Aware of how much she already knew Ally would be good to her word, Erin forced herself to relax. Yes, she knew she could trust her. She would have known that just by the stories Pam had shared over the five years she worked for her. Erin nodded her consent, still stiff and trying not to look it. For some reason, she was always nervous around this woman. She told herself it was just worry over the prospect that Ally may discover she was Pam’s spy and not a contestant.
“I want you to take this,” she said, offering her an empty cardboard tube.
Erin looked at it carefully, then decided Ally was screwing with her. “What…”
“I know. Its just cardboard, right? Not a telescope, but it’s perfect for this. Here’s what you do. Close one eye and see if you can make out the tree line out past the sports field.”
Erin frowned. “It’s pitch black, how am I going to see the field?”
“You’re not,” Ally explained with the same patience she had shown on the sailboat. “I want you to focus on the black outline of the trees first.”
She waited while Erin skeptically raised the tube. “I can’t see…”
“Will you stop fussing and listen to my directions?” she asked with amusement.
Erin could just make out Ally’s face in the light from the ballroom. The music in the background was more mellow than earlier, and she knew Pam would waste no time getting a woman in her arms. In a way, she envied how casual she could be. At least Ally seemed to understand her boundaries and respected them. That was nice. She was nice. But if Ally was trying to convey some crazy lesson, she was failing to understand it. “Okay, let me try again.” She closed one eye and raised the cardboard tube to the other. She found the line of trees. It wasn’t so hard with the highway buzzing below it. “Okay, got it.”
“All right. Now, slowly, very slowly, I want you to raise the tube up so the bottom is still on the trees and the top of the circle is filled with stars.”
“If I can barely see the trees, what do you expect…”
“Hold tight there,” Ally suggested softly.
Within seconds vertigo hit her full force. She felt herself falling and took Ally, who was trying to stop her fall, down with her. In a total panic, she wrestled to get off Ally and away from this mess.
“Easy there, kicking bird.” Ally was laughing and playful, as she rolled Erin over and free of their embrace. “Wasn’t that amazing!” she offered, pleased with the effect of her little trick.
Still on the ground beside her, Erin was not in a hurry to get up. “You tricked me, but I must admit, it was sweet! How did you do it? I mean what the hell?”
Ally rolled onto her side, resting her head on her hand. The light from the ballroom provided just enough illumination that Erin could see her eyes.
“How did you do that?” Erin asked again, wanting to restore the equilibrium between them.
“What you experienced was the effect of our Earth in motion. You see, we can’t feel it while we’re here on the planet. And we normally can’t see it even when we take to the stars, but if you focus on something fixed on the horizon, especially with just one eye, then suddenly you see the stars spinning by. Your eye tells your inner ear you’re moving really fast, and your body reacts.” At Erin’s poker face, Ally added with a weak plea, “I was planning on bracing you so you wouldn’t fall, I’m so sorry.”
Erin believed her. And realized she was having fun. Fun with her boss’s cousin. She wasn’t a contestant and didn’t want to be. So why did she want Allyson Parker to take her right here and now, and why the hell did the woman have to have such expressive eyes? Ally offered her hand to help Erin to her feet. Looking around, Erin wondered how it was no one had commented on their behavior, she realized the others had drifted off to join Pam and her group.
Getting to her feet, Erin kept hold of Ally’s hand to help her up. “Can you show me again? I won’t fall again, will I?”
“Your brain will be ready this time, so don’t expect the same effect, but I promise, I am here if you get dizzy.”
That smile she offered so freely was more than reassuring, more than the “I’m the nice one” shtick she offered everyone else. Yes, Erin was sure Ally was feeling the same thing she was. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew Ally would not be the instigator. Not here. Not that she was shy or anything. She just knew Ally was a woman who played by the rules. Erin raised the tube again. Ally helped her aim it at the horizon then work up slowly. The vertigo lasted less than a second, but for a moment she experienced the same thrill, that feeling when you realize the earth beneath your feet is moving. “How fast are we going?” she asked with excitement.
