33
The meeting didn’t involve his family, but the Reinhards. And it was held in Ben’s happy place—onboard the 206, flying at five thousand feet. In the right seat, Felix showed off his knowledge—and lack of throwing up—to Savannah. Julie sat in the back with the Reinhards. Even though they’d ended their custody bid after Felix was retrieved, Ben still wished he could do a Dutch roll and scare the crap out of them.
But this was Julie’s show, so he stuck to flying the plane straight and level like the professional he was.
After Felix had sufficiently wowed Savannah, Julie got down to business.
“I asked you all up here because I have something to say. Ben has promised to find some turbulence if anyone interrupts me.”
Ben gave her a thumbs up.
“Okay, members of the Reinhard family. If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s how horrible it is to lose your family. I don’t want that to happen to any of you…or to me. And you guys, despite everything, are like my family. Priscilla, I know I’m not technically a family member—”
“Take that back,” said Savannah. “Either you’re family, or we don’t have one.”
The Reinhards shared a glance. Priscilla took Adam’s hand and spoke for them both. “Savannah’s right. Felix’s kidnapping scared the life out of me, and you’re the one who got him back. We’ll never forget that.”
“With a knife wound to boot,” added Adam. “I’d say that makes you family.”
“Damn right,” Savannah agreed. “About time you two showed some appreciation.”
“Honestly, Sav—”
Julie interrupted firmly. “I’m not done yet. Remember the turbulence.”
All the Reinhards shut up. Ben grinned proudly. Gotta love Julie and her fiery side, when she chose to show it.
“I asked Ben to take us up in this plane because it’s a lot like a family. We’re all stuck together inside a small space with forces of nature pressing in on all sides. But we can’t just walk away from each other.”
“Please don’t try,” Ben added. “Knight and Day has an unbroken safety record.”
Julie smiled and rolled her eyes a little, but carried on. “I love all of you, even when you’re being difficult. I love Felix as if he was my own child. Savannah, you’re my sister. But Ben—Ben is my heart. He’s my everything. Past, present, future. Everything.”
Gaze fixed on the path ahead, Ben tilted one wing to reveal the stretch of coastline below, with the pretty pastel houses of Jupiter Point scattered like confetti. He didn’t want to lose it before Julie got through her speech.
“I love Ben. I always have. And I want to live with him and marry him and maybe have a baby or two. That means I need to be here, in Jupiter Point. This is where I want to be. This is where I want to raise my family.”
Ben stole a cautious glance at Felix. How was the kid reacting? Would he understand the implications?
“That’s why I requested this meeting. I’m speaking up for what I want. I want Ben—and I want my Reinhards, too. That’s what I want. Maybe if I say it clearly enough, it’ll happen. I’ll make my own reality.” Ben glanced in the mirror and caught the wink she sent him.
Julie settled back in her seat. The others shared a glance, then Savannah cleared her throat.
“Thank you, Julie. I’m really glad you said all this. But for the safety of all concerned, it’s probably best if we don’t stay airborne together too long, right? So, I think I can hurry this along. Mom and I had a long discussion—”
“I would call it more of a showdown,” said Priscilla.
“Showdown works too. I now understand what my busybody parents were up to with the custody thing. Even though their methods were horrible, their goal was worthy. They wanted me to step up. Is that about right?”
Adam put his hand on hers. “More or less. But you wouldn’t even talk to us.”
“I know. I’m not completely sure I want to talk to you now. But I get the point you were trying to make. I need to be with Felix more, give him a more stable life. I agree. I talked it over with Felix, and I’m going to cut way back on my schedule, now that this drag-ass shoot is over. We’re going to stay in Jupiter Point, at least for the time being. In our own place,” she added quickly. “Most likely on the other side of town. When I’m on a shoot, he’ll have both you and my parents for extra support.”
“You’re staying?” Julie’s eyes went wide.
Savannah leaned toward her, saying something in a low voice Ben couldn’t catch.
Ben shot a quick look at Felix, who seemed more interested in the gauges and controls than the discussion in the backseat. He cut the comms and spoke out loud to Felix. “You okay with that, kid? Last I heard, you thought Jupiter Point was boring.”
