Wings of Promise (31 page)

Nena studied Kate. “You’re almost brown.” She grinned. “Like me.”

“It was warm in Yakima.”

“I might like to see such warm days.”

Kate turned her attention to her passengers. “I’ll be back in a week to pick you up. Meet me here before daybreak. If you need to get ahold of me, I’ll be at the general store, the Turchiks’ place.”

“Okay,” Ralph said. “Thanks for the ride.”

Stanley gave her a wave and the two men walked toward town.

Kate drained the oil, then Nena helped her tie down the plane and cover it with a tarp. The two friends looped arms and headed for the village.

“Joe is cooking,” Nena said. “Hope it’s edible.”

“Is there some doubt?”

“Yes.” Nena giggled.

When Kate stepped into the Turchik home, their three children swamped her and Angel with hugs. They exclaimed their happiness over her visit and wanted to know where she’d been. When she told them, they were full of questions about the place called Yakima. Peter and Nick ran to get carvings they’d made from pieces of driftwood so they could show them off.

Kate watched them sprint toward the back of the house. “They’ve grown since I last saw them.”

Nena nodded. “Yes. Too fast. I cannot keep up with the sewing.”

Joe stepped into the front room from the kitchen. “Kate. It’s very good to see you.” He hugged her briefly. “How long will you be here?”

“I’m heading to Fairbanks in the morning, then I’ve got a trip down to Talkeetna.”

“I wish you could stay longer,” Nena said, disappointment in her voice.

“I’ll be back in a week to pick up my passengers.”

“You are busy, already.”

“It’s my job.” Kate smiled. “And I’m glad to be back at work.”

After a meal of overcooked caribou and homemade bread, Joe sat on the floor in the front room with the children. He told an ancient Inuit tale. Kate loved to listen to his stories. He always made it fun, using animated gestures and expressive voices.

After the tale had been told, Kate and the children played a game of tag. There was a lot of squealing and giggling. Kate got a sideache from laughing. And then it was time for bed. Each child got a hug and then off they went.

Her energy spent, Kate was thankful to climb between her blankets on the sleeping pad and close her eyes. She stayed awake just long enough to consider how grateful she was to be back in Alaska.

Nena woke her the following morning, and after a hurried breakfast, Kate set out for Fairbanks. It was just her and Angel as they flew across the frozen tundra. Kate’s nerves had quieted.

Everything was going to be okay.

Six days later, Kate approached Kotzebue. This time, the weather fought her. Gray clouds churned east from the sea and wind whipped up billows of ice and snow. The temps were below zero. Kate knew she’d made it back just in time. The storm blowing in was a tempest. She hoped Ralph and Stanley were safely tucked away at their friend’s house and ready to leave in the morning. If not, they could be in terrible trouble.

Joe met the plane. He tied it down while Kate drained the oil. They worked together to cover the fuselage with a tarp.

The wind blew what felt like slivers of ice into her face. “Joe, did the men I brought in last week stop by your place?” she hollered over the storm’s wail.

“No. Seth took them out, and I know he’s not back yet. His father was here this morning.” Shielding his eyes, he looked out toward the frozen bay. “They better come soon. This is a bad storm.”

Kate gazed out over the sea of ice. A feeling of impending doom pressed down on her. If the men were stuck out there in this kind of gale, they might not survive.

As the storm intensified, Kate was thankful to be tucked safely inside the Turchiks’ home, but she couldn’t quiet her mind. It remained on Seth, Ralph, and Stanley. There’d still been no word from them.

After sharing a meal with the family, Kate helped Nena clear away and wash the dishes. The unrelenting howling wind grated on her. How could anyone caught out in such a blizzard survive? They’d taken a heavy canvas tent and had firepots for heat, but Kate couldn’t imagine any tent standing up to these kinds of winds.

With the dishes done, she tried to sit, but couldn’t. She paced.

Finally, Joe said, “Kate. Sit down. Worrying will not help.”

