by Jim Dalton
Copyright © 2013 by Jim Dalton
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 061580554X
ISBN-13: 9780615805542
eBook ISBN: 978-1-63003-738-3
Library of Congress Control Number: 2013939628
Golden Bear Publishing Group
Chesterfield, Missouri
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: Chance Meeting
CHAPTER TWO: One For The Road
CHAPTER THREE: Rocky Start
CHAPTER FOUR: Reliving the Present
CHAPTER FIVE: Dreams Come True
CHAPTER SIX: Passion in The Sky
CHAPTER SEVEN: The Payoff
CHAPTER EIGHT: Once is Never Enough
CHAPTER NINE: Trip to the Lake
CHAPTER TEN: Lucas Meets the Feds
CHAPTER ELEVEN: Engine Shutdown
CHAPTER TWELVE: Visibility Near Zero
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Ready For Departure
CHAPTER ONE
Chance Meeting
It was a stormy day in St. Louis. Heavy thunderstorms began moving across the area in the midafternoon, with waves of storms continuing into the evening. Strong winds, hail, lightning, and several small tornados were spotted in the area. Since late afternoon, the airport had taken several direct hits, and had closed immediately following a complete power failure. Outbound flights were cancelled and inbound flights were diverted to other airports. Passengers and employees were told to vacate the airport proper and not to return until cleared to do so. Passengers were told to check in with their airline prior to returning to the airport. The power company said service would not be restored for at least twenty-four hours.
Lucas headed to the airport as much out of curiosity as out of feeling that it would be the right thing to do. To ignore his place of employment following a disaster seemed inappropriate and selfish. Not knowing what to expect, Lucas made his way to the airport. Along the way, he encountered numerous emergency vehicles. There were no lights to be seen, except those created by the occasional passing car. Limbs were down everywhere, sometimes even in the middle of the road. Lucas began to understand why people had been asked to stay off the streets.
Lucas arrived at the airport around 9:00 p.m. to find the facility completely dark. Another wave of rain had begun to pass through the area. He no sooner parked his car than the sky gave way to a downpour—a real monsoon.
Lucas jumped out of the car and dashed to the lobby door. He burst into the lobby as if he had been shot from a cannon. As soon as he made it inside, he heard a scream from the far side of the lobby.
“Who’s there?” Lucas shouted.
“Autumn!” a woman shouted back. “Who are you and why are you here?”
“Lucas Sanders, pilot for State Side. I just wanted to come by and see whether anyone needed help. What are you doing here?” Wonder why our sexy late night rep is here this time of the night much less now?
“Heather asked me to cover for her tonight,” Autumn replied. “Once everyone was told to go home I thought I should stay around to see if anything came up. For all I knew we might have an arrival or two. No one told me anything. Then the big storm hit, and I was afraid to leave.”
“Where are you?”
“In the corner, by the coffee pots.”
Being a fan of coffee, Lucas had no trouble making his way to Autumn, even in the total darkness of Gold Coast Aviation’s lobby.
“How long have you been here?” he asked her.
“I took Heather’s shift at two o’clock and have been here ever since. The bad storms hit right after two, and everyone left around five.”
“So you’ve been here by yourself since five?” he asked.
“Yes, and I’m sorry I stayed.”
“Have you eaten anything?”
“Just whatever I could find—mostly snack food.”
That rain and wind are really something, Lucas thought to himself. I wonder if the storm-warning sirens are working.
Knowing that Autumn hadn’t eaten for some time, and that food might help relieve some of her anxiety, Lucas decided to see what he could find.
“Autumn, I’m not sure what I can find, but I’ll check the flight office to see whether there’s something to eat in there. Be right back. Will you be OK?”
“I think so. With you here, I’m not so scared anymore.”
Poor girl, she is scared to death. Wonder what asshole just left her all alone? Probably some prick that only cared about himself. Someone should’ve gotten her out of here. Back to my current mission—finding something to eat. If there isn’t anything in the flight office, I could always find something in one of the planes.
After about fifteen minutes, Lucas returned to the area staked out by Autumn. He’d found a flashlight, and when he illuminated the area, Lucas could see that Autumn was upset. He sat down beside her and gave her shoulders a big bear hug. Lucas could see and feel her shivering.
“Are you cold?” he asked.
“No, I don’t think so. I’m just scared, hungry, and nervous.”
“If you’re hungry, you can’t be too scared,” Lucas said with an upbeat tone.
Her hands were laced together between her legs. In a comforting voice, Lucas told Autumn that everything would be OK. He continued to hold Autumn, and felt her begin to relax.
“Autumn,” he finally said. “I have good news and I have bad news. Which do you want first?”
“I’m already a nervous wreck. I don’t think I could take any more bad news,” Autumn replied.
“Have you been on the couch all this time?”
“Yes. I didn’t know where else to go.”
“Autumn, I want you to relax. What you are hearing outside is heavy rain and wind, but the severe weather is gone—it won’t hurt either of us. The biggest problem is that power won’t be restored until tomorrow morning, close to noon. Want to hear the better news?”
