Touching the Clouds: A Novel (Alaskan Skies Book #1)

Kate grabbed her gear and stepped out of the plane. A frigid wind cut through her as she made her way across the field to the workshed. Pilots Jack Rydell and Kenny Hicks stood outside the door, huddled in fur-lined coats. As usual, Jack had a cigar clenched between his teeth. Just the idea of the cigar stink that clung to the man made Kate’s stomach turn. She wished there was some way to avoid him, but Sidney insisted all pilots check in after runs.

Keeping her head down against the strengthening gale, Kate wondered what she had done to get Jack’s dander up. Only thing she could figure was her gender. He didn’t like female pilots. He’d made that clear. He probably sits up nights thinking of ways to get under my skin.

She glanced at Kenny. He wasn’t as bad as Jack, but he still needled her regularly. She didn’t know where he got off ridiculing anyone—he was, at best, a mediocre pilot.

Not willing to let either of them know their teasing and disrespect unsettled her, she relaxed her shoulders and forced a smile. “What’re you guys doing out here? It’s freezing.”

“Waiting on passengers.” Wind grabbed at Kenny’s hood and pulled it away from his face. Dark curls whipped wildly about his head. He pulled the hood back on. “How ’bout you? Done with the mail run?” He used a disparaging tone.

Not about to take the bait, Kate said amiably, “Yeah. It was a good day.” She glanced at the gray sky. “Looks like we’re in for it now, though.”

“Yeah, storm’s coming in.” Jack moved his cigar from one side of his mouth to the other. “Won’t keep me on the ground. Got a group heading for Nome.”

Arrogant half-wit. Always has to be one up on everyone. “Might be wise to wait for the weather to clear.”

“A little wind doesn’t scare me.”

Kate eyed him, wondering whether she cared enough to spar with him, then thought of the passengers he’d be transporting. “Your riders might feel differently.” Kate couldn’t keep the crankiness out of her voice. “You could be forced down.”

Wearing a smirk, Jack said, “Don’t worry about me.” He turned his gaze to Kate’s plane. “You worry about yourself and that albatross you fly.”

Kate felt instant indignation. He could say what he wanted about her, but her plane was first-rate. “A pilot can hardly do better than a Bellanca Pacemaker. It’ll handle just about anything.”

“You try a Stinson and you’ll never go back to that crate.” He lifted his lip in a sneer. “A Stinson’ll get you where you want to go a lot faster and without all the shuddering of that workhorse of yours.”

“Better a workhorse that can go the distance than a thoroughbred that can’t make a second lap.” Before Jack could say anything more, Kate opened the shop door and stepped inside, slamming the door behind her. Fuming, she muttered, “What’s wrong with that man.”

Sidney looked up from where he sat, feet propped on the desktop. “What are you mumbling about?”

“Jack. He infuriates me.”

Sidney grinned. “You’re not the only one.”

“Yeah, but I’m the only woman. He gives me twice as much grief as everyone else.” She glanced at the door. “And he takes too many risks.”

“You don’t?”

Caught off guard, Kate said more quietly, “Not unless I have to.” She knew she’d been pushing hard, but it wasn’t easy being the only female pilot on the crew. There was always pressure to prove she could keep up.

“Don’t let Jack get under your skin. It just feeds his oversized ego.”

“Easier said than done.” Pulling off her gloves, Kate moved to the ledger hanging on the wall, marked off her name, and filled in the time of arrival, then crossed to the stove and held her palms out to the heat.

“Glad to see you’re back,” Sidney said. “How are things on the peninsula?”

“Not too bad, but it’ll probably be wicked by tonight.” The heat made her cheeks burn, so she turned her back to the stove. She glanced at the window. “Isn’t it early in the season for this kind of weather?”

“Yeah, but I’m not sure there’s a normal for Alaska. It’ll probably move through, though, and things will warm up again.”

A gust of wind bashed the door. “You going to let Jack fly passengers up to Nome in this?”

“Already tried to reason with him.” He sipped coffee from a tin cup. “He’s his own boss, nothing I can do. And the people flying with him should be able to think for themselves.” Sidney shook his head. “Jack’ll catch it one day. He’s got bush pilot’s syndrome bad. A close shave’ll usually cure most pilots, but not Jack. Only makes him feel more invincible.”

“Is Mike out?” Kate asked, feeling a prickle of fear.

“He’s in Talkeetna. Figure he’ll stay put until the weather clears. He’s mostly levelheaded.” Sidney finished off his coffee, then walked to the stove and refilled his cup.

Kate watched the black liquid dribble into the tin. “Don’t know how you drink that stuff. It’s got more bite than a mama bear.”

