Joy Takes Flight (29 page)

Kate contemplated what she should say to Paul. He'd asked her to take a steamer, not fly. He'd likely be angry with her. And what would she do if he didn't want her here at all? He'd been less than communicative, calling infrequently, and there'd been only two letters. Of course telephone calls were expensive and Paul was a practical man.

When she was about a hundred miles north of San Francisco, Kate cut away from the highway and flew southwest. The countryside was mostly empty, with a few ranches and farms. It was possible Paul would want to live in San Francisco, so Kate tried to imagine life in a big city. It was difficult to see herself in a busy, congested world, but she figured God would enable her to do what was necessary. She wondered if anyone would hire a woman pilot.

When Kate approached the San Mateo airport, she radioed for clearance. She was instructed to wait while two larger aircraft landed. She circled the city. It was bigger than she'd imagined. How could a person live in such a place? Stacked along steep hillsides, buildings and homes crowded each other. Streets were congested with cars. And where was Paul in this huge city?

Finally, given the okay to land, she brought the plane in without mishap and taxied toward a hangar reserved for transient aircraft. A large, friendly looking man named Roger helped secure the plane and then checked it in.

“So, you flew all the way from Alaska on your own, huh.” He shook his head and let out a low whistle. “Never heard anything like that. Even Amelia Earhart had a navigator.”

“She made longer flights,” Kate said, but she enjoyed the admiration.

Roger rested a hand on a wing. “Nice bird. I'll take good care of her for you.” He walked along the side of her plane, running his hand down the fuselage. “How long you think you'll be in town?”

“Through Christmas. After that . . . I don't know.”

He tipped his hat. “Okay. I'll see you after Christmas then. Enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you.” Kate slung her knapsack over one shoulder, hefted her bag, and headed toward the terminal. She patted her pocket where she'd tucked a piece of paper with Paul's address on it. Her heart hammered. Would he be home? What would she say?

Keeping a steady hold on Angel's leash, Kate walked out of the terminal. She hoped the noise and congestion wouldn't be too much for the dog. Angel was alert, but didn't seem distressed.
She's doing better than me
, Kate thought, wishing her heart would slow down.

A taxi zipped past her, then stopped in a hurry. Kate headed toward the bright yellow car. The rear door opened, and the man who was getting out looked so much like Paul that it took Kate's breath away. When he looked up, she felt as if her heart would stop. It really was him!

She dropped her bag. Angel barked and lunged on the leash.

“Paul?”

Before she could take a step, he'd closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. “Kate. What are you doing here?” He held her at arm's length. “I didn't know you were coming.” He laughed, then hugged her again.

She felt as if her legs would give out and wrapped her arms about his neck. “I wanted to surprise you. How did you know?”

“I didn't.” He looked down at her. “I was on my way north . . . to see you. I'm catching a flight in an hour.” His eyes widened. “We nearly missed each other.”

“You never called and I didn't know if you were coming home.”

“I did call—again and again. No one answered at the airfield and you weren't at the house. When I talked to Albert, he said he thought you were out at the cabin. Two days ago I tried again and Jack said you were on a run.”

“I . . . I was afraid you didn't want me—that you'd found a new life here. I'm so sorry.”

Paul smiled and there was a light in his eyes that Kate had never seen. “I did find a new life.”

Kate took a step back, fear rolling through her.

Paul took her hands in his. They were warm and strong. “I'm happy, Kate. Truly happy. I found a letter from Susan.”

A small gasp escaped Kate and alarm surged. Susan? A gust of wind caught her hair and blew it across her eyes.

Paul gently brushed it off her forehead. “Before she died, Susan wrote a letter to my mother. In that letter I saw her heart, and I understand better now about her death. It wasn't my fault. All these years I've been playing God. I can't begin to comprehend the ways of God, but I know he allowed Susan and our son to leave my life. I don't understand why, but maybe it's not for me to know.”

A gush of air left Kate's lungs. It's what she had prayed for. He was free. “Oh Paul. I'm so happy. I've been so afraid for you, for us.”

“You don't have to be afraid anymore.” He pulled her close. “I've dreamed of holding you. I haven't stopped thinking about you, not for a minute.”

