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I didn't really pay attention. Chance was the one who traveled all the time, and he made the arrangements. When Chance got up to board, he pulled me up and guided me into line in front of him. When we walked down the jetway, he asked, "Do you want window or aisle?"
"Is it two seats across or three?"
"Just two."
"Window, unless you want it."
Chance moved in front of me as we neared the door of the plane. He stopped at the third row. "Is something wrong? Did you forget something?"
"These are our seats," he said, putting his carry-on in the overhead compartment.
"We're going first class? Isn't that really expensive?"
"I don't fit real well in coach," he said, "and I have a lot of frequent flier miles."
Once we were settled in, Chance leaned over and gave me a kiss so hot I was embarrassed we were in public. The stewardess cleared her throat to get our attention. "Can I get you a drink before we take off."
"No thanks, we're good," Chance said.
"Everly, why are you so nervous?" He leaned over to put his lips to my ear. "Are you worried that someone will follow us?"
"I wasn't, but I am now. The feds could definitely access our flight reservations."
"Probably, but I think we're OK. We've seen nothing to indicate they were still watching us or following us. We're probably safer in the airport than anywhere."
I couldn't think of a response, so I said nothing.
"Are you nervous, because you think I'll embarrass you? I'm good enough for you in Wilkins' Gap but you think I'll embarrass you in front of your city friends."
"Chance, that's not fair. We know each other better than that."
He pulled my hand to his lips and kissed the back. "You're right. Sorry. Is your mom not happy that we're dating?"
"Can we just drop it and enjoy the flight?"
For a couple of hours, we did just that. We enjoyed our drinks, and Chance told me more about his first hunting trip of the year. I knew I should have told him sooner, but I hate having difficult conversations with people. After they served a snack, I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. I promised myself I'd tell him before we landed in Atlanta, so I decided I could wait until they announced our descent.
We talked about the fact that we were leaving a lot of unresolved issues back in Idaho. "I hate that it's worked out this way," Chance said, "I always travel a lot, but I booked even more hunts than usual because of having an unplanned three-month vacation."
"You did what you needed to do for your business, Chance. I understand that. I just feel like I won't be able to make any headway on anything, until your schedule frees up. When you can come home for a few days between trips, you need to relax, not be heading off into the wilderness again."
"You're right, but I've got to get to the observation site as soon as possible. That needs to be a top priority."
"What about the sec..." I started to say secret lab, but realized we were in a public place. "You know the other thing?"
"I'm hoping Jim's PI turns up some useful information on that piece of it."
When they made the announcement that we had started out descent, I couldn't wait any longer.
"Chance, there's something I need to tell you."
"OK. Am I finally going to find out why you've been so nervous this whole trip?"
"You know how sometimes I let things get away from me. Like how I didn't tell Tom we broke up and then he got shot, so I didn't want to tell him, then when he found out it wasn't the way it should have happened?"
"Yeah.”
“I haven't told my mother about you."
"You haven't told her we’re dating?"
"Nope."
"She must have realized we were serious if I was coming home with you for the holidays."
"Probably not."
"Does she think I'm your Idaho BFF?"
"She doesn't think anything. I haven't told her about you."
"I get the feeling you're trying to tell me something, but I'm not following, Babe."
"I haven't told her anything about you."
"That's OK. We'll have lots of time to get acquainted."
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and said, "I've never mentioned your name to her at all in any context."
"Does she know you’re bringing someone home with you?"
I shook my head. In a move that was typical for Chance, he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me in for a kiss. "I bet I'll be the biggest surprise she's ever had."