What was Kyle doing, taking lead position?
Anjelica swallowed hard. She guessed that was his way of saying he was not impressed.
He closed one arm wing and rolled over onto his back, re-opening the wing. The movement was fluid from years of practice—not a flicker of instability. Anjelica was sure his eyes burned as dark as the shades that covered them. He rolled back into position and clicked his legs together three times before breaking away from the group.
Safely away from the others, he deployed his chute. It was black, like his wingsuit, and it floated down to earth like an ominous cloud.
~*~
Kyle fumed as he waited for her to land. He bulldozed his way to her as she pulled in her chute.
Anjelica yanked off her helmet, loosened her ponytail, and shook her head, allowing her hair to flow free. A gentle breeze tousled several strands, making them take flight. Everything about her was soft. Everything except that icy stare. Same look she’d given the first time he met her.
The best form of defense was attack, and Kyle intended to get in first. So, she was mad. He was madder. “What do you think you were doing up there?”
She dropped her chute and helmet and shoved her hands on her hips. “Let me see, last time I checked, I think they called them barrel rolls. I would think that someone of your caliber would know what they were.”
Kyle took the last few strides until they stood inches apart. “I know what they are. Let me tell you what they aren’t... They aren’t in the flight plan.”
“They are now. And tomorrow, there’ll be more.” She bent over to retrieve her gear.
He wasn’t about to let her dismiss him this quickly. He placed his hand firmly around her arm. “Do you realize that maneuver requires a huge level of control and skill?”
“And you think I don’t possess such control?”
From what he saw, she probably did, but he wasn’t about to capitulate. “Still, it has to be second nature. There’s no room for instability, no room for error.”
“Was I unstable in my performance?”
She wasn’t, and Kyle could tell she knew that. So did he. Still holding her arm, he took a step closer. “You can’t fly—”
Her eyes flashed. “I can’t? Why? Because the skies aren’t pink today?” She yanked free of his grip, grabbed her gear, and marched off before he could stop her. “Argh.”
You can’t fly like that, I meant. Why had he allowed her to cut him off and assume what he was going to say? Kyle caught up in a few strides. He reached for her. At his touch, she swung around. Before she could argue with him any further, he’d dropped his chute and wrapped her in his arms.
Like the first time, she responded fully to his kiss. But this time, she didn’t run away.
~*~
Anjelica lost herself in Kyle’s kiss, determined to claim what she’d been denied. She didn’t care who looked on as she wrapped her arms around him, feeling the strength of his back beneath his wingsuit, and the softness of his hair as her fingers trailed the strands. Her cheek bore the brunt of his stubble, but she took no notice. It was pain with a beautiful gain.
She breathed in deep. Was he wearing cologne? Had he put it on especially for her?
A moan escaped his lips. He pulled away. Closing his eyes, he turned his head.
Anjelica felt her desire turn to ire. This wasn’t a game. She wasn’t some daisy to be plucked, its petals thoughtlessly discarded. I’ll kiss her. I’ll kiss her not. I’ll kiss her…
Faster than an adder, her hand struck his cheek.
His eyes flew open and his gaze bored into hers—the depths of the earth meeting the highest heavens. Kyle rubbed his cheek. “What was that for?”
“I’m tired of playing games. Make up your mind what you want, because I’m done tip-toeing on the edge of romance. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve a plane to catch, an act to perform.” With her head held high, she turned and strode away.
~*~
Kyle was confused. Had she just confessed, in a manner of speaking, to being interested in being romanced by him?
But what about Erick?
Leaving his chute on the ground, he ran after her. He needed to kiss first, ask questions later, or he was going to lose her. For the second time, he stopped her in her tracks. This time his grip on her tightened, afraid she’d slip away again. His mouth came down harder, with more passion than he knew he possessed. This was what she wanted, wasn’t it? When he’d finished kissing her, he nuzzled his face into her hair, ignoring the whistles and cheers from passing wingsuiters. Could he trust himself to speak? He had to let her know how he felt. “If I fly on the wings of the dawn you are there…”
Her labored breathing heated his neck with every breath. He felt her cheek move with her smile. “I don’t think it quite goes like that, or that the psalmist had me in mind when he penned his words.”
