Wings of Promise (29 page)

“I’ll settle back into my apartment, hopefully get my mail run back, and go out to see Patrick and Sassa and the kids. And Paul of course. I’ve got to take the box of apples to him. He’ll love that. He always used to talk about how much he missed fresh apples.”

The idea of seeing Paul made her tremble. How would she react when she saw him? She knew better than to expect anything more than friendship. If she were lucky, she could be as good a friend to Paul as Richard had been to her.

“I can hardly wait for a trip to Kotzebue. I’ve really missed Joe and Nena and the kids. I hope I can get a run up that way soon.”

Her father nodded. “They’ll be glad to see you.” He looked down at Seward as they flew over. “Won’t be long now. Glad we pushed hard. Looks like bad weather’s moving in.”

Kate turned her gaze to the northwest. The clouds were dark and deeply stacked. She gazed down at the jagged peaks rising up beyond the small town of Seward, which huddled between mountain peaks and the ocean.

They’d be in Anchorage soon. Her heart kicked up, and she realized she was clasping her hands tightly. She was afraid. What if she couldn’t step back into her old life? What if she was gutless and too nervous to fly into the bush? She closed her eyes and prayed for peace and for God’s help.

She turned to her father. “Am I doing the right thing?”

He glanced at her. “It’s a little late to second-guess yourself.”

Kate shrugged. “It’s been awhile, and I won’t have Mike to help me. I depended on him. Things won’t be the same.”

“Of course they won’t. But you have a lot of friends here who care about you. They’ll stand with you. You’ll be fine.”

Kate wanted to believe him, but he was her father. He loved her and that might distort his perspective. “I hope you’re right.”

“And what about Paul? I thought you loved him once.”

“I did.” She didn’t want to talk about her feelings for Paul. “But we’re just friends now. Things change. I hope we’ll travel together again,” Kate said casually, but she felt anything but casual about spending time with him.

When Anchorage came into sight, Kate’s stomach tumbled from a mix of excitement and trepidation. Now her new life would begin. If Jack was working, she’d have to face him right off.

Wind bounced the plane and swirled snow against the windows. “Looks like we made it just in time,” her father said.

When they touched down, Kate stayed in her seat. Her dad smiled at her, then reached out and squeezed her arm. “You’re going to be great. Stop worrying.”

Kate nodded. “I guess I better talk to Jack—get it out of the way.” She climbed out of the Stinson and spotted her plane right off. It looked like it was in good shape. She headed across the field, her eyes fixed on the Bellanca. Putting off the meeting with Jack for a few more minutes, she walked around it, her hand trailing over the fuselage and wings. Excitement pumped through Kate. It looked just as it had. Jack had done a good job of repairing it. She climbed inside and went through her things. Everything was still there—her gear and supplies. It seemed as if it had been waiting for her.

Memories of Mike and the adventures they’d shared bombarded her. They’d been a good team. Tears burned from behind her eyes, but she blinked them away. “Well, Mike, I’m back.”

She saw Jack through a window. He trudged across the field toward her. He looked just as he always had, except he was carrying a few extra pounds, which emphasized his stocky build. He walked like he had a head of steam up. As always, he had a cigar clamped between his teeth.

Kate climbed out of the plane and stood, ready to face him.

He nodded at Bill, then turned to Kate. He didn’t offer a handshake or a greeting. “So, you’re back.”

“Yep.” Kate reached for courage. She glanced at her father, whose eyes held a hint of mischief. She couldn’t imagine what was funny.

“So you think you’ll stay this time?” He took the cigar out of his mouth and blew smoke in her face.

“I’m here to stay.” She figured she might as well ask right up front. “I need a job. Do you need a pilot?”

Jack narrowed his eyes. “Can I count on you to stay?”

“I told you I’m staying.”

He glanced back at the shop. “I’ve got a fella who’s willing to move up from Ketchikan who has a lot of experience.”

“So, that means you’ve got Kenny, Alan, and this other pilot and that’s all?”

He didn’t say anything for a moment. “I fly when I can.”

“You and I both know that to run this outfit you have to stay put most of the time. So you don’t count.” Kate looked at her father and he gave her a nod of encouragement. “I’m a good pilot. And you need me.”

Jack puffed on the cigar. He watched the smoke rise, then his gaze settled on Kate. “Okay. But it’s not a fifty-fifty split anymore. You get thirty percent, that’s it.”

