turned his concentration to landing the plane in the increasingly heavy winter storm. While he communicated with airport personnel, Bree tried to relax her body and not think of the last landing she’d experienced. But as the lights of the runway glowed through the falling snow, she couldn’t stop thinking of Jeremiah and the change that had happened in a blink of an eye.
They’d been flying and then suddenly Jeremiah was in pain, barely able to hang on and land the plane. She needed to learn to fly, especially if she was going to continue to visit the villages.
After a bumpy descent, the Cessna touched down on the runway, and Bree held her breath as the plane slid and fishtailed. Tension whipped through her as the wind buffeted against the aircraft. David fought to keep it from going into the deeper snow on the side. She grasped the edge of the seat and prayed. She’d been doing a lot of that lately, but she knew God was the only one who could do anything when things went out of control.
David managed to avoid the snowdrift to the right and keep the plane on the runway. As he taxied toward a hangar at the small airport, he asked, “Are you okay?”
“Now I am. But I’m not eager to go for a flight anytime soon after the past few days.”
“With everything in life there can be risk, but this was worth it. You’re home safe now.”
“Not quite, unless I can bum a ride with you or get a taxi. Jeremiah took me to the airport.”
“Where do you live?”
She gave him the address. “It’s on the outskirts of town. If that’s too far—”
“Stop right there. I didn’t fly out to rescue you only to leave you stranded at the airport. I live in that direction, only a few miles away from you. It’s not out of the way.”
When the Cessna was parked in the hangar, Bree finally felt safe. It had been a harrowing twenty-four hours she never wanted to repeat. Her body and mind screamed exhaustion, but she still had to get through the snow to her house before the street crews had a chance to clear the roads.
While David exited the plane, Bree did the same on her side, so glad to be standing on solid, dry land in the hangar. Thank You, Lord. Now I hope You can bring Jeremiah home so I can lay him to rest.
She knew that Jeremiah had made her executor of his estate, which as far as she knew was only his small house next to hers and the aircraft, but that was probably beyond repair. Her main concern was recovering his body and having a memorial service for his flying buddies. A lot of people would miss Jeremiah, especially her.
David rounded his Cessna with her duffel bag. “I need to make a couple of calls to the authorities and to my team to make sure everyone got word you’re safe and they’re all home safe, too.”
“What about Jeremiah?” She wasn’t even sure where to begin with making arrangements to recover his body.
As if he’d read her thoughts, he said, “I can help you make arrangements as soon as it’s okay to return to the lake.”
Relief trembled through her. “Thanks. I’d appreciate any help you can give me. I never thought I would have to do something like that. Since Jeremiah doesn’t have any family, I’m it.”
“Come sit in my office while I make the calls.” He led her toward the hangar. “I’ve found that having the home base for the Northern Frontier Search and Rescue Organization is better near the airport. Saves time usually.”
Inside there was a couch and a couple of comfortable chairs clustered together at the far end. A desk was situated near the door where they entered.
“Make yourself comfortable while I make those calls.” David gestured toward the black leather sofa.
“Is that where you work?” Bree pointed at the desk with a computer and printer on it as well as a stack of folders next to the phone. A filing cabinet sat under a large, very detailed map of Alaska showing the rivers, lakes, mountains and highway system.
“No, my assistant does. My office is through that door. Ella Jackson is the paid staff for the organization and has regular hours. She makes everything run smoothly. I’m glad, though, Ella did as I asked. She hates leaving when a search is going on, but I wanted her home before the storm moved through.”
“You volunteer your time?” The more she was around David Stone, the more she wanted to learn about him. That thought surprised her because since her fiancé had died in a skiing accident six years ago she’d put her job first in her life. There were many people who needed a doctor, especially in certain parts of Alaska that were hard to access.
“Yes, except for Ella everyone is a volunteer. Maybe I can recruit you. We can always use medical personnel, especially with a big search.”
She smiled. “I’m not above being persuaded.”
“Good.” His whole face lit up, his gray eyes glittering. “My friends have learned to run the other way when they see me coming.”
“Really?”
He laughed. “No. In fact, I’ve come to depend on them when I need people to help in a difficult search and rescue. They’re so willing to give of their time. It makes me humble.” He started for the closed door to his office. “Sit—put your feet up.”
The soft black leather beckoned her, and Bree sank onto the couch. She spied the throw pillow at one end and pulled it to her. Laying her head on it, she stretched out and thought she would close her eyes for a few minutes until David was ready. She heard the murmur of his deep baritone voice coming from the office and settled farther into the cushion. His voice comforted her and gave her a feeling of safety. Sleep overtook her almost instantly.
* * *
“Thanks, Chance, for looking into this. Something went down at the rescue site after we left. Good thing we moved out when we did. I don’t think those men were friendlies.” As David talked to his friend, his hand clutched the phone tighter than he intended. He had to relax his grip before his fingers locked around the cold piece of plastic. “I’ve decided to go back in when it’s clear to pick up Jeremiah’s body.”
“If I can, I’d like to go with you. In case there’s trouble.”
“I was hoping you’d volunteer.”
Chance O’Malley, an Alaskan state trooper, chuckled. “Every time you call I seem to volunteer.”
“I’m surprised I caught you at home. I thought you’d be out in this storm.”
“I’m on duty in a couple of hours. Going in early. Lots of wrecks. Some people think just because they have a four-wheel-drive vehicle with snow tires, they can do anything.”
David laughed. “You mean we can’t?”
“I’d better not be pulling you out of a ditch. Get home. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.”
“Bye and thanks.” David replaced the receiver and snatched up the keys to his Jeep.
When he stood, he stretched and rolled his head in a circle. Bree was probably pacing by now. His calls had taken longer
