Turning away, she moved to the hangar. Finding the doors already pushed back, CJ entered, fully expecting to find Brad already at work.
“I’m here,” she called. Silence met her declaration, and CJ frowned slightly. “Brad?”
Nothing. CJ reasoned that he must have gone up to the house for some reason, and she decided to wait until he returned. She moved from plane to plane, feeling on an intimate level with each one. No one could spend the hours she had working on these planes’ bodies and engines without feeling a special kinship with them.
Reaching the Travel Air, CJ put her hand out and ran it along the back portion of the fuselage. It was sleek with its multiple coats of hand-rubbed butyrate dope and paint. CJ moved up to the wing, and before she gave herself time to think, she stepped up onto it and propelled herself into the cockpit.
For a minute, she did absolutely nothing. Sitting in the silence, CJ squeezed her eyes closed and concentrated on the feel of the cockpit. It felt like the arms of an old friend encircling her as she sat there, yet she still felt uncomfortable. Without opening her eyes, CJ reached forward and felt the stick, the instrument panel—old memories blended with new feelings. It was all coming back.
Brad had heard the car pull in and finished with the phone call that had taken him from the hangar. He stood in the entry- way to the building, afraid to say a word as he focused on CJ’s coppery head peaking out from the cockpit of the Travel Air.
He didn’t know if she’d heard him enter or felt his presence, but CJ opened her eyes and met his as he waited there for her. She pushed back her hair and stood to get up. Brad quickly came to the plane and helped her down from the wing.
It was one of those moments that both Brad and CJ realized had been intended for something more than words. Brad wrapped her in his arms and swung her out away from the plane and then refused to let her go. Feeling her melt against him, Brad nearly moaned aloud. Instead, he pulled back slowly, knowing that he was about to cross the barrier line he’d put in place between them. CJ turned her face upward as if the whole thing were choreographed by someone else. Brad lowered his lips to hers, hesitating only a brief second before they touched and sealed the moment. The line had been crossed!
“I’m so proud of you,” Brad whispered. “You’ve worked so hard to put your fears to rest. I know your folks are smiling down from heaven. You’ve almost made it, CJ.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” she admitted and stepped away. “You’ve taught me a great deal these past months, and I’m grateful.”
Brad thought he noted hesitation in her voice and hurried to ask, “So do we fly today?”
She looked from the plane to Brad and then turned away. “I don’t think I can.”
Brad came up behind her and pulled her back against him. He just held her.
“I know you’re afraid,” he finally whispered. “I can wait for you to deal with it. But I have a suggestion that might help.”
CJ took a deep breath. “What is it?”
“Why don’t we just taxi out and back? We won’t even leave the ground, and you can just get used to the sound and feel of the plane again.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad,” she replied. Then a look of doubt crossed her face. “But what would keep you from taking off, anyway?” She turned and stepped back. “I couldn’t stop you if you decided to force the situation.”
Brad frowned. “You don’t trust me? Have I ever done anything that would prove to you that I’m other than a man of my word?”
She put out her hand, intending to do nothing more than touch his shoulder. Instead she allowed her fingers to reach up and trace the tense line of his jaw.
“Can we take the Travel Air?” she asked in a voice that reminded Brad of a little girl.
He took hold of her fingers and kissed them before letting go. A smile replaced the frown, revealing that all was forgiven. “We’ll take whichever one you like.”
CJ smiled. “Do you have any airsickness bags?”
Brad threw back his head and laughed. “I don’t think so, but we’ll find something suitable if it means the difference between your scratching the mission and going through with it.”
CJ shook her head, still smiling. “I just didn’t want to make a scene. I figure I can pass out, and being strapped into the plane, I won’t cause much of a problem. But since I have to work on these things, I didn’t want to have a mess to clean up.”
“You won’t get sick,” he stated firmly.
“I won’t get sick,” she repeated, feeling a bit of confidence in the declaration.