“No. But these words haven’t left me from the moment I met you. I can’t get you out of my mind. You envelop me.”
“Then why are you fighting this? I don’t understand.” Her eyes sought the answers in his.
How could one word cause so much turmoil? Kyle breathed out the answer. “Erick.”
A frown creased her brow. “What about Erick?”
“You tell me.” Was she really going to play dumb?
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“Really?”
She smiled at him. He hadn’t seen her smile this up close and personal. “Really.”
His heart did a million barrel rolls, breaking all the safety rules. “You mean you’re not involved? You’re not in love with him?”
She buried her face in her hands and laughed. “Heavens, no. Why would you think such a thing?”
Did he dare tell her? He looked away. “I—I saw you in his arms…twice. Saw him kissing you.”
Anjelica clasped his cheeks and turned his face to her. “Silly.”
“I did see it,” Kyle protested. “I didn’t mean to… I came looking for you after you ran out on Saturday night. You and Erick were on the path near the garden. And then yesterday, here at the drop zone…”
“Kyle,” she stroked his cheek, searching his eyes, “what you saw on Saturday was Erick misunderstanding what I was trying to tell him, taking what I hadn’t given.”
“And yesterday?”
“Claiming more than my peace offering.” She shrugged it off as if it didn’t matter to her. “Erick and I go a long way back.”
“You were in love with him before?” Kyle couldn’t help the questions coming. He needed answers. He needed reassurance. And somehow, he didn’t think Anjelica would mind giving the answers this time.
She threw her head back and her laughter filled the air. “When I was ten.”
“The first time you were in love?”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
She shrugged. “I grew up.”
She wasn’t telling him everything.
“But what happened after you grew up?”
Her answer came in two syllables, and Kyle wondered if he had someone else to worry about.
“Kristoff.”
“Who’s Kristoff?”
Anjelica chewed her bottom lip. Finally, she answered, her voice soft. “His brother.”
“The second time you were in love…”
She swiped at a tear as her head made the smallest movements up and down.
Feeling the heartache in her answer, Kyle pulled her closer and held her tight. “Are you still in love with him? This Kristoff?”
Her hesitation felt like an eternity. She stared at Kyle. He braced himself for her answer, convinced she wanted him to see the truth in what she had to say.
“There’s a part of me that will always love Kristoff.”
His heart plummeted.
“But no, I’m not in love with him anymore.”
Dare he ask the next question? Just two words that would give him more insight. “What happened?”
/>
“Hey, lover boy.” Luke’s smile matched his voice as he jogged past. “Save it for later. We need to go. The plane’s ready to take off.” He looked at the bunched fabric lying beside Anjelica, then at the black mound several yards back. “You still need to fold your chutes?” He cursed and dropped his helmet to the ground. “Here, let me help you. Jeremy won’t be happy if his schedule goes out of sync. Won’t matter that you’re the stars of the show.”
Her answer would have to wait. He gave her one last hug and whispered in her ear. “Promise you’ll take care up there. Don’t take any chances.”
She kissed his cheek. “You’ve nothing to worry about. Remember, angels were made to fly.”
“Yes they were, but that doesn’t make you invincible. Even angels have been known to fall from heaven. I don’t want that happening to you.”
“It won’t. Besides, you have my back.”
He held her for a moment longer before releasing her. He turned to Luke. “You help Anjelica with her chute. I’ll sort out mine.”
“With pleasure.”
“Maskil…”
Luke looked up.
“Behave yourself.” He winked at Anjelica and walked—no floated—back to his chute, one thought on his mind. Erick might’ve lost his childhood sweetheart, Kristoff the love of his life, but Kyle Sheppard was never going to let his Angel go.
