Oslo Overtures

by Marion Ueckermann

  7

  After dinner in the city, Anjelica parked her car in the hotel lot at the end of a row of tall trees. In front of them, a large grass square, with a concrete circle in the middle, covered the earth.

  “Ah, the drop zone.” Erick smiled as he hoisted his backpack onto his back.

  Anjelica slipped on her cardigan. The night cooled as the earlier heat wave eased. She should’ve dressed warmer. She hadn’t banked on hitting the sights of Oslo after church when she’d dressed this evening.

  Up ahead, the hotel loomed. The four stared at the thirty-seven floor skyscraper. The evening sun reflected off the glass wall. Surrounding buildings mirrored their images on the hotel’s face. Soon it would be dark, and the pictures would change.

  Not soon enough for Anjelica. Even though part of her wished she’d brought her suit along, she was far happier for the opportunity to be alone with Kyle—even if only for a few minutes. She turned to Luke. “You should’ve brought a bag as big as Erick’s so you could hide your helmet.”

  “It’s not legal to jump from this location?”

  Anjelica wasn’t sure if that was worry or excitement edging Luke’s question. “It’s legal, but we probably should’ve cleared this jump with hotel management.”

  “They have to catch us first for us to get into trouble.” Luke waggled his brows.

  “Easy for you to say, Luke. You and Erick will just fly off the building—Anjelica and I have to get ourselves down thirty­-seven floors and back to the car without getting caught.”

  Luke patted Kyle’s back. “Not so easy for us either, Bro. We’ve still got to get to the ground and haul up our chutes before we can hightail it back to the car. We’re both at a disadvantage if we get found out.”

  She touched Kyle’s hand. “We’ll be OK. I have a plan.” She turned to Luke and reached for his helmet. “Give me that.”

  Without questioning, he obeyed. An amused look filled his face. He was obviously eager to see what idea Anjelica had.

  She took the helmet and shoved it beneath her strappy tee undershirt. The snugness of the cotton held the protective headgear firmly in place. And well camouflaged. The loose-flowing, flowery cotton top now protruded nearly a foot from where it used to hang, adding to the disguise. As she smoothed the material over her fake belly, she thought of Eveliina Carter in her third trimester, and Anjelica wondered what it would be like to have Kyle Sheppard’s babies…lots of them. She felt the heat rise to her cheeks and hoped nobody else noticed.

  Luke burst out laughing, pointing at her midriff. “Now that’s one classic move.”

  “Laugh all you want, Luke Maskil, this little baby’s going to get you your jump.” She linked her hands beneath her stomach, keeping the package safe, and strode on ahead, belly leading the way. She shook her head at the chorus of chuckles that rose from behind, one voice thankfully missing.

  Kyle hurried up beside her. “You’ll need a husband beside you if you’re going to go around looking like that.” He slipped his arm into hers. “Do you mind?”

  “Not at all.” She peered over her shoulder at Luke and Erick. “Jerks,” she said, loud enough for them to hear.

  As their laughter once again filled her ears, Anjelica realized that her rebuke had only fueled the fire of their amusement.

  By the time they walked into the hotel, they’d regrouped.

  Anjelica smiled at the concierge. “God kveld. Det er en flott kveld for drinker i Sky Bar 34, er det ikke?”

  The uniformed man returned her smile. “Ja, absolutt.”

  Kyle’s arm tightened around hers. “What did you say?”

  “Oh, I just told him we’re going to the top to jump off the roof.”

  “What?” Alarm laced his voice.

  Anjelica giggled and Kyle’s elbow nudged her side.

  “I told him it was a beautiful night for drinks in 34 Sky Bar. He agreed.”

  Luke pressed the up arrow on the elevator. “Talking about drinks, how about a sundowner before we jump?”

  “Shh.” Anjelica pressed her finger to her lips and whispered. “You don’t know who might overhear you. I’d hate to get into trouble.”

  “You shouldn’t be drinking and flying,” Kyle scolded.

  They tumbled into the empty elevator, laughing.

  The elevator clung to the side of the towering hotel. The sights from there were glorious. The higher they rose, the further the views extended over the Oslofjord.

