Hunt and Ava had been in Houston a week, and no matter where they went, she still got lost. The city was massive and alive, and she saw a side of Hunt she’d never known. He was a different man here. A man free from the past and at home in his own skin.

He’d shown her every one of his favorite haunts, introduced her to his boss and his friends, and she’d charmed all of them just as much as she’d charmed Hunt, without even trying.

Now every single man Hunt knew kept asking if there were more girls like her back in that Blessings town. And when they did, Ava would just smile and let the chatter roll over her. It was man talk, and she knew how to keep the stray tomcats among them at a distance. But Hunt was proud of her and it showed.

He’d been putting off taking her up until he was certain she was strong enough. Tomorrow, he would start back on his regular schedule with the company, ferrying a fresh crew out to a rig in the gulf and bringing another one home. But this morning was a perfect day to fly.

Hunt made the announcement and Ava’s heart skipped a beat.

She was a little nervous, but at the same time so excited. Today, she would see that final side of Hunt that she’d still never seen.

He loaded her up in the Hummer and then they headed south out of the city. They arrived at the company heliport, and after introducing her to some of the flight crew, Hunt got her settled inside the chopper.

He got her headphone adjusted, then went through the flight inspection with the mechanics just like he always did.

Once he was satisfied all was well, he climbed into the chopper and checked then rechecked the seat belts to make sure they weren’t too tight against her chest. Once he was satisfied she was comfortable and not afraid, he climbed into the pilot’s seat, adjusted the headset, reminded her all she had to do to talk to him was speak into the mic. He gave the crew outside a thumbs-up, then began increasing the speed until it was a solid hum and the rotors were spinning so fast they’d disappeared.

One second they were on the ground, and then they were going up. Ava gasped and then grinned as everything below them kept getting smaller and smaller, and then Hunt tapped her on the arm and pointed to the view before them.

The horizon was water as far as the eye could see, glistening like diamonds on a bed of blue, and the sky above them was so clear and so bright. She watched, her lips parted in awe as the horizon suddenly disappeared and all she could see was sky.

Above them.

Around them.

Below them.

“Oh, Hunt. It’s beautiful…so beautiful.”