“I won’t tell them.” He chuckled.
“Thanks, How close are we?”
“About an hour. We had to go around a big storm.” The pilot waved me in. “Sit in the other seat and I’ll let you have a feel of flying this baby.”
For the next forty-five minutes, I had the pleasure of pretending to fly the plane. I knew the pilot had it under control the whole time but if felt great either way. I’d been serious when I said I wanted to learn how to fly.
“Thanks for the lesson. I need to get the girls up before we get there.” I closed the cockpit door.
I tapped Bond on the foot to wake him but never got near his hands. Once I knew they were waking, I went down the hall and lightly knocked on the bedroom door.
“Time to get up, we’re almost there,” I said through the door.
“Thanks, we’re up,” Murphy called back.
I went to the phone and dialed up my driver. I didn’t use him full time, at least not while in college, so he was usually just on call with me, until now.
“Time to buckle up, boys and girls,” the pilot said over the intercom.
“Did he call us boys and girls?” Charlie clicked his buckle.
ChapterThirty-Nine
SABRINA
Iwas used to flying from place to place, especially New York City, but never before had I known I would get to see the outside of the hotel room, much less outside of the ballet hall. A car was waiting when we landed and all of our luggage was loaded before we were off the plane. I chose a seat by the window for maximum view. There were so many things, people, and places I wanted to look at.
“I was thinking, maybe tomorrow, we could go for a walk in Central Park and maybe the zoo in the afternoon,” Cota spoke into the quiet car.
“Can we do one of those horse buggy things?” I asked.
“We definitely can do one of those.” Cota smiled so sweetly. “After that, I’ll take you to the big toy store.”
“Oh boy, sounds like we’re going to be busy,” Charlie chuckled. “Don’t forget Times Square.”
“I want to see everything, just like a tourist.”
“Then you have to go to the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty,” Bond added. “And the comedy clubs are the best here.”
“I will be safe doing all of those things?” I twisted my hands. “I don’t want to be a problem.”
“Little one, you are no trouble, and it will be my pleasure to guard you,” Charlie answered first. “Plus, I’m gonna enjoy sightseeing New York with you.”
“Why don’t we start off the tour with a New York pretzel right from a vendor?” Cota beamed in delight. “I haven’t had one in a while, so this will be great.”
He had the driver pull over where there were several kiosks with steam rising from them and jumped out, waving for me to follow him. I looked to Bond, who nodded to go ahead. I had been to New York many, many times, but never had I gotten to walk on the sidewalk with everyone else or get something from one of these stands. Cota ordered six pretzels while I drew in several deep breaths of the smoke. I could smell something else at the next stand and wanted to taste it all, but not all at the same time.
“Sabrina, please take a bite of your first pretzel.” He handed me one all wrapped up. “Wait, wait, you have to put some mustard on it.”
“I will try it without first, then with mustard.” I took a bite. “This is good. Let me try the mustard now.”
Cota opened a packet and squeezed out a long string of mustard onto one section. I bit into it and immediately decided he had been correct, that it made it so much better. We climbed into the limo, handing everyone their pretzel.
“Where are you guys staying?” Murphy asked.
“Kellan’s out of town this week, so we’re gonna to stay there.” Cota licked mustard off his hand. “Bond and Charlie are staying at Sawyer’s place.”
“They won’t be with us?” I frowned.