  “Can you see the Dyna Fyr lighthouse from here?” Luke asked.

  “You mean the Dyna lighthouse,” Anjelica corrected.

  “No, the Dyna Fyr lighthouse,” Luke said, adamant he was right.

  “Luke,” Erick called. “Fyr is Norwegian for lighthouse. So while we’d refer to it as Dyna Fyr, you would call it Dyna lighthouse.” He laughed. “None of us should call it Dyna Fyr lighthouse…ever.”

  “Well, you know the place…” Luke turned his attention back to the view. “Can you see it from here?”

  Anjelica pointed to the right. “Over there, about two miles from here into the fjord. If you look carefully, you should see its flickering light.”

  “Yes, I see it.” Luke turned to Kyle. “Do you see it, Bro?”

  Kyle nodded.

  “Why do you ask?” What was their sudden interest in historical Norwegian landmarks? Did they think they could jump off a lighthouse next? Anjelica didn’t think they’d be that stupid. Besides, one could jump off Dyna Fyr without a chute.

  Grinning at Kyle, Luke answered. “No reason…”

  Anjelica was convinced there was one.

  Reaching the thirty-seventh floor, they stepped out of the elevator. The Sky Bar would not see them tonight. They headed for the stairwell to the roof, unseen.

  Anjelica pulled the bump from beneath her shirt and handed it to Luke.

  He rubbed the helmet, then cradled it. “Hmm, warm…”

  She swatted his arm. Always the joker. But after an evening spent in the presence of the Kiwi with the quick smile, she was becoming accustomed to his never-ending sense of humor.

  In the descending darkness, Luke and Erick slipped their jumpsuits over their clothing and their chutes onto their backs. They exchanged their fancy church shoes for a pair of sturdy boots with plenty of ankle support.

  Kyle took Luke’s backpack, while Anjelica relieved Erick of his.

  “Give us ten minutes to get back to the car before you jump,” Kyle instructed, then grabbed Anjelica’s hand and headed for the door. He only released it once they got to the elevator.

  Her hand felt abandoned, and she wished he would have held it for the duration of the ride down.

  As they hurried across the lobby, Anjelica was grateful she’d decided not to wear heels tonight. She brushed her hand across her flat stomach and prayed the concierge wouldn’t notice the difference. Right. Everyone notices a pregnant lady.

  “Missing your baby already?” A smile curved at Kyle’s mouth before disappearing. “You’re concerned about getting out of here without getting into trouble, aren’t you? You’re worried the doorman will notice the difference in your size.”

  “And that we’re now carrying the backpacks, and two of our party are missing.”

  “I think that’s the least of our concerns.” He slid his arm around her and pulled her close. “If I keep you at this angle, he shouldn’t notice a thing.”

  She felt safe in his arms.

  “Forlater så snart?” the concierge said as they neared.

  Before Anjelica could come up with a good explanation as to why they were leaving so soon, Kyle spoke.

  “Morning sickness. She’s had it for the past…uh…for some time.”

  “That’s too bad,” the concierge said, his accent heavy. He smiled and opened the door.

  That was too bad. Too bad they had to be deceptive. Too bad this was all make-believe. Too bad she wasn’t involved with Kyle.

  The farce over, Kyle released his hold on her as they burst in
to the cool night air. She wished he hadn’t. She wished she could pretend forever.

  ~*~

  Kyle looked back into the darkening sky as they hurried toward Anjelica’s car. The hotel was lit like a Christmas tree. He could barely make out the two forms in black on the roof. Kyle looked at his watch. In five minutes, they’d jump.

  Anjelica leaned against her car, and Kyle flopped beside her, pressing his back against the hard metal. Alone at last, but he didn’t have much time. “So…you and Erick…you’re pretty close?”

  She swept the hair away from her face. “We’ve known each other a long, long time. We’re practically family.”

  Practically family? How? Like brother and sister? Husband and wife? He wasn’t getting the answers he sought. Perhaps he didn’t want to delve too deep. He didn’t want to talk. He wanted to sweep her into his arms and kiss her while he still had the chance.

