The Bachelor's Unexpected Family

by Lisa Carter

  She glanced at him. “Are you?”

  “I don’t know how I would’ve managed Jade without you. And Gray’s a big help at the airfield.”

  “Are Gray and Jade the only reason?” As soon as the words left her mouth, Kristina couldn’t believe what she’d said.

  Canyon’s gaze cut to hers. “No, not just because of the kids.”

  Her pulse accelerated at the look in his eyes.

  The airplane droned over fields and farms. Its shadow followed the railroad track, a silvery ribbon of steel dividing the peninsula.

  “Ready for a little barnstorming?” Canyon’s face shone. “This is why I love aerial application. Fast and low and furious.”

  Her lips twitched at his mischievous expression. “Bring it, Collier.”

  Canyon’s answering grin set her heart clamoring. “Hang on, Kris.”

  The air rushed past as he guided the plane low across a fallow field. Thrusting the stick sharply toward his chest, he brought the nose of the plane over the trees. She gasped at the power lines ahead.

  But just as quickly, he went under the lines. Up and over and under. Again and again. Field after field. Intricate and highly skilled maneuvers. With great finesse and concentration.

  For the first time, she felt the thrill that had enraptured Pax and Canyon. She experienced the feathery freedom of the world falling away. And with it, all of its cares and entangling fetters. She exulted in the joy of the blue sky.

  He smiled at her happiness. “I’d love to teach Gray to fly. It’s his dream.”

  Kristina couldn’t find fault with the condition of Canyon’s aircraft or his flying skills. Gray could learn a lot from this pilot. As from the man himself?

  She was more than impressed at the way he’d taken on the responsibility of his niece. Not many men would. But one thing she was learning about Canyon Collier?

  He wasn’t like most men. He wasn’t like anyone she’d ever met. Which excited—and frightened—her.

  “When the dream dies, the heart grows cold,” she whispered.

  He jerked, something strange in his expression. “W-what have you heard? Who told you about my grandmother?”

  She frowned. “I know nothing about your grandmother. I was referring to what you said. About Gray and his dream.”

  “Oh, yeah. Gray.”

  She tilted her head. “What did you think I meant?”

  He fiddled with the controls. “Does this mean I pass the test?” he asked, avoiding her question.

  “I’m not sure I can afford flying lessons. I don’t know how I’d repay you.”

  “Gray and I can work out an arrangement based on his help with aircraft maintenance. If that’s okay with you.”

  Kristina had the undeniable conviction God had put Canyon into Gray’s life for a reason. “I’d like that.”

  She was talking about Gray, right?

  Kristina moistened her lips. “Gray would love that. Thank you. He seems to have clicked with you.”

  Canyon’s eyebrow arched. “How about bonded? Sounds less girly.”

  She playfully punched his shoulder. “You know what I mean.”

  He batted his impossibly long lashes at her and her stomach knotted. There was nothing remotely girly about Canyon Collier.

  “What about your flying lesson?” He took his hand off the stick. “Want to have a go landing the plane?”

  She hadn’t realized they were so close to home. They’d flown a big circle around the Shore.

  Her hands fluttered. “No, I don’t. Get your hand on the gearshift or whatever it’s called before we crash.”

  Canyon placed his hand on the stick again. “Just teasing. Got everything under control.”

  She’d just bet he did.

  “Except for parenting Jade. And for your help with her, I owe you. Far and above what you could ever owe me for teaching Gray to do something I already love.”

  Something he loved. A niggle of dissatisfaction spoiled some of her enjoyment of the day. She wished there was something—besides being Gray’s mother—that she loved doing. Something to which she could give her heart.

  Despite a worrisome doubt she might be setting in motion a course of events that could potentially end Gray’s life—as it had his father’s—she refused for once to give in to the fear. And with determination, she turned her attention to other things.

  Like this too-handsome-to-be-real man beside her in the cockpit.

  “What’s a year in life of an aerial application specialist like?”

  He gave her a lopsided smile. “Very good, Kris. You’re learning the lingo.”

  He’d called her Kris again...

  “Winter isn’t too busy. With the Cessna, I can do aerial photography. I spend about six weeks doing surveys of the migratory waterfowl population for environmental groups. Come warmer temperatures—” he patted the console of the plane “—with this little baby, I spray mosquito larvae.”

  “Then growing season gets busy, I imagine.”

  “Pretreatment, and once the crops emerge, more work than I can handle.”

  “When do you use the helicopter?”

  “There’s the occasional scenic charter flight. I hope to grow that part of the business. I also volunteer to transport sick children on angel flights whenever I’m needed.”

  She was amazed at his skills. And his compassion. “You’re very versatile.”

  “I have to be. Midsummer I head out west for summer fire season in the national parks for a few weeks.”

  She shuddered. “That sounds dangerous.”

  “Keeps me on my toes. It’s fun.”

  “The things that amuse you, Canyon Collier...” She rolled her eyes. “You flyboys are like an alien species.”

  He winked. “Maybe in a few years, Gray will earn his pilot license and can become my partner.”

  She sighed. “I wish there were lessons for flying through the adolescent years. A heavy hand or a light one on the controls?”