“I thought you wanted to stay here in San Francisco. If you do, I'll stay too. It doesn't matter where we live as long as we're together.”

Paul looked down at her, his brown eyes smiling. “I thought about it . . . for a minute. But you and I belong in Alaska. We have a mission there, a life waiting for us.”

Kate nestled against him. “Oh how I love you.” She wrapped her arms about him, holding him as tightly as she could manage.

Paul rested his chin on her head. “I'm done playing God.” He tipped her face up and gazed at her, his lips lifted in a lopsided smile. “I'm no good at it anyway.” Tenderness warmed his eyes and he pressed his lips to Kate's. “You belong to God. I'll do my best to care for you and help you see reason, but you're his.”

Kate's heart was full. “I am, but I'm also yours.” She pressed in closer.

Paul took her face in his hands and he pressed his lips to her forehead and then nuzzled her neck. She shivered beneath his touch. He sought her lips again, kissing gently, caressing . . . loving.

There in the midst of the city they were one, aware only of each other. “I was afraid I'd lost you,” Kate said.

“Never,” Paul whispered.

A
s a writer, I've learned to rely on God to provide resources and people who come alongside and supply knowledge and insight so the stories I tell will be genuine and spirited. He's never let me down. When I went to work on
Joy Takes Flight
, I did my part and God did his, and the plot, characters, and scenes in this book came to life. I believe with my whole heart that God brought together a team of writers, editors, and knowledgeable people to make this story soar.

Again, graciously, Gayle Ranney stepped up and provided her expertise as both a pilot and an Alaskan. She was able to fill in the gaps for me and help me plant Kate in the seat of her Bellanca Pacemaker in a way that would take readers along with Kate on her adventures. Thank you, Gayle. I am forever grateful.

Once more, my family provided details about Alaska that only Alaskans can know. I owe much to my brother Bruce, who patiently answered my questions and went above and beyond to provide extra material “just in case.” He's lived the dream of experiencing the true Alaska. My dear sister Myrn gave me additional details that helped flesh out scenes. And my mother Elsa's love of her home state, her experiences, and her insights flow throughout the pages of this story. I love you, Mom.

In addition, God has blessed me with the greatest critique group. Ann Shorey, Judy Gann, and Sarah Sundin provided their friendship, writing expertise, insights, and devotion to the written word to help me create this story. I am forever grateful to you all, my writing comrades.

Sadly, Kelli Standish of PulsePoint Design will be moving forward to a new calling and I am forced to say farewell to her exceptional skills, original thinking, and energy and passion for creating the very best content and personality for my website. Your gifts helped to introduce my work to new readers. Thank you. I'm going to miss you.

It has been a privilege to work with the Revell team. To my editors, Lonnie Hull DuPont and Barb Barnes—you're top rate. To the editors working in the background, thank you for your sharp eye and dedication to quality work. I owe a great deal to Michele Misiak. It's been good to have a teammate who has worked hard to herald my work. Cheryl Van Andel, you and your team create fabulous covers. I've loved every one, and
Joy Takes Flight
is no exception. Although we are cautioned not to judge a book by its cover, a great cover helps. And you create stunning covers.

Wendy Lawton, you're more than an agent. You are a friend and a partner who stands beside me as I make my way through the weeds of this writing world. It is comforting to have you at my side. Thank you for all you do.

Bonnie Leon
dabbled in writing for many years but never set it in a place of priority until an accident in 1991 left her unable to work at her job. She is now the author of several historical fiction series, including the Sydney Cove series, Queensland Chronicles, the Matanuska series, the Sowers Trilogy, the Northern Lights series, and now the Alaskan Skies series. She also stays busy teaching women's Bible studies, speaking, and teaching at writing seminars and women's gatherings. Bonnie and her husband, Greg, live in southern Oregon. They have three grown children and five grandchildren.

Visit Bonnie's website at
www.bonnieleon.com
.

Sydney Cove series

To Love Anew

Longings of the Heart

Enduring Love

Alaskan Skies series

Touching the Clouds

Wings of Promise

Joy Takes Flight

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