Clear to Lift
Page 30
They open their boxes, lifting out identical mugs. “Cat poster!” they say in unison.
“Can you believe they had the ‘Hang in there, baby’ mugs in the gift shop?” I say.
“Well, that pretty much sums it up,” Celia says.
“Not something I’ll soon forget,” my mom adds.
“And we’re definitely having cider,” I say.
“Would we have anything else?” my mom says.
“I’ll boil the water,” Jack says.
“But what about dessert?” Boomer asks. “I mean, just bringing us back on topic.”
“Would you like to do the honors?” Jack says. “I mean, since you brought it.”
“Hell, yeah.” Boomer rumbles over to the kitchen as I retake my seat.
He returns shortly holding a large sheet cake-size box that he places in front of Will and me.
“Go ahead. Open it,” Boomer says.
Will lifts the lid, and our faces broaden into matching beaming smiles. Inside, one dozen heavenly pieces of glazed doughnut perfection.
“Grabbed ’em up fresh from Schat’s this morning,” Boomer says.
Will motions for me to pick first, then turns to me, his eyes sparkling the way they did the first day I met him. “How much you wanna bet that’ll be the best doughnut you’ve ever tasted?”
“I have no doubt about that,” I say, raising it to my mouth. “None whatsoever.”
Also by Anne A. Wilson
Clear to Lift
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About the Author
Anne A. Wilson graduated from the United States naval Academy and served nine years active duty as a Navy helicopter pilot. This included three years as a search-and-rescue pilot based at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, where she specialized in high-altitude technical mountain rescue. The Naval Helicopter Association named Anne and her crew Helicopter Aircrew of the Year, an award given for search and rescue. Anne currently resides in Fountain Hills, Arizona, with her husband and two sons. To learn more, visit www.anneawilson.com. Or sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Also by Anne A. Wilson
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
CLEAR TO LIFT
Copyright © 2016 by Anne A. Wilson
All rights reserved.
Cover art by Getty Images
A Forge Book
Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
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The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-0-7653-7851-4 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-7653-8621-2 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9780765386212
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First Edition: July 2016