  Instead, he leaned over, unzipped Luke’s bag and pulled out her paperback. He looked at it for one last time.

  “My book.” Smiling, she reached for it. Their fingers touched. “I was worried I’d lost it.”

  “I’m sorry. I’ve been meaning to tell you all day that I had it…to give it back to you…but we haven’t exactly had time alone for me to do that.” He clung to the novel, reluctant to let it go. Reluctant to let her go.

  She looked up at him with those big blue eyes, and Kyle knew he was about to lose his resolve. He moved closer, bringing his face down to hers.

  “Whoop!”

  Their heads snapped up in unison at the shouts of Luke and Erick in the distance. They watched first one, then another body tumble from the rooftop. Moments later, colorful chutes opened, like a double rainbow after the storm.

  Should he claim a kiss in their remaining seconds alone?

  Kyle released his hold on The Lucky One and took a step back.

  ~*~

  Regaining custody of her paperback, Anjelica watched Kyle’s kiss slip away as he withdrew. Nooo…

  What wretched timing.

  Couldn’t the guys have waited a few more minutes before jumping?

  She should just grab Kyle and kiss him anyway, take the lead like she’d done all day. If only she were that brave. “There goes the peace and quiet.” Anjelica unlocked her car and opened the door. “I should get the engine ready to roll, just in case they’re pursued.”

  “Do you think that’ll happen?”

  “I doubt it. There’s not much pursuing happening tonight.” Would he know she no longer spoke of their friends?

  Flicking her hair back, she hopped inside, slid the key into the ignition and turned it. The car roared to life then settled into a purr as Erick and Luke touched down in the drop zone, much to the surprise of those taking a late stroll in the park. She stared through the windshield as they gathered up their chutes and sprinted toward the car.

  Without a word, Kyle slipped into the back seat, leaving the front open for Erick as he’d done on their journey into the city.

  She felt her seat move. Kyle grasped each side and leaned forward, his breath warm against her ear. “I’m sorry, Anjelica.”

  “For what?” she snapped.

  He breathed deep. “For kissing you last night…for my comment the night we met…for everything I’ve done to offend you.”

  She swallowed hard, torn between fury, hurt, and confusion. Her knuckles tightened around the steering. She didn’t move. “I don’t know what you think you know about me, but you really should take the time to find out before blowing me off with a kiss.” Or no kiss.

  The doors flew open on the other side of the car. This conversation was over. For now. But she’d get to the bottom of his reluctance. Clearly, he was attracted to her. Something prevented him from taking the next step. Only one answer kept surfacing. Erick.

  ~*~

  For the second night in a row, sleep eluded Kyle. He couldn’t get Anjelica out of his mind. She’d looked so beautiful tonight—like a field of cosmos shrouded in mist. And how cute was she with her fake tummy? He could’ve kissed her right there and then. It had taken all his strength to stop at sliding his arm into hers. It startled him how soon he’d forgotten the pastor’s advice, and his own convictions. He’d come so close to kissing her at the car. What would’ve happened if they’d not been interrupted by Luke and Erick’s jump? He huffed and rolled over again, fluffing his pillow once more.

  “Sheppard…try counting sheep,” Luke moaned. Sleep thickened his voice. “I can’t go without shuteye for another night.”

  Kyle rolled onto his back, shoved his arms behind his head, and looked up into the darkness. He’d think about home with its rolling green sheep-laden hills.

  One. Two. Three…ninety-nine…

  This wasn’t working. The fluffy white animals had become tiny white squirrels that flew through the air, long blond hair swirling smoothly in the air like a photograph of a babbling brook taken on long exposure.

  Anjelica.

  He’d put his foot in it again. She’d seemed upset with him on the drive home. But why? He’d apologized, done the right thing by exercising restraint.

  Had she wanted him to kiss her?

  Before the sun set on yet another day, he’d find time alone with her, ask her why.

  8

  Early that morning, Anjelica drove herself to the airfield. The air was cooler than it had been since they’d arrived. She felt a pang of regret that the heat wave seemed to be passing.

