Bonnie Leon - Touching the Clouds

ALASKAN SKIES BOOK ONE

TOUCHING
THE CLOUDS

A NOVEL

BONNIE LEON

2010 by Bonnie Leon

Published by Revell
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.revellbooks.com

E-book edition created 2010

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

ISBN ***_*_*****_***_*

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Scripture used in this book, whether quoted or paraphrased by the characters, is taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Published in association with the literary agency of Janet Kobobel Grant, Books &Such, 4788 Carissa Ave., Santa Rosa, California 95405.

To Silver Hanrahan,
my online friend
and aviation expert.
You are missed.

CONTENTS

K ate Evans pushed open the screen door and stepped onto the broad front porch of her parents farmhouse. This was supposed to be her wedding day. Instead, her lace, floor-length gown hung in her closet.

Shifting her pack over one shoulder, she moved to the railing. Closing her eyes, she savored the feel of a cool breeze on her skin and breathed in the subtle fragrance of sun-heated grass. Richards image stormed against her peace. She could see his blond curls spilling onto his brow, his wounded eyes. Hed always been steady, but her announcement had staggered him. She wanted to love him enough to stay, but the turmoil shed been feeling had escalated until she felt she had no choiceshe just couldnt go through with it.

She gripped the porch railing, anxiety sweeping over her like a summer squall. Had she made a terrible mistake? It was one thing to postpone the wedding and quite another to call it off altogether.

Theyd been friends since childhood and were comfortable with each other. But did that mean they belonged together? If she stayed, shed be forced to give up her longtime dream and would have to settle for a commonplace life. Shed end up resenting Richard, and she couldnt bear the thought.

Shaking off her doubts, she turned her gaze to her mothers flower gardens. The well-tended yard was bordered by patches of rich soil embracing velvety pansies and roses that hummed their splendor. In contrast, a flower bed on one side was congested with brightly colored dahlias that shouted at the sun. Beyond were the apple orchards. The flowers were off the trees now, which were loaded with small green apples.

Kate folded her arms across her chest. She couldnt have picked a worse time to set out on a venture. It was 1935 and much of the country was in the midst of a crushing drought, and despite President Roosevelts New Deal, the economy was in shambles.

She heard the screen door creak open and turned to see her mother step onto the porch. Hi, Mom, she said as cheerily as she could manage.

Joan Evans lifted a picnic basket. Heres some food to take along. She managed a smile.

Kate took the basket. Thanks.

Joan picked fading leaves off a hanging basket of red lobelia, then turned kind eyes on her daughter. We spent a lot of summer evenings on this porch. She pressed her fingertips to her lips. I remember you and Alison, sleeping out here and gabbing until all hours.

Kate took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to release the rising ache in her chest. Those were good days. Memories, like a slide show, flitted across her mind until she purposely pushed them aside.

Kate, you explained why youre going, but I know theres more.

I told you, I want to do something with my life.

You dont think being a wife and raising a family is doing something?

It is, but its not right for me, not now. I have to... There was no way to describe how she feltas if her heart would shatter if she didnt get away. She had to do something that mattered, something better than just being what people expected, a farm girl who got married and had babies. And better than the girl who larked about with planes.

Joan settled into a wicker chair.

Kate knew what was coming, and she didnt want to discuss any of it. She sat on the edge of a chair and set her pack on the ground. She held the basket in her lap. Clasping her hands around it, she pulled it against her stomach, hanging onto it as if it were an anchor.

Joan began gently. I know a day doesnt go by that you dont remember and feel the burden of... of Alisons death. She studied the dead leaves she cradled in her hands, then looked at her daughter. It was a long time ago. Its over. You cant get that day back. You have to go on with your life.

Kate pursed her lips. Shed decided not to speak, but no matter how she tried to hold back the words, they spilled out anyway. You dont know what its likeevery day knowing shes dead and that its my fault. If I hadnt been so full of myself, so careless, Alison would still be alive. Shed be married and have babies and her mom and dad would still be happyand they wouldnt hate me.

Not living your life wont bring her back, it wont make anything better.

Im trying to live my life. But I cant do it here. Every time I go into town Im afraid Ill see her mother or father... or her brother or

Kate, you cant let the past rule the present.

Thats just it. As long as I stay here, everything is about the past. I need to start over in a place where I can prove myself, a place where Im free to live without shadows of that horrible day dogging me. She shook her head, squeezing back tears. After the accident, I was too afraid to even go up in a plane. I thought Id never fly again, but Dad helped me and I did. Im a good pilot because of him. Now, well... Im twenty-five years old, and Ive got to do something with that ability while I still have time. And I want you to be proud of me.

We are. You know that.

Kate chewed on her lower lip. Okay, but Ive got to be proud of me too.

Alaskas a dangerous place, especially for pilots.

The front door opened and Kates father stepped out. So, Katie, you ready?

She grabbed her pack and stood. All set.

Bill Evans slung an arm around his daughters shoulders. Well, lets go then.

Kate strode toward her bright red Bellanca Pacemaker, which sat on the airstrip behind the house. Nerves made her stomach jump. She studied the name painted on the side of the fuselageFearless Kate. Was she fearless or just pretending?

She set her belongings in the back of the plane, then walked around the craft, examining it to make sure it was flight ready. There were no signs of dents or fuel leaks, exposed or hanging wires, and the tires were in good shape.

She moved to the planes door. Shes ready to fly.

Her father squinted against the early morning sunlight. I checked the fuelits fine. And I put extra cans of gasoline in the back in case you need some. A breeze caught at his salt-and-pepper hair sticking out from under his hat. Oils good too.

Thanks, Dad.

He moved to his only child and gently grasped her arms. Im going to miss my flying partner. Weve been a team for a long while.