“Come on,” he said and held out his hand. “You’ll see.”
They taxied to the end of the runway with CJ tightly gripping the seat, eyes closed. She clenched her jaws together until her gums ached in protest. Her stomach tightened, but only for a moment. Then Brad gave the engine a little power and CJ realized it was a pleasant sound, not a painful one.
The wind rushed up to meet her face, and CJ was grateful for the goggles that held her hair down against her head. She opened her eyes and realized that all was well. Relaxing against the bouncing motion as they moved back toward the hangar, CJ felt she’d once again met and conquered an important hurdle.
“Thank You, God,” she breathed against the wind. “Thank You for helping me and thank You for Brad’s patience with me.”
twelve
In the days that followed, CJ gave heavy consideration to Brad’s suggestion that she fly with him. She weighed the situation carefully, concluding that sooner or later she would have to face this final leg of recovery or forget about it all together.
This isn’t going to get any easier, she told herself. You’ve put things off for too long as it is.
It was very early, and having no idea whether Brad would be home or at the penthouse, CJ drove out to the airfield. She parked beside the hangar and, noting that Brad’s Jeep was in its usual spot, bolstered her conviction with prayer.
“Father,” she began, “I feel this is the direction You are leading me, but if it’s not…if somehow I have misunderstood…please, let Brad be too busy to fly today. Amen.”
With slow, determined steps, CJ walked up the cobblestone walkway to the front of the house. For a moment she stood before the arched, double doors, hesitating in her mission. She reached out her hand, took a deep breath, and pressed the button to ring the doorbell.
Silently, she counted to ten to keep her mind from insisting that she bolt and run. She’d just reached six when a rather disheveled Brad opened the door. For a moment he just stared in stunned disbelief, and then his look changed to amusement as he ran his hand back through his uncombed hair.
“You would show up today,” Brad said with a chuckle. He quickly tucked in the tails of his long-sleeved shirt.
CJ wrinkled her nose, shrugged her shoulders, and turned to go. Brad quickly reached out and turned her back around.
“Oh, no, you don’t. You aren’t going anywhere. You think I don’t know why you’re here today, but I do.”
CJ raised a questioning eyebrow. “Oh, really?”
Brad pulled her toward the door. “You wouldn’t have come to the house if it weren’t very important, and I can only think of one very important issue that you would bring to me,” he said, pulling her into the stylish entryway and closing the door behind her. “Now you can’t run away,” he grinned.
CJ leaned back against the door and smiled. “Well, if you can really read my mind, you’d know I have no intention of running away.”
“I was just getting ready for the day. Why don’t you come in and have some coffee while I finish?”
CJ glanced around to take in the small vestibule. “I suppose I could,” she replied slowly. “But only if it won’t take too long. I’m on a mission, you know.”
“Yes, I know.” His words were very nearly serious, and CJ didn’t want the atmosphere to change from the lighthearted banter that she was enjoying.
“Do you make d
ecent coffee?” she questioned.
Brad smiled, sensing her mood, and took hold of her arm. “Why, Miss O’Sullivan, I make the best coffee in the world. It’s a very special blend that keeps busy pilots awake and on their toes.”
CJ tucked her arm around his and allowed him to guide her to the kitchen. She noticed that the breakfast bar was covered with papers and a small notebook computer. “If I’m keeping you from working, I can come back,” she offered.
Brad tightened his hold. “You know better. Now, sit here.” He di-rected her to a stool and moved the papers aside. Bringing the pot and a mug bearing his hotel logo, Brad poured a cup of coffee and handed it to CJ.
“So you take cups from hotels?” she mused, examining the mug. “Most people go for the towels or an occasional highboy.”
Brad laughed. “I know the owner and he doesn’t mind at all.”
“He does seem to be an awfully patient sort,” CJ agreed, taking a long sip of the hot liquid. She put the cup down and met Brad’s amused stare. “And very considerate,” she added.