“At the equator, it’s about a thousand miles per hour. When you’re this far north, it’s slower, about seven hundred and fifty miles per hour, but that changes according to the season with our planetary wobble.”
“Wobble?” Erin asked, knowing what she meant, but unable to look away from Ally’s eyes.
“Yes, we wobble. Of course, that speed doesn’t take into consideration how fast we’re moving around the sun. The seven-fifty is just our rotational speed.”
A PA called to them, breaking the moment, ordering everyone to the ballroom. Erin ached to say something, anything. Instead, she turned to the terrace and the French doors. Almost across the patio, she realized Ally wasn’t walking with her.
Don’t look back. Don’t look back. Don’t look back.
She stopped at the open doors and looked back. Ally was standing by her telescopes, hands in her pockets. Ally had been watching Erin walk away.
Ducking in through the open doors, she walked with a conscious effort to join the gathering group. Neither Rene nor Pam was there, and now she understood why. Connie was making her way to them. She had her ever-present tablet in hand and smiled to see them all gathered.
“Is everybody having a good time?” As the cameras were rolling all the women were enthusiastic, the answer an overwhelming yes. Even Erin felt like everything was copacetic in her world, joining in with the excitement.
“Settle down, settle down. I’ve got news and a packing list, because tomorrow we are boarding a flight and heading to parts unknown for a remarkable adventure. Are you ready to know where we’re going, or do you want the packing list first?” Connie was teasing them and as expected, a few women called for the list while all the others hollered to know where they were going. “All right, women! So, you all want to know where we’re going? Let’s see if anyone can guess from the packing instructions.”
One of the ever-present PAs began passing out photocopied lists to each of them. Those first to grab them were speculating wildly. Erin, not as thrilled as the rest, noted another PA making her way into the ballroom. She was pulling a furniture cart stacked with boxes. She placed one of the boxes, the top one which was already open, on the floor next to her director.
“What, still no good guesses?” Connie pushed. “Oh, you guys suck. I know Rene and Ally would have had it just by the weight limit. Okay…” She shook her head, placing her tablet on the floor and pulling a knapsack from the box. “Each of you gets one of these amazing packs from our sponsor.” She reached back into the box and pulled out a few more items. “You’ll also get one of these and…”
“Oh my God, they’re going to make us skydive!” one woman shouted, whether in panic or glee it was hard for Erin to tell as all manner of chaos broke out. She watched as Connie gave one of her PAs a look. She was still outfitted as a referee, the role she had played during their afternoon challenge. Her shrilling whistle halted the arguments, and Connie raised the helmet in her hands. “Ladies, really? We haven’t got that kind of insurance, and besides, it’s not that kind of show. We are, however, filming in Canada, and that offers a few things we might not find in other locales…”
“Rafting!” another woman called. “Are we going white-water rafting?”
Connie groaned over the lucky guess, but nodded. “Yes, you are all going rafting down the Ottawa
River. Yes, everyone is going. Yes, there will be safety training. Yes, certified instructors will lead each rafting party, and yes, you will all get to stay in a group with your chosen queen. Any questions?”
There weren’t. There were always women who wanted to be heard and had something to say, but no one had any real questions. One woman did ask what would happen if she refused to take part. Connie’s answer was swift and unyielding. “Anyone who wants out is welcome to quit. If you fail to board the aircraft tomorrow, consider yourself eliminated and on your way home. Any other questions?”
There were none. The prospect of immediate elimination settled them completely. The PAs began handing out their new sporting gear and helping women fit their helmets and packs.
Erin convinced herself she just wanted to be helpful and took the opportunity to look for Ally. To her disappointment, Ally was gone and all the telescopes with her. She would have to wait until tomorrow. Maybe this was a good thing. Time and distance would fix this. She turned her attention back to fitting her gear and trading jibes with Denise. Tomorrow they were going white-water rafting. Erin had no idea where the Ottawa River was, but assumed it was somewhere near Ottawa. which didn’t help her much. Erin could point to Toronto and Vancouver on a map, but not Ottawa. She’d heard the name, recognized it as Canada’s capital, but other than that, she didn’t have a clue.
