Ben grabbed Sam’s truck keys the second they appeared in his hand. Sam tried to yank them back but Ben grabbed his wrist and stared him down. Sam surrendered.
“I’ve got this,” said Ben, deep lines crossing his brow. “Jack, you and Sam be ready to go in three. Meet you out front.”
Maggie fluttered about, touching things around the kitchen and making soft noises, muttering under her breath. Charles sat quietly in his seat, watching me, waiting.
Waiting for what? What was I supposed to do?
I looked at Sam’s face, and his eyes found mine. I saw something in them I never wanted to see — fear.
Fear. My rock solid, uber-confident Sam was scared.
It stunned, and at the same time spurred me to action.
Yanking his hand, I dragged Sam to the mud room and tossed him his shoes. He shuffled over to the stairs and sat down. Somewhere between putting on the left and reaching for the right, he found his voice.
“Jack,” he whispered.
I was beside him in a flash with a side hug, nuzzling his cheek. “It’ll be okay. They’ll be okay.”
He turned his frightened blue eyes to mine, and my heart nearly stopped. Oh, Sam.
I grabbed his face and leaned in, trying to pour every ounce of strength and courage I could muster into him. “I’ve got you, big guy. I’m here. It’s gonna be okay.”
His eyes said he wanted to believe me, but the uncertainty was tangible.
Ignoring how impotent I felt, I got us moving. Maggie hovered in the kitchen doorway as we passed. She reached a hand to Sam’s shoulder, her eyes welling up. Sam acknowledged her with a touch of fingertips and a nod of thanks.
“Call us,” she whispered as I passed. “I’ll be praying.” I nodded and kept moving.
Ben had a black SUV idling, a strange guy in a Rockies baseball cap sitting behind the wheel, his focus intense. Ben opened the back door, and I more or less shoved Sam in. Ben ran around to the other side and hopped in, hitting a hand on the dash. The SUV leapt forward, slamming Sam and me against the seat. Okay, then.
The brain fog cleared and I reached for my phone. She answered immediately.
“Margie, talk to me,” I said breathlessly as we flew out of the driveway, tires squealing on the dry pavement.
“Jack! Are you okay?” she said.
“I’m fine. What’s happening?”
“I don’t know. Justin called, said he only had a second. Told me to call Sam and let him know they were diverting and not to worry.”
I glanced at Sam and his scary expression. Angry frustration was slowly displacing his fear. He was gonna blow if I didn’t find a way to diffuse him.
“Uh…I think we’re past that. Tell me exactly what he said.”
I imagined Margie focusing on Justin’s exact words. “‘Taking precautions, there’s a slight problem with the plane. Diverting to DIA. Tell Sam not to worry.’ That’s it,” she said.
“Got it. Nothing else?” I asked.
“No. Where are you?”
“Driving like a bat out of hell for the airport. If you hear from him again, patch him through to my phone, okay?”
“Will do.”
“Thanks.”
“Jack?”
“Yeah?”
“It’ll be okay. Ron and Justin are the best at what they do.”
“They have to be,” I said, disconnecting.
“What’d she say?” asked Sam, squeezing my arm.
“What you already know,” I said with unexpected calm. “Justin told her there’s a slight problem, and they’re diverting. He also said you shouldn’t worry.”
“Yeah, right,” said Sam, dropping my arm and flopping back in the seat. Worry for me was tears and wringing hands. Sam alternated between sheer terror and needing to punch something – or someone. Yikes.
I debated calling Justin directly so he could tell Sam himself. I nixed the idea. He had enough on his plate and we’d be an unnecessary distraction. And it wouldn’t help Sam, anyway.
I tried to pull him into a hug, but he resisted. Crap. I didn’t push it, not wanting to add to his frustration. We needed answers.
Up front, Ben futzed with some kind of scanning device. He turned up the volume, flooding the SUV with annoying static. He adjusted a dial, and the noise was replaced by voices.
“United 245, turn left heading one-two-zero. Cleared for landing runway 35 left.”
“United 245,” came the reply a half second later.
“Denver approach, Gulfstream 49SA with you at nineteen hundred.” The scratchy voice sounded a lot like Justin.
‘Gulfstream 49SA, roger. Maintain heading two-four-zero.”
“49SA, two-four-zero.”
“That’s your plane,” said Ben. Sam and I exchanged a quick glance, then locked on to the scanner as our only link to the plane and Sam’s family. My family.
More static. More calls from other planes. What was going on up there?
“Denver approach, Gulfstream 49SA. Um…we have a situation up here.”
“49SA, say again?”
“49SA, we are unable to confirm nose gear down.”
“Roger, 49SA. Stand by.”
Sam squeezed my hand so hard I yelped.
“Sorry,” he whispered, relaxing his grip.
“I’m good,” I said, grabbing with my other hand to sandwich his. His posture did not relax. Ben’s expression didn’t help.
“What?” I asked.
“Sounds like their landing gear won’t go down. That, or that they can’t tell for sure.”
“What does that mean?” squeaked Sam.
Ben took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and looked Sam in the eye. “It means they have a lot to deal with at the moment. But you need to know, Sam, this is not an unusual thing. Try to think positive, okay. Pilots train for this shit all the time, and Ron and Justin are aces. Your family is in good hands.”
Sam looked at me. I could see he wanted to believe Ben, but still struggled to get his mind around what was happening.
“Is there anything we can do?” I asked.
Ben slapped the driver on the shoulder and said, “Drive faster.”
A nod and the SUV swerved into the left lane and accelerated down the expressway.
“Gulfstream 49SA, state your position,” said the air traffic controller.
“49SA, one-nine-hundred, heading two-four-zero.”
“Roger 49SA, contact Denver Tower at one-two-four-point-three, and they will assist. Good luck.”
“Two-four-point-three, 49SA. Thanks,” said Justin.
“What’s happening?” I asked Ben.
“Changing radio frequency. Connecting Justin to a different controller.” Ben adjusted a dial on his scanner as loud static exploded from the speaker, causing Sam to jump next to me.
“Oh god, did they crash?” he asked.
“Shhh…relax, big guy,” I said, rubbing his arm closest to me and kissing his shoulder. “They’re okay. Just working things out. It’s gonna be okay.”
