She peered out the window, amazed. The traffic really was insane. She was clueless as to what roads went where, but from her vantage point, it looked as though it wouldn’t matter which road you took. One could plan on spending time just sitting in traffic. Now she understood why Mr. G had suggested this mode of transportation. All thoughts of her fears were gone as they soared above the traffic, the buildings, passing the Space Needle. She wanted to go there, and if she didn’t this trip, maybe another time. This is going to be my best book yet, she thought, because she was experiencing Mr. G’s life in real time.

She wanted to call her family, Madison, Charlotte, Ruby, and Louise, and tell them how magnificent she felt right now, but couldn’t because they wouldn’t be able to hear a word she said. As soon as she was back in the penthouse, she’d at least call her mother, check on the kitties, and see how sales were at the store. Maybe she’d even tell Dad about Mr. G’s interest in the offer she’d made, the offer he had no clue about. It didn’t matter; she’d figure out the details, play it by ear. It seemed her carefully orchestrated life had culminated in this one moment, hovering above an exciting city where world changes were happening as she flew above massive skyscrapers, Puget Sound, headquarters for Microsoft and Global Goods. She truly did feel like Dorothy when she had first entered the Land of Oz, and was it coincidence that Seattle was also known as the Emerald City? She had never believed in coincidence, but that could change.

Static came through her headset, and she adjusted the volume, making sure she had the earpieces properly secured. She checked the receptacle where Evelyn had plugged the headset into the jack. It looked good to her.

“You doing okay back there?” asked a familiar voice.

She leaned forward, trying to see if she was imagining things; after all, she was in the Emerald City. Before she answered, she saw a hand slide open the panel that separated the passenger from the pilot.

“You sneaky thing, you!” she said. “Your dad didn’t tell me you were flying this chopper!” Breathless with excitement, Lauren leaned forward, trying to get a glimpse of John, Mr. Hunk.

“I bet you didn’t think to ask, either,” he joked. “Evelyn is training to be a chopper pilot and needed to get in a few hours, so I asked her to come with me.”

“Evelyn, can you hear me?” she asked.

A girlish voice came through her headset. “I can; can you hear me okay?” Her voice was sweet, and it reminded Lauren of Charlotte’s.

“Perfectly.”

“We’re going to be landing in three minutes, so make sure you’re buckled in tight,” John said.