Kate folded her arms over her chest. “No deal. Either I get fifty percent or I go and find another outfit.”

“Forty.”

Kate shook her head, no. She wasn’t about to let him have the upper hand. It would only make him feel more powerful.

Jack glared at her. “All right. Fifty percent. But you’ll fly where I want and when I want. And you owe me for the repairs.” He didn’t wait for a response, but turned and stormed back to the shop.

Kate barely managed to contain a whoop of joy. She hugged her father. “Well, I guess I’m back in business.” Although she sounded confident, fear that she might mess up niggled at her. What if something went wrong right off the bat?

P
aul swung his axe and brought it down on a round of spruce. The wood popped and split into two pieces. He tossed them into a pile and set up another chunk. A chill November wind caught the smoke from his chimney and carried it toward the ground where it swirled around him. He liked the aroma of burning wood. And the assurance that an abundant supply would keep him warm through the winter, which was fast approaching. It was only a few weeks until Thanksgiving.

The holiday season always hit him with a bout of loneliness. He’d be glad when the New Year arrived and the celebrations were behind him.

His family would gather for merrymaking. They’d discuss him and wonder why he remained so distant. He wasn’t really. His mind and heart would be there with them. When he’d first come to Alaska, he was thankful to put space between him and the memories, the accusations. If only he’d insisted Susan be admitted to the hospital.

It was so long ago. And now the idea of time with family seemed to invite him. He should go and see his mother. There was no telling how long before she left this earth. She wasn’t young. It would be nice to see his family.
Next year
, he promised himself.

His mind wandered to Kate. Maybe he should write to her.

He hoped she was happy. Normally, she would be caught up in preparations for the upcoming holiday, but it had only been a couple of months since Mike’s death. He doubted she was yet able to relinquish the grief, which would undoubtedly intrude on the holiday cheer. He wondered if she’d managed to get back in the air.

He hoped so. He wanted Kate safe, but the idea of her not flying didn’t seem right. She’d never be fully content. To cut that out of her life seemed tragic.

He wanted her back. The idea of going after her flickered through his mind. No. It wasn’t right. He knew better. She was grieving. And even if she weren’t, she wouldn’t want him, not after what he’d done to her.

He set up another chunk of wood and glanced at the gray sky, wondering if snow would be on the ground before the day was out. In spite of the cold air, he was overheated, so he stripped off his coat and laid it over a stack of wood.

After wiping his brow, he swung his axe up and brought it down on the large piece of spruce, splitting it into two sections. He tossed the smaller piece in the pile, cut the other in two, and chucked them onto the pile.

“Looks like you’re working hard,” Lily said.

He looked over his shoulder at her. She stood with the baby in her arms.

“Hi. I didn’t see you.” Paul put the axe head on the ground and leaned on the handle. “How are you and Theodore doing?”

“We’re fine.”

Paul moved toward them. “Glad you came by. I can use a distraction.” He patted the little boy on the belly. “How you doing, champ?”

In answer, the infant offered him a toothless smile.

Lily held out the baby. “You want to hold him?”

“Sure.” Paul took the youngster and held him up in front of him. “Hey there.” Theodore gazed at him, his brown eyes crossing. Paul chuckled. “I’ll bet he’ll be glad when he stops seeing two of everything.” The baby chortled and his plump red cheeks rounded. “So, you think I’m funny looking, huh?” Paul hefted him up and then down. “Feels like you’re eating good.”

Lily laughed. “He’s always hungry. He’s getting fat, but Mama says that’s good.” Her eyes glowed with love as she gazed at her little boy. “I never get tired of looking at him.”

A blast of wind from the north blew through. Paul cuddled Theodore against his shoulder. “It’s cold.” He glanced at the sky. “And it looks like snow.”

“It’s coming. I can feel it.”

“You want to go inside and warm up? I’ve got coffee.”

“That sounds good.” Lily bundled deeper inside her coat. “I’m cold, but he seems fine.”

“Babies are sturdier than we think.” He rested his cheek against Theodore’s. “He is cold.” Glancing at Lily, he said, “I made some cranberry muffins this morning. They’re not bad, even if I do say so myself.”

“I love muffins. And I’m always hungry—can’t seem to get enough to eat these days. I’m going to get fat right along with Teddy.”