He turned to look at me, anger flashing like lightning bolts in his normally serene blue eyes. “You can’t know that,” he hissed.
I swallowed and took a slow breath. “You’re right. But I do know Ron and Justin, and so do you. We trust them with our lives every time we go up, and there’s no reason to think they can’t handle this. They’ll do everything they can to protect our family.”
I couldn’t tell if my words soothed or not, but he didn’t say anything else. Ben looked at me and gave a slight nod. I nodded back.
“Denver Tower, Gulfstream 49SA, with you at one-nine-hundred, heading two-four-zero.”
“Roger 49SA. State your emergency.”
“Nose gear malfunction. Can’t confirm position. Primary hydraulic failure. Initiated manual override. Indicator is negative.”
“Main gear status?”
“Affirmative.”
“Roger. Maintain heading. Report remaining fuel and souls on board when you can.”
I inhaled sharply and Sam grabbed my arm with both hands.
“Jack,” he whispered, panic rising fast.
“Easy, guys,” said Ben, looking at us over the front seat back. “It sounds dire, but I think that’s just required FAA speak. I’m sure they’re all fine.”
I nodded and Sam just stared forward, paralyzed.
“Denver Tower, 49SA. We’d like to burn off a little more fuel before landing. Nine souls on board.”
“Roger 49SA. Do you have full control of the aircraft?”
“49SA, roger.”
“49SA, climb and maintain three thousand. Turn left heading one-eight-zero. Confirm when you reach altitude.
“Three thousand, one-eight-zero, 49SA.”
Radio silence. Outside, I watched dusk approaching across the Colorado high desert dotted with tumbleweeds as we raced toward the airport — and hopefully a happy family reunion.
Additional communications between Justin and the tower directed the plane in a large rectangular pattern, from what I could follow. Lots of ninety-degree turns, anyway.
Sam sat ramrod straight in the middle of the seat, staring straight ahead, seeing something I couldn’t see. His focus was laser-like and total, oblivious to me watching his profile. Like he wasn’t there. Freaky, but also so like Sam.
As we swerved on to the exit ramp near the airport, he came back, and looked at me.
“It’s not what they think,” he said.
“Not like who thinks?” I asked.
“Ron and Justin.”
“What’s not what they think?”
He shrugged. I looked into his eyes, and despite his very odd premonition or whatever, he seemed a sliver more relaxed. He slumped next to me and I caught him in a side hug, using all my core to keep him upright.
“I’ve got you,” I whispered. “I’m here.” I kissed the side of his head. He kept his eyes focused out the windshield as we screamed around a sharp curve, pressing me against the door.
“Denver Tower, 49SA out of three thousand for two-four-hundred.”
“Roger 49SA. Cleared for landing on three-five right. Do you want a flypast to confirm gear position?”
Silence as we waited for Justin’s reply. Sam sat rigid next to me. Ben’s expression darkened for a split second before he forced his face to relax, knowing both Sam and I were watching him for clues as to the severity of the situation. This didn’t look good.
“Denver Tower, give us a minute. Calculating fuel burn for flypast.”
“Roger, 49SA. Emergency response standing by.”
Sam inhaled sharply and nearly came out of his skin. He rubbed his temples furiously as my own pulse jacked up several notches.
The driver cursed as he slammed on the brakes, narrowly avoiding a slow moving utility truck, then accelerated as he passed, only to curse again as he shifted lanes and turned sharply into a lot fronting a two story building. The sign whizzing past on my left said Signature Flight Services.
Tires chirped to a stop in front of the building. Ben and Sam were out of the SUV before I could get my seatbelt off. I scrambled around to find them huddled with the scanner.
“Denver approach, 49SA. We’d like to do the flypast.”
“Roger, 49SA. Turn right heading three-five-zero. Descend and maintain one thousand. You’ll be on a five mile approach.”
“Three-five-zero, one thousand. 49SA,” came Justin’s response.
“Let’s go inside,” said Ben, turning toward the building. Sam and I half-trotted to keep up. I kept forgetting to breathe. Crap. Now was not the time to have an anxiety attack. Sam needed me, and I was not about to let him down.
Inside we were greeted by a blond man in khakis and a blue blazer. “This way, gentlemen.” How he knew who we were, I had no idea — Ben, probably. His way of getting ahead of the situation, like thinking of a scanner.
Ben followed the guy without question, and we followed Ben — through the reception area and out double glass doors onto the tarmac. Four private jets were parked in a line a hundred yards to my right. I wouldn’t relax until ours was next to them. Safe and in one piece. Come on, Ron and Justin, make it happen.
The young man noticed the scanner in Ben’s hand as we walked to the edge of the tarmac, looking east to an active runway nearby and another farther out.
“We’re monitoring the tower, too,” he said, pointing to the scanner. “They’ll be coming from that direction, and use the far runway,” he said, pointing to our right.
A large plane approached the runway closest to us, engines screaming as the wheels touched down in a giant puff of smoke. My eyes fixed on those round orbs of rubber, never realizing how much I took them for granted.
“Denver Tower, 49SA on approach for flypast. Heading three-five-zero. Leaving one thousand for five hundred.”
“Roger, 49SA. Traffic on your left at two miles. Fly runway heading. Cleared to descend to two-five-zero at your discretion.”
“Runway heading, two-five-zero. 49SA.”
In the distance and the growing darkness, I saw two lights appear as the plane dropped below the increasing cloud cover. I grabbed Sam’s arm and he latched onto my hand with his opposite.
Another Signature employee came running up to us. “Here, Tom,” she said, handing him a pair of binoculars.
“Thanks, Jen. Get back and monitor ground control. We need to be ready to tow them over if necessary.” Jen turned and ran back toward the building behind us.
“Here,” said Tom, handing the binoculars toward Ben. Sam grabbed them before Ben could shift the scanner to his other hand. I followed Sam as we walked closer to the active runway.
Another large passenger jet landed in front of us, the noise deafening. The whine of the reverse thrust echoed as it roared down the runway. Sam was oblivious, binoculars focused on our approaching plane.
I attached myself to his back, looking past his shoulder to the horizon as the two lights got lower and brighter.
“Please be down, please be down,” I whispered. Sam said nothing.