“Sounds like you’re kind of fond of this guy,” Brad teased. “I might have competition.”
CJ feigned shock. “Well, he certainly isn’t as brash and forward as you, but alas,” she paused and took another drink, “I’m certain he can’t make coffee anywhere near this good.” She batted her eyes, enjoying the game.
“You like it, then?”
“What?” CJ asked innocently. “The coffee or the maker?”
“You have my permission to elaborate on both,” Brad said and leaned back against the butcher block that dominated the center of the room.
“I thought you had something to do,” CJ said. “Looks to me like you could use a shave.”
Brad grinned broadly. “Looking out for your own interests, I see.”
Confusion registered on CJ’s face, confirming that she didn’t catch his meaning. Brad walked to where she sat, leaned down, and kissed her cheek, making certain that his whiskery chin rubbed against it lightly.
“I see what you mean,” she said and blushed deeply. She hadn’t expected the kiss or the suggestive teasing.
Brad reached out and touched his fingers to her coppery curls, letting one wrap around his finger. “I’ll go shave, and then we’ll discuss where you want to fly to.”
CJ sat waiting for Brad to return, still contemplating his words. He seemed to know automatically that she was here to fly. How could he know her so well?
She drained the cup of coffee and felt a little less nervous as she allowed her gaze to travel around the room. Copper-bottomed pots and pans hung over the butcher block in the center of the room, with a multitude of spices and condiments lining the middle of the broad workstation.
The room was light and airy. CJ thought it very much what she would like for her own, if she ever bought a house.
“I told you I wouldn’t be long,” Brad said minutes later. He reappeared, pulling on a navy blue sweater.
CJ blushed, noting that he had shaved. She lowered her head, pretending to concentrate on the empty cup, hoping that Brad hadn’t seen her embarrassment.
She thought she’d pulled it off until he joined her at the table with the pot and his own cup. “You look very charming when you blush. More coffee?”
CJ started to laugh, although she wasn’t really sure why. It suddenly all seemed so funny. There she sat, trying so hard to be professional and disengaged from her emotions while they screamed to be recognized from every portion of her being. There was no sense in trying to conceal her feelings from Brad. He always seemed to know exactly what she was thinking and feeling.
Brad didn’t say a word. He poured them both more to drink, then sat down beside CJ at the table. He enjoyed her laughter and even more so, her embarrassment, for it spoke loudly of what CJ wouldn’t say with words. He knew she cared for him, but he wanted quite badly to know how much. Breaking all of Roger’s rules, Brad lost his heart completely when CJ lifted her ice blue eyes to meet his. She was everything to him, and Brad could no longer ignore his feelings for her.
“So you’ve decided to fly,” he stated, refusing to drop his gaze.
“I, uh…,” she stammered. “Yes.”
Brad nodded. “And where would you like to go, and which plane shall we take?”
CJ shook her head. “I don’t want to go anywhere, and I’d just as soon we take the Travel Air.”
Brad laughed and the spell was broken. “You don’t want to go anywhere, but you want to get there in the Travel Air?”
“I just thought maybe we could shoot touch-and-goes or just circle the field. I don’t want to get so far that I can’t get back down. I don’t want to move too fast and mess everything up.”
Brad wondered if her words had a double meaning. “Okay,” he answered. “We’ll just circle and land. If you want more, we’ll go again.”
Moments later, CJ found herself in the cockpit of the Travel Air. “Are you ready?” Brad yelled above the plane’s roar.
CJ couldn’t really hear him, but she knew he was waiting for her okay. Without looking back, CJ waved her arms forward, knowing that Brad would understand. He did.
The plane moved forward as it had the time before when they’d taxied out and back. CJ forced herself to keep her eyes open. Reaching up, she adjusted the goggles and wondered what it would feel like to rush down the runway and feel the plane lift up into the air.
