Flight to Freedom (Flight Trilogy, Book 3) by Mike Coe

her death certificate, a living will, a checklist for final arrangements, healthcare power of attorney, a receipt from the crematory, and a list of contacts.
    She pulled the file from the box labeled CONTACTS. She opened the folder and scanned the single page inside, looking for the name of the assisted living facility in Laguna Beach where Martha had spent the last few years of her life battling Alzheimer’s. When Keri found it, she jotted down the number on a separate pad.
    She returned the box to the closet, closed the door, and went to take a relaxing tub bath. While the tub filled, she adjusted the temperature of the running water, and lit a lavender candle. Steam engulfed the bathroom in a cloud of mist.
    She pinned her hair up, undressed, turned off the water, and stepped into the tub. The warmth sent a soothing charge throughout her body, relaxing her down to her core. With only her head above water, she let her mind and body unwind with the soft stimulation of the pleasant fragrance.
    Her conversation with Ryan earlier had troubled her. Something didn’t seem just right. Even though he had agreed that his fantasy about living a double life was actually a dream, there were moments when his intensity during the conversation had frightened her. If something was wrong with him, he shouldn’t be flying a jet all over the world.
    She stepped out of the tub, toweled off, and applied a liberal amount of her favorite body moisturizing lotion over her smooth skin before slipping into her most comfortable pajamas. She brushed her teeth and headed to bed for a few minutes of reading.
    “You know I’ve got a trip on Tuesday?” Ryan said, as he walked through the bedroom toward the bathroom.
    “Where are you headed this time?”
    He called out from the bathroom, “San Salvador. I’ll be back on Thursday afternoon.”
    “Will you be off on the 20th for Easter?”
    “Yeah, my next trip is not until Tuesday the 23rd.”
    The kids were too old for the Easter Bunny, but the family had always put a priority on being together for Easter.
    She heard the spray of water from the shower and the shower door close. She adjusted her pillow and returned to her reading, but as her eyes passed over the words there was no comprehension. Her mind was on Ryan. He would be leaving on his trip Tuesday. In order to ease her mind about his condition, she needed to spend as much time with him as possible tomorrow.
    Tonight she would ensure he was satisfied and without wanting, and if necessary, again tomorrow night. The world was full of temptations and regardless of his faithfulness to her, she wanted to make it easier on him.
    Hearing the shower stop, she placed her book on the nightstand and switched off the lamp. She waited and listened, imagining him completing his nightly routine.
    The bathroom went dark followed by the glow of a motion detector nightlight in the corner of the bedroom. She watched his silhouette cross the room. He was shirtless, wearing only his boxers. His dedication to a disciplined workout program and commitment to a healthy lifestyle had kept him from morphing into the typical aging profile of most sedentary men in their 50s.
    As he slipped into bed, she rolled on her side to face him. She drew in the pleasant scent of soap, lotion, and toothpaste. The nightlight clicked off. She brushed her leg against his. His hand reached for her and touched her arm. Her stomach fluttered. He pulled her to him. She tugged on his boxers hinting for him to remove them. He did.
    They kissed. His hands explored her back. Warmth filled her body. She was safe in his arms.
    “Tonight I want to make certain you have pleasant thoughts before you enter that dream world of yours,” she said. She kissed him with passion and then rolled on top of his hard body. With his help, she slipped off her top.
    With his gentle touches, his hands continued to please her in all the right places.
    “I wish I could take you with me on my trip tomorrow,”