As the plane got closer and closer, Sam suddenly went even more rigid, leaning forward on his toes. He could see what I couldn’t. Then the plane was over the end of the runway and even in the fading light, I could see three gears down. But something wasn’t right.
“Son of a bitch,” cursed Sam, dropping the binoculars to his side. He turned and started for the others, leaving me in the dust. I scurried after him. What was happening?
“Did you see that?” he yelled at Ben, arms flailing. “Did you?”
“Yes,” said Ben with a calm that defied reality.
“It’s fucked up. Now what?”
Ben sighed. “They train for this, Sam. Ron and Justin will land the plane safely. They know what to do.”
“Excuse me,” said Tom, gingerly inserting himself into the heated exchange. “If I may, I can assure you that the Gulfstream is capable of landing without nose gear at all. I’m sure the pilots know what to do.”
“Yeah, and what’s that? Land in a lake?” asked Sam, making fists and tensing for a fight.
“Sam…easy, big guy,” I whispered next to him, holding onto his arm. Like I could actually control him if he lost it.
“Jack…” he said. His whole body trembled in waves. His eyes revealed a whole new level of fear. Oh, crap on a cracker. He was losing it.
I reached up and grabbed his face in my hands, forcing him to look into my eyes. “Listen to me. Trust me. Believe me. Nothing bad is going to happen today. I know it, Sam. I know it as sure as I know you love me and our love is forever. Do you hear me?”
His eyes teared up, but he nodded. He wrapped his arms around me in a tight, if shaky, hug. I had no choice but to hug him back.
The scanner in Ben’s hands erupted in loud static, and then Justin’s voice pierced through. “Tower, 49SA. Confirm gear position, over?”
“49SA, turn right heading one-seven-zero, ascend and maintain flight level two thousand. Stand by.”
“One-seven-zero, two thousand. 49SA.”
We knew what Justin and Ron did not. The situation was not good. They had their work cut out for them, getting the plane safely on the ground. They had no choice. I had promised Sam.
“49SA, Denver Tower. All gear down. Cannot confirm lock status. Nose gear is horizontal. Repeat. Nose gear is horizontal.”
“Shit…uh…sorry,” said Justin. “Roger, Tower. Set us up for final approach.”
“49SA, right turn heading two-seven-zero, descend and maintain one-thousand.”
“49SA.”
“Why didn’t Justin answer with all the numbers?” I asked Ben.
Tom answered. “Doesn’t have to. The tower knows exactly where he is, and he has other things to focus on right now.”
“Like what?” snapped Sam.
“Instructing the passengers, final approach checklist. There’s a book of step-by-step procedures for this kind of thing.”
“Guys, take a breath,” said Ben. He handed the scanner to Tom and put hands on our shoulders. “It’s something they plan for, okay? They’ll follow the book, and they will get that plane down safely.”
I sighed and Sam hissed. “They better.”
The ten minutes that passed were some of the longest of my life. Given that Tom, and even Ben, didn’t appear too concerned meant nothing. Sam was my big worry.
Normally he was a rock, immovable, unflappable. Falling apart was my lot. Nothing about any of this was even remotely normal. And now that our family was in danger, Sam was hovering between collapsing and all out war, and pity the fools who got in his way, me included.
“49SA, turn right heading three-five-zero. You are cleared to land runway three-five right. Winds south at four, gusting to ten. Recommend numbers as target. Twelve thousand maximum roll out. VFR, at your discretion. Emergency crews standing by.”
“Roger, 49SA. Runway three-five right.”
The two lights appeared near the far horizon. The closer they got, the more my heart raced. I didn’t want to watch, but I had to, for Sam.
He clutched my right arm in a talon grip, fingers digging in. I didn’t even flinch. Whatever he needed.
I think we both stopped breathing as the sleek airplane with its broken nose wheel suddenly dropped toward the ground far from the end of the runway.
“Oh god!” Sam gasped.
The plane floated back up and seemed to skim the ground just before Ron and Justin put the back wheels on the runway numbers. One small bounce and the plane settled on its haunches, nose still in the air. I tried to see into the windows, but it flew past too quickly to make out any passengers.
Sam tracked the forward progress with the binoculars. “Come on, come on. Get it down, get it down.”
Now a good distance down the runway, I noticed all the flashing lights from emergency vehicles lining both sides of the runway. Then sparks started flying in all directions as the pilots set the plane down on the disabled nose gear. Thirty seconds later the sparks stopped, and I could barely see the plane, stopped in the middle of the runway.
“That’s why they dump the fuel,” said Ben to no one in particular. Emergency vehicles approached the plane, but it looked fully intact.
“49SA, report status,” said someone in the tower.
“Tower, 49SA. Full stop. Need assistance to taxi. Repeat, unable to taxi unassisted.”
“Roger, 49SA. Injury report?”
“Negative, tower. Request permission to move to Signature hangar.”
“Roger, 49SA. Nice job.” I could hear faint clapping in the background. Emergency vehicles dispersed, flashing lights quenched. A strange stillness descended.
Sam put an arm around my shoulders and nearly pulled both of us down as he staggered under the adrenaline drain.
“Jack,” he whispered.
“I know. I know. It’s gonna be okay. We’ll see them in just a few minutes.”
Sam turned to Tom. “Can’t we get out there, get them off the plane?”
Tom smiled. “I’ve got a tug in route as we speak. They will assess the damage, and if the plane can be pulled, we’ll have them here in just a few minutes. If not, we’ll arrange transport to get them, okay?”
Sam was frustrated by the delay, but he backed down. I breathed a sigh of relief.
Ben turned off the scanner and followed Tom to the main building. Sam used the binoculars to watch proceedings on the runway. I stayed close to Sam.
It took nearly twenty minutes for the plane to begin moving in our direction, and another fifteen before the tug stopped the nose of the plane in line with the others on the tarmac. I was never so happy to see the door seal crack open.
Sam took off running, with me a distant second. He bounded up the steps and nearly pushed Nancy to the side. I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and she smiled.
“Fancy meeting you here,” she said from the doorway.
“Everyone okay?”
She nodded. “Right as rain. Nothing to it.”
“How about you?” I asked, climbing the steps to stand one down from her.
She looked into my eyes. I saw the fatigue, the worry hiding behind the cheerful mask. “I’ve had easier flights,” she said with a sigh. “But everyone did what they had to, and here we are, safe and sound. I did break a dish, I’m afraid. So careless of me.”
