by Bonnie Leon
“We can’t let Jack buy it,” Kate pressed. “Life will be unbearable. And not just for me, but for all of us. You know how he is. He’ll run roughshod over every one of us. And first chance he gets, he’ll cut our pay.” She strode into the kitchen. “I’ll take care of these.” She peeked at the waffles. “You make the call.”
“Okay. Okay.” Mike moved to the phone on the wall and flipped through a tablet that hung beside it. When he got hold of the operator, he gave her the pub’s phone number, and then waited.
Kate closed her eyes and said a quick prayer. Please, God, make this work.
“Hello. This is Mike Conlin. Can I talk to Jerry or Robert?” He waited.
“Are they there?” Kate asked.
“They’re getting Jerry.”
Her stomach quivering, Kate checked the waffles again. They were done. Using a fork, she lifted them out and onto a plate. After adding lard to the griddle, she poured in more dough and closed the lid.
“Hi. Jerry? This is Mike.” He waited while Jerry responded. “Yeah. I’m good.” He nodded. “I know. It has been a long time. Sounds like you have a full house tonight.
“I have a proposition for you. It’s a good deal.” He was silent, but Kate could hear a voice on the other end. “No. It is . . . really. Hear me out. This fella I fly for is selling his airport—” Mike stopped and listened. “I know money’s tight.” He nodded. “Yeah, it is here too.”
Kate could hear the booming sound of a voice coming from the other end of the phone.
“Sure. No problem. I understand.” Mike’s head bobbed. “Okay. Stay in touch. I’ll see you too. Good-bye.”
He hung up and looked at Kate. “He said no. I knew it was a long shot.”
“At least you tried.”
Mike sat at the table. “If we weren’t just coming off the winter months, I’d have some money, maybe enough to hold Sidney over for a while.”
Kate dropped into a chair across the table from him. “Me too.” She took a sip of coffee. “So, how are your brothers?”
“Okay . . . I guess. Jerry said they’re barely keeping up, like everyone else.” Mike stared into his cup. “Can’t imagine working for Jack. He’ll run the place into the ground.”
“Maybe not. He’s been in the business a long time. He might do okay. But he’ll probably fire me right off.”
“Nah. He needs you.” Mike took a big drink of coffee.
The idea of working for Jack made Kate’s stomach hurt.
Her gaze wandered to the waffle iron. Smoke rolled out and over the top. “The waffles are burning!” She ran into the kitchen and threw open the griddle, then poked the blackened waffles with a fork and speared them out. “Can’t even make a decent waffle.”
“Guess you ought to stick to flying.” Mike chuckled.
Kate laughed. “You don’t think I ought to take on a second job . . . say as a cook?”
“Can’t think of anyone who’d hire you.” He laughed and soon the two were doubled over, laughter releasing the day’s worries.
When they quieted down, Mike took the fork. “I’ll make some more.”
“I’m not hungry.” Kate shook her head. She knew how things would be—Jack belittling her, giving her the worst runs and as little work as possible. “I don’t see how I can stay on.” Unbidden tears pooled in Kate’s eyes.
“It’ll be all right. We’ll work out something. And the fellas and I will stand up for you. You don’t have to worry about Jack.”
“He’s not going to be easy on you either. And I doubt he’ll get along with the customers. They’ll be falling off like flies.” Kate wiped away her tears, hating that she’d let someone like Jack get to her. “Thanks, but I can stand up for myself.” She sniffed and grabbed a handkerchief out of her pants pocket and blew her nose, then moved to the closet and grabbed her coat. She wished Paul lived in town. She really needed him right now. “Well, I better go. Sorry we didn’t come up with anyone, but thanks for your help.”
“No problem. Just wish we could have figured out something.” Mike opened the door for Kate. “See you tomorrow.”
The following morning, Kate felt crummy. She’d lain awake most of the night, trying to come up with an answer. She even considered asking her father for the money. She was sure he had some put aside. But an airfield was a risk, and she couldn’t ask him to jeopardize his savings.
