Read Online Lost in Flight by Neeny Boucher - Free Book Online Page B

inside the Martin home, but hiding away was no longer an option.
    Christina flinched when Johnny touched her arm.  “You okay, Dina?  You disappeared there for a minute.”  She looked up into the dark brown eyes of her brother, so like her own and smiled. 
    “I’m fine,” she shrugged.  “Everything’s…”
    “Fine?”  Johnny grinned and shook his head.  “Sure.  I got it.  You’re fine.   You know, for a lawyer, you really are a shitty liar.  Come on, we can go together.”
    Christina breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.  “Thanks, Johnny.”
    “No problem, sis,” Johnny winked and then nudged her with his shoulder.  She grinned at him and nudged him back.  Their eyes locked and it was so on.  They started play fighting like kids and when they scored direct hits on one another, they’d pump their arms in the air yelling, “Dina” or “Johnny” for the win.
     
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    Going into town was challenging, but Johnny’s celebrity status made Christina virtually invisible, something she was extremely grateful for.  They couldn’t go more than five paces before someone stopped Johnny to chat and ask him for an autograph.  Johnny, always the showman and ever polite, would stay and talk.
    Most of them ignored Christina, sending nervous and surreptitious looks her way, which started to irritate her, so she left Johnny to it, making her way to the hardware store to get the paint.  She didn’t find the exact colors she was looking for, but the ones available were close enough.  She was taking the pots to the counter when she thought she saw Riley. 
    For a moment her stomach lurched and her mouth went dry, but when she spun around for a second look, he was gone, and so was her composure.  Christina thought her mind was playing tricks and she became flustered.  She went to put her father’s credit card on the counter and dropped it, then banged her head when she went to pick it up. 
    Then she forgot the pin number and by the time she remembered, the young shop assistant decided she was suspicious, and asked for ID.  She’d left her handbag in the car and was told unless she could get someone local to vouch for her, they wouldn’t accept the card.  Just as she was about to argue the point vehemently, she heard a voice say. 
    “I’ll vouch for her.  She’s Christina Martin, and she used to live here a long time ago.” 
    Turning around, Christina realized it was a Riley, but not the one she first thought.  It was Steven, Riley’s older brother, and he was grinning at her.  He enveloped her in a bear hug with a “Hey Dina.  How you doing?”
    When the shop assistant didn’t move fast enough, Steven fixed him with a stare.  “Dina’s sort of family, so if you won’t take the card, you can put it on our account.  But you know, I’d be pretty offended if you didn’t take my word.” 
    The Rileys were an important farming family in the community, and to Christina’s amusement the shop assistant moved at lightning speed, apologizing to both her and Steven for any confusion.  Steven was similar in appearance to his brother, but taller, heavier set, with piercing dark blue eyes and skin tanned from working outside.  He was the antithesis of his brother: sedate, even-tempered, steadfast, and one of Shanwick’s favorite sons.
    Thanking Steven profusely for his help, Christina went to leave.  As she picked up her items, she realized she would have to make two trips because Johnny was nowhere to be seen.  Steven grabbed the paint out of her hands and frowned.
    “You’re not carrying these by yourself are you?  They’re heavy.  Did the men let you come alone?” 
    Embarrassed, she explained to Steven that, “Johnny’s here, but he’s been caught up somewhere.”  Steven’s frown increased and he told the shop assistant to hold his items, telling Christina to “lead the way.”
    As they hit the main street in search of Johnny, people did a double