“It’s not boring anymore,” Felix said. “I got kidnapped. And I’ll be able to fly this plane soon. And I might help catch a murderer.”
Ben laughed. “Very good points. So, you don’t mind sticking around here and helping us out now and then?”
“It’s okay. Especially if you pay me.”
“We can probably work something out.”
He turned his headset back on and checked the little mirror that showed him the passengers. Julie’s hands were clasped under her chin and her wide blue eyes were misted over. “So everyone’s going to be in Jupiter Point? Is this some kind of fairy tale?”
The others all smiled; her joy was infectious. “Are you kidding, after everything you’ve done for us?” Savannah squeezed her hand. “You deserve your fairy-tale ending. Felix and I would do a lot more than this to make you happy.”
“Oh good, because I can think of so many things.” Julie grinned wickedly. “If Ben plays his cards right, there’ll be a wedding to plan, for one thing.”
“Will you marry me?” Ben asked quickly.
“Yes,” she answered, even more quickly. They grinned at each other, while Felix groaned.
“Do I have to help with the invitations?”
Everyone laughed, even the elder Reinhards. Julie soaked in the sound of it, her eyes shining. Ben’s entire world lit up at the sight of her happiness.
“We can negotiate that part, Kiddo. Also, Savannah, there’s one other little thing you can do for me…”
“I got chills, and they’re multiplyin’…” Ben sang softly to Julie as she put the finishing touches on her 1950s-style Sandy “good girl” costume, complete with swingy ponytail and sweet smile. A moment ago, he’d had his hand up her skirt, getting her all hot and bothered before he fingered her to a fierce orgasm that she’d muffled against his neck.
“You’re the one that I love…” she continued, singing strong and loud, getting her voice warmed up for the stage. She’d gotten the call from the Grease director right after she’d been released from the hospital. The bed in the sleepover scene had collapsed, injuring the actress who played Rizzo.
Savannah had jumped at the chance to take a break from high-stress movie shooting. And she was playing the hell out of Rizzo. She had so much charisma that whenever she was onstage, she drew all eyes to her.
Well, all eyes except Ben’s. Ben seemed to want nothing more than to watch Julie’s every move onstage. As if she was the star, which, he kept reminding her, she actually was. In this production, and in his heart. Forever.
The old sappy, romantic Ben was back, almost as if he’d never disappeared.
“Next time I’m going to drag you onstage too,” she warned him as she snapped the band around her ponytail. “You have a pretty good voice.”
“Yeah, not happening. I’ve got my hands full taking care of my girl. It’s a full-time job, you know. Work all day, make love all night. It’s tough, but I’m up for it.” He puffed out his chest.
“Oh, I know you’re up for it.” She danced her fingers up his thigh and gave him a naughty wink. “But if you want to prove it some more—”
Someone tapped on the door of the dressing room, which was one of the perks of being the star, even though it was only a converted closet. “Five minutes.”
“You know, I could get used to this ‘star’ thing,” she mused as she slipped on her shoes.
“Good, because I could get used to this ‘stargazing’ thing,” he quipped. “Jupiter Point’s specialty. But if you need a bigger stage somewhere else, I’ll be there for that, too,” he added quickly.
“No. This is all I need. Write my songs, play my music, be with my Ben.” Add a happy Felix to the mix, and she really couldn’t ask for anything more.
He cupped her face in his hands and they dove into one of those ocean-deep, sky-high kisses that she never wanted to end. “Go shine, my superstar. I’ll be waiting.”
She smiled through her overflowing heart, because she knew the truth—that the waiting was over. Their time was now. And it was worth every second.
Watch for the next Jupiter Point (The Knight Brothers) book, TOO HOT TO HANDLE, coming in April 2018! Want more Jupiter Point? You can find the entire series .
Sign up for Jennifer Bernard’s and never miss a new release or a sale (not to mention giveaways)! You’ll also receive a free fireman story as a ‘thank you.’ Please consider leaving a review to help other readers find books to love. Thank you so much for reading!