  “Like in life and in aviation, I suspect you have to know your plane and be flexible to developing weather conditions. There’s no teacher like experience.”

  “And,” she huffed, “you probably need to pray a lot.”

  He eased a fraction off the throttle. “You said it.”

  “Which is why parents of teenagers should stick together.”

  He raised his palm. “Team Teen Parenting?”

  She high-fived him. “Team Surviving Adolescence.”

  He lowered the landing gear. “Hang on. Some landings can be bumpier than others.”

  “Now you tell me.” She clutched the seat belt. “Why do I get the feeling the easy part is taking off?”

  “You wouldn’t be wrong.” He grinned as the plane descended. “It takes real skill to land this bird.”

  “That’s what I was afraid you were going to say.”

  “Have some faith, Kris. This isn’t my first rodeo.”

  Inhaling, she pressed her feet into the floorboard, as if by sheer willpower she could stop the plane. Which was about as useless as trying to hold on to her life with Pax. Or as effective as holding back time. She bit her lip.

  The wheels touched down gently. But she focused on Canyon’s steady hand at the controls. Capable and strong. He braked.

  She shivered at the remembrance of his long, warm fingers on hers the other day. And she forgot to be afraid. Suddenly, she realized the plane had come to a complete standstill.

  “A safe, smooth landing. Perfect, if I do say so myself.” He removed his headset.

  She made a face. “You don’t lack for self-confidence, do you, Canyon?”

  Reaching over, he helped her take off her headset. “I’m a man of my word.”

 
“Would you be offended if I kiss the ground when I climb out of this sardine can?”

  He unfastened his safety belt. “I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve kissed the ground after a few SARs with the Guard.”

  Canyon scrambled out onto the wing. “Let me help you.” He dropped lightly to the airstrip.

  Rounding the airplane, he wrenched open Kristina’s door. “Thanks for flying with me today. And for agreeing to let Gray take lessons.”

  She grasped his hand as he helped her unfold from the cockpit. Crawling onto the wing, she hopped down. He didn’t let go of her hand.

  “Maybe one day you and I could catch a sunset in the clouds.” He shuffled his feet. “Nothing beats an Eastern Shore sunset.”

  “I’d like that.”

  He looked at her then. A slow, crooked smile. “I’ll look forward to it.”

  So would she. A giddiness, foreign to her usual equilibrium, seized hold of her at the idea of flying through a sky streaked with the glow of heaven.

  Nothing beat sunset. Except maybe sunrise. With a certain aerial application specialist by her side. An unexpected recklessness overtook Kristina.

  “Is your offer for flying lessons still open to me, too?”

  His brow furrowed. “You’re serious about wanting to learn to fly an airplane?”

  Another step toward overcoming her fears and reclaiming her faith again. “I am.”

  He stared at her so long she was sure he was going to refuse. She felt foolish. Taking up a hobby like flying at her age—what was she thinking?

  But that was the trouble. She didn’t think much when she got close to Canyon. And like a numbed limb coming to life, the tingling pricks of returning sensation were a mixture of pain and reassurance.

  “Never mind.” She waved her hand. “You’re probably too busy—”

  “I’m not too busy. How about an hour first thing in the morning after you drop the kids off at school?”

  “Uh...”

  His eyes narrowed. “Unless you weren’t serious about trying something new. Your call.”

  Canyon was giving her an out. A graceful exit. She replayed the yawning emptiness of her days while Gray was in school. She contemplated the weariness of always being alone.

  Was Canyon as tired of being alone as she?

  Her heart thumped inside her chest. “I want to learn to fly. Will you teach me, Canyon?”

  “If that’s what you want.”

  She gulped. “I do. But not too fast.”

  “You set the pace.” His jaw tightened. “I’d never let anything happen to you.”

  She knew that about him. “Okay.”

  His shoulders relaxed a notch. “Same time tomorrow?”

  “You’ve got yourself a date—I mean—”

  “If you’d let yourself breathe, you might find you enjoy soaring above the trees.”

  Easier said than done, with him so near. More likely she’d find herself plummeting to the ground. What had she gotten herself into?

  She didn’t know what worried her more—operating an aircraft or spending every morning with the pilot at her side. On second thought, no contest. Spending time with Canyon promised to be far more hazardous.

  At least to her heart.

  Chapter Eight

  According to Jade over tacos that night—the extent of Canyon’s culinary prowess—her first day of school had gone moderately well.

  She went to her classes. And created a buzz in the cafeteria with her metallic-studded attire.

  Jade snickered. “The guidance counselor said I dressed postapocalyptic.”

  “Congratulations.” He laughed. “Quite the impression you’ve made.”

  She waggled the stud piercing her eyebrow. “I try.”

  Jade didn’t mind getting attention—bad or good. In that, he glimpsed her father, Beech. But if nothing else, she willingly returned for day two. And for a Collier, a win was a win.

  He also had Kristina’s first official flying lesson to look forward to. She arrived at the tarmac with coffee and a takeout bag from the Sandpiper Café.

  Canyon leaned against the Cessna and adjusted the brim of his baseball cap. “Didn’t get enough coffee before carpool?”