“If that’s the good news, I’m not so sure. If it’s really better, then I’m all for hearing anything.”
“Well, last night I flew back from Chicago on the bird out front, and our passengers turned out to be executives coming home. One of their requests was to have food available following their meeting—you know, something to eat on their way home. So we had the fridge full of sandwiches and pizza. Best of all, their meeting apparently didn’t go well and no one ate anything.”
By this point, Autumn had stopped shaking and was developing a real interest in what Lucas had to say.
“So let’s go raid the fridge,” she said.
“That’s exactly what I was thinking. You put my raincoat over your head and hang on to it so the wind doesn’t blow it away, and we’ll make a dash to the plane.”
“We have to go outside in this stuff?” Terror returned to Autumn’s voice.
“It’ll be OK. I promise. Grab your flashlight and let’s run for it.”
Lucas and Autumn sprinted to the plane that had been tied down about 300 feet in front of the office. Autumn ran under the wing while Lucas lowered the stairs. As soon as the stairs reached the ramp, Autumn made a beeline to the open door with Lucas in hot pursuit. Once inside, Lucas wasted no time in raising the stairs and securing the door.
Their temporary shelter was an ex-airliner that had been converted into an executive aircraft with a seating capacity of eighteen people. Most of the seating was in the aft cabin, where several couches and swivel chairs were located. About midway through the aft cabin was a bar and entertainment center. The forward cabin was an executive office suite with an attractive desk, an oversized love seat, and two swivel chairs. A galley, complete with a microwave oven, and refrigerator, separated the executive office and the cockpit.
“Autumn, give me the raincoat
and I’ll hang it up in the shower where it can dry. While you’re at it, why don’t you take your shoes off and let them dry? I’ll be right back.”
“Are you telling me there is a shower in the back of this plane?”
“Sure is. These corporate airplanes are well-equipped.”
“No kidding.”
“You’ve never been in any of these planes?”
“No,” said Autumn, “but I think I’ve been missing something.”
“In the next few days, I’ll make it a point to give you a grand tour of the planes that provide you with a job. You should be familiar with the birds your customers are flying.”
“Thanks, Lucas; I’d appreciate that. I also want to thank you for staying with me tonight. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t shown up.”
“I’m just glad I did. I feel terrible that you were alone for as long as you were.” Lucas paused and then said, “Give me just a few more minutes. I’m going to turn the plane’s generator on and then I’ll make you something to eat and drink. Here, take this blanket and wrap it around yourself; in no time you’ll feel like you’re sitting in your living room.”
“Thanks. This blanket feels good.”
“Incidentally, I don’t want to turn the cabin lights on—you know, call attention to us. Let’s just use the flashlight.”
Autumn nodded and looked around the cabin. “This isn’t a big deal,” she said, “but I don’t think I’m ever going to believe that this is my living room.”
“Why is that?”
“This furniture is too nice for my living room.”
Lucas laughed. “Come on!” he said. “Now, what would you like to eat? I have sub sandwiches or an individual pizza.”
“How about a sandwich?”
“One gourmet sandwich coming right up. What would you like to drink? I have whatever you might want in the bar.”
“A glass of white wine would hit the spot.”
“Autumn, one white wine and that sandwich will be ready shortly.”
In just a few minutes, Lucas returned with a tray containing several sandwiches, potato chips, a glass of wine and a bottle of beer. He’d found an assortment of chocolates for dessert.
Autumn sat on the floor of the executive office, leaning against the love seat. Lucas handed the tray to her as he lowered himself to the floor, facing her. Autumn positioned the tray off to the side, within reach of both. They each took a sandwich and helped themselves to their drinks. The rain and wind were loud, and the light on the inside was subdued, creating an alluring atmosphere.
“Lucas, this is breathtaking,” said Autumn. “Just a short while ago I was petrified by this storm. Thanks to you, I’m warm, eating a feast created for powerful people, and enjoying a wonderful glass of wine, all in the company of a cool guy.”
“Cool guy?’ Don’t know what you’re selling, but I’m buying. Glad you’re feeling better. Hear the rain? It’s really coming down. This reminds me of when I was a kid and would spend the night at my uncle’s farm. He had a tin roof, and thunderstorms sounded exactly like this. Funny how little things will sometimes trigger certain memories.”
“With you here, the rain sounds relaxing. Was that the case when you were a kid?”
“Exactly. I remember the sound of the rain as it created this calming rhythm on the roof that would lull me to sleep in no time.” Lucas’s voice grew lower as he reminisced.
“So what’s with you and Heather?” Autumn asked.
“Nothing. Why do you ask?”
“According to Heather, she has this thing for you.”
“I’ve heard that before. She may have a thing for me, but I’ve hardly spoken to her, much less have a thing for her.”
“So you two aren’t a thing?”
“Absolutely not. I’m not dating anyone.”
“No one?”
“You got it.”
“Are you gay?”
“No, I’m not gay. I just haven’t had time for romance.”
“So you’re available?
“I guess technically I’m available, but I’m not looking.”
“Just curious. Is there more wine?”
“Sure, I’ll go get the bottle.”
