by Jodi Thomas
“You knew the whiskey would burn.”
“Sure, but I wanted to teach you to slow down. You don’t have to take every dare you’re offered, Katherine.”
“Thank you, professor.” Katherine bowed low. “I’m glad to have found someone so much older and wiser to teach me how to live my life.”
“Now, don’t get cocky. I am older. I’ll be twenty-one next spring. You may not know it yet, but there is a lifetime of knowledge between eighteen and twenty.” Cody pointed his finger as if the two years between them were a great span. “It’s lucky you’re a girl or who knows what crazy things you would have tried by now?”
“Oh, yes, sir. Lucky I’m a girl.”
Cody raised a questioning eyebrow. He couldn’t tell if she was making fun of him. “I hope you see I had to frighten you for your own good.” She looked so appealing in the sunlight that he was having trouble keeping his thoughts straight.
Katherine nodded, but Cody could tell she hadn’t heard his last words. She looked around the room as though his speech had been addressed to someone behind her.
“This looks like a nice boardinghouse,” she said. “I understand rooms are hard to find in town during the winter.”
Cody nodded, not really following her train of thought.
“If I scream”—Katherine showed no hint of teasing—“several people will come running and you’ll be evicted.”
“You wouldn’t!” Cody jumped toward her just as Katherine drew in the breath to scream. He closed his hand over her mouth and pulled her close to him.
Katherine giggled and pulled free. “Now who is afraid?” She moved out of his reach. “You bring a frightened girl to your room and then you don’t know what to do with her.” She laughed, enjoying Cody’s discomfort. “My reputation will be ruined when I’m discovered, and everyone will blame you.”
He advanced, but she darted out of his way. “Miss Willingham will probably have you ridden out of town on a rail for corrupting one of her young ladies. Tar and feathers might suit you, birdman.”
Katherine neared the door. “The town fathers will ask me if you forced me to go to your room after drugging me with liquor, and I’ll pause a long time before I answer.”
She put the back of her hand to her forehead. “I’ll have to say I don’t remember.” Katherine giggled as Cody darted toward her once more.
“You’re not going to scream.” Cody didn’t sound very sure of his statement.
“I’ll have to say that, whatever happened, you were merely teaching me a lesson. Everything you did was for my own good. I’m sure the sheriff will understand.”
“Why you…” Cody grabbed her as she passed the window and encircled her in his arms. The power of his lean body jolted through her as she struggled against him. The memory of the night when they’d been so close made Katherine long to feel his heart pounding next to her own once more.
“Scream,” he whispered, “and you’ll ruin us both.”
“Don’t order me around.”
“Don’t threaten me.” His words were warm against her cheek. Though he wasn’t smiling, his eyes were dancing with the challenge of their game.
Before Katherine could answer, his lips captured hers. His kiss was hard against her mouth and she made no coy pretense of resistance. When she didn’t pull away, his kiss turned gentle. The excitement that shook her body was echoed in Cody’s. Katherine knew she should stop. She wasn’t even sure Cody liked her, but kissing him was like flying, a new adventure she couldn’t turn away from. His mouth was firm against hers, and his body a wall of strength as she molded herself against him.
Slowly he parted her lips to taste her mouth. She cried softly at the new pleasures she was discovering with each moment, then wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her. The excitement of flying returned to her as his kiss lifted her off the floor and onto a cloud of ecstasy. She could smell the slight hint of oil and leather. She could taste the traces of whiskey in his mouth, but the fire he now ignited burned far deeper in her than the whiskey had.
Katherine gave herself fully over to learning about this new wonder, this new height of feeling. His kiss was like dancing in an enchanted fire. She could feel the heat but wasn’t burned by the flames.
When Cody pulled his lips away, he buried his face in her hair. His breathing was rapid; his heart thundered against her chest.
