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I make a mental note to meet our captain. He’s badass.
The airport is everything you’d expect a small rural airport to be. Not much of anything. A single runway and a small building are the only things on the property. An older man runs from the building, straight toward us. “This isn’t going to be good,” Thorne mutters.
“What the hell are you doing?” the man yells. “You could’ve run off the end of the runway. We’re not set up for a plane of that size.”
The three of us share a look. “We won’t be long,” Micah answers. “Do you have Uber up here?”
“Uber? No. Hell, no. Get that plane off the runway.”
“The pilot is inside,” I point toward the empty jet.
“Dammit,” the man answers, moving past us.
“Looks like an Uber is out of the question.” Micah pulls out his phone, holding it high in the sky. “It also looks like phone service is out of the question.”
Entering the small building, I’m surprised to see only one other person inside. A young woman behind a desk sits a little straighter as we enter. “Hello?” She smiles. “How can I help you?” Her words are slow and drawn out as she stares at the men on either side of me. Honestly, I don’t blame her.
“We need transportation. Is there a service here anywhere? Maybe a taxi or an Uber?” I ask, drawing her attention to me.
“Honey, there ain’t no Uber in these parts. We don’t get many tourists out here.”
“How do people leave the airport?” Micah asks.
“Well, they drive their car here and then take it home. The only people that fly in and out of here are agricultural pilots and a few scientists now and again.”
Thorne leaves my side, moving to the edge of the woman’s desk. He leans on the corner, crossing one long leg over the other. “I love your accent. Where are you from?”
Her cheeks turn red as he speaks. “Charlotte,” she answers. “You really like my accent?”
“I do. It’s very…charming.” In a normal world, I would be jealous of his attempt to charm this woman. Today, I find it amusing.
“Why, thank you. I like yours, too. It reminds me of that TV show. You know, the one with the time-traveling woman and the hot red-headed man? Outlandish? No, Outlander. That’s it, Outlander.”
Thorne reaches down, picking up her nameplate off the desk. “Brittney? Such a lovely name for a lovely lady.” He takes special attention to roll his r’s, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Brittney, however, has fallen in love, and I’m enjoying the entertainment.
“You know what?” She pulls her watch in front of her face dramatically. “I’m off the clock in ten minutes. How about I drive y’all where you need to go?”
“Brittney, you’d do that?” Thorne turns toward us. “I guess Southern hospitality isn’t just a myth.”
“Aye,” Micah answers, using the worst brogue I’ve heard.
Brittney stands from her desk. “Give me a few.” She brushes Thorne’s shoulder as she passes.
Several minutes pass before Brittney appears again. Her hair looks freshly combed, and bright red lipstick covers her lips. “I’m ready if y’all are.”
“We’re ready,” Thorne answers. We follow the woman to a dirty white minivan parked in front.
“I hope you don’t mind the mess.” She pushes a button, and the doors slide open on the side. “Let me move these out of the way.” She unhooks two car seats, throwing them in the back seat of the van. “My babies are with my ex tonight, so this is perfect.”
Micah and I climb in the middle row, shoving half-eaten french fries and leftover chicken nuggets to the floor, while Thorne climbs into the front. “Thank you, Brittney. You’re a lifesaver.”
“You’re welcome, sugar. Now where can I take you?”
“We’re looking for someone,” I speak for the first time in a while. “He’s a distant relative of mine. His name is Kragen, but I’m not sure if he goes by another name.”
“Is that his first name or last?” she asks.
Thorne turns toward me with a questionable look on his face. “We’ve never heard any other name besides Kragen.”
