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

Kate looked out the window of her plane. Her passengers were late. Hunters from the states, big-money types from New York, had scheduled a flight into the Talkeetna Mountains for a sheep hunt. All Kate had to do was drop them off and return to pick them up in a week.

She hadn’t flown since rescuing the hikers. Compared to that, this was easy duty. Still, her nerves hummed along the surface of her skin at the thought of her first booked riders. She gazed at the sky where wisps of clouds looked like filigree against a pale blue background. Fear of failure niggled its way into her good mood. What if something went wrong? What if she botched things? As guilt from the past reached for her, she turned her attention to a map Mike had given her, along with instructions for the best spot to put down.

Kate studied the flight plan. She trusted Mike and figured there shouldn’t be any difficulties. Folding the map so she could read it more easily, she set it on the passenger seat, then picked up her grandmother’s Bible and opened it to Jeremiah 29. The leather was well worn and the pages yellowed.

She found the eleventh verse. It was underlined. “‘For I know the plans I have for you, ’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.’”

Kate soaked in the promise and closed her eyes. Watch over me, Lord. Help me do this right.

Her prayer was interrupted by the sound of a pickup. It stopped in front of the office. Kate set her Bible back on the seat. Must be my guys. She climbed out of the plane and walked toward the building.

By the time she reached the shop, the men were already inside. She stopped at the door, sucked in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. “This’ll be a breeze,” she told herself and then stepped into the office.

Three men, dressed for the outdoors, stood in a half circle around Sidney’s desk. When Kate shut the door, they turned and stared at her. They didn’t look happy. Kate’s stomach did a flip.

“Hey, Kate.” Sidney pushed to his feet. “I was just telling these gentlemen about you.”

Hand extended, she stepped toward the man closest to her.

Ignoring the gesture, he turned to Sidney. “I paid good money. And I didn’t sign on for a woman pilot. You get one of your guys down here. Now.”

Kate awkwardly withdrew her hand and tucked it inside her coat pocket. Anger heated up inside.

Sidney stayed calm. He raised his eyebrows slightly and smiled. Kate had seen him do this before when he needed to cool down a hot situation. “She’s all we got today, fellas. If you want to fly, it’s her or no one.”

All three men sized up Kate. Finally the one who’d demanded that someone else be called said, “All right. But I’ll never buy a ride from you again.” He compressed his lips, crumpling his mustache into what resembled a crawling caterpillar.

Ignoring his comment, Sidney said, “We’ll get you loaded up, but first I’d like to introduce you to your pilot.” He moved to Kate’s side and put an arm around her shoulders. “This is Kate Evans, one of my best.”

Kate felt a jolt of surprise, but figured Sidney was just trying to make her look good. She wouldn’t let him down.

He nodded at the man who’d spoken. “This is Carl Brown.” Carl barely looked at Kate. “And his brothers Ralph and Norman.”

Ralph, the shortest and roundest of the three, almost smiled before following Carl and Norman out the door. “Our gear’s in the truck,” Carl said, then glanced at Kate and asked, “Your plane the red one?”

“That’s it,” Kate said nonchalantly. Inside she fumed, but she wasn’t about to give these guys the satisfaction of knowing they’d gotten under her skin. Besides, starting a war before getting in the air was ill-advised.

Carl led the way to the Bellanca, leaving Kate to get the provisions.

“I’ll give you a hand,” Sidney said, glowering at the hunters’ backs.

The men watched passively while Sidney and Kate worked. Carl leaned against the craft, smoking a cigarette. He talked about the trophy he’d be bringing back.

With the last bag in hand, Kate walked toward the plane, trying to convince herself that once they were in the air things would improve. They’d see she was a competent pilot and behave appropriately. She imagined their surprise at her skill and the apology that would follow.

Ralph approached her. “So, how long a flight is it?”

“Not far. I’ll drop you outside of Palmer, along the Mata-nuska River.” The odor of liquor hung in the air.

He looked at the plane. “Ever have any trouble?”

“No, never.” Kate hefted the bag into the back, thinking about Rimrock Lake. It didn’t count—she’d been barely more than a kid then.

With everything loaded, Sidney said, “You’re set.” He eyed Carl. “Better watch out for bears. The sound of a rifle will bring them in.”

“How do you mean?” Ralph asked, his eyes widening slightly.

Sidney smiled. Kate knew he was playing with them. “A downed animal is an easy meal, and the bears know what it means when a rifle is fired off.”

“Really?”

Carl smacked his brother between the shoulder blades. “He’s pulling your leg. Bears are hibernating now.”