While Kate washed her face, dressed, and combed her hair, melancholy wallowed inside her. She didn’t bother with makeup. When she stepped outside, she glanced at the sky. It was clear. Sidney would be leaving.
She climbed into her car and prayed that something had happened overnight. Maybe Sidney’s father had made a miraculous recovery, or Mike’s brother had changed his mind. God, you can do anything. Please provide the money we need.
When Kate pulled up at the field, three cars were parked out front—Sidney’s, Jack’s, and Mike’s. She didn’t see Kenny’s or Alan’s. They don’t care enough to even say good-bye to Sidney, she thought with disdain.
When Kate stepped into the shop, Mike was bent over the stove. He used a poker to stir the embers. He glanced at Kate, his expression glum. After adding kindling to the coals, he closed the door, leaving it open a couple of inches to help it draft.
She tossed Mike a nod, then turned to Sidney. Even though she already knew the answer, she asked, “Any news on your father?”
“Nothing. Figure he’s the same.” He settled blue eyes on Kate.
She remembered the first time she’d met him. He’d been dressed in blue jeans and cowboy boots, and he’d had on his overlarge cowboy hat. He’d looked more boy than man.
“You ready to buy the place?” He forced a smile.
“Wish I could.” Kate’s mind reworked the figures—if only there was a way. “Maybe if we had a little more time.”
“I’m out of time.” Sidney turned reluctantly to Jack. “I guess we have a deal. The place is yours.”
Jack held out a bank draft. “Exactly what you asked for.”
Sidney took the note, glanced at it, and then folded it and slipped it into his shirt pocket. He looked around the room. “That’s it, then.”
No one said a word. Wood crackled and popped in the stove.
Sidney took a deep breath. “I’m packed. Guess I better be on my way.” He plopped his cowboy hat on his head, then shook Mike’s hand. “It’s been good working with you.”
“You too.”
He turned to Jack. “Take good care of the place.”
“You can count on it.” Jack looked like he was quaking with excitement.
Sidney took Kate’s hand. He smiled. “I remember when you first walked in here, figuring you were going to be a bush pilot. I thought you were full of malarkey. Didn’t think you had it in you.” He grinned. “I was wrong.” He tipped up the brim of his hat. “Figure on seeing you in Kenai now and again.”
“I’ll be out that way.” Kate choked back tears.
Sidney headed for the door.
Sorrow and gratitude swelled inside Kate. “Sidney. Thanks for giving me a chance.” She crossed the room and threw her arms around him. “Thanks for believing in me.”
He hugged her back, his eyes brimming. “It’s a heck of a thing—a woman bush pilot.” He opened the door and stepped outside.
— 6 —
Trepidation building, Kate stood in the doorway and watched Sidney’s plane leave the runway. With Jack as her boss, life at the airfield would likely be miserable. He’d made it clear how he felt about women pilots—they had no place in the business. Finally, she closed the door and stepped back inside.
Wearing a satisfied smile, Jack sat at the desk, making a show of going through files and grumbling about the mess Sidney had left for him to sort out. It didn’t take long before he was reassigning flights and spouting orders.
Kate had a mail run that day, so she disappeared into the sorting room, hoping to stay out of the line of fire. However, hiding didn’t help. Jac
k sought her out.
He stepped into the doorway. “I expect you to keep up with that mail. No shirking your duties to go gallivanting off with that doctor friend of yours.”
Kate didn’t look up. “I’ll get my work done.”
“See that you do.”
Fury trampled over prudence, and Kate straightened and looked right at Jack. “That doctor friend of mine is saving lives in this territory. I wouldn’t call what we do gallivanting.”
Jack took a cigar out of his pocket and stuck it between his lips. He lit it and puffed on the stogy. Rancid smoke drifted into the air and settled around him. He stared at her with a squint. “You’re in my sights. Remember that.”
Kate bristled. “I know what to do. I don’t need you breathing down my neck.”
“I’ll breathe wherever I want.” He stepped into the room.
“Don’t think that just because Sidney’s gone you can treat me like the hired help.”
