Anjelica switched off the bedside light and hoped her roommate wouldn’t disturb her when she returned. She needed to calm her mind and rid herself of her frustration. The only way she could do that was with a good night’s sleep. And prayer.
Lord, please don’t let me bump into this man again this week. If You could, just make sure that I’m on one side of the formation and he’s on the other.
With a hundred and nine other participants on the ground and in the air, that should prove easy enough. Shouldn’t it?
2
The wake-up call came at five AM.
Anjelica bounced out of bed, ready for this day. Two envelopes had been pushed under the door overnight. One for Anjelica, the other for her American roommate, Brandy, who’d obviously lived up to her name the night before.
She slid Brandy’s note onto the table between their beds, gripped her own and opened the balcony door.
The candy-stripe cushioned chair outside beckoned. Sitting down, she propped her bare feet up against the balustrade. The envelope trembled in her hands. For several moments, she gazed across the ocean. These familiar butterflies—how she hated them.
Anjelica took a deep breath and ripped the envelope open, removing the single sheet of paper from inside. She blinked at the diagram showing her position in the formation and those of her teammates. This was unexpected. Dropping the paper to the floor, Anjelica swept her hands through her hair. She was flying lead? She was flying lead!
“Good news?”
Anjelica recognized the accent.
Kyle Sheppard.
She leaned forward and looked up. Kyle peered down from a side window set in the right tower of the hotel.
“Maybe,” she answered. If she gave him the satisfaction of knowing why she was smiling, he’d probably just pass another sexist comment. He’d know soon enough anyway.
A head popped out beside Kyle’s. His fair-haired friend…Duke? With a broad smile, he waved. “Morning, Angel.”
Anjelica pursed her lips and frowned. Erick had told them her name? Her nickname? Perhaps he called all women Angel. Wasn’t it a common phrase for some foreigners?
“Did you get your envelope?” Kyle’s friend continued. “Where’re you placed?”
She remained silent.
He leaned further out of the window. “Oh, and just in case you don’t talk to strangers, I’m Luke. And this is my very good, very talented, and very single friend, Kyle.” He ruffled Kyle’s hair, messing it up a little more. “We’re from New Zealand, and no, surprisingly, we’re not sheep farmers.” Luke pushed Kyle’s head forward. “Say hello.”
Kyle smiled. Raising his hand slightly, he gave a brief wave. “Morning.”
“For the record—” Luke leaned a little further out of the window, and Anjelica held her breath, hoping he didn’t fall. “—he didn’t mean anything by his comment about the pink skies…and he does feel bad about making it.”
Then why did he not apologize?
“So, gorgeous, where are you placed in the formation? Are you our angel at the top of the tree?”
Our angel? This Luke wasn’t only persistent, he was downright forward. Anjelica felt a little sorry for Kyle, having him for a roommate. His impudence must get tiresome.
“You can tell us, we’re practically neighbors,” he droned on.
Anjelica bit her lip to stop a smile. “And spoil the surprise?” She walked back inside her room. Time to wake up Brandy. They had to be outside on the lawn in thirty minutes. She couldn’t wait. Those two Kiwis were in for a shock.
~*~
Kyle smacked Luke on the back of his head. “What was that all about? ‘Very single friend’?”
“Just trying to help.” Luke rubbed his head then grinned. “Is she gorgeous or what?”
Kyle had to agree. And it was refreshing to meet a woman who didn’t fall all over him. In fact, he was certain she disliked him. Immensely. Not that he could blame her.
He removed the battery from the charger and placed it back inside the recording device before tucking it in the side pocket of the backpack housing his wingsuit and chute.
Luke hovered, waiting for a response.
“She is gorgeous. But it makes no difference. You know my standing on the feminine gender.” Kyle slung the backpack over his shoulder, grabbed his helmet, and made his way to the door. He’d be toast if he gave Luke any indication that he found this woman intriguing. “Besides, she totally does not like me, so no point going down that road.”
“That’s exactly why you should go down that road. The fact that she’s not into you is just what you want. And need.”
