Keeping Faith

Chapter Two: The Cabin

    David released a sigh as the security guard asked him to place his hands above his head. As a police officer, this was a little embarrassing. Even if it was required to get on the plane.

The tall, straight faced man waved his metal detecting wand over David, "Alright, you're clear. You may claim your luggage." David nodded, grabbed his suitcase and backpack and headed over to the benches where Jonathan was still tying his shoes.

"Make it through ok?" Jonathan asked as he glanced up at his sleepy-eyed brother. David shrugged, "Yeah...my belt buckle set off the metal detector."

Faith offered him a cup of coffee, "Want some?" His eyes lit up as he took the steaming beverage from her, "Yes, thank you!"

Jonathan scrutinized his brother's hastiness, "Since when do you drink coffee?" David smirked, "Oh, I don't know. I guess since people started waking me up at four-thirty in the morning!" With the unhidden sarcastic emphasis David had placed at the end of his sentence, Jonathan got the message loud and clear: I'm tired, leave me alone. But more importantly, as Jonathan acknowledged, David meant: Faith gave it to me! Be quiet!

Jonathan nodded in the direction of their gate, "We'll be boarding in a few minutes. Sharla, are you sure you're okay to fly?" She smiled and rubbed her growing belly, "Jay, I'm pregnant, not in cardiac arrest — I'm fine."

They took their seats aboard the two hundred passenger plane and the head stewardess greeted Sharla, "Good morning, ma'am. I'm Linda, I'll be your stewardess for the flight. I'm sorry, but I have to ask, are you under thirty-four weeks in your pregnancy?" Sharla smiled, "I'm right at thirty-four weeks, but here's my doctors note—" She dug into her purse and handed the stewardess a small white envelope. "He's cleared me to fly."

Linda smiled as she read the doctors note, "Yes, ma'am. I see everything is in order. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to let me know. And congratulations!"

Faith shifted in the seat next to David. She tried and tried to get comfortable, but it was no use. How could she relax sitting next to him? Just thinking about him made her cheeks turn bright red. It was getting hot in the confined space. Far too hot. She reached above her head and turned the air to full blast. There...that's better.

David smiled and leaded over to her, "Would you like to listen?" His cologne was so masculine...so mesmerizing.

"Faith?" His soft voice, severed her thoughts. She glanced at him, "I'm sorry, what?" He offered her one of the ear buds that was connected to his iPhone and repeated his question.

She smiled, "Thanks." She placed it in her ear and smiled as an unexpected tune played. She reclined back in her seat and let her thoughts melt into the melody: "Look at the skies, they have stars in their eyes on this lovely Bella Notte..."

The flight was over rather quickly, or so it seemed when David woke Faith from her sleep. She looked out the window, "We're already here?" David smiled as he reached below the seat to remove his backpack, "Yeah, it felt like it took forever though. Of course, I wasn't as lucky as you — I couldn't fall asleep."

They stepped out of the plane and snow crunched beneath their feet as the crisp mountain air filled their lungs. It was cool and refreshing. They all exchanged smiles as they quickly grabbed their bags and slid into the car that was waiting to escort them to the resort.

The car curved its way up the steep, snow-covered drive towards the two-story log cabin the four of them had rented for their holiday getaway.

The lodge was truly a haven from the outside world. It was tucked away deep within the pine trees and surrounded by a winter wonderland of snow and ice.