“I can’t stop thinking about those men. They’ll surely die.”

“Seth knows how to survive up here. When he saw things were getting bad, he probably built an ice house for protection. They have food and heat. They will be all right.” Joe lifted Mary onto his lap. “It is all in God’s hands. There is nothing we can do.”

Kate nodded. He was right.

That night the wind howled and Kate slept little. Several times during the night she climbed out of bed and stared out of a tiny window facing the street. Snow piled against the homes and businesses. Her thoughts on the men, she begged God for mercy.

The following day the blizzard continued to pummel the village. No one went out. No one came in. The streets were empty.

The third day the wind quieted. While Kate paced, Joe went to Seth’s home to see if he and his friends had made it back, but the news was not good. There’d been no sign of them.

“Where do you think they are?” Kate asked.

Joe stared at the icy bay. “Out there somewhere, probably north.”

“Do you think they survived?”

He shrugged. “Maybe. Seth is a smart, determined man.”

Kate stepped outside. The wind still gusted, but the worst of the storm had passed. Light snow drifted from the sky. Bursts of wind swept smoke from chimneys and swirled it toward the ground. A loose piece of tarpaulin hanging from a window flapped. Kate stepped back inside.

Nena toasted sourdough bread in the oven. “You want coffee?”

“Sure. Thanks.” Kate wanted to search for the men. She looked at Joe. “Do you think the storm is over?”

He shook his head no. “It is only resting. There is more to come.”

“How can you know?”

“I’ve seen this before. I know.”

Kate stood at the window. Someone had to find the hunters. They could be dying. “How long before the storm picks up again?”

He shrugged. “Maybe five minutes, maybe a couple hours.”

She was the only one who could help. They’d die if she didn’t go after them. And if she did . . . she could be the one dying. Did it make sense to sacrifice her life for men she barely knew?

This is what Kate had feared—not having the courage to do what she should. Helping people in jeopardy was part of her job. When she’d signed on as a pilot, she’d made a pact with herself and her passengers—they counted on her.

She looked at Joe and Nena. “I’m going after them.” She pulled on her parka.

“No. You stay. It’s too dangerous.” Nena stepped in front of Kate. “When the storm is done, then you will go.”

“I have to go now. If I wait, they could die.”

Joe shook his head. “They might already be dead. Adding your life to theirs will not help.”

Kate pulled on gloves. “I’m going.” She opened the door and Angel stepped outside. “Sorry, girl, not this time.” Kate led her inside. “I’ll be back. I promise.”

Remembering her mother’s words that God was in charge of life and death, Kate pulled the door closed. She hurried toward the airstrip, keeping her head down to shield her face from the cold. Soon, Joe trudged along beside her. “Kate, you are crazy.”

She ignored him but figured he was probably right.

While Kate unleashed the tarp, Joe got a fire going in the cabin. Kate scooped hot coals into a bucket, added wood, and set it beneath the engine to warm it while Joe heated the oil.

Kate went over the plane, scraping away ice and frost. As soon as the oil was added, she climbed behind the control wheel. In spite of her heavy winter clothing, she shivered. Joe cranked the flywheel while she prayed the engine would turn over. It refused the first effort. She tried again. It whined. Finally on her third try the engine lit off.

Kate waved to Joe. She needed to hurry before the storm kicked up again. She moved onto the airstrip, blasts of wind buffeting the plane. Was she being a fool? Maybe, but men like Ralph and Stanley were why she was here, why she’d come back to Alaska. She wasn’t going to let them down.

She headed northwest, over the ice pack, searching the white world below, hoping and praying for some sign of the men. They’d be hard to spot, especially if they’d built an ice house. The winds increased, bucking the plane. Kate knew she should turn back, but she couldn’t make herself do it. The hunters might be waiting and praying for rescue. She wasn’t going to let them down.

“God, I need your help. Show me where they are.”