I broke out in peels of laughter, grabbing the railing to stay upright. I couldn’t stop. That’s where Ron found us, doubled over, hanging out the side door.
“What’s so funny?” he asked with a grin.
Nancy patted his arm. “Nothing, dear. We just needed a minute. You okay?”
He nodded. “Justin’s finishing up the preliminary report. I’m about to check the gear.”
I was in his way, so I backed down the stairs. “Can I go with you?” I asked.
“Sure,” said Ron.
“Thank you…for…for everything.”
Ron stopped and turned to me. “It’s my job to keep you and your family and friends safe. You don’t have to thank me.”
“Maybe not, but all the same, I’m grateful it was you flying them today.”
“Your welcome.” He turned toward the mangled nose wheel. I stepped up next to him. Ron sighed deeply and said nothing, just squatted down and silently inspected the damage.
It was destroyed beyond repair, that much was certain. The tires were gone, leaving behind a giant knot of twisted, charred metal.
Justin came trotting up to us. I stood up to shake his hand. “Thank you for everything,” I said.
“Just doing our job. That’s what you pay us for, boss,” he said, smiling.
I shook my head. They acted like it was no big deal. I was still queasy, and I hadn’t even been on the plane.
“What do you think?” Ron asked Justin. Justin circled the gear, touching a few things here and there. He stopped and pushed two fingers against something.
He stood up straight. “Torque link malfunction.”
Ron’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Unbelievable.”
“What?” I asked before I could stop myself. Ron looked at Justin, who just shrugged his shoulders and nodded.
“We just had all the gears serviced in Savannah last week. Means someone likely screwed up. I’ll get to the bottom of it.”
“Do you have to report what happened? Like to some government investigators or something?” I asked.
Justin smiled, wiping his hand on his uniform pants. “Believe it or not, no. No one was injured, and the plane likely didn’t suffer any damage beyond this gear assembly. So we’re good. No need to get the NTSB or FAA involved.”
Ron had a strange look on his face, like maybe he didn’t agree. I decided to drop it when I heard footsteps on the stairway behind me. Turning around, I saw two blond boys bouncing down to the tarmac.
“Uncle Jack! Uncle Jack!” they shouted, running into me and grabbing me around the waist.
“Hey guys,” I said with a grin that almost hurt it was so big. “You made it.”
“It was so cool,” said Cam.
“Yeah, we had to brace for a crash and everything,” said Carter.
“Except nothing happened,” said Cam, disappointed.
Only two young boys would find this experience cool. I was a wreck, and I couldn’t imagine what their parents were feeling.
“And we got to help make chocolate chip cookies! The galley is wicked cool,” said Carter.
“Yeah,” echoed Cam. “They were the bestest ever.” He rubbed his stomach for effect.
“Best, silly,” said Carter.
“That’s what I said.”
“Nevermind,” I interjected to quell a squabble before it started. “I am so glad you guys are here. I’ve been waiting for like, forever,” I said, squeezing them until they both squealed with glee.
“I see they found you,” said a friendly voice. Their father, David, watched us, taking it all in.
I let go of the boys and hugged David hard, not caring if anyone thought it inappropriate or whatever. I was so glad to see him in one piece.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that. Is everyone okay?” I said, stepping back.
“Not your fault, and it all worked out. A little nerve-wracking, but Nancy was a pro and talked us through it. And these guys took the edge off, as usual,” he said, ruffling Carter’s hair, to which he rolled his eyes and stepped to the side.
“Dad,” he whined brushing at his curly blond locks. Cam took that opportunity to reach over and ruffle Carter’s hair even harder, which of course set off a scuffle that David had to break up.
“Boys, knock it off. Come on,” he said, redirecting their pent up energy. “Let’s see if we can help with the bags.”
“Cool!” said Cam. Carter took off with him toward the rear of the plane. We left Justin and Ron studying the nose gear with grim faces.
“You mind if I ask what happened?” asked David.
I shrugged. “Don’t know yet. Something about the nose wheel wasn’t right. Ron thinks it might have been an error during servicing last week. I’m sure they’ll figure it out.” I sounded more positive than I felt.
“Sucks losing your plane like this, which is awesome, by the way,” he said with a huge smile.
“Yeah…well, I’m sure they’ll get it fixed up ASAP. We’ll figure something out to get you guys back home.”
Cam and Carter were jumping up and down trying to reach the external latch on the cargo hold near the tail of the plane. I picked Carter up and he did the deed. The door opened, and I lifted both him and Camden up into the hold.
“Can you see how to unlatch the lattice?” I asked.
“Got it, Uncle Jack,” said Carter. I wasn’t surprised. He was such a little engineer.
One by one, the boys pushed bags to the edge and David and I lowered them to the ground. We made quick work of it. The boys jumped down to the tarmac, pretending they were escaping from “the bad guys”, whoever they were. David and I just grinned and enjoyed their antics.
At the front of the plane, Sam escorted his parents and sister down the stairway after shaking hands with Nancy. Sam gave her a huge hug and said something that set her off laughing again.
As I approached, Kat looked me up and down with a big grin. I opened my arms and she slid right in, hugging me hard in return and kissing my cheek. “Damn, my brother sure picked a hottie.”
Heat rushed to my face. “Stop it, Sis,” said Sam, stepping to my side.
“What? He’s good looking. Or hadn’t you noticed?”
Sam grinned and kissed my cheek, wrapping an arm around my shoulders possessively. “Yeah, I noticed.”
“How have you been?” asked Kat.
“Fine,” I lied. “Sorry about the emergency thing. Are you all okay?”
She waved it off with a flick of her left hand. “It was nothing.”
“Nothing? It was far from nothing,” said Sam’s father, pulling me into a bear hug. The Wainwrights put everything into their hugs, and it felt really, really good. The tension in my body drained away in that hug.
“Curtis, let him go,” said Sam’s mom, lightly slapping her husband’s arm with a wide grin. He did as he was told, stepping back to allow her advance. She reached up and put a delicate hand on my cheek. “Jack…it’s so good to see you again. Thank you for bringing all of us out here.”