“You are the hired help.” He strode toward her and, with his lip lifted on one side, glowered at her. “I can remedy that.”
She could smell the stink of cigar on his breath. Barely managing to keep her temper in check, she said evenly, “All I ask is to be treated like the rest of the crew, no better, no worse.”
“I’ll treat you any way I like.”
Mike stepped into the room. “That’s enough, Jack! Lay off her!”
Jack whirled around and glared at Mike. “Just because you’re sweet on her don’t mean she gets special privileges.”
Mike relaxed his stance and smiled. “You sure you’re not the one sweet on her?”
Kate could have melted into the floor. Where had Mike come up with that?
Jack’s face turned red and he balled his hands into fists. “You’re the one who’s caterwauling over her.” He reeled around to Kate. “You do as I say, when I say it!”
Kate followed Mike’s lead and forced herself to smile, and then she saluted Jack.
His complexion went from red to purple. “That’s it! You’re fired!”
Kate stared at him. “You’re firing me for saluting you?”
“That’s right. Get out!” His voice rumbled in his chest.
“Come on, Jack. You can’t fire her.” Mike’s tone was light, as if he were teasing. “She’s the best pilot you’ve got.”
Jack pointed at Mike. “You—dry up.”
He stormed back into the main office. Kate followed.
Jack threw a venomous look at her. “And you—out! Get out!”
Kate ran a dustcloth over a goblet and wondered if the airfields in Juneau or Fairbanks needed a pilot. She’d made local inquiries, but there were no openings. With a sigh, she set the glass back on the shelf, then picked up another one. She didn’t want to leave Anchorage. Her friends were here.
And what about Paul? She’d almost never see him. The thought lay heavy in her chest. He was worth more than any job. She couldn’t walk away, but she couldn’t imagine life without flying either.
The feel of a hand on her back startled Kate. She turned to see Helen smiling at her in that maternal way of hers. “Oh. Hi. I didn’t hear you.”
“I just want you to know that Albert and I are praying for you, dear. And we’re confident things will work out just as they should. God has everything under control.”
“I want to believe that . . . but I’m afraid I’ll have to move away. I don’t want to leave. I’d miss everyone so much . . . especially Paul.” Kate blinked back tears. “I don’t want to live far away from him.”
Helen smiled. “Now how many times have I heard you say no place is that far away if you can fly there.” Her blue eyes warmed as she gently grasped Kate’s upper arms. “The Lord has a place for you, exactly the right place.”
Kate nodded, wishing her faith were stronger.
The bell hanging on the front door jangled. “Sounds like I’m needed. I’d better get back to work.” Helen moved toward the front of the store.
Kate heard Mike’s voice and shrank inside. She didn’t want to see him and the pity in his eyes. He’d try to make her feel better—crack a few jokes and grouse about Jack. She didn’t want to pretend everything was all right.
“Hey, Kate.” Wearing a broad smile, Mike peered around the end of the aisle.
“Hi.” She glanced at him and ran the dustcloth over the drinking glass. Maybe if he saw she was working, he’d just say hello and leave. She set the goblet on the shelf.
Mike’s blue eyes seemed brighter than usual. “I’ve got good news.” Wearing a teasing grin, he leaned against a shelf.
Kate wasn’t up for his shenanigans. She ignored him and moved to a set of dishes.
“Don’t you want to know?”
“Mike, I’m busy.” She wiped dust off a plate.
He ambled down the aisle toward her.
Kate blew out a huff. “Mike, I’ve got work to do.”
Still wearing his know-it-all expression, he stopped and folded his arms over his chest.
Kate turned and faced him. “What?”
His smile softened. “You’ve got your job back.”
“I’ve what?”
“Me, Alan, and Kenny told Jack we’d quit if he didn’t hire you back.”
“You did?”
Mike’s smile tipped sideways and he nodded. “Jack’s already in a bind, now that he’s stuck at the airfield most of the time.”
Kate covered her mouth, but couldn’t hold back her laughter. “You wouldn’t really quit, would you?”