Snow blasted the window, and visibility was poor. It was hard to distinguish the ice pack from blowing snow—it blurred together into one sheet of white. Kate knew if conditions got much worse, she’d have no references and could easily fly the plane into the ground.

Please help me find them
, she prayed. She was running out of time. If something didn’t happen soon, she’d be forced to turn back.

Kate headed farther north, though she doubted they’d come this far.
Just a few more minutes
, she told herself. Finally, knowing the storm had won, Kate turned back toward Kotzebue. Sick inside, she fought to keep the plane aloft in the violent winds. Now, she had to think about saving her own life.

Still, she continued to search as she flew. And then she saw something in the swirl of white—a flash of brown and black. Probably nothing more than a seal or sea lion. Kate dropped to a lower altitude and flew directly over the splotch of color.

A dog huddled in the snow. Then Kate saw another one. Her eyes searched the white landscape. Were the men here? Were they alive?

She thought she saw some kind of movement. Someone was waving something blue. It had to be them. They were alive!

Kate circled back, searching for a place to put down. The ice was rutted and in the white maelstrom it was nearly impossible to know what she was setting down on.
God, you know
.
Make it right
.

She made two more passes and spotted what looked like a long patch of smooth ice. She wouldn’t be able to back-taxi—the runway needed to be long enough to land and take off without turning around. If she tried to turn around, the crosswind would lift the wing and tip her over. There wasn’t anyplace else, so this would have to be it.

Fighting to keep the plane stable, she dropped down until she was just above the ice. Downdrafts pounded her and would make takeoff difficult. The wind speed would mean she’d need less space to take off, but the downdrafts could slow her speed.
I’ll deal with that when the time comes
, she told herself. Right now she needed to concentrate on getting down. She’d have to nail the landing. The nose couldn’t come up too high and the tail couldn’t drag and she’d have to watch for berms. With the wind behind her, she dropped down just above the ice. She waited . . . then felt the skis touch the surface. And she was down. The ice was uneven and rough. The plane bounced and rattled across the strip of ice. The plane slowed and she prayed it would stop soon enough to allow room for takeoff.

By the time Kate got to the door, Stanley, Ralph, and Seth were making their way toward the plane with their gear. She scrambled out and met them.

Ralph smiled at her. “Well, if you’re not a sight for sore eyes. You’ve got moxie, lady.”

Kate didn’t have time to think about thank-yous. She needed to get the men in the plane and get back to Kotzebue. “Is everyone all right?”

“Yeah,” Stanley said. He looked back at the dogs. “We lost all but two of the dogs—no room in our tiny snow cave for them and us. Can we bring them along?”

“Okay. Get ’em. But hurry. We’ve got to get out of here.” As if to emphasize her words, a powerful wind gust pounded them. “Hurry!” Kate shouted.

With passengers and dogs on board, Kate lined up on the runway. There wasn’t a lot of room for a takeoff. She’d need all the speed she could grab to get up and to fight the downdrafts. If the gusts were too strong, they’d hold down her speed and she wouldn’t have enough power to get off the ground. She revved the engine and waited for a lull in the gale. “Hang on. It’s going to be rough.”

Everything seemed quiet. This was it. Kate moved down the open ice. White swirled at her. She lost sight of the ground. She had to get up. “Come on, come on.” She needed more speed.

She felt the plane lighten as the skis left the ground. She pulled back on the wheel. And then the swell of ice slipped beneath the plane and they were in the air.

Shouts of jubilation went up from behind her.

Kate laughed. It would be a rough ride to Kotzebue, but she knew they’d make it. God had shown her where to find the men and he’d carry them home.

Kate relaxed. She’d done what she had to. And she hadn’t let anyone down.

I
t was a perfect winter morning—clear weather, light breezes, and a landscape glistening white in the sunlight. It was Kate’s first time out on her old mail run, and she’d had fun reconnecting with people on the route. They were happy to have her back and enjoyed telling their most recent adventures, introducing new babies, and sharing baked goods.

