Against the Sky by Martin Kat

Author:Martin, Kat [Martin, Kat]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2014-12-29T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Derek kept his single-engine plane, a well-maintained Cessna 185, at a small private airstrip outside Wasilla. Nick arrived at exactly nine and spotted Derek making a physical inspection of the plane, getting it ready for takeoff.

Black canvas duffel in one hand, Nick grabbed Samantha’s wheeled carry-on and they started across the tarmac. The red-and-white-striped Cessna seated four to six, depending on how it was configured. It could slow to fifty-five miles an hour for landing, which made it a great plane for getting in and out of the wilderness.

Nick dropped his duffel next to a wheel, reached out and shook his friend’s hand. “Hey, Derek.”

“Hey, Nick, good to see you.”

“Derek, this is Samantha Hollis. She’s visiting from San Francisco. She’s coming with us.”

“Welcome, Samantha.” Derek grinned, flashing a mouthful of perfect teeth, giving her the once-over before reaching out to shake her hand. He was dark-haired and green-eyed, an incorrigible ladies’ man. Nick had forgotten that.

She smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Derek.”

“She’s never been to Alaska,” Nick said. “I figured she’d enjoy the scenery.”

“It’s a beautiful trip. And the sun’s coming out between the clouds. Weather’s changing tomorrow, but it should be okay today.” He tipped his head toward the plane, his pride and joy. “Ever been up in one of these babies?”

She shook her head. “A small commuter is as close as I’ve come.”

“Then you’re in for a treat.”

Derek loaded their bags and Nick helped Samantha climb aboard. “You want to ride in the copilot’s chair?” Nick asked. “You could see out a lot better.”

She quickly shook her head. “No, thanks, I’m fine back here.” Settling herself in the seat, she snapped her belt in place as Nick climbed aboard. Instead of sitting in the copilot’s chair as he usually did, he sat in the seat next to Samantha.

“You ready for this?”

She moistened her lips. “Sure.”

He could tell she was nervous, but he figured she’d relax once they got into the air. He smiled. “You won’t believe what you’re going to see.”

The smile she gave him looked a little wobbly. “I can’t wait.”

Nick frowned, beginning to regret his decision. She hadn’t done this before and Samantha wasn’t really the adventurous type.

“You don’t have to worry,” he said. “Derek’s a really great pilot.”

Another weak smile. “I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

A few minutes later, the final flight check had been made, Derek was flipping switches and the plane was beginning to taxi down the runway. Nick noticed Samantha gripping her seat, but she didn’t say anything. By the time they got into the air, her face was pale.

“You okay?” he asked.

She nodded. “I’m okay. Taking off kind of scared me. Sorry, I’m new at this. I’ll be fine as soon as I get used to it.”

But half an hour later, as the plane dropped into a trough and climbed out again, she looked even paler than before. The plane vibrated, rocked, rolled, dipped, and swayed.

“Sorry, guys,” Derek said. “It’s rougher than I thought it would be. Nothing to worry about; just isn’t as relaxing as I’d hoped.

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