He chuckled at her look, but was beginning to worry himself. If this was natural turbulence, it was the worst he had ever encountered. When the oxygen masks dropped, so did his gut.

“Ladies and gentleman, this is the captain speaking. Please adjust your set belts and place the masks over your faces.” A voice sounded over the speaker. “The plane seems to be having some difficulty, and we are turning around. Please remain calm as the situation is handled.”

“Remain calm?” Christine all but shouted. “How in the hell are we supposed to do that?”

“I’m sure it’s nothing.” The plane dipped. “Talk to me. Maybe it will help.”

“I don’t want to talk. I want to get my feet on land.”

“Christine,” He tried to soothe her, but the plane bucked and dipped. He had the sensation of falling. He took her hand.

“Assume crash positions.” A voice shouted through the tiny plane, and they could hear the captain yelling his distress call. “We are going down. Last known coordinates...”

His voice trailed off, and Patrick leaned over Christine, looking out the side window. Nothing but sea. They were going to crash into the sea.

“Oh. My. God.” She panted and placed her head between her knees. “I never thought I would go like this.”

“I could think of better ways to go myself.” He tucked his body and placed an arm around her shoulder.