Because the Travel Air was a tail dragger, the nose of the plane was elevated and obstructed CJ’s view down the runway. Nevertheless, she glanced out to the side and past the struts. Biplanes looked so frail compared to the modern mono-wing plane. Especially when you sized them up against the commercial planes, with their metallic glow and powerful jet engines. In reality, however, the biplane was a very reliable ship, and CJ took comfort in that fact as Brad revved up the engine.
In the next minute, they were rushing down the runway in a burst of energy. Autumn gave the wind a bite as it slammed against CJ’s face. Twenty feet rolled by, then one hundred, then two hundred. CJ lost track and braced herself as she felt the familiar sensation of the plane lifting up from the ground.
In a flash of memory, she was a little girl again—five, maybe six years old. She felt the buckles that held her snug against the cockpit. “Whatever you do, Jenny,” she could hear her father say, “don’t unbuckle these.”
As the plane climbed higher, Brad leveled the nose a bit. CJ looked down across the valley and held her breath. Dear God, she thought, I’m really here and You are, too. God was still God, and CJ sighed in relief.
Brad circled the airfield in a wide sweep. The plane moved through the skies with the grace and elegance of a refined old woman.
“Planes fly through the air, not over the ground, Jenny darlin’,” her father would say, feigning an Irish brogue. He’d taught her important properties of flight from her earliest years. Bernoulli’s theory was pounded in, explaining the way an airplane achieved lift as the air moved over the wing.
“Remember, Jenny, airplanes don’t stall at a speed, they stall at an angle,” he would say. It came back to her as though it’d been just yesterday.
Lost in thought, CJ panicked when the plane began to descend. She tried to throw herself forward, anticipating a crash. The harness held her fast and made her realize that all was well. Brad was simply landing the plane.
Brad was a gifted pilot, and he touched the Travel Air down as though kissing the earth with the landing gear. They were level for several feet until the tail snapped down and the plane rolled to a stop at the end of the runway.
CJ felt like shouting. She’d done it! She’d actually flown, and she hadn’t gotten sick or frightened. Well, not much, anyway.
Brad taxied back to his hangar and jumped from his seat as the propeller slowed and then stopped. He was at CJ’s side instantly.
“You okay?”
CJ undid her harness and nearly leaped into his arms. “I did it, Brad! I really did it!�
�� The enthusiastic smile on her face told him everything he needed to know.
He lifted her out of the cockpit and helped her off the wing. When they were both on the ground, he pulled her into his arms and whirled her around and around.
“I did it. I flew again!” she exclaimed over and over.
“You sure did!” Brad’s enthusiasm matched her own.
When he stopped turning her around and her feet touched the ground once again, CJ lifted her face to his and waited for the inevitable to happen. She knew he would kiss her. She wanted him to. And then he did.
Taking her face in both hands, Brad looked at her lovingly for several heartbeats. His green eyes were dancing with laughter, but they were also bright with passion.
“I love you, CJ,” he whispered, then lowered his lips to hers.
CJ’s mind exploded in a riot of emotions and thoughts. He loves me? Had she heard him correctly?
The kiss deepened as if in answer, and CJ found her fears and concerns melting away. She wrapped her arms around his neck and, for the first time in her life, kissed a man in return.
When Brad pulled away, CJ kept her eyes closed and sailed away on wings all her own.
“CJ, did you hear me?”
“Ummm?”
“I said, I love you.”
CJ’s eyes snapped open. “Of course I heard you.”
Brad laughed nervously. “I really do,” he said, sobering slightly. “And not just because you got in that plane today and not simply be-cause of all the hard work you did to defeat the ghosts of your past.”
“No?” she questioned, needing and wanting to hear more.
“No. I love you for so many more reasons, and I can’t even begin to tell you all of them.”
“You could try,” CJ said, dancing away with a teasing smile. “You could try.” She picked up speed, threw a glance over her shoulder, and gave Brad a departing wink.
A Wing And A Prayer: Truly Yours Digital Edition (Truly Yours Digital Editions) Page 9