“I would.” Mike shrugged. “’Course he’d have to hire me back. Can’t run the place with only two pilots.”
Kate thought back to the scene between her and Jack and the way he’d treated her from the very first. “I appreciate what you fellas did, but I can’t go back. I won’t work for Jack.”
“Come on, Kate. I know he can be ornery and unfair, especially to you, but it won’t be the same without you. And what are you going to do without a flying job?”
Kate knew she ought to accept the offer. She needed the job, and it would solve the problem of having to move. Besides, the men at the field had put their own jobs on the line for her. The whole thing just wasn’t fair.
She shrugged, and then shook her head. “No. I can’t. But thanks. And tell the fellas thank you, but Jack doesn’t want me there. He’ll make life miserable, especially because he was forced to take me back.”
Mike’s mouth lifted in a slight grin. “You’ve got too much pride, Kate. If you want to fly, you’ll have to get over it.”
He was right, but Kate couldn’t stand the idea of groveling to Jack. “Maybe something else will come up.”
“Oh yeah, like there are all kinds of jobs out there just waiting for you.” He leaned a hip against a shelf. “Be reasonable. The depression’s getting worse, not better.”
Recent headlines of higher unemployment and children going hungry flitted through Kate’s mind. She really didn’t have a choice.
“Just swallow that pride of yours and come back to work.”
“What did Jack say?”
“He was pretty mad, but he agreed that you could return and that he’d lighten up on you, at least a little.”
Kate chewed her lip. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. With a nod, she said, “Okay. But I’m not putting up with any more of his bullying. I’ve had it.”
“It’ll be all right. You’ll see.”
“Thanks, Mike. I appreciate what you and the guys did.”
“Couldn’t imagine the place without you.”
The tenderness in his eyes reminded Kate of how Mike really felt about her. Instantly uncomfortable, she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and glanced at the floor. “So, can I go back to work right away?”
“You bet. In fact, he has a run for you—Unalaska.”
“Really? He usually takes that one himself.”
“He’s got too much work to do in the office.” Mike grinned. “He’s not going to like that par
t of the job. Being the boss will keep him grounded a lot of the time.”
“I’ve never been to Unalaska.” Adrenaline shot through Kate.
Mike frowned slightly. “It’s a long way out to the Aleutians—harsh conditions, unpredictable weather.”
“That’s most of Alaska.”
“Yeah. But be careful.”
“Okay. Okay.”
Helen joined them. “I suppose you’ll be deserting me.” She feigned distress.
“Do you need me to stay?”
“No. You go to work. We’ll be fine. Muriel said she’d help anytime we need.” She gave Kate a quick hug. “I told you everything would work out.”
“You did.” Kate smiled. “I guess I ought to learn to listen to you.” She untied her apron and lifted it over her head. “I’d better get moving. I’ve got a trip to the Aleutians.”
“Maybe I should go with you,” Mike said. “I don’t have anything going for a couple of days.”
“Thanks, but I’ll be fine.” Kate didn’t want Mike along. She’d already decided to stop at Paul’s. The villages out on the chain could use a doctor, and she could use more time with him.
When Kate set down on the sandbar, Paul was on his way out in the boat. She had a shipment of medical supplies for him, which gave her a good reason to stop.
Leaving the engine running, she grabbed the package and climbed out of the plane. Angel had already greeted Paul. “Thought you might need this.” She held out the parcel.
Paul took the box. “I’ve been waiting on this and on you.” His eyes found hers and he circled an arm around Kate and kissed her.
She lingered against him, wishing work could wait. She stepped back. “I’ve got a run to make.”
“Figured.” Paul tucked the parcel under his arm. “Where you headed?”
“Unalaska, and a few villages between here and there.”
“I haven’t been out on the Aleutians. How they set for medical care?”
“I think Unalaska’s got a doctor, but I’m sure the villages would be glad to have a doctor stop in.” She raised her eyebrows. “I’m wondering if we know of one who could go.”
“I can be ready in fifteen minutes.”