I smiled and pulled her into a gentle hug. Stepping back, I said, “Thank you for coming. I’m honored you’re here.”
She smiled. “So polite. Sam, my son, if you screw this up, you’ll never hear the end of it from me.”
Everyone laughed, and Sam wrapped me up from behind. “I won’t, Mom. I promise.”
Two large SUVs, black of course, pulled onto the tarmac and stopped nearby. Ben jumped out of the lead car.
“Ready to go?” he asked.
“Ben! Ben!” shouted the twins, running over to him. Ben squatted down and wrapped them up in his arms. He looked good with kids crawling all over him, if not a little overwhelmed.
“Jack, can you help get everyone situated. I need a minute,” said Sam. I turned to look into his eyes. The fear was gone, replaced by his normal sexy blues. He winked at me, and I knew he was much better now. I sighed with relief and a nod.
David and I hauled the bags over to the rear vehicle, and the driver helped load it all in the back, while Sam went to talk to Ron and Justin, still congregating around the mangled nose gear. He surprised me by pulling them each into a quick hug.
I smiled. That’s my Sam. “Way to go, big guy,” I whispered to myself.
More surprises. Ben handed Sam the keys to the lead SUV. “Here, you drive. You should all fit. We’ll follow. Directions back home are in the Nav system.”
Sam looked at him without words, just a serene expression of gratitude.
“Right,” said Ben with a nod. He walked away and the family all piled in for the hour-long ride home.
Now that the immediate danger had passed, it was time to process. The easy banter amongst the family set my heart and mind at ease. I loved these people. I admired them. When faced with a hard challenge, instead of nipping and ripping at each other, they rallied together in support. I mean, they were laughing about how scared they had been when Nancy said to brace for the landing. I had never seen anything like it. No wonder Sam was a rock.
I wanted to be like them. Stable, confident, supportive. It seemed like a pipe dream as we followed a ribbon of red tail lights toward home.
Sam reached across the console and grabbed my hand. “I can hear your thoughts, little man. You did good today. I can’t imagine what I would have done without you.”
“I love you so much. I want to be stronger for you,” I whispered.
He glanced at me then faced forward again. “You’re stronger than you think. And I love you back, Jack.”
I kissed the hand holding mine.
“Forever,” I said.
***
It was late when we arrived back at the house. Every light in the house was on, bathing the driveway in a soft glow. Maggie and Charles waited on the front porch as we pulled up. I had called Maggie to let her know everyone was safe. She was all smiles when they stepped down to join us as the family piled out of the SUV.
“Oh my,” said Caroline, looking at the impressive house. “It’s beautiful.”
“Told you,” said Curtis. I forgot he had been to the house years ago for a gathering with the Franklins.
“Hey, guys,” said Sam. “This is Maggie and Charles. They take care of things around here.”
“Welcome, welcome,” said Maggie. “Can I get anyone anything to eat?”
“Got any ice cream?” asked Cam, innocently.
“Cam!” yelped Kat.
“What? She asked,” he said.
Maggie was smiling ear to ear. “As a matter of fact, young man, I do have some ice cream. If your parents say it’s okay, I’ll get you fixed up.”
“Can we?” begged Cam with pleading eyes looking up at his father. David looked at Kat and she nodded.
“Okay, but then it’s time for bed. We have a big day tomorrow.”
“Yay!”
Maggie grinned. “Oh, this is going to be so much fun. Come on in, everyone. Jack, why don’t you and Sam put the bags where they go, and we’ll get things settled.”
Carter stepped up to her and pulled on her dress. “Hi,” he said, with a little wave of a hand.
“Hello. And who might you be?” asked Maggie.
“I’m Carter, ma’am.”
She reached down and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, Carter. Would you like to join us for ice cream?”
He grinned. “Yes, please.”
“Follow me,” said Maggie. Charles kissed her cheek and she took the boys by the hands and led them through the front door.
“Haven’t seen her this excited since you boys showed up,” said Charles, then he turned and walked toward the rear SUV.
“Is that your housekeeper?” whispered Kat.
“Yes,” said Sam. “And don’t get any ideas. She’s ours.”
Next to me David chuckled under his breath. “I’ll never hear the end of it,” he whispered to me.
“Sorry,” I whispered back.
Between Sam, Charles, David and me, we made short work of distributing all the luggage to the appropriate rooms. David didn’t say much, but I could tell he was impressed with the accommodations. I noticed Maggie had added little extra touches, like French soaps and candles for Kat and David, and a fresh flower arrangement for Sam’s parents. Very thoughtful.
The twins wolfed down bowls of chocolate ice cream as the adults regaled the Smyths with details of their trip and the harrowing landing.
“I never stopped praying till Jack called me and told me you were all right. Can I get anyone anything else?” asked Maggie.
Kat yawned and leaned into David sitting beside her. Caroline patted Curtis’s arm. “I think it’s time for bed. It’s been a long day,” she said.
Sam headed downstairs with the boys to get them settled. I followed the others upstairs.
“Where is your room?” asked Kat as she flopped down across the kingsize bed in their room.
“We’re at the end of the hall on the main level. Why?” I asked, leaning against the door jamb. David started unpacking clothes and moving toiletries into the ensuite bathroom.
“No reason. This place is amazing. Seriously, your birth mother just left all this to you?”
I shrugged. “Yeah. It’s a lot for just the two of us.”
“You decide you don’t want it anymore, I’ll take it. As long as you include Maggie in the deal.”
I laughed. “You just want my housekeeper.”
She smiled and slid off the bed. Approaching me, she said, “I’m not too big to admit it. I’m jealous. Don’t get me wrong, I love my life. I do. David and the boys are everything. All I ever wanted. Someone to do the mountains of laundry would be nice, though, I’m not gonna lie.”
I smiled as she took my hand and leaned in closer, staring into my eyes, digging deeper and deeper by the second. So like Sam.
“You’re troubled,” she said, taking half a step back. “What’s wrong.”
I swallowed, not wanting to get into it with her. Sensing my reluctance, she backed off.
“It’s okay. We’ll talk later,” she said. “But we will talk, Jack.”
Then she hugged me tight. It felt so, so good to have her arms around me. The acceptance and love were just what I needed to push back the anxiety bubbling just under the surface.
“Thank you for coming. I’m glad you’re here,” I said.