“I…” Cody pressed his cheek against her soft curls. “I didn’t mean to do that. I hadn’t planned…”
Katherine nestled against him and pulled his head down with her hands. As her fingers curled into his hair, her lips silenced his apology. She heard his low moan as he held her closer, pressing her tightly against the wall of his chest. The passion in his kiss exploded through her body, and every inch of her cried for more.
Cody lowered his hands to her waist and pushed her away. He leaned against the window frame, wanting her near, very near. Pulling her against him he let his lips travel down her neck.
Katherine leaned into him, loving the way his mouth trailed down to her throat, tasting her flesh lightly between kisses.
She knew little of lovemaking, but she was learning. Brushing her lips lightly over his hair, she returned his every caress, loving the way his skin felt against her cheek. Loving the taste of him on the tip of her tongue. Loving the smell of freedom that floated around her, encircling her with desire.
There was something so wonderful, so exciting about this man. She could see it in the warm depths of his eyes; she could feel it in his touch. Katherine remembered how once she’d touched an old flag a nurse had brought back from China. She’d felt the Orient between her fingers when she brushed the silk. She’d almost heard the foreign tongues and smelled the unknown foods. Now, touching Cody, she could feel the excitement of his life. She was suddenly a shareholder in all he’d tried, in all he would ever be. And she knew with shocking clarity that she would always be a part of him. A part of his past. A slice of his future.
“Katherine,” Cody’s voice was a low, warm whisper against her throat. “I’ve never met a woman like you. I keep fighting myself about whether to hold you or run as fast as I can away from you.”
Cupping his chin in her hands, she raised his face until he was looking into her eyes. She said the only thing her honesty would allow. “Don’t run…”
Before she could finish, Cody pulled her down onto the window seat and gently lowered her to the velvet pillows. His lips found hers in a tender kiss while his fingers spread warmth wherever he touched. As he cradled her in his arms, he lay beside her allowing her to feel the length of his body without having the weight atop her.
When finally Cody lifted his mouth from hers, Katherine leaned her head into the pillows trying to stop the world from whirling around her. She’d dreamed of what it might be like to kiss a man fully, but this was so much more than she’d hoped.
Cody pulled at the top button of her blouse, and it gave way easily beneath his touch. “I’d better take you home before I ravish you right here and Miss Willingham does run me out of town.” He laughed. “But first I want to give you something to think about in your dorm room tonight. I want to make sure you dream only of me.”
He pulled her blouse open until he could see the rise of her breasts. Katherine watched his eyes darken as he looked down at her for a long moment. Her cheeks warmed, not with embarrassment but with joy at the pleasure she was bringing him.
Slowly moving his lips along her throat and down to the softness of her breasts above her camisole, he whispered against her flesh, “Sometimes, my sweet Katherine, loving is like liquor. It’s better to enjoy just a little at a time and savor each drop.” His lips were liquid fire on her skin. Her breasts swelled and strained against the cotton camisole as his mouth brushed the exposed softness.
“You’re so beautiful.” His words were warm between her breasts. “I’d like to show you all about the game of love, here in the morning sunshine. We could go flying again
without ever leaving this window bench. We could play a game that would excite every part of you, just as flying did.”
Katherine shivered as his words chilled her soul. She pulled away, realizing Cody’s words were no more than another game he played. “I can’t take love so lightly.” Her hands were shaking, and she felt as cold as she had as they flew in the early light when the sun offered no warmth. “I want your touch. I won’t deny that. But this can’t be just a game between us.”
“Life’s too uncertain to be seen as anything except a game. And love—love is just an intimate sport between strangers.”
“Not with me,” Katherine insisted, even though his warm body still fired her blood with need. “It has to be all or nothing. I’d have to have promises and proof that you’d keep them forever before I cared about you.”
He planted a kiss on the bow of her camisole and pulled away from her with a moan of reluctant self-control. “I’ve never loved except as a game. I make no promises to love forever. Only a fool would believe that. You ask a great deal from me. Maybe too much for any man.”