“That’s partly true. Some of the females are denned up, but those big males are still roaming around.” He set a hard stare on Carl. “If you get a sheep, you’d better bag it good and hang it in a tree. And camp away from the game.” He headed for the office, wearing a smirk.

Kate smiled while she cranked the plane. The men piled in and found their seats. She boarded, closed the door, and made her way to the front, careful not to let her legs touch her passengers. Wearing slacks among this group made her feel exposed. After tucking the hand crank in its place, she dropped into her seat and started the engine. It whined and then caught, rumbling.

“It’s freezing in here,” Carl griped.

“When the engine warms up, we’ll warm up,” Kate hollered back, checking the gauges. Everything looked good. She turned and called over her shoulder, “Stay in your seats while we’re in the air. It can get bumpy.”

“Where ya think we’re gonna walk to?” Norman asked, with a snicker.

Kate ignored the jibe.

Ralph leaned toward Kate. “Is there supposed to be foul weather?”

“No. But you never know what to expect when you’re in the air.” Kate glanced at the pudgy man. He looked nervous. She grinned and revved the engine.

While the Bellanca rolled down the runway and lifted off, the men were quiet. Kate turned northeast and headed toward the Talkeetna Mountains. “If you look out your windows you can see Cook Inlet,” she called over the thrum of the engine.

“Hey, look there,” Norman shouted. “A ship’s coming into the harbor.”

“You never seen a boat before?” Carl taunted.

Kate ignored her passengers and focused on flying. Once on course, she picked up the map and looked it over. It wouldn’t be too difficult to find her way. She’d follow the Matanuska River until she reached the glacier and then she’d look for the landmarks Sidney had noted.

Unexpectedly, a sharp wind punched the plane in the side. The Bellanca shuddered and dipped.

“What’s wrong?” Carl hollered.

“Just a little turbulence. Gets up under the wings and makes her vibrate. It’s normal.” Kate glanced back, unable to conceal a smile when she saw that Carl’s complexion had turned pallid.

Kate flew north over forests of spruce, birch, and alder, now mostly bare. A broad valley emerged and the forests fell away. Trees stood in clusters amidst a patchwork of farmlands, and green earth could be seen where the snow had melted. The Talkeetna Mountains angled up from the valley floor. They weren’t as impressive as the Chugach, but they were still stunning.

“Looks like farms down there,” Ralph said.

“Yeah. They’re colonists from the Midwest.”

“Read about that,” Carl said. “It’ll never work. The government’s got things fouled up.”

“Nothing worthwhile is easy,” Kate said, barely able to keep her voice congenial. “The valley’s got good farmland and the colonists are hard workers. They grow some fearsome vegetables. Biggest cabbages produced anywhere.”

“Cabbages. Who needs cabbages?” Carl pulled a cigar out of his pocket and went to light it.

“No smoking.” Kate gripped the stick more tightly and waited.

Without a word he returned the cigar to his pocket, and Kate blew out a relieved breath. She didn’t want to spar with him.

The valley sprawled beneath the plane. It was beautiful. Kate wondered if her parents might consider moving to the valley. She’d have to ask them.

“Why’d they come up here?” Norman asked.

“Who?”

“The colonists,” he said, his voice dripping with disdain. “The drought decimated their farms, so the government moved two hundred families here to give them a new start. The plan is that they’ll produce food for Alaskans.” Kate was thankful she’d been listening when Albert told her about the colonists. It made her sound knowledgeable about the territory.

She followed the broad river, which was banded by several small tributaries. Gray water fed by the Matanuska Glacier cut through dirtied snow.

Leaving the valley behind, she used the river as a guide. The Talkeetna Mountains pressed in from the north and the Chugach from the south. Green spruce stuck up above woodlands of alder and birch. The river wound through the dense forests, sometimes narrowing and growing deep and then expanding and drifting into small streams.

“How far we got?” Norman asked. “I gotta use the john.”

“Nearly there. If you can’t wait, I keep a can stowed under the backseat.” Kate felt a flush heat her cheeks. She kept her eyes forward.

“I can wait.”

When Kate caught her first glimpse of the glacier, relief swept through her. She was nearly there. Now all she needed was to find the landing site.

The glacier looked like a giant frozen river winding out of the Chugach Mountains. She’d never seen anything like it.

“What’s that?” Ralph asked.

“The Matanuska Glacier.”

She flew closer to get a better look. The river of ice didn’t meander. It was an undulating frozen flow, cutting its way through the mountains. Blue and white ribbons pushed up, forming jagged peaks that fell into small chasms. The amazing sight took Kate’s breath away.

Reluctantly she swung back to her original course. She finally saw Sheep Rock with its distinctive dark jagged peaks jutting up from the forested landscape. She searched for the landing site.