She leaned back, still holding my waist. “I’ll always be here for you, Jack. You’re family now.”
I nodded and tried not to cry.
Sam found me undressing for bed. I was exhausted in every way imaginable, but also strangely at peace after an intense day.
“Hey,” whispered Sam, approaching me from behind. He wrapped his arms around my chest and pulled me gently back into the warmth of his body. Resting a chin on my shoulder, we just stood together in silence and gratitude that all had ended well.
I turned in his arms, not breaking the connection, and looked up into his blazing blue eyes. “You okay?” I asked.
He nodded. “I am now. I’m sorry if I was…”
“Shhh,” I whispered, a finger to his lips. “We don’t have to do that. You don’t owe me an apology for anything. It was a scary situation. The important thing is, we got through it, together.”
His eyes watered. “I love you so much, little man. I was so scared.”
I reached up to lightly caress his cheek. “I know. It’s okay, big guy. You don’t have to be perfect, not with me. Lord knows I’m a mess most of the time. Just…just be you, okay? If you’re scared, it’s okay — I’ll still be by your side, just like you’re at mine.”
He nodded. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
He smiled. “For everything. For loving me. For believing in me. For being a family with me, and wanting all the crazy that goes with it.”
“Sam,” I said, about to protest.
He put a finger to my lips this time. “No,” he whispered. “You have no idea how much you’ve brought into my life in such a short time. Everything I thought I’d lost for good, you’re rebuilding with me. All the stuff that really matters.”
I buried my face in his chest and let him pull me in tight. My safe place. My refuge. My life.
Chaos erupted around the breakfast table early the next morning. I don’t know why I would expect anything different. You put Sam and Ben at the same table, then add in two rambunctious twins, it’s a recipe for disaster.
“Hey,” yelled Carter. “Give me back my bacon.” He glared at Sam who was busy munching the pilfered porcine pleasure with a guilty smile.
Ben chose that moment to steal Sam’s buttered toast. Cam cracked up laughing and nearly fell off his chair. Arms flailing, his hand knocked my glass over and a pink river of grapefruit juice flooded the table.
“Boys!” yelled an exasperated Maggie, turning from the sink. She walked over and smacked my head. “How many times do we have to talk about this, Jack? Have some manners.”
Carter and Cam nearly peed their pants laughing at me, the only innocent one at the table. “Real funny, guys,” I said, grinning and rubbing my head. I couldn’t help it. They made me happy.
Sam jumped up to get a towel and while his back was turned, Ben dumped everything from Sam’s plate onto mine. Three pancakes smothered in syrup buried my remaining few bites of scrambled egg. I gave him a death glare and he pretended to melt under my stare. More peels of laughter from the twins.
Sam was half finished wiping up the spilled juice when he noticed his empty plate. “Hey! That’s not fair.”
“All’s fair in love and breakfast, Sammy,” said Ben as he stood up and carried his plate to the sink.
“I’ll get you for this,” said Sam.
Ben turned and looked at him with a wide grin. “We’ll see about that.”
Maggie watched the exchange, just shaking her head in disbelief. “Seriously? The twins are better behaved than you two. Sam, stop spreading that juice all over. Jack, help him.”
I stood up and did what I could with my napkin and the one Ben had left behind. Together we got the mess cleaned up. That’s when Sam noticed his pancakes were now on my plate.
“You? Oh, you are so in for it, little man.”
“Me?” I said, raising my hands in protest. “I had nothing to do with it.”
“I don’t know, Uncle Jack. Seems suspicious to me,” said Cam.
“His pancakes are right there on your plate,” added Carter.
I stared at them in disbelief. “Really? You would do me like that?”
Carter and Cam held a steady serious expression for about three seconds. Then Sam burst out laughing and boys totally cracked up. They were playing me. Sigh. I could see how this was gonna go.
“You all have done lost your minds,” I said with mock indignation and a grin as I started clearing the table.
Sam took the boys downstairs to supervise them getting them washed up and repacked for our camping trip. I stayed behind and helped Maggie clean up the first round of breakfast.
“Thank you for doing all this,” I said, handing her plates after I scraped them into the trash.
She made a noise. “Don’t be silly. I love taking care of people, you know that. It’s so wonderful to have the whole family together, isn’t it?” You would have thought they were her family, too. Maybe to her way of thinking, they were?
“Yeah, it is. I’m just glad the whole plane thing worked out.”
She nodded. “I was a nervous wreck till you called. Thank you for that,” she said, resting a damp hand on my forearm.
She turned to me with a worried expression. “How are you really doing, Jack?”
“I’m fine,” I said, scraping the final plate. I tried to ignore her frown and creased brow.
“You say that, but I think I know you well enough by now to know something’s off. Can I help?”
I stopped what I was doing and gazed out the window over the sink. Trees swayed in a gentle breeze as the sun’s rays lit up the morning sky.
With a soft sigh, I said, “You already are…helping, I mean. You take such amazing care of Sam and me, you and Charles, and I’m so grateful for that. I can’t imagine how we could possibly live here without you guys. You treat us like family, and I can’t thank you enough.” My eyes started watering so I shut up.
Maggie smiled. “The feeling’s mutual.” She patted my arm and went back to washing.
The arrival of Sam’s parents, with David and Kat right behind, saved me from further embarrassment.
“Morning, Jack,” said Curtis, slapping me on the back as he passed to grab a coffee mug off the counter.
“Good morning, Maggie,” said Caroline, with a sweet smile to me. “Can I help with anything?”
Maggie dried her hands and shook her head. “Thank you for the offer, but everything’s well in hand. We have eggs, pancakes, and bacon in the warming drawer right under the stove, there. Help yourselves. I’ll have a fresh pot of coffee in just a few. Jack, show them where everything is.”
I obeyed her command with a grin, gathering plates, bowls, cups and silverware for the second breakfast seating.
Kat, looking a little worse for wear, side hugged me and grabbed a piece of bacon off the platter I carried to the table. Like brother, like sister.
“Where are my boys?” she asked.
“With Sam. He’s getting them sorted. They’ve already had breakfast.”
“Oh…I better go help him.”
David grabbed her around the waist as she turned to leave. “Honey…let Sam handle it. This weekend is all about you relaxing and unwinding. Here, have a seat and I’ll get you some juice.”
