“Well, it’s that cool!”

He shakes his head as if he is frustrated, but a smile plays at the edge of his lips, and I bet he’s happy with how much I like his surprise.

After about thirty minutes, we land in a grassy field near the water. Part of me wishes we were going somewhere farther, because I want to see more—I want to see the entire world from that perspective.

But I must admit, I am also very grateful to be back on solid ground, literally.

“Get out on my side,” Braden says as he unclicks his harness. “That way you’re going downhill.”

I nod as I undo my own seat belt with shaking hands. I try not to think about the propellers above that are still spinning, if slower than before, and what would happen if I walked uphill instead.

Braden hops out first and extends an arm toward me. I slide across the seat and take his hand. I probably squeeze it a little too hard as I step down, my heels balancing precariously on the grated metal step.

I make it to the ground and sigh in relief. My shoes sink into the soft grass as I step forward, my hand still in his. Rolling hills of dark grass lie before us and sprinklers water the grounds, the water shimmery and silver in the moonlight. Luckily the ones near us seem to be off, although damp wisps of grass brush my open-toe shoes. The bright smell of the grass mixes with the cool scent of salt water drifting off the ocean waves.

In the distance there is a large house with many lights on, shining into the dark, quiet night. It is the only man-made light visible, and although it seems to be trying its darndest, it doesn’t manage to block out the stars the way the lights in the city do. Thousands of them sparkle in the sky above.

I look from the sky down to Braden and our intertwined hands.

“This is beautiful,” I say.

He laughs. “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet,” he says as we walk toward what looks like a small car, parked nearby.

I look over my shoulder and wave goodbye to the helicopter pilot. He seems surprised at first, but then waves back. As we get closer to the little car, I realize it is actually a golf cart.

“The house is too close to the water to land by it,” Braden says. “I had someone bring the cart out though, since I thought you might wear heels.”

“Oh, thanks,” I say. “You didn’t have to do that.” I wonder how that person got back to the house. I mean, they probably weren’t wearing heels, but still it seems silly for them to drive out and walk back just so I don’t have to make that same walk.