“You’re feeding two people. You’re supposed to eat more.” He headed for the porch.

“In that case, I’ll have two muffins.”

Paul felt lighthearted as he walked up the steps. He opened the cabin door and stood aside while Lily entered.

He handed Theodore off to his mother. “Coffee’s still hot from this morning.” Paul filled two cups with the dark beverage.

Lily sat on one of the chairs at the table and set the baby on her lap. His big brown eyes gazed around the room. Paul wondered what it was like to see the world for the first time—to not know fear or sorrow. He longed for such innocence.

He set a cup in front of Lily along with a can of milk, then took a plate of muffins out of the warming oven above the stove and placed it on the table.

“Those look good.” Lily bounced Teddy on her lap and played pat-a-cake with him. Each time she brought his pudgy hands together, he chortled in delight.

“Strong for his age,” Paul said. “I’d say he’s developing early—even lifting up his head and laughing. He’s bright.” Paul grinned. “It won’t be that long before he wants to go fishing.”

Lily tilted one side of her mouth in a sideways grin. “You men, can’t you think about anything else?”

“Time goes by fast and he’ll want to go. You wait and see. He’s got a lot of people who can teach him. Plus your dad can teach him to hunt and drive the dogsled.”

“And so can I.” Lily lifted her chin and set defiant eyes on Paul. “Just because I’m a mother now doesn’t mean everything has to change. I’m still going to fish, hunt, and drive the dogs.”

“Well, sure. I never meant—”

“I get tired of people assuming that I’ll settle into the role of a little homemaker. I’ve got to do it all—be a father and a mother. He’ll need that.”

“You won’t be on your own all your life, Lily.”

“What man will have me now?” Tears glinted in her eyes. She set the baby in her lap and folded her arms around him. “We’ll be fine . . . just me and Teddy.”

Paul sat across the table from her, coffee cup in hand. He wasn’t sure what to say so settled on, “You’re right. Sorry. I forget sometimes how self-sufficient you are. He looks like he’ll be a strapping young man one day. Probably be able to handle a team of dogs with no trouble.” Paul took a sip of coffee and then made a face. “Been on the stove awhile—kind of bitter.”

“It’s fine.” Lily bit into a muffin. “Mmm. Good.”

“I got the recipe from your mom. And everyone knows she’s the best cook around,” he added with a grin.

Paul took another drink of coffee, his mind on Lily’s determination to be self-sufficient and to live on her own. He knew what that was like and he didn’t like it. Neither would she. He understood that most people would judge her harshly. The majority of men wouldn’t give her a thought because of her circumstances. But surely an honorable man would come along who could see what a prize he’d have in the two of them.

“Someone will come along. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried.” She kissed the top of Teddy’s head. “I’m just thankful to have him.” He grasped one of her fingers and tried to stick it in his mouth.

Lily looked at Paul. “I’ve been thinking about his father. He might feel different now that Teddy’s here. I was wondering if I should write to him.”

Paul took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Well . . . if it were me, I’d want to know.”

“His father’s nothing like you. I don’t think he’ll care a whit, but it seems right to tell him he has a son. I’m going to send a letter with the next mail plane.”

“Good. I think it’s the right thing to do. Maybe he’ll surprise you.”

“I’m not going to hold my breath. You don’t know him. He thinks only about himself. And he’d probably see a baby as nothing but a bother.”

“I know this is none of my business, but how did you get involved with a man like that?”

Lily gazed out the window. “In the beginning he seemed nice and acted like he really cared for me. I was alone and lonely. And just a foolish girl. He saw me as an easy mark, a naïve country girl he could fool.”

Paul nodded. He’d known men like him. He wished there were something he could do to help. “Well, I’m here, if you need anything.”

“There’s nothing anyone can do now. I wish you’d convinced me to stay here on the creek instead of gallivanting off to Seattle. This is where me and Teddy belong. Our roots are here.”

She rested a penetrating gaze on Paul. “Don’t misunderstand. You’re a good neighbor and friend, but you’re kind of like me. One day you just appeared here, all the way from California, no explanations. I know you left something or someone there. Maybe it’s time you dealt with whatever you ran from.”

Paul pushed to his feet and walked to the window and gazed out at drifting snowflakes. “I’ll know when it’s time to go home. And it’s not now.”