Bear Creek was her next stop, and as Kate headed there, she felt anxiety encroach on her good mood. She didn’t know how she’d feel when she saw Paul. She hadn’t seen him since she’d returned to Alaska. And try as she might to extract him from her heart, she still loved him. What would she say when she saw him? How would she hide her feelings?

The time would come soon when she’d be called to transport him on a medical run. They’d be forced to spend hours together in close quarters. She’d decided to keep the relationship casual and businesslike. It would be simpler that way.

The apples she’d brought for him from Yakima were with her, but she considered not giving them to him. She’d deliver Patrick and Sassa’s mail and be on her way. It would be easier.

She wondered if Paul would ever marry or if he’d spend his life alone. The thought made her sad. He deserved more, to be loved. Why couldn’t he accept her as she was? Why couldn’t she be the one for him? Flying was the barrier. He’d made it clear—no flying. Could she give it up? Should she? Kate swallowed past an ache in her throat. She’d given up everything for flight, and to walk away from something she loved to please a man would only make her bitter. How could a couple begin a marriage on that kind of foundation?

He’d have to take her as she was or not at all. And she knew he wouldn’t do it. She’d have to accept life without him.

Kate clicked her thinking in another direction. She was single, strong, and independent. She didn’t need a man in her life. She could manage on her own and still find happiness. She liked the freedom of answering to no one but herself and God.
I’m yours, Lord, and I accept your will, whatever it is
.

When she flew over Paul’s cabin, she saw him with the dogs. He looked up and Kate’s heart jumped. She wanted to see him, but what would she say? She spotted Lily sitting on the porch with a baby in her arms. In spite of the pledge she’d just made, jealousy flickered to life. Had Paul found someone else? Lily was beautiful and kind, wise in the ways of the Alaskan bush.

Taking a deep breath, Kate set up for a landing on the frozen creek. She reached out and buried her fingers in Angel’s thick ruff. “It’s just you and me, girl.”

Angel pushed her nose up under Kate’s palm.

The landing area had been cleared, and Kate brought the plane in smoothly. After what had happened on Kotzebue Sound, any landing was a cinch.

Kate shut down the engine, moved toward the back of the plane, and opened the door. Cold air washed in, reminding Kate that even though the sun was shining, this was December in Alaska. Angel jumped out and sprinted across the ice.

Kate reached into the mailbag, fished out the letter to Patrick and Sassa, and tucked it into the front of her coat. She picked up the box of apples she’d brought for Paul.
Might as well get it over with
, she thought and headed for the door.

With a heavy coat on over a long dress, Sassa hustled across the ice, her mukluks kicking up powdered snow. Wearing a broad smile, she waved, and then patted Angel on the head. The dog moved off to explore the frozen world.

As Sassa came closer, Kate set down the box of apples. The native woman bundled Kate in her arms. “I knew you would come back.” She hugged Kate more tightly. “I have missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

Sassa planted a kiss on her cheek, then stepped back. “So much has happened.” She smiled broadly. “I’m a grandmother now,” she announced, as if daring Kate or anyone to disapprove. “You should see our little Teddy. Such a sweet boy.”

“I’ve been looking forward to meeting him.” Kate glanced toward Paul’s cabin. She knew Lily and the baby were there. “In fact, I have some apples to deliver to Paul, and I saw Lily and baby at his place from the air.”

“Yes. She took over a batch of fresh cranberry muffins for him.”

Squelching her jealousy, Kate pulled out an envelope. “I have a letter for you, from Homer.” She handed it to Sassa.

“Ah, from my sister.” Sassa glanced at it and then said, “Now, I will take you to meet my grandson.” She smiled broadly. “And I’m sure Paul and Lily will be happy to see you.”

Her stomach in a knot, Kate picked up the box of apples just as Patrick walked up.

“Hello, Kate,” he said in his easy way. “Nice to have our favorite mail lady back.” He leveled a friendly smile at her. “I didn’t think you’d stay away. I know a true Alaskan when I see one.”