Returning with a bottle of white wine for Autumn and a bottle of red wine for himself, Lucas maneuvered to sit directly in front of Autumn.
“Autumn, if you hand me your glass, I’ll give you a fill-up.”
“Forget the glass; just give me the bottle. You don’t mind if I drink from the bottle, do you?”
“You go for it.”
“We’re not going to get into trouble for being here and drinking the company’s booze, are we?”
“No. This won’t be the first time the liquor cabinet has been raided. In light of the weather, I don’t think anyone will mind, but I would prefer that we leave here by sunrise tomorrow.”
Autumn realized that his statement was another way of saying they were spending the night together. Her imagination kicked into high gear. She couldn’t help but wonder whether Lucas had some sort of agenda for the night, or was just being nice. She hadn’t had a steady boyfriend for some time, and thought this might be one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities with fate working in her favor. Autumn needed to find a way to discover what was on Lucas’s mind. Recognizing that romance could be in her future, she began to take inventory of her attire. Hair is a mess from running through the rain, makeup is mostly a mess, skirt and blouse are OK—not what I would’ve picked for a date, but attractive. Had I known I would be spending the night with a guy, I would have chosen a skirt an inch or two shorter, but I didn’t, so this one will have to do.
“Why were you covering for Heather tonight?” Lucas asked.
“She had a family reunion out of town or something like that.”
“I was just curious,” said Lucas. “We don’t see you very often. I guess you’re getting to work at about the time we’re heading out for the night.”
“Now I understand,” said Autumn. “You came to the airport tonight to rescue Heather.”
“No, not at all. I already told you there isn’t anything between Heather and me. I came to the airport tonight to see if there was anything I could help with.”
“So you’re serious? You and Heather aren’t a thing?”
“Yep. I just know her from the airport and don’t even talk to her very often.”
“I’m getting low on my wine. Where can I find another bottle? Can I bring you something?” Autumn asked.
“I’ll take a bottle of red wine and I’ll take your no-glass approach. In fact, I’ll get it.”
“No, Lucas. Stay put; you’ve done enough for me tonight. The least I can do is get you a bottle of someone else’s wine. Also, I need to pee. Where’s the bathroom on this plane?”
“The bathroom is straight back and the bar is just beyond this partition, on the left side,” Lucas said, gesturing.
“Can I borrow the flashlight? Don’t need it to pee, just want to make sure I get the right wine.”
“Sure, but peeing in the right spot isn’t all bad either.”
“Cute, Lucas, but I don’t have the same problem you have.”
“All right.”
Autumn went directly to the restroom, leaving Lucas in the dark. Without the distraction of Autumn, Lucas was reminded of the thunderstorm taking place outside. The strong wind buffeted the plane, reminding Lucas that he wasn’t in a solid structure. The rain came down in buckets, the lightning seemed brighter and the thunder seemed louder than before. As a pilot, his senses were keen when it came to thunderstorms. Lucas’s thoughts began to shift from the weather to Autumn and what kind of sleeping arrangements they could make.
Autumn found the restroom and after a badly needed pee, decided to tip the scale in her favor. Lucas had mentioned he wasn’t looking for romance, but he didn’t say that he would turn his head if it were presented to him. On her way back to the executive compartment, Autumn stopped at
the bar and retrieved a bottle of red and a bottle of white wine.
As Autumn entered the executive compartment, Lucas sprung to his feet to take the bottle of red wine and the flashlight she had tucked under her right arm. With the aid of Lucas and the flashlight, Autumn managed to return to her original resting place. Lowering herself to the floor with her right hand leaning on the couch, she folded her legs to the left with her knees pointing toward Lucas. Lucas returned to his previous position with his legs stretched out pointing toward the cockpit, his head resting on his right hand while his right elbow leaned against a swivel chair across the aisle from the couch. He set the flashlight down halfway between himself and Autumn, pointing it toward the ceiling. The light reflecting off the ceiling gave the cabin a warm glow. Once settled, Lucas uncorked the wine and the two indulged themselves in idle conversation and an abundant supply of alcohol.
“So Lucas, tell me about yourself. Who are you?”
“I don’t usually talk about myself,” Lucas said. “Why do you ask?”
“I would just like to know a little bit about the guy I’m about to spend the night with.”
“I understand when you put it like that, but we’re not exactly spending the night together. This is more like…sharing the same shelter.”
“Call it what you will, but to me we’re spending the night together. Now stop being a tight ass and tell me who you are.”
“Persistent, aren’t you?” he teased.
“I have my moments.”
“Well, I started flying for State Side about seven years ago. When I got this job, I had a little more than a year left of school, but my flying schedule made it nearly impossible to stay in school, so I quit. Seven years later, I’m now back in school and will finish my degree when I finish the summer session.”
“What’s your major?”
“Psychology.”
“Are you going to do anything with it?”
“Not really, but I was so close it didn’t make sense not to finish. Most importantly, major airlines require a degree and I’ve wanted to work for a major carrier for years. In fact, I have a standing offer from Global once I finish school.”
“So, why no girlfriend?”
