Terri Blackstock - Never again good-bye

Broken Wings

Terri Blackstock

This book is lovingly dedicated to the Nazarene.

Table of Contents

The book youve just bought from my Second Chances series is truly evidence of the second chances God gives us. The books in this series have been published before, some by Dell, some by Harlequin, others by Silhouette and HarperCollins. I was a Christian when I entered the romance market in 1983, hoping to take the world by storm. What I found, instead, was that the world took me by storm. One compromise led to another, until my books did not read like books written by a Christian. Not only were they not pleasing to God, but they embraced a worldview that opposed Christs teachings. In the interest of being successful, I had compartmentalized my faith. I trusted Christ for my salvation, but not much else. Like the Prodigal Son, I had taken my inheritance and left home to do things my own way.

I love that parable because it so reflects my life. My favorite part is when Jesus said, But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him I can picture that father scanning the horizon every day, hoping for his sons return. God did that for me. While I was still a long way off, God saw me coming. Early in 1994, when I yearned to be closer to God and realized that my writing was a wall between us, that my way had not been the best way, I promised God that I would never write anything again that did not glorify him. At that moment, it was as if God came running out to meet me. I gave up my secular career and began to write Christian books.

Shortly after I signed a contract for Zondervan to publish my suspense series, The Sun Coast Chronicles, something extraordinary happened. The rights to some of my earlier romance novels were given back to me, and I was free to do whatever I wanted with them. At first, I thought of shelving them, but then, in Gods gentle way, he reminded me that I was free to rewrite them, and this time, get them right. So I set about to rewrite these stories the way God originally intended them.

As you read these stories, keep in mind that theyre not just about second chances, they are second chances. I hope you enjoy them.

In Christ,

Terri Blackstock

S he was about to snap. Addison Lowe knew all the signs, for not so long ago he had been on the verge of a breakdown himself. From the descending stairwell that led to the rainy airport runway, Addison had watched her, the shadows rendering him inconspicuous. Hed seen it all: the plane taxiing into the hangar for an unnecessary inspection of its wing, the petite first officer debarking as fast as the crew would allow her to, the long wait until a replacement pilot could be found. And then he had followed her through the rain until she was back inside Shreveport Regional Airport, and observed her as she stood, wet and pensive, staring with haunted eyes out at the congested runway.

Flipping back the page on his clipboard, he jotted down a few notes about her behavior, shifted against the rail at his side, and focused on her again. A look of controlled misery settled over her features, but her posture straightened, as though she might allay that misery with sheer physical effort. Hugging her rain-damp arms, as if to comfort herself, she stepped closer to the rain-splattered window and followed the upward progress of a 747. She shivered noticeably as the plane became nothing more than a light against the opaque darkness, then turned from the window.

Across the corridor at the Southeast counter, a young ground clerk gave her a compassionate look. Its okay, Erin.

Erin, he thought. Thats what they call her. He took a few steps up the stairs and saw the expression of defeat flit away as if she had chased it. He could see that she didnt want pity or gentle pats on the back. And she didnt want to be afraid. He knew. He had been there.

Brushing her damp, ruffled bangs away from her forehead, she looked past the ground clerk to the door that led to the office of Frank Redlo, the assistant chief pilot. And with all the determination of a woman about to turn a major corner in her life, she started toward the door.

Addison waited a beat after shed gone in before he followed her. He shouldnt trail her like some spy waiting for a glimpse of impropriety, he told himself, but some instinctual compulsion drove him on. Instincts were a major part of his job, after all, and if one of Southeasts pilots was showing symptoms of instability, he, above all people, had the right to know. It wasnt just idle curiosity or a need to follow the pull of whatever it was in her eyes that had moved him. He was simply doing his job.

Besides, he had an appointment with Redlo, anyway.

She was already in her bosss office when he stepped into the waiting area outside it. Through the open door he could hear the sound of Redlos low, angry mumbling, and then her voice rising above his, her tone defensive, desperate.

You dont have to give me the third degree, Frank, because it doesnt matter anymore.

What do you mean it doesnt matter? Youre one of our pilots! Youre on our payroll, arent you?

Not anymore, she said without hesitation. I came in here to resign.

T he words came too easily, shaking Erin up. Had she really said it? Had she meant it? Bleakly, she realized she had.

Franks face mottled into various unsettling shades of crimson. Resign! Are you nuts? You cant resign!

Why not? Erin argued. I cant fly. You said yourself that a pilot who cant fly is of no use to an airline.

Dont twist my words! Frank said, one hand flailing in the air as he shook his index finger at her. I said theres no room for a pilot who wont fly. You can and will!

No, I cant! she shouted. I froze, Frank. I was cleared for takeoff, and I froze!

Frank clutched his head with both hands, as though to keep it from splitting right down the middle of his bald spot. You cant do this, he said, lowering his voice to a reasonable level. Youre tougher than this. Youve flown dangerous missions for the FBI and the Justice Department, for heavens sake. Youve had bullets flying at you, and you didnt bat an eye. Erin, youve got to get a grip. This is not the end of the world. Youre just depressed, but youll get over it. He slammed his elbows on the desk and raked back what remained of his hair. You were up for a promotion soon. You were ready, Erin. I was gonna recommend you be moved up to captain. He dropped his hands and leaned across his desk, his silver eyes punctuating each word. Youre a good pilot, and I wont allow you to throw a career away because of a senseless crash that had nothing to do with you. For petes sake, you werent even on that plane.

Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them back, determined not to let this conversation turn into a wearisome summation of the crash. It was over, behind them, and she didnt want to talk about it. You cant stop me, Frank. I quit. Thats all there is to it. The words held only harsh finality. Stiffly, she stood before him, waiting for acceptance.

Okay, Frank said. He slouched back in his chair and rubbed his forehead. His face looked as fatigued and wrinkled as old bedsheets. He swiveled to the window at his back and peered out of it, shaking his head. Okay. Lets say that I accepted your resignation and you walked out of here, gave up everything, and did something else. What would that be?

Erin laughed bitterly. Im not stupid, Frank. I can do a lot of things.

He swiveled around, his sagacious eyes assessing her. But youre a pilot, Erin. Sure, you can do any number of things. But would you like doing them? Would you be able to do them for the rest of your life?

Yes. She bent over his desk, bracing herself with her hands, and met his gaze squarely. And without being terrified. Without nightmares. It would be worth it.