Sidney kept his eyes on Kate and took an extra-large slurp. “Ahh, good and strong, just the way I like it. You need to adapt your taste buds.” He grinned, then with his voice laden with concern, said, “Frank’s still out.”

“Where is he?”

“Fairbanks. The storm’s coming down from the north. Figured he’d put in a call by now. Haven’t heard anything yet.”

“Frank’ll be okay. He’s the most sensible one of us all.” Kate grabbed a piece of peppermint candy from a dish that Sidney kept on his desk. Using her tongue, she pushed it into her cheek. “So, when do I get to take out something other than mail? I’m ready.”

“You think a month of flying makes you ready?”

“I’ve been in a plane most of my life.”

“Not up here you haven’t.” He set his cup on the desk. “I know you’re antsy to take on more, but caution’s your best bet.”

“How long did Mike have to wait before he was given real runs? Or Jack?”

Sidney shifted his gaze away from Kate. “That’s different.”

“How is it different?”

“Well, they’re—”

“Men?”

Sidney clenched his jaw.

“It’s not fair. And you know it. I can fly with the best of them.” Kate’s frustration drove her to push harder. “I understand the treatment from guys like Kenny and Jack, but I figured I’d get better from you.”

Annoyance flickered in Sidney’s eyes, and Kate knew she’d gone too far. If she wanted to keep her job, she’d best retreat. She stomped to the door, opened it, then stopped and turned to look at Sidney. “I’m sorry. I know you’re just watching out for me.”

Sidney gave a nod, but said nothing. Kate stepped outside and into the rising gale.

A gust of wind and spattering of snow blew in with Kate when she walked into the store. Warm, spiced air welcomed her.

Helen smiled from behind the counter. “I was wondering when you’d get in. I’ve been praying for you.”

“I’m glad to be here instead of out there,” Kate said, pushing back her hood. “It’s really blowing.” A corner of her mind went to Jack. She hoped he’d be sensible and cancel his flight.

“Mail came for you today.” Helen pulled open a drawer.

“Who from?” Kate stripped off her gloves.

Helen fished out two envelopes. Looking at them she said, “One from your parents. And this says Richard Benning.” She lifted her eyebrows. “And who is Richard?”

Kate stared at the envelope. “Richard?” She could see his handsome face and sky blue eyes. She hadn’t allowed herself to think about him. “He’s just a friend.” Trying to act nonchalant, she took the letters.

Wind blasted the front windows. Helen reached for her coat. “I was just getting ready to head home. If I don’t go now, I’m liable to spend the night here.” She pulled on her coat, buttoned it, and snugged her fur-lined hood around her face. “Will you be all right?”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ve got plenty of firewood. I’ll just snuggle down and read a book.”

“Okay, dear. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

Once in her room, Kate set the mail on the table, then stoked the fire. After putting water on to boil, she sat and unlaced her boots. She slid them off and pushed her feet into slippers, then picked up her mail and moved to the sofa. With her feet tucked under her, she pulled a blanket around her shoulders.

For a long moment, she stared at the envelope with Richard’s bold handwriting. Was he still angry? She slid a finger under the seal, lifted out the letter, and opened it.

“Dear Kate,” he began. She took a deep breath. That didn’t sound angry. “Since you left, I’ve done nothing but think about you. I know you don’t believe there’s a chance for us and maybe there isn’t, but I want to try. Love is strong enough to heal all wounds. If you can give me any hope, I’ll wait for you.”

Kate stopped reading and pressed the letter to her chest. What did she feel for Richard? An ache like that of homesickness pressed down on her. Had she been too impulsive? Piloting in Alaska was harder than she’d imagined. And yet, she felt as if she belonged here.

Her eyes returned to the letter. “I’m trying to understand your reason for going. I want you to be happy, but please consider coming home. In the meantime be careful. I dread receiving word that something terrible has happened to you. I don’t think I could bear that.

I’ve been busy. Got hired on at a new government project and there’ll be lots of work, as long as the winter isn’t too hard. I’ll be saving up money, maybe enough for a trip north. If you come down, even for a visit, maybe we can go fishing, and you can take me flying.”

Kate’s heart squeezed, remembering warm summer days spent at their favorite fishing spots.

“I’m waiting. Please write back soon. All my love, Richard.”

Melancholy settled over Kate. She missed him.

She folded the letter and returned it to the envelope. Could she return? Should she? Kate couldn’t imagine giving up her new life. The possibility of Richard moving to Alaska flashed through her mind and hope flickered. Was it possible? Maybe she should ask him?

That night the gale charged down from the north. Temperatures plummeted, and winds howled, lashing Kate’s bedroom window with icy pellets. The small stove in her apartment barely staved off the cold. Several times during the night she climbed from beneath her blankets to feed the fire. Each time her mind went to Richard and the possibility of his moving north. She couldn’t imagine him leaving his home or his family. Everything that mattered to him was in Washington. It wouldn’t be fair to ask him.