Chapter Twelve
Erin was lucky enough to snag a ride on one of the helicopters, the smaller one operated by KC. Like their outing to Niagara the other day, the rear of the craft was packed, jammed with camerapeople and their monitors and who knows what. With the assistant director on the ground at their destination and preparing for their arrival, the front seat next to the pilot was empty, and KC insisted there had to be another person up front for something she kept calling the “weight and balance.” Erin was that other person.
Strapped in, she wasn’t surprised by the offer of a headset. Learning that only she and KC would be on the intercom did surprise her.
“You know why you got stuck flying with me?” KC asked her.
“I…no.”
“Ally promised me you wouldn’t puke. Please tell me she’s right. Have you any idea how hard it is to get upchuck out of a machine like this? You know what a helicopter is? Thirty-thousand parts moving in opposition to one another.”
“I was okay in Ally’s helicopter.” Even to her ears, her answer sounded lame. “I mean, I didn’t have any trouble as a passenger in the other helicopter your company operates.”
“Whoa, Nelly. I wasn’t barking for recognition, but now that you mention it, it’s nice to be known as the other party on the hook for all this gratis flying.”
KC had just finished what Erin now recognized as the start-up sequence. She listened and watched as first the roar of the engine began to grow, then just like on the big machine, the blades slowly started moving. She couldn’t help but grin. This flying thing was infectious. Some of the other women had sworn they would never step foot in anything smaller than a 737 after their one flight experience. Erin, in contrast, was seriously contemplating signing up for flying lessons once she was home again.
“You like this?” KC challenged. “What’s your name again?”
“Erin.”
KC was grinning as she worked through a list of checks printed on a laminated sheet. She began singing, “Erin’s got the flying bug. Erin’s got the flying bug…” As Erin’s face reddened, KC stopped, offering with kindness, “No wonder Ally suggested you get the left seat. We don’t let just anyone ride up front you know.”
“Pam was up front with Ally.”
KC just laughed before pressing some button that made the intercom sound all hollow. “Hey, I’ve decided our call signs should be Hornet and Big Bird.”
Over the headphone speakers, Allyson’s voice rang in crystal clear. “Really? You just can’t go with the basics, can you?”
“Ah now Ally, baby, where would be the fun in that?”
There was a long silence followed by the sound of KC laughing on the intercom. “She’s busy, but she’ll take it like a big girl,” she told Erin.
“Do you always torment her this way?” Erin didn’t know where that question came from or why the sudden overwhelming need to defend Ally.
Still, KC wouldn’t be provoked. Laughing harder, KC took a minute to settle down. She threw a switch on the instrument panel and called, “You guys back there ready to go? The other machine is signaling they’re ready.”
“Yeah, we’re rolling. Anytime,” was the answer.
“Cool. Now we can’t hear you on that com channel so if you need anything, just reach up here and tap one of us on the shoulder. It’ll take a sec to change frequencies, but once I do, I’ll hear whatever it is you need to say. Understood?” They gave their answer and KC pressed one button, and the hollower sound of the radio greeted their ears. “Big Bird, Hornet. Cameras are rolling and at the ready. You are clear to hover.”
The Huey, with its rear doors open again, lumbered into the air. looking far more majestic once she was off the ground. She was a big machine, and Erin was overwhelmed by how massive yet tranquil she looked, the convergence somehow truly appealing.
“Like I said. Thirty thousand parts moving in opposition to one another. Pretty cool eh?”
“Yes. Yes, it is.”
“Hornet. Big Bird, light on the skids.”
KC began slowly pulling the center console stick up, answering the radio call at the same time, “Hornet light on the skids. Big Bird set course for Yankee Oscar Oscar. We’ll follow and maneuver around you at the film crew’s direction.”
