The Shasta Caper, Chapter Seventeen is now posted on ImagineNation.

Chapter Seventeen

Sherelle gave him a big hug and kiss as he got ready to board Flight 999 for California with Jimbo. "Sure you can't hang around a few days more, I could show you some of the more fancy spots abouts here."

Samuel's heart fluttered. It always did when she did that. But Al and M were both already heading for the passenger door. Al stopped and looked back and shook his head.

Samuel was not destined to be with Sherelle. Not now. Maybe not ever.

Jimbo didn't understand it, but he respected Samuel's respect for his sister and not hurting her as he might have, should he have hesitated.

Samuel took her hands in his and pressed them warmly. "I promise I'll be back soon."

She smiled with a glint of evil in her eyes. "You always say that and vanish for a long time. At least let my little brother come back once in a while."

 

Jimbo grunted. "I'm at least two feet taller than you."

Sherelle glared at him. "And that's two feet more you can fall two, you big slab of ham!"

She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight and he kissed her forehead, then pressed away gently. "Love you."

"Love you two." She returned. She looked at Samuel, but said nothing. Her eyes said it all. He felt this incredible desire to stay, to tell her how much he cared for her, when he felt this pressure on his right shoulder. He turned that way and Al had his hand on him and shook his head. He was smiling.

Samuel sighed, then gave Sherelle a quick kiss on the lips and headed for the exit to the plane.

She turned to Jimbo. "You keep that silly man safe, you hear?"

"Oh, I can do that all right, but who's going to keep me safe?" He said with a lighthearted tone, his eyes dancing with amusement, as he gave her one last long hug, then ran after Samuel, who was greeting a Hostess at the jet's passenger door, then entering.

Jimbo's heaviness at leaving melted away when he saw it was the same Hostess that he had seen on his last flight. He muttered to himself. "All right, Jimbo. Let's see if that Texan charm is still working."

He reached the door and gave her his brightest smile. "Doll, I don't know why heaven keeps putting you in my path, but I'm thanking God for it tonight."

She laughed and took his ticket, then followed him with her eyes as he went down the long aisle towards the seat where Samuel was seating himself. 

"Oh yes." Jimbo laughed inwardly. "There is indeed a God in heaven!"