she watched the flight attendants gossiping as they buckled in for the flight.

As the plane taxied down the runway, Ryder linked his hand with hers. Land whizzed by out the window, the engine stirring a deep rumbling in her chest as they accelerated. Looking across Ryder out the window, she watched as they overcame gravity and rose above the city.

“You know, if you like the Seattle area, maybe we could look for houses in Mercer Island or Medina. My mother would know the best private schools, for when the day comes. What do you think?” He kissed the back of her hand with their fingers still joined.

“Sure, let’s look into it.” Things were already looking up. Maybe this week would solve all their problems. They just needed to spend some time together. Maybe even have sex; it had been painfully long since either had even been interested, with how hectic things had been. “Do either of those areas have large lots so we can have dogs, and maybe even chickens? We could board horses. I don’t need a cow.”

Ryder down the last of his whiskey with a gulp, grimacing as the large swallow worked its way down. “A cow? Chickens? Did you grow up with farm animals in Phoenix?”

Pulling her hand away, Claire pulled the crossword puzzle out of the seatback pocket. “No.”

“We could get a dog. There are excellent breeders in the area.”

Sighing, she focused on the crossword clues. Full of oneself; eight letters, starts with A. Ha, got that one. ARROGANT.

***

“You’re catching on, really.” Grady grinned at Sophie, skating backward as she slid along the ice, her speed picking up.

When Foothill’s annual rink had been set up, someone had let it slip that Grady had played hockey since he was old enough to put on skates. His siblings were decent on skates, but only Grady had stuck with it. Having played even through grad school, Grady spent as many lunch breaks as he could manage out on the ice.

Sophie’s arms started to flail, but Grady gently reminded her to look ahead rather than at her feet. Her fiancé was working mostly night shifts as the newest member of the Foothills Police Department and hadn’t gotten around to taking her out. Not that Asher had played much hockey, but he was comfortable on the ice. Thus, Sophie had strong-armed Grady into being her skating teacher.

Despite his heart shattering when Sophie chose Asher over him, Grady and Sophie had become great friends. Okay, so shattered was probably too strong of a word. She was gorgeous, but the spark she shared with Asher just hadn’t existed between she and Grady from day one. But he still enjoyed riling Asher.

Asher and he had been roommates until a few weeks ago, and had quickly learned the joy in messing with each other. Just for fun. Pulling his phone out of his pocket, Grady reached for Sophie’s hand and slid to a stop, plastering a friendly peck on her cheek, the mountains gleaming in the freezing sun behind them. Smiling for the camera, her nose scrunched at his obvious Asher-focused-taunt. He snapped the selfie and sent it to Asher, who was sleeping off his last night shift at home.

Freya waved from the side as she removed her skates, done for the day. “Give him a break.