“Big Bird, heading set for Yankee Oscar Oscar direct. Will you land before me or after?”
“I’ll stay in the air for this rotation. Just fly it like I’m not even here.”
“Don’t tempt me! Big Bird is climbing out.”
Erin watched the big Huey climb majestically up from the castle grounds. She was so intent on studying the transition, she hadn’t realized they were climbing out too. “Oh!”
“Easy there, Erin. Eyes in the air, not on the ground and you’ll be fine.”
“I’m okay—I guess I’m just susceptible to surprises.”
KC made another radio call. This time to some faceless, unknown controller somewhere in the ether. Then she switched the intercom over to check with the camera crew. “I can keep us beside them or do some this side and transition over or under to get you a shot from the other side, whatever you want. Tell me now, because we’ll be on the ground at Oshawa in all of four minutes.”
“We’ll stay here, but we want you to stay high as they unload the girls.”
“Girls?” KC teased the crewman, one of the few actual men on the crew. “I didn’t know you had girls on the Big Bird. Please tell me it’s the Girls National Soccer team? I’ve always wanted their autographs!”
“Sorry, ma’am. I meant the women.”
“Ah, why didn’t you just say that. Now I’m all bummed!”
Beside KC, Erin was shaking her head. This woman was certainly outspoken and full of fun. Unlike her quieter more intense business partner, KC felt no compulsion to play nice. She wasn’t sure how that would play in business. Still, it was fun to listen to her tease the crew in the back. She wasn’t kidding when she said they would be at the airport in four minutes. She could already make out the airfield. As expected, several vans and official airport vehicles crowded what looked like the vacant side of the field.
“This used to be a Commonwealth Air Training Base during the war.”
“I’m sorry,” Erin said. “I don’t know what that means.”
“Oh, it’s pretty simple. Although, don’t ask Ally, she’ll chew your ear off for hours with a history lesson. Anyway, we are part of the British Commonwealth. It’s basically what’s left of the British Empire. So, back in the war days, England needed a safe place to train pilots from all over the world, this was one of those places. Unfortunately, the loc
al town council had no idea the gold mine they were sitting on and tore down most of the base.” KC maneuvered them over the south side of the field, giving the camera crew lots of time and some perfect angles to capture the unloading of Ally’s passengers. “You up for another rotation? she asked, giving Erin a serious look. “I mean, if you’re not I can land, but we have to pick up the other two groups. Up to you.”
Ahead of them, she could see Ally’s helicopter was free of passengers and already hovering and waiting for permission to leave. “Yes. I mean I want to keep flying. Can I?”
“Are you kidding? Let’s have some fun. Shall we?” When Erin gave a vigorous nod, KC transmitted. “Big Bird, Hornet. You are clear to depart. Follow me out.”
“Hornet, Big Bird. I’m on your six.”
“All right! Let’s have some fun. Follow me and see if you can keep up.”
“Affirmative.”
Beside her, KC pulled the center stick up fast and pushed the stick between her knees forward at the same time. A second later, Erin almost screamed, reaching above her head for something to hold as she stared at the fast-approaching ground. In her head, her brain decided they were about to crash before she could recognize the motion that carried them forward was also pulling them up at the same time. Moments later the nose returned to a somewhat normal angle and she sucked in a breath. She didn’t want KC to know how scared she was but the laugh from the woman said she couldn’t be fooled. “You did that on purpose!”
“Sure did. Want to give it a try?”
“Try what? To kill us? No thanks, you…you crazy woman!”
KC was still laughing as she pointed to the guys in the back. They had ignored her call to put on their safety belts and were pulling themselves off the floor. There was a good load of cussing going on back there too, that no amount of noise canceling technology could mask. “Come on Erin. Don’t be mad,” KC coaxed her with her irreverent grin.
“You do know you’re certifiable?”
“Does that mean you don’t want to take a turn at the controls?”
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