9
Holding the hand of the most beautiful woman he’d known, Kyle gazed across the table at Anjelica. Candlelight danced in her eyes like stars reflecting across the fjords. They were on their first date. Wow! It didn’t matter that they lived on opposite sides of the world—they’d work it out, like Adam and Eveliina had. Or God would work it out for them.
“Did I tell you how amazing you were today?” He squeezed her hand.
She leaned closer. “Was the amazing part when we kissed, or when I wowed the ground crew with my aerobatics?”
“Both.” He kissed her delicate fingers. “You were really good…on both counts.”
He was about to take a bite of his dinner—Norwegian salmon—when Luke interrupted. “Hello, Angel. Kyle.”
Kyle glared at him. Can’t you see we’re in the middle of something here?
“Sorry to butt in. Did you hear?”
“Hear what?” Kyle and Anjelica asked in unison.
“Jeremy was so impressed with what we accomplished today, he’s given us the morning off. We only start jumping after lunch. A little sleep in time, he said.”
“That’s great news.” Anjelica turned to Kyle, her smile coy. “So, Mr. Sheppard, you got plans?”
“Not yet,” Luke interjected. “Kyle, a moment, please? Alone.”
Anjelica’s head swayed like a pendulum from Kyle to Luke to Kyle. Her eyes narrowed as she dabbed the corners of her mouth with the linen napkin. She placed the napkin down beside her plate. “I have to go to the ladies room. I’ll leave you two alone, but only for a short while, Luke, and then I want him back.”
Luke slid into her seat.
“This had better be good, Luke, or I swear—”
“Bro, I’m shocked. You never swear. Perhaps I should just spill a bunch of garbage, see what happens.”
Kyle furrowed his brow and tapped his wristwatch.
“OK. I’ll make it quick.” Luke rearranged Anjelica’s cutlery like an overbearing maître d’. “I was thinking, as we have the morning off, why not get this ‘thing’ out the way—do the flight tomorrow? I made a call, and as luck would have it, we can book the helicopter for the morning. It’s not available Saturday. Besides, I think I might have a ride for us to Kjerag Saturday morning with the Norwegians. This may be the only chance we have. Just one call from me and the pilot will pick us up here at the hotel at five AM.”
“Are you crazy? I have to first plan this insane flight.”
“I know you’ve already been pawing over the route. I’ve seen you making the best of every waking moment when we’ve been in the room.”
“How did you—”
“I sleep with one eye open.” Luke pulled a face that looked somewhat like Quasimodo, the Hunchback of Notre-Dame.
Kyle swatted him with his napkin. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“You getting cold feet, Bro?”
Not yet. He’d certainly have them if he landed in the Oslofjord. “I’m just saying...we could jeopardize the entire world record. It calls for a one hundred and eleven person formation, not a hundred and ten.”
“I have faith in you.”
“I’d feel a whole lot better if you had faith in God.”
Luke chuckled. “Yeah, right. Think of it this way, do this and after tomorrow you can devote all your attention to the beautiful Angel.” He placed his elbows on the table and leaned in. “The longer you have to brood over this, the greater the chance you’ll change your mind. And then I would’ve gone along to church like a good boy all for nothing.”
“You know I won’t do that. I’m a man of my word.”
“Ah, but when love comes into the equation, a man’s word is often meaningless.”
Luke rose as Anjelica walked back toward the table. “Think about it, Bro. I’ll be up in the room soon to help you plan. You’ll be there, won’t you?” He clicked his tongue and winked at Kyle. “You gotta plan the dive…”
“Dive the plan,” Kyle finished. “I know.”
Luke pushed the chair in for Anjelica as she sat, then waltzed off whistling.
“What was that about?”
“Nothing.” Kyle had no desire to discuss this with Anjelica. After the way he’d chided her for three barrel rolls, she’d not be impressed at this crazy stunt. He needed to wait until it was all over before she knew about it. And he had to tell Luke she wasn’t coming along for the ride. They’d have to talk their own way out of trouble if they landed in it.