She sat with a wary eye and a raised eyebrow. “Who are you, and what have you done with my husband? Nevermind,” she said, holding up a hand. “Don’t answer that. I like this new one better.”
David rolled his eyes and retrieved the juice pitcher from the fridge. Curtis filled a plate for himself, then added a few things to a plate for Caroline.
“Jack, come sit by me,” she said, patting the open chair next to her. Maggie nodded, and I complied.
Tucking a napkin on her lap, Caroline said, “So, how have you been since we saw you last?”
I started to say something innocuous and non-committal. I didn’t want to worry anyone. Besides, their acceptance of me, while unexpected and wonderful, was not necessarily a guaranteed thing. If they knew about my anxiety attacks, they might encourage Sam to set his sights on a different guy.
Kat stopped chewing her bacon and looked into my eyes from across the table. “Don’t even think about it,” she said.
“What?” I asked with a shrug.
“Answer the damn question, and don’t sugar coat it.”
“Did Sam tell you?” I blurted before I could stop myself.
“Tell us what?” asked Curtis, fork and knife hovering in mid-air.
I sighed and made a face at Kat. She sat back with a grin.
“I hate you,” I mouthed.
She laughed. “You love me. Now start talking,” she demanded, pointing her fork at me.
Caroline put her utensils down, wiped her mouth on her napkin, and turned toward me. She grabbed my hand and looked deep into my eyes. “Is something wrong? How can we help?”
The offer of help was wonderful and overwhelming at the same time. I took a deep breath and tried to gather my thoughts, but in the end it all came out in a jumble.
“I’m fine…mostly. I’ve had…a few anxiety attacks, I guess you’d say.”
Caroline inhaled sharply, and Curtis slowly dropped his fork and knife on his plate.
“Sam’s been great, a real rock. He’s helping me deal with some stress and taking on too much too fast. So much has changed in my life, and to be honest, I haven’t handled it all that well. But I’m working on it.”
I reached for a glass and poured myself some water from the pitcher. I took a swig as four sets of eyes watched me. Ugh. Talk about uncomfortable.
Sam saved the day. He appeared in the kitchen doorway, saw their faces, and came running. He slid to a stop next to my chair, and put a strong hand on my shoulder.
“What’s going on?” he asked, drawing it out.
Caroline smiled and squeezed my hand. “Jack has been kind enough to tell us the truth about his struggles, and,” she said, standing up and drawing a confused Sam into a tight hug. “He’s been singing your praises.” She tapped his nose with a finger. “I’m proud of you. I’m proud of you both.” She squeezed my other shoulder and I remembered to breathe.
“You’ve been holding out on me, baby brother,” said Kat.
“Kat,” warned David. She smiled, and Sam sighed next to me.
“Fine. Yeah, I didn’t tell you, because honestly, it’s not really anyone’s business but Jack’s. And we’re handling it. There’s nothing to talk about.”
“But Sam…” she protested.
“No, Kat,” Sam said with more force than he probably intended. “Leave him alone. I mean it. He’s fine. We’re fine. More than fine. Let it go.”
She huffed and sat back, then shifted her gaze to me. “I’m so sorry, Jack. I didn’t even think how tough it must be to deal with everything all at once. You’ve been through a lot in a very short time. Forgive Sam, he’s a Neanderthal. But he means well.” I grinned and relaxed a notch.
Sam started to retort, but Caroline interjected. “Let it be, Sam. Your sister has the best of intentions. We all do. We love you…both of you. Anything we can do to help, you have it.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
David smiled at me and said, “Well, now that that’s settled, I’m having more of these delicious pancakes. Who’s with me?”
“You act like you’ve never had pancakes before,” said Kat. “What’s so special about these?”
“Did you try them?” he asked.
Kat reached a fork to his plate and took a bite. The expression on her face said it all.
“Oh my god, that’s amazing. What’s in these?” she asked, turning to Maggie, watching us from a short distance.
Maggie smiled. “My mother’s recipe. She taught it to me when I was a little girl. The secret is real vanilla and a touch of cinnamon. I can write it out for you, if you’d like.”
With a vigorous nod, Kat snatched another bite of David’s pancakes.
“Hey, get your own!” he said.
She grinned. “Pancakes? Or housekeeper?”
David rolled his eyes, and the rest of us laughed, breaking the tension. I mouthed a thank you in his direction, and he winked at me. I knew I liked that guy.
***
David and Kat offered to help Maggie with clean up, and Sam chose that moment to steal me away to our bedroom. Shutting the door behind us, he grabbed me and pulled me close.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “They can be intense, but it’s just because they love you. Don’t get it in your head they’ll reject you for having a few struggles.”
Gee, I didn’t even have to say anything, and he knew exactly what I was thinking.
“I don’t want to disappoint them,” I whispered into his chest.
Lifting my chin, he flashed his azure blue eyes at me. “You haven’t, and you won’t. My sister loves to meddle, but my mom’s right, she means well. It’s her way of caring. She can be relentless, but in the end, it usually helps.”
I grinned. “She dared me not to tell the truth when your mom asked me how I was.”
“I’ll kill her.”
“No…you won’t,” I said with a grin. “She was right, and I’m glad she challenged me. Now that it’s out in the open, maybe I won’t worry so much about it, and we can just have fun this weekend.”
He smiled. Then his eyes slanted and he kissed me. The kiss began in a languid, soft caress of lips, but quickly morphed into a passionate tangle of tongues and staggered breaths. Sam broke away for a split second, long enough for me to see the longing in his eyes, and my heart leapt in my chest.
“Take me,” I whispered. “Right this minute.”
He kissed me again, pushing and thrusting against me. I pushed back, rubbing my hard cock against his, hands reaching for his chest as his slid down my back and squeezed my ass, hard. By the time he had me pressed up against the wall, he had managed to get my shorts open. A hand snaked around behind and slipped inside my underwear, a long finger probing for my eager hole.
I hissed when he brushed across it and stood on my toes. “Yes,” I whispered. “Please.”
Keeping his hand covering the crease of my ass, he used the other to push my shorts down to my ankles. My underwear followed. I managed to lift my t-shirt off, breaking our scorching kiss for a fraction of a second, then diving back in. I was now naked, vulnerable, and so very, very willing for anything he wanted.