“You said it wasn’t far. I gotta go.”

“It’s right down there.” Kate nodded toward a sandbar. She’d made it. Decreasing the power and holding slight back pressure on the elevator, she descended and made a pass over the landing strip. It was made up of small rocks and looked fairly level. There were remnants of snow from the rogue storm that had pushed through, but it looked good for landing. Kate’s confidence grew. The Bellanca ought to do fine. She made a wide sweep and set up for the approach.

The plane touched down with little difficulty, bouncing only once when the wheels touched the crude runway. Kate rolled to a stop. Norman pushed open the door and hurried to a nearby bush to relieve himself.

While the hunters had a look around, Kate unloaded the supplies. She piled their provisions far enough away from the plane so they wouldn’t be an obstacle when she took off.

“I’ll be back in a week,” she called. No response. “Be ready when I get here.”

Carl gave her a half wave.

“Fine,” Kate groused and returned to the plane. Revolted by the men, she watched them cross the sandbar and hoped their kind weren’t what she could expect for passengers. Carl pointed at something on the ridge and made gestures Kate guessed had something to do with hunting strategies. She started the engine, thinking the hunters ought to be setting up camp. It would be dark soon. Deciding their problems weren’t hers to worry about, she left them and headed back to Anchorage.

The week passed quickly. When it was time to return to the Matanuska to pick up the New York hunters, Kate set off with trepidation. She didn’t like the Brown brothers, and she’d be glad to have the trip behind her. Climbing into the plane, she told herself that if she was going to be a bush pilot, she couldn’t be picky about who flew with her. She’d have to toughen up.

Fresh snow had fallen during the night, leaving a layer of white on the trees and ground. Kate headed up the Mata-nuska and soon spotted tracks leading away from the river toward the mountains. She was ahead of schedule so decided to have a look at what had left the markings. They most likely belonged to wolves.

The prints wound through the forest and into a gorge. Although Kate knew better than to wander off her designated flight plan, interest drove her. I’ll follow just a little way. A quick look is all I need.

She stayed low, making it easier to see the trail. Several times it disappeared beneath foliage but would soon reemerge. Finally, Kate was rewarded by the sight of a wolf pack. It had downed something.

The snow was bloodied and they were feasting on a fresh kill. Seemingly unaware of the plane, they ripped flesh from a moose that still steamed in the cold morning air. She circled back and flew over again, this time lower. Some of the wolves stared at the sky and cowered, but weren’t intimidated enough to give up their prize. She looped around and returned for another look. The pack ate, this time barely aware of the plane overhead.

Kate turned back toward the river, thrilled at having witnessed wildlife in their natural, though base, state. Her thoughts remained with the wolves until she realized she’d lost her bearings. Everything looked the same. Alarm stood the hair on her arms on end. Then in the distance she spotted a familiar mountain ridge and blew out a relieved breath.

Life could change in a moment. She should have known better. Just like the day she’d killed Alison, she was being careless and larking about. Kate clenched her teeth. When will I learn?

It was late morning by the time she reached the landing site. She hoped her riders were ready to leave. When she flew over the sandbar, they were waiting with their gear piled beside them.

She put down without mishap. Two sets of magnificent spiraling horns sat on the ground near the men. So they got their rams. Kate’s eyes went to a canvas bag hanging from a nearby tree. She smiled. They’d been listening when Sidney warned them about bears.

Ralph and Norman moved to the tree while Kate climbed out of the plane and headed toward Carl, who stood beside the trophies. He walked toward her, clutching a half-empty liquor bottle in one hand. His gait was unsteady. Kate groaned. He was drunk.

“Where were you?” he demanded. “We expected you early. You said you’d be early.” His words seemed to slam together.

“It’s early enough.” Kate wasn’t about to tell him about her sightseeing trip. She watched as Norman lowered the meat from the tree, then turned her gaze to the pile of gear and back to Carl. “You ready?”

“Been ready.” He took a drink from the bottle.

Kate moved to the supplies. “How about some help?” She didn’t even try to keep the irritation out of her voice.

“What do you think I pay you for?” Carl smirked.

Kate ignored him. Ralph and Norman hauled the bagged meat toward the plane. “Put it behind the seats. Make sure to distribute it evenly. If the weight’s not balanced, the plane won’t maneuver properly. And we can’t have too much weight all in the back.”

Ralph hefted the game into the plane, then helped Kate with the gear.

Carl and Norman lugged the horns. They were still bloody.

“Looks like you had a good hunt,” Kate said.