The sadness in his eyes tore her heart as he continued. “I can’t make a lifetime commitment to anyone. I never stay long enough in any town. I’m always on the road.”
Katherine raised her head stubbornly, blinking back tears she hadn’t shed when she heard her father say the same words. “I understand,” she lied.
“I’ll take you home now.” He offered her his hand. He seemed to see her pain but had no idea how to ease it.
His fingers gripped her hand tightly as if daring the world to try to pull her away from him. For a long moment brown eyes met green, and they both knew it was he who stood in the path of their love. He wanted her—she could see that in his eyes—but was he willing to make the promises she had named as her price?
Katherine felt light-headed as she stood up. She forced herself to smile. He was a good man, and one day, when he cared enough to give all of himself, she had to believe he’d come back.
She buttoned her blouse and followed Cody across the room. She’d had her first flight and her first taste of love in one morning and was filled with a need for more of each. The brooding in Cody Masters’s eyes was all the assurance she would ever need to know there would one day be more of both.
Seven
THE MINUTE KATHERINE saw Sarah’s face she knew something was wrong. Sarah always held her chin high in a valiant show of bravery when something dreadful had happened. Now her tiny friend stood beside Bart’s car with chin lifted as her dark curls blew around her face.
Katherine jumped from the cab of Cody’s truck even before the wheels completely stopped and ran toward Sarah. She swore to herself as she ran, “If that huge man has hurt Sarah, he’d better enjoy this breath, for it will be his last.”
She slowed suddenly, noticing Sarah’s tiny hands clutching Bart’s massive arm.
“Are you all right, Sarah?” Katherine didn’t miss the look Bart shot her at the question. It was as though he wanted to say Sarah would always be fine as long as she was with him.
Cody reached the waiting couple a moment behind Katherine. “What’s the matter, Bart? You look as if we’re about to be hanged for bringing the girls home late.”
Bart swallowed hard, as if it took a great effort to speak. “I just came from town. Wilbur Wright was there and mighty upset. He wants to see you as soon as possible.”
“He found out I took Katherine flying this morning, right?” Cody rubbed the back of his neck and looked skyward. “Well, I guess I’d better pack and see if Curtiss can use another pilot, though I’m not eager to fly a bamboo airplane.”
Katherine felt sick inside at the trouble she’d caused, but before she could speak, Bart’s booming voice filled the morning air.
“No, Cody. Wright knows nothing about this morning. He’s upset because we got word that Johnstone was killed yesterday in Denver.”
Cody jerked suddenly, as if Bart had knocked the wind out of him.
Bart shook his head. “Wilbur told Johnstone and Hoxsey to cut out the risky stuff. ‘Straight flying,’ I’ve heard him yell a hundred times. But the crowds loved the showy stunts, and Johnstone could never leave out the circus act. Hell!” Bart stormed as if mad at the world, then glanced at Sarah and some of the anger left him. “The Stardust Twins thought they could get away with it. Everyone thought they had pilot’s luck.”
“What went wrong?” Cody stared out at the low bank of winter clouds moving over the dorm.
“The air’s thinner up in Denver. The telegram said Johnstone went into his famous spiral descent and just never broke out. He was dead even before the first rescuers could reach the crash. His back, neck, and both legs were broken. Said the bones were poking plumb through his leather flying clothes.”
Kicking at a clump of dirt that had caked on the fender of Bart’s car, Cody blinked away threatening tears. “I’ve seen Johnstone fly by and lift a handkerchief off the ground. How could he not have pulled out in time? He’s been doing that trick ever since I’ve known him.”
“Hoxsey was in the air when it happened. He said it looked as it Johnstone fell out of his seat and couldn’t get control again. He was hanging on to the bench with one hand, trying to reach the levers with the other when the plane hit the ground.”
Katherine had listened quietly for as long as she could. She grabbed Cody’s sleeve. The reality that a man had died seeped into her brain. The knowledge that he was a pilot just like Cody hit her with full force as Cody turned his dark eyes toward her. She opened her mouth but could think of no words to say, realizing suddenly she was more frightened for Cody than she’d been for herself all morning.