“You think I’m a true Alaskan?” Kate couldn’t keep from smiling.

“Yep. You sure are.”

“I plan to stay and one day I’ll be a sourdough.” She grinned and shifted the box. “It took me awhile to figure out where I belong. I’ve been having a time of it since I got here though.”

“We heard on the Mukluk News last week that you were back at work. How long since you returned?”

“Nearly a month. I took some time to move into my new place. Mike deeded his house over to me.”

Patrick nodded thoughtfully. “That’s just like him.”

“I’m grateful—still getting used to it though. I’d barely gotten moved in when I took a run up to Kotzebue and Fairbanks. This is my first day back on the mail run.” She glanced at Paul’s cabin. “It’s been good seeing old friends.”

“I’ll bet it has.” He looked at the box tucked under Kate’s arm. “Who are the apples for?”

“Paul. They’re from my parents’ farm. He always said he missed fresh apples so I brought him some. I’m sure he’ll share with you and Klaus.”

Sassa’s eyes dimmed. “Oh. You don’t know. Klaus died just after you left.”

“No. I didn’t know.” Kate felt the weight of new sorrow.
Klaus
. She hadn’t expected him to go, not yet. “Something about him had felt permanent, like he’d always be around. What happened?”

“Just old, I guess,” Patrick said. “Paul thinks it was his heart.” He turned toward Klaus’s place. “We buried him up there on the knoll.”

Kate’s gaze wandered to the old German’s property. “He was a nice man. I’ll miss him.” Tears pricked Kate’s eyes. One more friend gone. “Does he have family, someone who will move into his cabin?”

Patrick shrugged. “Not that we know. I figure someone will take over the homestead eventually . . . we’ll just have to wait to find out who that is.”

“Well, let’s take those apples to Paul and introduce you to our grandson,” Sassa said.

“I’ll carry the box for you,” Patrick offered.

“No. I’ve got it.” Kate wanted to give them to Paul herself.

This was the moment she’d longed for and had dreaded. Walking alongside Sassa, Kate fixed her thoughts on the positive facets of meeting again. Paul would be a good friend and she’d enjoy working with him. They were a first-rate team—life would be interesting and exciting. But she dare not hope for more.

She attempted to calm her breathing and her battering heart. She tried to quiet her love for him, not wanting him to see it.

As Kate stepped into the yard, Paul tossed a stick for the dogs and they tore after it. Angel joined in the chase.

He turned and looked at Kate. For a long moment he just stared at her, not saying a word, as if she’d resurrected from the dead. Finally, he said, “Hi, Kate.” His tone was tender. “I heard you were back in Alaska.” He talked as if he were out of breath. A smile emerged. “You look good.”

“Thanks.” All thoughts of what she ought to say slipped from her mind, so she turned to Lily, who still sat on the porch, a baby in her lap. She stood.

“I heard from good authority,” she glanced at Sassa, “that you have a beautiful son.” She moved toward Lily.

“I do.” She smiled, her brown eyes warm and friendly. “I was so glad to hear that you were back.” She gave Kate a one-armed hug.

Kate gazed at the baby. Dark hair framed a round face and big brown eyes looked at her. “He is so cute.” She leaned close to him. “Hello there, little man.” He smiled and flailed his arms as if he were trying to reach Kate.

“Would you like to hold him?”

“Can I?” Kate set the box of apples on the porch step, then lifted the little boy out of Lily’s arms. She hadn’t held many babies in her life and wasn’t sure exactly how to go about it. “Do I need to hold his head?”

“No. He’s strong for his age,” Sassa said, pride in her voice.

Paul watched, looking awkward, as if he didn’t know what to do or say, yet eager to say something. Kate kept her attention on the baby. She didn’t know what else to do.

Theodore gazed at Kate.