“We did.” Norman grinned. “You should have seen—”

“Dry up,” Carl ordered. “Let’s go.”

Kate shot him a look of annoyance. “Can you bag those horns? They’ll stink when they warm up.”

“Yeah, we got a bag,” Ralph said, searching through a pack.

Kate double-checked the load, moving some forward so they wouldn’t be too heavy in the tail, then she stood at the open door. “Time to head out.”

After they got in, she climbed down and, pressing a foot against one of the tires, used the hand crank on the flywheel. When the whine reached the right pitch, she removed the crank, climbed into the plane, and closed the door. The compartment stank of booze.

“No drinking in my plane.” She moved toward the cockpit. Carl slapped her bottom as she passed. Kate stopped and glared at him. “Don’t ever do that again.”

His mouth turned up in a lopsided grin. “I’ll do as I like.”

“I’ll put you off the plane.”

“You think so?” He tried to stand, but there wasn’t room to fit his full height. “You gonna make me?”

They stared at each other. Kate wasn’t a small woman, but she knew he had the upper hand. There was no way she could force him to do something he didn’t want to do. She felt powerless.

“Cut it out,” Ralph said. “I want to get home. I’ve had enough of the great outdoors.” He pulled on Carl’s arm and dragged him down to his seat.

Kate remained where she was for a few moments. That way it looked like she’d won the argument. She still had her teeth clenched when she took her place up front and pulled the starter. There was no response. She held back a moan and gave it another try. Still no luck. I can’t be stuck here with these baboons. She turned it again, but it still didn’t respond.

“You got a problem with this crate?” Carl tried to stand but fell back into his seat.

Kate didn’t answer. Instead she climbed out and cranked the flywheel again, then tried the starter one more time, and the engine turned over, roaring to life. Relief whooshed out of Kate’s lungs in a big breath. She revved the engine, then readied for takeoff. When the plane lifted into the air, she turned toward Anchorage, thinking she couldn’t get there soon enough.

Even though Kate had said no drinking, Carl continued. His talk became more belligerent with each swallow. He kept moving from one seat to another.

“Sit down! And stay put!” Kate hollered.

He ignored her and crawled toward the back.

“Hey, leave that alone,” Ralph shouted just as a loud pop and a rush of air reverberated through the cabin.

He’d opened the door! Icy air blasted through the compartment. The sound was so loud it nearly drowned out the engine noise.

“The door’s open!” Ralph shrieked.

Carl grabbed for it. Kate’s stomach tightened. He wasn’t steady enough. He’d fall out. “Carl, sit down! The wind will keep it closed!” Hoping to get him away from the door, Kate banked the plane and he stumbled backward. Carl clambered to his seat.

“Stay put!” she yelled. The door banged from bursts of air.

“What do we do?” Norman asked, his voice quaking.

“Everyone stays away from the door and we fly home. We’ll be okay. Just stay in your seats.” Kate had never flown with a door ajar, but she’d heard it wouldn’t hurt the plane’s lift or maneuverability.

“It’s cold. Isn’t there something we can do?” Norman whined.

“No. There isn’t.” Kate gripped the stick, unable to believe what had happened. She glanced back at Carl. The color had drained from his face.

“I’m not feeling so good,” he said.

“If you upchuck on my plane, you’ll clean up after yourself.” Kate was furious. “There’s a bag under the seat . . . or you can use the can.”

Carl found the bag just in time. Looking limp, he slouched in his seat. He might have passed out. Kate hoped so.

Terror written on their faces, Ralph and Norman eyed the door. It continued to thump.

When Kate reached the airfield, she couldn’t remember ever feeling more relief. She put the plane down without difficulty and was already thinking about what she’d tell Sidney.

Her mind shouted at her, drowning out reasonable thought. I failed. I couldn’t control my passengers. I’ll never be able to do this. Thinking I could be a bush pilot was a cockamamie idea.

Kate wrestled with the mental insurrection. It was just one unruly customer. It could happen to anyone.

She tried to focus on what she’d done right. I managed to get us back on the ground safely. Feeling slightly better, she decided that after this, she’d set rules from the get-go and she’d carry a pistol.

She turned and faced her clients. “I want you out! Get your stuff and get out of my plane!”

Ralph and Norman managed to haul Carl to the truck and then did as Kate had told them. As they gathered their belongings, they looked more humiliated than angry.

Kate wondered how she’d keep the events of the trip to herself. The guys would have a heyday with it. She looked around the field. Thankfully, Mike’s plane was the only one on the ground. He won’t say anything. But Kate wondered about Sidney. This was too good a story to keep to himself. In spite of her frustration, Kate laughed to herself and walked toward the office.