Read Online Joy Takes Flight by Bonnie Leon - Free Book Online Page A

couldn’t bear to lie around any longer, so although her knee was still painful she returned to work.
    â€œYou sure you’re ready?” Jack asked, eyeing her.
    â€œMy doctor, who happens to be my husband, says I’m good as new. My knee’s just a little stiff.” She lifted the leg and bent her knee to prove her point, making sure not to cringe at the tenderness. “I’m dying to get back to work.”
    â€œBad choice of words,” Jack said dryly. “Okay. I’ve got a couple of miners up at Talkeetna who need a lift into town.” He handed Kate a flight chart. “They’ll meet you at the airfield.”
    Kate took the chart and tucked it inside her flight jacket. “Thanks.” This was a good first run—a short trip. She’d be out on the homestead in time for dinner.
    â€œYou staying in town?”
    â€œNot tonight. But when I am, I’ll let you know.”
    â€œIt’ll be harder to get you runs—living all the way out there.”
    â€œWe’ve got a radio, so call me anytime. It’s not that far.”
    â€œYou plan on living at the cabin?”
    â€œWe haven’t made up our minds yet.” Kate didn’t want to think about it. She wasn’t sure what to do. Paul loved the homestead—so did she. But it didn’t make sense to live all the way out there when her home base was in town.
    Jack shook his head. “Don’t make sense.”
    â€œI admit, it would be easier if we were in town, but Paul built that cabin and all the outbuildings. He’s got a good garden. He has a lot of time and sweat invested in the place. It means a great deal to him.”
    â€œYou’ll get less work.”
    â€œI know.” Kate hated the idea of losing business, but how could she ask Paul to give up his home? Not to mention that the house in town had been Mike’s—it still felt like his.
    â€œYou better get a move on if you want to get back here and then out to the homestead before dark.”
    â€œI’m on it.”
    Carrying a pan of warm oil, Kate walked toward her plane, careful not to limp. She removed the canvas cover from the engine, thankful the temperature was moderate, which meant she wouldn’t need to heat the engine before starting the Bellanca. She added the oil and then cranked the flywheel. When it was singing along, she tugged the crank loose, climbed inside, and started the engine. The roar set her pulse flying. She’d been grounded too long.
    After checking her instruments to make sure the readings were accurate, moving the controls, and doing a mag check, Kate gave the hefty ski-plane enough throttle to begin taxiing to the snow-packed strip, then eased back on the power. The skis ratttled over ruts and she gave it a quick burst of power, enough to slide around the final turn for takeoff. Sunlight glistened off the Chugach Mountains, making them look like an endless shimmering castle. Winds were calm, skies clear, and the white frozen world sparkled. It was a perfect day to fly. She gradually increased to full power and gently lifted off, exhilarated at the freedom of flight.
    A white patchwork world of open fields and forests stretched out below Kate as she approached Talkeetna. In the distance, Mount McKinley stood like a gigantic white gem. She wondered what it would be like to land on a high mountain glacier. As much as she admired her Bellanca, it didn’t have the power to work at McKinley’s high altitudes.
    She spotted the airfield. Two men stood nearby with their gear. She did a flyover to check for obstacles on the snow-covered landing strip. It looked clear. Turning, she set up for her approach, then descended until she was just above the trees. When she reached the airstrip, she dropped down until she was flying only feet above the white ground. Her skis touched and a small shudder moved through the plane. By the time she’d come to a stop, her