  Jeremy was there, preparing for the day’s flocking practice, and she ran her idea by him.

  As they walked toward the Skyvan, excitement welled inside her like the rising sun. How would she contain herself and not give anything away before the flight? She turned to him. “So you really think it’s a good idea?”

  “Angel, I think your idea is brilliant. I’m peeved at myself for not thinking of it first. A flickering star at the top of the tree…” He turned to her and pinched her cheeks lightly. “Brilliant.”

  “Jeremy, let’s keep this between us. If Erick or Kyle gets wind of this, they might not approve. Let me show them what I can do.”

  “Of course. But are you confident you can pull this off? I don’t want you putting your life in danger.”

  “Absolutely! Barrel rolls are one of my favorite moves. I’ve practically rolled down the cliffs of Stryn.”

  Jeremy laughed. “You mean flew down with barrel rolls? If you rolled down in the sky, like you’d do on a grassy hill, you’d be dead.” His eyes widened. He put his hand to his mouth. “Oh, Angel, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… Kristoff must still be a sensitive issue.”

  Anjelica’s chest tightened. Offering a weak smile, she put her hand out, grasped Jeremy’s and squeezed. “It’s OK.”

  They walked the rest of the way to the plane in silence. The area was deserted except for the aircraft pilots and ground crew.

  “I’ll wait inside the cabin for the team to arrive. I needed to get here early to run this by you.”

  “They’ll be along in thirty minutes.” He walked on toward the cockpit door. “Angel,” he called over his shoulder. “If you’re not comfortable with this, you don’t have to do it.”

  “No. I want to. I’m ready.” As was the plane. Ready and waiting. Anjelica jumped inside and flopped down on the floor, propping herself up against the cold metal side. Lord, help me do this right. Keep me safe.

  The thirty minutes spent in prayer went by too fast. At the sound of approaching voices, she opened her eyes. Amen.

  One by one, the members of the three international teams in their group filled the cabin. Anjelica greeted them as they boarded, waiting for that familiar face—the one she was still a little mad at, who’d short-changed her out of a kiss last night. When she saw him coming closer, her anger vanished like the mist that had hung over the runway when she’d arrived. She greeted Kyle and Luke as they took their places beside her.

  “Angel. Thanks again for last night. That was great.” Luke beamed as i
f he were the rising sun himself.

  Kyle elbowed him in the ribs. “Maskil, watch what you’re saying,” he whispered. “Do you realize how that could be misinterpreted? You’re putting Anjelica’s reputation at risk.” He shook his head. “Sometimes I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”

  Seated beside them, Anjelica heard every muffled word.

  Eyes wide, Luke curled his bottom lip down and shrugged his shoulders. “Sorry…”

  She wasn’t sure if the apology was directed at her, or Kyle.

  Kyle turned to the team. “Guys, give a hand to Luke and Erick for sneaking onto the roof of the Plaza Hotel last night and completing a successful BASE jump. One more thing to tick off Luke’s Norwegian bucket list before we go home to New Zealand.”

  A round of applause rose inside the cabin.

  “And they couldn’t have done it without the help of an Angel.” Kyle gestured to Anjelica and began to clap his hands. Applause rose again, along with whistles and cheers.

  “Thank you,” Anjelica mouthed to Kyle.

  He tipped his head at her before sliding his helmet on.

  She followed his lead.

  Soon the green light blinked and the belly of the plane opened. Time for this little star to shine.

  The flight couldn’t have been more smooth or perfect. With the entire flocking group’s positions established and the drop zone coming into view, Anjelica knew it was time. She checked her altimeter. Three barrel rolls at a safe enough height before deployment, but low enough for those on the ground to see her as a flickering star. That’s what she and Jeremy had agreed upon to start with. Tomorrow she’d start at a slightly higher altitude and try for five.

  She closed both arm wings partially before twisting her torso and legwing to the right. Her body tumbled around. The first rotation complete, she reopened her wings, and checked her altimeter. Still good.

  Stabilizing for a few seconds, she repeated the action a second time, then a third with plenty of time to spare. She was tempted to try for a fourth roll when a black shadow swooped beneath her.