His friend knew him far too well. “We’re only here for a few days, Luke.”
“That’s why we have to move fast.”
“We?”
“Of course. I’m your wingman, aren’t I?”
He returned Luke’s grin. “That you are, Maskil, in more ways than one. I’ll see you downstairs.” He closed the door.
Kyle needed time alone before the others converged on the grass out front. Time to prepare his chute and gear; time with God. He’d ask at reception later if anyone knew of a nearby church he could attend tomorrow.
Despite the early hour, the sun was already high and the morning air fresh. The designated gathering spot was still deserted. Not for long though. Hopefully he’d see Anjelica before the area became too crowded. He needed to apologize. In person.
His heartbeat quickened at the thought of her. He should get to know her. After all, they’d be part of a team for the next week, and maybe their paths would cross again at future wingsuiting events.
He breathed in slowly, trying to calm his racing pulse. What if his interest was more than casual? It would go against the choice he’d made. But she seemed different. He hadn’t been this confused in a long time.
Kneeling on the grass beneath an old oak, he unzipped the backpack, removed his wingsuit, and spread it out facedown. The black suit lay like an ominous shadow against the green background. Only the red inserts tattled that the bird shape was no shadow at all.
Lord, give me an opportunity to tell her I’m sorry. I really meant no disrespect. Oh, and please keep us all safe this week, he prayed as he attached his parachute to the suit.
Kyle looked up as wingsuiters emerged from the hotel. First only one or two at a time, then larger groups. With each new arrival, the patch of green grew smaller. Time to suit up. Disappointment wrapped around Kyle. He’d yet to see the one person he’d been watching for.
Erick’s unzipped wingsuit flapped around his legs as he walked across the grass. Finally, one Norwegian he knew.
“Morning.” Kyle scanned the area behind Erick as he pushed his arms through the wingsuit sleeves. No sign of her. He’d stick close by his Norwegian friend. She had to arrive soon and would be looking for her team leader.
“Kyle. You left early last night.”
“I had some stuff I needed to do.” He picked up his backpack and walked beside Erick. “So, my friend, where’re you placed?”
“Second row, right.”
“That’s cool—beside me. Luke is positioned between us in the next row. We’re like the three flying musketeers.”
Erick laughed. “Three flying musketeers…I like that.”
“Isn’t it awesome to be flying lead for our teams in this event, representing our countries?”
“It is. But I’m not the only person representing Norway. I’m flying lead for the team from Stryn. The team from Kjerag is placed elsewhere in the formation. Bjørne Svensson is their leader. You know him, don’t you?”
Kyle nodded. “I’ve heard of him, but we’ve never met.” For a moment, Kyle was quiet. “So there are two Norwegian teams? Tell me, Anjelica…which team does she fly with?”
Erick stopped walking. He turned to Kyle. His smile had vanished. “Why the interest?”
Why the unfriendly face? Would there be a problem if he was interested?
“I’d like to apo
logize for my joke last night. I think I offended her.”
The Norwegian’s face lightened. “Ah…”
As they walked the rest of the distance to their positions up front in silence, Kyle mounted the recorder into his suit, just below midriff. His team was already waiting for him.
“Bro, where’ve you been?” Luke bellowed. “You left long before me.”
“Just been setting up my rig and gathering my thoughts.”
“You mean you’ve been praying.”
Kyle winked. “You got me.”
“Nothing wrong with that. I’m actually glad Someone’s got our backs while we’re up there.” Luke grinned as he pointed to the sky. “Did you see your lovely lady yet?”
“My lovely lady? You’re getting a little carried away, aren’t you?” Kyle looked around at Erick. How would he react to Luke’s comment?
His face remained deadpan. Perhaps he hadn’t heard.
“Don’t tell me that you haven’t been watching out for her. Despite what you say, I know you better than that. Heck, I probably know you better than you know yourself.”
Kyle clipped the back of Luke’s head with his hand. “Yeah, right.”