“Do you mind if we take a rain check on dessert? I’m stuffed after that salmon, and also really tired. I haven’t slept well these past two nights.” He hated to cut the evening short. In fact, as they weren’t practicing in the morning, he’d happily go without another night’s sleep if he could spend it in her presence. But Luke was right—he needed to get this out of his way. If he waited, he might not do it. What would that do for his reputation as a believer? Put Luke off Christianity even further, that’s what. He had to be a man of his word, even if it killed him.
~*~
What had happened in the few minutes she’d stepped away? Was Kyle withdrawing from her again?
“Can I walk you to your room? I believe there’s a good book waiting for you.”
Anjelica shook her head.
“Get you anything else? Dessert? Coffee?” He certainly was trying to make up for his sudden decision to end their evening together. She’d imagined them taking a stroll in the garden, kissing beneath the moonlight. She fought back her tears of frustration and disappointment. She’d not cry over something like this in front of him. “Perhaps coffee. I’ll sit here a little longer, if you don’t mind.”
“You want to sit here, at the dinner table, all alone? Why not relax in the lounge, in ‘our’ chairs? I’ll order you coffee from the bar.”
“Sounds good.”
Holding hands, they walked out of the dining room.
Once Kyle had her settled with a coffee, he gave Anjelica a lingering kiss good night. Who’d need dessert after such a sweet offering?
She sat alone with her thoughts and her coffee. Both guaranteed to keep her up late.
“Hello.”
Anjelica eyed Luke over the porcelain rim. She set the cup down. “Not you again.”
“Are you angry with me?”
“Whatever you discussed with Kyle ruined our date.”
Luke placed his index finger purposefully at the corner of his mouth, looking up as if struck by some great idea. “Ah, yes. Well, it’s all a matter of perspective.” He dropped a folded paper on the table beside her cup. “This time tomorrow, you’ll be singing a
different tune. I guarantee.” Like a pesky fly, he disappeared as quickly as he’d appeared.
He was going to take a lot of getting used to. But she’d do it. Anjelica leaned forward and picked up the paper. What was inside?
Meet me at the hotel helipad at five AM for the ride of your life. Don’t be late. Love K.
Kyle Sheppard, what are you up to? He must have left early tonight to plan. Would they enjoy a romantic breakfast high in the sky, overlooking the Oslofjord? An early morning flight? Should she pack her wingsuit? Surely, he would’ve said?
Her mind raced at the possibilities. Kyle was certainly an enigma. After folding the note, Anjelica stuffed it inside her jeans pocket. She looked at her cup and decided against finishing her coffee. She needed to get to sleep. Tomorrow was another early morning.
“Mind if I join you?” Erick fell into the seat opposite her. Kyle’s seat. “So…you and Sheppard? Who would’ve thought?”
She was in no mood for a confrontation, especially with a drunk friend. Still, she couldn’t stop herself. “Thought what, Erick?”
“That you’d go for exactly the type of guy you vowed never to after Kristoff died. The reason you said you weren’t interested in me. Or was that just an excuse?” He leaned forward. The smell of alcohol permeated his breath. “Is this the way you honor my brother’s memory?” He fell back in his chair, laughing. “Another wingsuiter? Just another suicide mission, another love doomed.”
“You’re drunk! And you don’t know what you’re talking about. Kyle’s different.” She started to get up.
Erick grabbed her wrist. “Is he really? I heard from Luke last night that your boyfriend is about to do something quite spectacular. They’re just waiting for the bigway to be over.”
What? What were Kyle and Luke up to?
“Just you wait, Angel. You’ll see he’s no different than me, or Kristoff. Beneath that saintly exterior, he’s just another daredevil looking for the next big thrill. One day, he’ll get himself killed, like the rest of us eventually will. And then you’ll spend the next three years mourning your loss again.”
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