She bundled deeper beneath the covers, but still cold raised gooseflesh on her skin. Clearly, she’d need more blankets before winter truly set in. With the wind wailing outdoors, she lay in the darkness, her unsettled mind rolling around questions and doubts.

When the first light of day pushed back the darkness, Kate peered at the clock. It was nearly eight. Feeling as if she hadn’t slept, she climbed from beneath her blankets and moved to the window. Ice had crystallized on the interior glass and she could barely see the frigid outside world. She hoped Mike and Frank were safe. She even felt concern for Jack. As infuriating as he was, Kate didn’t want him hurt and hoped he’d stayed put.

She returned to her bed, the warmest place in the room, and briefly fell back to sleep. She woke to a hush. The wind had stopped. She scraped away enough ice from the window to see outside. The alley had been transformed into a sparkling white world. There was only an inch or two of snow, but like a frozen cape, it clung to everything.

She heard the door to the store open and wondered who had come in so early. No one usually showed up until 10:00 on Saturdays. A few moments later, a knock sounded at her door.

“Just a minute,” she said, pulling a quilt around her.

She opened the door to Albert, who was bundled in an oversized parka, his face barely visible in the midst of a heavy fur fringe. His expression was serious.

“Is something wrong?” Kate asked.

“Got a call from Sidney.”

Kate’s stomach tightened.

“Says he needs you at the airfield.”

“Did he say why?”

“Nope. Just that he wants you there quick.”

“Okay.”

Kate started to close the door, but Albert caught it. “You be careful. It’s not a good day to be out. The wind’s quieted down, but it’s frozen out there and the snow could start coming down again.” Albert gripped the door. “Don’t do anything foolish.”

“I’ll be careful.”

With a nod, he walked back into the store and called over his shoulder, “I’ll give you a ride to the airfield.”

Kate closed the door, and as she dressed, she prayed—for Mike and Frank and for Kenny and Jack too. She grabbed her gear and hurried out of the room. When she stepped outside, the cold hit her hard, sucking oxygen from her lungs. With her hood pulled over her face, she put her head down, stuck gloved hands in her pockets, and tramped toward Albert’s Model A sedan.

Sliding onto the front seat, she said, “Time I got my own car.”

“I’ll keep an eye out for one.” Albert pulled away from the curb. He gripped the steering wheel and peered through a space he’d cleared on the windshield.

When they reached the airstrip, the only planes on the field were Kenny’s Stinson and Kate’s Bellanca, which had already been started.

“I’ll wait,” Albert said.

Kate hurried toward the office, hoping Sidney didn’t have bad news.

When she stepped inside he was bent over a map on his desk. He looked up. “Good. You’re here.”

“Is something wrong? Are the fellas okay?”

“Yeah, they’re all right. But I got a call about some hikers at McKinley Park. They set out early yesterday, before the storm hit. They were supposed to be on a one-day hike, but no one’s heard from them. They weren’t set up for bad weather.” He shook his head. “Tourists.” Settling serious eyes on Kate, he said, “I need a pilot to have a look-see. You up to it?”

Kate felt a pulse of excitement. “I’m ready, but what about Kenny?”

“I’d rather you went. They got hit pretty good by snow up that way and the weather’s still bad.” He leaned back in his chair. “You don’t have to go. I can call him.”

“No. I’ll do it,” Kate said, ignoring the alarms going off in her head. This was her chance. And obviously Sidney thought she was up to the challenge.

Sidney grinned. “Didn’t think you’d turn down the opportunity. I’ve got your plane ready. Even got the skis on for you.” His brow furrowed. “You can land with skis, right?”

“Sure. No problem. Tell me where I need to go.”

Armed with survival gear, a map, and hopes of finding the lost hikers, Kate flew over McKinley Park. Light snow swirled at her, pelting the windshield. Gusting winds bombarded the plane.

She caught sight of the camp at McKinley Park Station where the hikers had been staying. It wasn’t much, just a cabin and a few tents, now barely visible among the trees piled with fresh snow.

Kate gazed out at the rugged countryside and figured the tourists couldn’t have traveled too far from camp. She turned in the direction they’d reportedly headed and scanned the terrain. Anchorage had gotten very little snow, but it had dumped here.

The mountains were hidden behind low-lying clouds, but Kate knew they were there and she dare not fly too close. The fresh snowfall made changes in altitude hard to distinguish. Dwarfed spruce were piled with what looked like white pillows, and bare-limbed aspen reminded her of frozen white skeletons.