“Angel.” Erick waved his arms and gave a we’re-over-here whistle. He wrapped his arms around her the moment she was within reach. He held her tight for a moment before kissing her lightly on each cheek. “I’m so proud of you. Nobody deserves this more than you.”
Deserves what?
Anjelica took her place in front of Erick, Luke, and him.
Is she lost? She must be lost.
She set her backpack and helmet down before turning around. Looking Kyle straight in the eye, she smiled. “Surprise, boys.”
~*~
Really, Lord? This isn’t me on one side of the formation, Kyle Sheppard on the other. Hadn’t He listened to her prayers last night? It was a simple request—one side or the other. What was God doing?
“Yes.” Luke punched the air. “Wish granted—angel at the top of the tree. Oh, yeah.” He winked at Anjelica before turning to Kyle. “I know you wanted a star, Bro—sorry, to be the star—but heck,” he slapped Kyle with a backhand in the stomach and grinned, “isn’t this far better?”
Anjelica looked at Erick.
He just smiled and shrugged.
Kyle stepped forward. “You have to excuse my friend. And I—” He seemed at a loss for words. “I—” he began again and cleared his throat. “It’s a beautiful day for flying, isn’t it? Clear blue skies…”
Anjelica would not be intimidated by him. She looked Kyle in the eye. “The sky is a changeable entity, Mr. Sheppard, wearing many different shades. Soon enough the sun will set, the color will change. Hopefully you won’t miss it tonight.”
~*~
What was he thinking? He should steer clear of conversations involving colors or the sky. So much for apologizing. “I’ll be sure to wait up.” Kyle’s gaze locked on Anjelica as he stepped back in line. A gentle breeze played with her long blond hair, and a smile still teased her face. Even nature was having fun. He wasn’t. He needed to change that. “Please, call me Kyle.”
The event organizer’s voice blasted through a megaphone. “Testing. One. Two. Can you all hear me?” He turned a button on the instrument. “Sorry,” he said. “That was too loud for those in the front. Can you guys at the back still hear me OK?”
A rumble of yeses rose from the far end of the lawn.
“Great. Well, morning everyone. Good job on finding your positions in the formation so fast. I can see we’re going to make a great team. Take a few seconds to introduce yourselves to those you don’t know yet in your immediate surrounds. Then we’ll get started.”
Luke leaned on Kyle’s shoulder and whispered, “Time for our ritual. It’s now or never. Once this show’s on the road, we won’t have another opportunity.”
They’d made a pact to do the Ka Mate Haka at every event the team flew.
Normally he’d have no problem performing this traditional Maori dance, but Anjelica Joergensen stood right in front of him. “Do you really think we—”
“Sheppard, you’re not getting cold feet now, are you?”
He shook his head.
“C’mon, Bro, this is part of who we are…what we do. It’s tradition.” Luke grinned. “Everyone is dying for us to perform.” He put his arm around Kyle’s shoulder and spoke even softer into his ear. “No need to be shy just because of the lady.”
“I’m not.” Kyle shrugged Luke’s arm away and turned around to face the rest of his black-suited men. There was no escaping this. “All right, then. Let’s do this.” He closed his eyes for a moment before letting out a blood-curdling cry, stressing every syllable. “Ringa pakia!”
Everyone turned to look at the Kiwi team as they moved away from the formation.
Spreading their legs apart, they bent their knees and lowered their hips. The seven men raised their arms in front of their chests, elbows bent, fists clenched. Looking ominous, a force to be reckoned with, they puffed out their cheeks as Kyle walked between them. Some opened their mouths wide and stuck out their tongues, wiggling them from side to side.
A distasteful look crossed Anjelica’s face.
“Uma tiraha!” Kyle’s voice boomed again. “Turi whatia!”
Stomping their feet, the team slapped their hands on their thighs several times, then on their chests as they joined in with Kyle. “Hope whai ake! Waewae takahia kia kino!”
Kyle’s cries of “Ka mate, ka mate” were followed by the team’s echo, “Ka ora’ Ka ora’.” Once. Twice.