Sam pushed his tongue deeper in my mouth and moaned. “God, I want you,” he gasped. “Need you so bad.”
I reached to pull up his shirt, but he grabbed my wrists and pinned them at my sides. With his eyes alone, he commanded me to leave them right where he’d put them. I nodded and flattened my palms on the wall.
He thrust his crotch hard into mine and pressed me into the wall. With one hand he slowly stroked my exposed and dripping dick. With the other he stroked my cheek, drew a finger across my brow and down my neck, grazing a nipple. His eyes never left mine. I saw joy in them. Pure, unadulterated joy. I smiled and he grinned wide.
Drawing a finger across my slit, he gathered a large drop of precum and brought it my lips, hovering just out of reach, teasing me. I pleaded with wanton eyes, and he slowly brushed the liquid across my lower lip, then coated the top with the remains.
“Keep your mouth open,” he commanded. He watched me, suffering with need. One hand stroked my neck in a firm grip. Not choking, but undeniably possessive. He leaned in, stuck out his tongue, and proceeded to lick the precum off my lips. My knees nearly buckled. I sucked on his tongue, savoring the taste of myself.
“Don’t move,” he said, slowly lowering to his knees, fingers pausing at my nipples. He stroked them lightly, teasing, taunting, torturing. His tongue trailed down past my navel and his nose burrowed into the crease between balls and thigh. He inhaled deeply, letting out a deep sigh.
“So good,” he said to himself. His tongue lathed at my balls, pushing and prodding, slathering them in sexy saliva. When he sucked one into his mouth, I yelped, struggling to stay still. Damn him for telling me not to move. I pressed my palms harder against the wall and lifted onto my toes.
Releasing my balls from the vice grip of his mouth, his tongue teased my dick, licking precum from the slit over and over again.
“Mmmm…yum,” he said. I blushed and he chuckled. “So fucking sexy, little man,” he whispered.
With no preamble he swallowed my cock to the root and stayed there, his tongue rubbing the underside and grazing the top of my balls. I gasped and shifted, shocked. Sam didn’t usually deepthroat me. Not like this. Strong hands grasped my thighs and held me still as he slowly slid off my dick, only to slide right back down.
He kept the pace slow and steady, dragging out the sensations. We were both sweating now, and the heady scent of male sex was intoxicating. I closed my eyes, breathed deeply, and with no warning, flooded Sam’s mouth with cum.
He moaned as he swallowed and sucked until I started to go soft. Only then did he have mercy on my sensitive dick and rise to face me, reaching for my hands and bringing them to his chest. Still slightly unfocused, I leaned forward and he opened his mouth in invitation. I tasted myself on his tongue, igniting a new wave of desire.
“Please, Sam,” I begged. “I need you inside me.” I was beyond sex. I was beyond thought or reason. I couldn’t get close enough. I needed to connect to him in the best way I knew how.
Picking me up with two hands under my thighs, Sam carried me to the bed, gently lowering me onto my back. I watched as he slowly stripped off his clothes. The hair on his chest shone with sweat. His long cock, rigid and dripping, jutted straight out, full of power and promise.
Crawling onto the bed, he covered me and pressed me into the mattress beneath us, his tongue invading my mouth once again. A hand grabbed my hair and pulled tight, immobilizing my head as he devoured my neck, sending shivers up and down my spine.
“Please, Sam.”
He stopped and pushed up, hands on my chest. His eyes were on fire, blazing with lust-fueled passion. Fingers stroked my nipples. I hissed and nodded. He squeezed one, then the other. I whimpered, so overwhelmed I knew any minute I’d come out of my skin.
I started to beg him but he put a wet finger to my lips. “Shhh….trust me.” I took a deep breath and settled a fraction.
Pushing my knees apart, he slid between my legs and lifted my butt off the bed. I grabbed my legs and pulled back, lifting further. He smiled and dove into my ass, licking and biting and teasing my hole. I squirmed and squealed and did everything I could not to scream. Minutes went by, and my ass was on fire, spasming with need.
Aligning his cock to my hole, Sam slowly pressed in. I nearly came before he’d even bottomed out. Balls deep, he stopped and closed his eyes. I felt his cock throbbing. Once he was in control again, he opened his eyes and smiled.
I reached for his nipples and twisted, and his smile turned into a sexy snarl. “That’s how you want to play?” he asked with a wicked grin.
He slammed into me and I yelped. It didn’t hurt, just startled me. He did it again. I twisted a nipple and he hissed, saliva dripping onto my chest, but he didn’t push my hands away. He nodded and I twisted the other nipple. He grimaced and started pounding my hole.
Sadly, it didn’t last long. I stopped torturing his nipples to try and hold off his orgasm but he was too close before we even started. I held on for a short but rough and wild ride. When his pace became erratic, I grabbed my dick and pumped, squeezing my ass with each stroke.
“Oh, fuck. Oh….fuck, I’m gonna cum,” he cried out. I felt his cock pulsing, filling my hole. It pushed me over and I sprayed all over my pubes. We remained frozen in place as the waves of pleasure rolled through us, then slowly dissipated. I reached up and pulled him down onto me, taking his full weight. I wrapped my legs around his ass, pulling his still hard dick deeper into my hole.
“Thank you,” I whispered into the ear closest to my lips. He mumbled something incoherent.
Deeply relaxed, we were in danger of falling asleep, and we had the whole family probably wondering where we were.
“Stop,” Sam mumbled into my chest.
“What?”
“Whatever you’re thinking,” he said.
“We need to get up, big guy,” I said, tapping his shoulder. “I believe you wanted to go camping?”
He reluctantly pushed up onto his elbows. With a big smile, he kissed my nose. “You are so fucking awesome, little man. Absolutely perfect.”
I studied his eyes, seeing only sincere truth and heartfelt love and devotion.
“Someday, little man…someday.”
“Someday, what?”
“Someday, you’re gonna fully see what I see in you.” He tapped my chest. “That’s my mission in life.”
I grinned. “Right now I’m guessing you see something not at all appropriate for parental viewing.”
He looked down and grinned. “Damn, Jack…you made a mess.”
I snorted. “You helped.”
His smile lit up the room. “I like making messes with you.”