There’d be no footprints to follow, unless the hikers were moving, which she hoped they weren’t. Of course prints left by predators might lead her to them. Word had gotten around about what had happened to Paul, and she thought about wolves being enticed by easy prey. A tremor of revulsion rippled through her.

Kate flew back and forth over the countryside, following a grid laid out in her mind. When she didn’t find anything, she widened the search, careful to keep watch on her gauges. Even if she located the hikers, she’d need enough fuel to take off and get home again.

Her nerves prickled with tension as time ticked by and there was still no sign of the park visitors. How could she face Sidney if she didn’t find them? How could she face herself?

The snow had stopped and the wind had quieted, which gave Kate hope. With her fuel measuring low, she dove down over a broad valley with a frozen stream winding through it. Maybe they decided to follow the creek.

Scanning the white mantle, she watched for anything unusual as she moved up the basin. Lord, show me where they are.

The sun cut through thinning clouds, turning the landscape brilliantly white. Everything glistened, reminding Kate how cold it was down there. She wondered how anyone exposed to the storm could have survived.

Her fuel dwindling, Kate knew she’d have to head back soon. She pushed on. They might be alive. She couldn’t let them down.

She saw a flash of red. Was it blood? Wolves had likely made a kill. She told herself it was probably a moose.

Turning the plane toward the splotch of crimson, Kate pushed the stick forward and headed down, just above the trees. As she approached the place with the scarlet stain, she steeled herself against what she’d find.

And then she saw it.

“It’s a jacket!” Kate laughed. “A plaid jacket!”

A shadow appeared from beneath a white mound. An arm waved. Someone was signaling her! “They’re alive!” Kate could barely believe her good luck.

She tipped the wings to acknowledge that she’d seen them, then made a broad turn and searched for a place to put down. Everything looked the same—white. Kate knew dangers lurked beneath the snow—snags, rocks, hollows. Her skin bristled with alarm.

She spotted an open section of ground. There didn’t seem to be any trees or other obstacles so she made a pass over it. Things looked good. She took one more run by the area and then lined up for a landing.

Three people tromped through the snow, waving their arms and looking up at her. Kate gripped the stick and rested her feet on the pedals. She’d have to finesse this one. Realizing she’d been holding her breath, she let it out and then breathed in slowly. She moved downward, squinting against the brightness of sun reflecting off snow.

A white world rushed at her and then disappeared beneath the plane. She felt the touch of skis and held the Bellanca steady, nose up slightly. And then she was down, rushing toward a limb she hadn’t seen from the air, sticking up out of the crude runway. Kate held tight, hoping it would give instead of gouge. She passed over it without difficulty, slowed the plane, and stopped.

With a rush of relief, she pressed her forehead against the control panel. She didn’t know whether to cry or to cheer. She heard shouts from outside and saw the three lost hikers hurrying toward her, floundering through deep snow. Elation swept through Kate and she climbed to the back of the plane and pushed open the door.

She’d barely stepped out when the grateful hikers rushed her, swamping her with hugs, pats on the back, handshakes, and words of gratitude. Kate laughed and then giving them a closer look, asked, “You all right?”

“We are now,” the smaller of the three said, his chapped lips spreading into a grin.

“It was a humdinger of a storm. I was afraid I wouldn’t find you.”

“It was Mark who saved us. He knew what to do.” The small man turned to one of the others who sported a heavy beard. “He showed us how to build a snow cave. We climbed in and kept each other warm.” Extending his hand, he said, “I’m Tom Sheffield. And it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Mark moved forward and grabbed hold of her hand, shaking it hard. “Figured we were done for.”

The last of the three nodded at Kate. “Steve Jones. Thanks, ma’am. We were watching the skies, but didn’t see nothin’ all morning.”

“I’m the best they had today.” She grinned, feeling a sense of euphoria at having proven herself capable.

Tom rested a hand on her arm. “How ’bout that—saved by a woman.” He laughed. “Wait ’til I tell my wife. She’ll be saying she told me so and rubbing it in the rest of my days. But that’s okay by me.”

“We better get you home,” Kate said, stepping toward the plane.

While her passengers piled in, she gave the craft a quick check to make sure everything was intact. Satisfied all was well, she climbed in.

After a perfect takeoff, she soared over the trees and headed toward home. She’d never felt such exultation. This was her first real Alaska rescue, a dream come true. Her mind flashed to Alison and she wished she could tell her about the day. They’d always shared everything. She would have been proud of me.

And Richard . . . well, Kate knew now that she couldn’t return to Yakima. And he wanted a traditional wife, whether it was in the states or in Alaska. That wasn’t her. Kate’s life had changed forever. She was meant to be a bush pilot and an Alaskan.