He stared at her for a moment as if trying to understand the pain in her face. Then he folded her into his arms and held her tight. “Katherine, Johnstone knew the risk he was taking. We all know the risk each time we go up. It’s part of the game. Even Orville Wright, who always thinks about safety, has had his body broken up more times than he’ll admit.”
Bart interrupted, his voice low but crystal clear. “Wright wants to see you, Cody. They want you on the afternoon train to Denver.” His words came slowly. “You’re Johnstone’s replacement.”
Katherine felt the excitement jolt through Cody’s body. “I’m going?” he shouted.
Bart’s smile was somehow sad. “You’re on the team now, Cody. You get to finish the tour.”
With a yell, Cody swung Katherine around. The dust of the road whirled around his feet. Trying to restrain his joy, he put her down and ran his fingers through his hair. He looked down at Katherine with a smile on his lips but a touch of sadness in his eyes. “I wouldn’t have wished Johnstone harm, you know that. I’m only happy to have a chance to fly in the shows.”
“I know.” Katherine could understand Cody’s joy. “This is your chance, your dream, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “I’ll be back in a few months.”
Katherine fought back a tear. “Promise? I still owe you a debt I aim to pay, so don’t go dying on me.” She tried to smile and make light of his leaving. She knew he couldn’t guarantee he’d be back, but she wanted to hear the words.
Just once in her life she wanted to believe a man would come back to her. “I was just starting to like you, Cody Masters.”
He lifted an eyebrow slightly as a smile wrinkled the corner of his mouth. He glanced over his shoulder and noticed that Bart and Sarah were already halfway to the dorm. They had probably realized he needed a few minutes alone with Katherine, which was exactly what he planned to have.
Pulling her around between the cars he wished they were back in his room. “Say that again,” he pleaded as he set her atop the wide car fender and didn’t bother to remove his hands from her waist.
Katherine smiled at his daring. “I said I still—”
“No,” Cody interrupted. “The last words.”
“Oh.” Katherine laughed. “I said I was just starting to like you—”
He stopped her again with his lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss. She was too close to the dorm to be behaving so outlandishly in broad daylight, but she didn’t care.
He pressed her against him. “I’ll be back,” he promised. “I swear I’ll come back for another taste of these lips.”
She could feel the warmth of his body through their clothing, his heart pounding madly against her own. A wild adventurous feeling blanketed her in the warmth of his nearness.
She needed his touch as desperately as she needed to believe his promise.
Cody leaned away, cupping her chin in his hands. “Take care of yourself until I get back. Because I think, Katherine McMiller, you just might be the one girl with whom love isn’t a game for me. And that thought frightens me far more than anything will ever frighten you.”
* * *
Bart walked Sarah slowly back toward the front door of the dormitory. Last night he had thought her the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen, but this morning, with the sun shining off her dark hair and her eyes bluer than any sky he’d ever crossed, she was even lovelier than he remembered.
“Were you good friends with the man who died?” she asked, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes.
Bart tried to swallow the lump in his throat, thinking it would almost be worth dying to have someone so perfect cry for him. “We knew each other, but men don’t get too close in this business. It hurts too bad. I know he loved to put on a show. Johnstone had the blood of a carny. Sometimes he’d risk not only his job but his life to give the crowd a thrill.”
“Did he have family?”
“Don’t know.” Bart couldn’t believe all the times he’d talked to Johnstone, even had a few drinks with him, and never asked about his family. “Most of the pilots are light a full load of family. For some reason that makes it easier to go up.”
Sarah shook her head. “I can just imagine how the crowd must have felt seeing a man die.”
“From all the reports, people ran to the crash not away from it. They clawed through the wreckage for souvenirs, tore scraps of fabric from the wings. Someone even took the gloves from Johnstone’s hands before Hoxsey could get to his partner and stop the madness.”