Kyle's Modern Montana Bride (The New Montana Brides Book 6) by Susan Leigh Carlton

night. I’m talking about today.”
    He took her hand and squeezed it. “I’d better hold on to this, to keep you from reinjuring me.”
    Airborne again, Kyle said, “We’re about 250 miles from home. That’s about an hour’s flying time. Forty minutes later, he began letting down for his approach to the TbarS landing strip. A few minutes later, he pointed out ahead of him and said, “Do you see that thin black line? That’s home. The TbarS landing strip.” He changed the radio, keyed the mic and said, “TbarS, this is Cessna 4694, we’re ten miles out. See you in a few.”
    Kyle was lined up with the runway. “Zach, see the white Hummer over there?”
    “That’s your Grandmama and Grandpa coming to meet us.”
    “What do I call them, Dad?” he asked.
    “I think they would like to be called Grandmama and Grandpa,” Kyle said.
    Kyle greased the landing and taxied to the hangar, and shut the engine down. He got out, and retrieved their luggage as Susannah and Zach deplaned.
    Kyle’s mother and father came up. “Mom, Dad, this is your grandson, Zach.”
    “You look exactly like your father did when he was your age.” She turned to her husband. “John, don’t you think he looks like Kyle did?”
    His mother, as small as she was, enveloped Zach in a bear hug. When she released him, she had tears in her eyes.
    Kyle’s father shook hands with his grandson. “Welcome home, Zach.”
    “Mom, Dad, I’m sure you remember Susannah Stewart.
    “Mrs. Thompson, it’s so good to see you again, you too, Mr. Thompson,” Susannah said.
    “Susannah, call me Catherine. Mrs. Thompson makes me sound old. You were a grade ahead of Kyle weren’t you?”
    “Yes ma’am.”
    “Well, welcome home. Thank you for taking care of our grandson.”
    “It’s been my pleasure. He’s a good boy.”
    “Zach, we’re not finished here yet,” Kyle said.
    “Sir?”
    “We have to put the plane in the hangar.”
    “Yes sir. How do we do that?”
    “We push it,” Kyle said. He indicated the part of the wing that was not connected to the flaps, and said “Push here.” He went to the hangar door and rolled it to the side, then went back and pushed the plane into the hangar.
    “You have two airplanes,” Zach said, indicating the Cessna 182?”
    “The ranch has two planes. I was about your age when Pop taught me to fly.”
    “Really? Would you teach me?”
    “Maybe someday,” Kyle said.
    “Cool.”
    On the way to the car, Kyle said to his father, “Pop, tell Mom to go easy on Susannah. She is Kyle’s legal guardian.”
    “Wow, you have a big house, Grandpa. Do you have horses and cows here too?”
    “We raise cattle to sell. We milk cows. And we use the horses to keep the cattle in place.”
    “Cool.”
    Out of the car, Kyle’s Dad said, “Let’s talk a minute, son.”
    “Yes sir, what’s on your mind?
    “Your mother and I talked about it. I imagine you and Susannah will want to share a room. We’re all right with it. I just wanted you to know.”
    “Dad, I like Susannah a lot. In fact, I may love her, but we’re not engaged or anything. I’d like nothing better, but I don’t want to push her. Her home is in Phoenix, and so is Zach’s. My home is here. That’s the way it is, for now, at least.
    Later…
    Kyle and Susannah were sitting on the front porch talking.
    “On the way in, Dad pulled me aside and told me they knew we would want to share a room while you were here. He said they had talked about it and were okay with it. They would never say anything about it, but I wouldn’t be comfortable with it, “
    “I wouldn’t either,” she said.
    “So we’re agreed?” he asked.
    “Yes, reluctantly, we’re agreed,” she said.
     

chapter sixteen
    The Return to Phoenix
    After a whirlwind week, this was Susannah and Zach’s last night on the ranch. Susannah said, I need to talk to you about something. I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I want to fly back commercial.”
    “Why? Are you afraid