Joy Takes Flight by Bonnie Leon

Author:Bonnie Leon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC042030, FIC042040, FIC027050, Women air pilots—Fiction, Alaska—Fiction
ISBN: 9781441238184
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

- 15 -

Kate pulled on her boots and laced them, then grabbed her coat from its hook and put it on. The house was clean and the baking done. She needed something to do. She stepped onto the porch, and then shoved her hands into her gloves. Jasper’s perch was empty. He’d been gone for several weeks. He’d never taken to Kate, but now that he was gone, she missed him.

Pulling the door closed, she gazed at a white world, savoring the hush of the year’s first heavy snowfall. She took in a breath of contentment. She was happy. With only two months left until the baby was due, she was home most days, filling in on flights only when needed. And for reasons she didn’t completely understand, most days that was fine with her. She thought it must have something to do with her woman’s need to settle in and prepare for the birth.

Feeling like an overblown balloon, she made her way down the porch steps and headed toward the shop. Opening the door, she stepped inside. Paul was working on his traps, making sure they were ready to be set out. He looked up.

“Hi. How you doing?” he asked.

“Good. The baby’s busy this morning. Must be happy.”

Paul kissed her. “Just like its mother.”

“I am.” She turned her attention to the traps on the workbench. “Just thought I’d come and say hi. The house is clean, bread is in the oven, and the stew is on.” She laughed. “Listen to me. I sound like Helen, all domestic.”

“Don’t worry. It’s temporary.” Paul smiled. “I know you. Soon you’ll be off on all sorts of new adventures.” He pulled her into his arms.

“It’s hard to imagine right now. I’m having more trouble than ever getting in and out of the plane.” She rested a cheek against Paul’s chest. “I don’t mind being a homebody for now, though.” She gave him a squeeze and then sat on a stool beside the workbench. “But I have been thinking about after the baby is born. I’m not sure how I’m going to work and be a mother.”

“Maybe we should talk to Albert and Helen. They did it.”

“They own a store. You’re a bush doctor and I’m a pilot—it’s not quite the same thing.”

“True.” Paul leaned against the bench and folded his arms over his chest. “I suppose we’ll figure it out as we go. We can share responsibilities and the baby will have to enjoy flying.”

Kate closed her eyes. “What about the danger we’d be putting him or her in? Every time I go up, I know something bad can happen, but I choose to take a risk. Is it fair to the baby?”

Paul’s expression turned pensive. “I’ve been thinking about that. And I don’t have a definite answer.” He blew out a breath. “I take the same risk. And when you were little, you went up with your father.” He scratched at a day’s growth of beard. “Everything in life requires risk. I don’t want you to be unhappy and I don’t want our child to grow up being afraid of adventure.

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