  She held out the to-go mug. “It’s for you.”

  “For—” He straightened. “Thanks. No one’s ever...” He pried open the lid and took a sip.

  Mainly to give himself something to do beside moon over Gray’s mother. He could get used to sharing his mornings with Kristina. Too used to Kristina Montgomery, period.

  She didn’t seem to notice his reticence. “What do I do first?”

  He smirked. “Who’s moving fast now?”

  She tossed her hair in the glow of the morning sunshine. He caught a whiff of a beguiling floral scent.

  “I’m eager to begin a new chapter.”

  He wasn’t sure he believed her. “Baby steps.” Though he was probably cautioning himself more than her.

  She scoped out the runway. “Where’s the yellow bird?”

  He patted the wing of the larger white plane. “The Cessna is the best plane for a beginner. More straightforward. Less sensitive to the stick.” He grinned. “But the AT’s my favorite, too.”

  She smiled. “Fast and low and furious.”

  Over the next hour, he showed her how to do a ground inspection of the aircraft. She chatted about her childhood in Richmond. About life as a young mother on bases scattered across the United States. She revealed more of her married life than perhaps she realized.

  A picture of Gray’s father emerged in Canyon’s mind. Of a pilot whose driving ambition and exuberant thirst for adventure often overshadowed his quiet, gentle-natured wife. Including any possible dreams she might have had for herself.

  Eventually getting into the cockpit, he went over takeoff protocols and further safety checks. As she leaned closer to examine the controls on the instrument panel, he spotted the glint of the chain underneath the collar of her jacket.

  He thought it interesting she’d removed her wedding ring from her finger yet still wore her husband’s dog tags around her neck. He wondered what that signified regarding her perception of her identity.

  Perhaps part of Kristina’s reluctance to let go wasn’t so much about her husband as much as the fear that without him nothing remained of herself.

  None of this was any of his business. But he couldn’t shake his deepening fascination with the young military widow. “That’s enough for today.”

  At the strained, husky note in his voice, she glanced at him. “So when do I get to fly this baby?”

  He smiled. “One step at a time, Kris. There’s always tomorrow.”

  But early on day three, he received an emergency phone call from Mrs. Savage. There’d been an incident with Jade at school. He needed to come right away.

  He dashed off a quick text to Kristina and apologized for canceling their lesson. Jumping into the Jeep, he sped down Seaside Road. His heart drummed in his chest as he raced toward the high school.

  Bumping over the small bridge straddling the tidal creek at Quinby, he pulled onto Highway 13. Fear coiled in the pit of his stomach.

  Worst-case scenarios floated through his mind. Had someone hurt Jade? Had she punched some overprivileged kid for a remark about her jailbird father?

  He’d worked himself into a lather by the time he jerked the Jeep to a standstill at the school.

  Mrs. Savage met him at the entrance. “I’m sorry, Mr. Collier. We received her transcripts this morning and revised her schedule accordingly. She didn’t take the change well.”

  “Where’s Jade?” He clenched his jaw so tightly his teeth ached. “I want to see her now.” A wave of something intense swept over him.

  �
��Canyon? Mrs. Savage?” Kristina barreled inside. “Jade called. She threatened to run away.”

  “Run away?” He swiveled to the principal. “Where is my niece? What’s happened?”

  “Jade is in my office. I’m giving her a chance to get her emotions under control after her outburst.”

  He scowled. “What outburst?”

  “Based on her academic performance at her previous school, we feel it’s in her best interest to repeat the ninth grade.”

  Kristina sucked in a breath.

  “No.” He planted his hands on his hips. “She’s a smart girl. She’ll catch up. It’s not her fault she got behind. Her mother—”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Collier.” Mrs. Savage ushered them into the office. “When we spoke with Jade about our decision, she became verbally abusive to the guidance counselor.”

  Canyon winced. “I apologize for that, Mrs. Savage. But you should’ve contacted me before telling her. I would’ve been here—” His eyes scanned the reception area. “Where is my girl?”

  Mrs. Savage opened the door to an adjoining room. Jade huddled in a chair opposite the principal’s desk. At the sound of his voice, her red-rimmed eyes flicked to his. But her black-coated lips flattened.

  “I’m not going back to the ninth grade with those babies.” There was defiance in every line of her body. “I won’t.” But her mouth quivered at the sight of Kristina.

  He stepped forward. “Of course you’re not going back to the ninth grade. That’s not happening.”

  Mrs. Savage frowned. “Mr. Collier, I explained—”

  “She’d be humiliated. I won’t put her through that.” He placed his hand on Jade’s shoulder. “Even if I have to yank her out of this school and put her in a private one.”

  Jade’s eyes cut to his. “But how would you afford—”

  “If I have to sell one of the airplanes, I’ll make it happen.”

  Jade’s mouth opened and closed.

  “Everyone take a breath and calm down.” Kristina cupped the crown of Jade’s head with her hand. “Surely there are adjustments that can be made, Mrs. Savage. What about her aptitude scores?”

  “Yeah.” He broadened his chest. “Jade is extremely intelligent.” Jade trembled beneath his hand.