“You are a cutie, yes you are,” she cooed. He offered Kate a toothless grin. Instinctively she held him close and kissed his cheek, which felt soft as a rose petal. “He’s wonderful.” She cradled him against her shoulder and longed for the day she would have a child of her own.

“I’m thrilled for you,” Kate said, and she meant it. She handed the baby back to his mother.

“I never knew having a baby would make me so happy.” Lily cuddled the child against her. “It’s not all fun, though. There’s a lot of work.” At that moment Theodore spit up a portion of his last meal. It oozed down the front of Lily’s coat. She held him away from her. “Like that.” She chuckled. “Well, let’s go home and get cleaned up.” She turned to Kate. “Good to have you back.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you again soon.”

Patrick headed toward the trail. “I’ve got wood to split. This nice weather won’t hold out. We’ll see you, Kate.” When Sassa didn’t follow right away, he stopped. “I could use some help . . . hauling that firewood.”

“I’m coming.” She flashed a smile at Kate. “Nice to see you.” She trundled off behind her husband.

Paul moved to the porch. “So, what do you have here?” He nodded at the box.

“Apples . . . from my parents’ farm. I brought them for you. They’re a few weeks old, but they’re almost as good as fresh.” She picked up the box and handed it to him.

He took out one and held it under his nose, breathing deeply. “Smells like heaven.” He smiled. “Thanks for thinking of me.”

I’m always thinking about you
. “No problem. I remembered how you said you missed fresh apples.” She shrugged. “Since I knew I’d be coming out this way, I figured I might as well bring some.”

“I’m glad you’re here. You have time to sit awhile, maybe eat an apple with me?” He picked up one and offered it to her. He seemed anxious, as if he was afraid she’d run off.

Kate barely managed to keep a façade of composure. “Sure. I have a few minutes.”

They sat on the porch steps, munching on apples and watching the dogs frolic. It felt right to be sitting there together. Neither of them spoke for a while. Kate didn’t know what to say and guessed Paul was having difficulty finding a suitable topic.

Finally he asked, “So, you staying at the Townses’ apartment?”

“No.” Kate hesitated. For reasons she didn’t completely understand, she didn’t want Paul to know she was living in Mike’s house. But Paul was waiting for an answer. “Before Mike died, he willed his home to me. That’s where I’m living.”

“So, you have a house. That’s terrific. It was good of Mike.” He gazed at her, his brown eyes tender. “It was a terrible thing, his being killed like that. I’m real sorry.”

“I miss him. But it’s the way he would have wanted to go.”

Paul nodded, a shadow of hurt touching his eyes. Kate wondered what he was thinking. Now what could they talk about? She said, “Lily and the baby look good.”

“They’re doing well. She’s blessed to have such a kind and loving family. She and the baby will be fine. Lily’s a strong woman.”

Kate didn’t mean to probe, but she couldn’t help herself. “And how do you feel about them?”

Paul gave her a puzzled look, then his mouth tipped sideways and his eyes lit up with humor. “You mean is there anything special between us?”

Kate shrugged, embarrassed. “You just seem like very good friends.”

“We are . . . and nothing more.”

He didn’t love her! Kate knew that didn’t open the door for them—she was still a pilot—but somehow she felt a glimmer of hope.

Kate bit into her apple. Paul wasn’t bound to Lily. He was free to do whatever he wanted. But she wasn’t what he wanted—he’d made that clear.

“Now that you’re back, maybe we can make some trips together again. I miss flying with you.” He leaned against her, just slightly.

Kate felt a shiver go through her. “I’d like that. Anything I can do to help—that’s why I’m here.” Being close working partners was better than nothing. And spending time with someone like Paul would make life more enjoyable.

Strong and single
, Kate reminded herself. She should be thankful. She was living her dream. Why, then, couldn’t she be content?

Kate finished her apple, then stood and tossed the core into the bushes. “I better get back to work. I’ve got a stop at Susitna Station.”

“I’ll walk to the plane with you.”

“Come on, Angel. Time to go,” Kate called, wishing she could stay.