Throughout the minute-long ritual, Kyle held Anjelica’s gaze whenever he could. His father had taught him as a child to face his fears. He’d have to deal with this one in the same manner. If he flinched now, he’d never be able to look her in the eye again.
With each he-man movement, her beautiful blues grew wider. At least she’d lost that look of disgust.
Their tribal dance continued as they bent their left arms upward at the elbows and slapped their raised forearms with their right hands, repeating the sequence with the other arm while chanting, “Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru. Nāna i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā. A Upane! Ka Upane! Upane Kaupane.”
With their hands firmly placed on their forward-thrust hips, they gave a last cry. “Whiti te rā! Hī!”
Applause broke out across the lawn as Jeremy White’s voice blasted from the megaphone again. “Let’s hear it for our Kiwi team all the way from New Zealand, the Fly Blacks.”
Whistles and cheers rose to the sky.
As they straightened and made their way back into formation, Kyle broke his gaze with Anjelica.
“There now, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Luke lowered his voice. “Hope you didn’t offend the Angel. You looked pretty intense.”
Kyle slowed his step and spoke under his breath. “Me? I wasn’t alone in this. And, I already succeeded in offending her last night. What if she sees me now as a total fool and this as just another display of male dominance?”
“You’re concerned about what she thinks? That’s good.” Luke bear-hugged Kyle. “Don’t worry, Bro, women love this stuff. She’ll probably be falling all over you after that.” He waggled his brows.
“I hope you’re right…about her loving it, I mean.” I’ve already taken a nosedive twice. Kyle needed to make that apology, but it wouldn’t happen any time soon.
Jeremy had already started giving instructions. “Familiarize yourselves with the following, gents.” He paused briefly. “And ladies...”
Chuckles rippled through the group.
“One: your position in the formation. Two: the pilots surrounding you. Three: the color and type of their wingsuits. You need to know your neighbors as if you were conjoined twins. In a half-hour, we’ll head out in designated groups to make the first of five jumps today.”
Kyle knew his two neighboring teammates. That left only two fliers to get familiar with, but he got stuck at Anjelica Joergens
en…
3
Nothing relaxed Anjelica more than soaking in a bubble bath after a day in the air. And how she needed it. She’d tried to stay out of Kyle Sheppard’s way, but they were thrown into each other’s company.
Five helicopter rides, and the only seat available each time was the one right beside him. On the bus rides to and from the drop zone, he landed in a seat in the same row as her with only a narrow aisle separating them. And at the team leaders’ debriefing session, where was he seated? On the chair right beside her.
She didn’t trust his friend Luke.
She swirled the water with her hands, making a path through the foam. He was everywhere. She needed a distraction, something else besides Kyle Sheppard to occupy her thoughts. Bubbles were not going to do it.
A smile crossed her face. The leather chairs downstairs in the bar lounge were the perfect place to curl up with a good book. Staying in her room would only make her look anti-social, and that wouldn’t do. She needed to be close enough to the fun to be seen, chat to whoever crossed her path, but seated far enough away not to be drawn into their shenanigans.
Although she loved the camaraderie of the wingsuit community, she didn’t care for the party-hard side. By reading the book she’d brought, the novel’s characters should replace all thoughts of Kyle Sheppard.
Water splashed over the bath rim as Anjelica slid down to rinse her shampooed hair. Perhaps she could wash Mr. Sheppard out of her head, too.
But Kyle Sheppard was still there—laughing in the helicopter with his friends, floating beside her in the skies, letting out a whoop as they landed in the drop zone, and doing crazy testosterone-laden tribal dances.
Much as she hated to admit it, he was actually a likeable guy. Too likeable. And she’d felt so safe with him standing behind her at the exit point as she waited to lead the team into the skies. Was this a flame of annoyance burning inside, or a spark of attraction she’d been trying to douse?
Anjelica grabbed a fluffy white towel. As she stepped onto the tiled floor, her dampened foot slipped. She grabbed the basin to right herself. The last thing she needed was a twisted ankle or broken arm. That would put her out of the event—a bird with clipped wings.
Oslo Overtures Page 2