18. Gabriel
Chapter Eighteen
GAbrIEL
I hefted a bag of gravel onto my shoulder and turned, taking a few steps to reach the small plane and place it in the back behind the seats. Turning, I repeated the task ten more times, to be specific.
I was delivering supplies to a community across the bay, along with dropping off some tourists in Seldovia, a picturesque town on the far shore of Kachemak Bay.
It was one of the older towns in the area.
However, it was off the road system, so the only way to reach it was by plane or boat.
Despite its isolation, it was a tourist destination.
“Hello,” a voice called from over by the parking area to the side of one of the plane hangars. Lifting my head, I saw two women approaching.
“You here for a flight with Walker Adventures?” I asked as they got closer.
“Yes.” One woman nodded.
“You found the right place. Let me just grab a few things out of the office, and we’ll be ready to roll. Do you have any bags with you?”
Grant came walking out of the hangar, casting an easy smile at the women. One of the women had long blond hair and big blue eyes, and the other was a brunette with dark eyes. Once upon a time, I would’ve happily spent hours flirting with both of them.
These days, I had zero interest in any woman other than Nora. I couldn’t even summon any interest if I tried.
Grant, on the other hand, stopped beside them and flashed a smile. “I can get those bags if you need some help,” he offered.
“That would be great,” the dark-haired woman replied. “Follow me.”
He walked with her over to their rental car while the blonde waited beside the plane hangar. “Can I help you with anything?” she asked.
“Nope. Just grabbing my bag.” I snagged my backpack out of the office and slung it over my shoulder.
“By the way, I’m Gabriel,” I said, stopping beside her again. “I’ll be your pilot today.”
She walked with me as I continued toward the plane. “I’m Lauren,” she replied. “Alaska is amazing. How long is the flight today?”
“About thirty minutes, give or take.”
“That’s it?” Her eyes widened in surprise.
“All we have to do is fly across Kachemak Bay. It’s not too far as the crow flies,” I explained as I dropped my backpack into the front seat beside the pilot’s seat.
Grant arrived with the other woman, who introduced herself as Samantha.
He kept busy flirting with them while I took care of pre-flight checks.
I considered offering this trip to him, but I knew he had an overnight trip booked.
I wanted to be back at the resort tonight in the hopes that I could have another night with Nora.
After the women were situated in the plane, I made sure the compartment underneath was locked up and then paused with Grant outside. “How long will you be gone?” I asked.
“Three nights. You want to trade with me?” he returned with a quick grin.
I chuckled. “Nah, man. This is just a drop-off. They’ll be back in town after this weekend, and then you can flirt to your heart’s content.”
“You just want to be back tonight because of Nora,” he countered.
Ever since it had become public knowledge that I was trying to convince Nora I was worth it, Grant occasionally teased me. He was her brother, so I tried to tread lightly.
“Maybe so.” I nudged him with my elbow. “Which is why I don’t want to be gone for three nights.”
He rolled his eyes. “All right, all right. See you when I get back. I’ll be up in the air twenty minutes after you. Fly safe,” he called as he backed away and turned to jog into the plane hangar.
Within a half hour, I was lowering the plane in the sky, taking in the mountains on the far side of the bay. The early autumn colors were pretty along the lower flanks of the mountains with yellow and gold leaves fluttering in the light breeze.
A few minutes later, I’d helped the passengers off the plane and started getting their bags out. When I heard the distinct sound of another two-seater plane engine, I glanced in the sky and recognized Nora’s plane immediately.
It wasn’t unusual for more than one of us from Walker Adventures to be passing through the same area.
Until winter was here in full force, the tourist schedule kept us busy.
Even after the snow flew, daily planes transported residents and carted supplies and mail to the various small communities scattered across Alaska.
Walker Adventures was only one of a number of small flight businesses all over Alaska.
To those who weren’t familiar with the way Alaska functioned, it might seem improbable to have this many flights.
But with so much of the state off the road system, planes were how people stayed connected.
In some areas farther north, some hubs served fifty or more small communities. They were literally called air taxis.
Samantha glanced up in the air. “Wow, it’s really busy here.”
“Always,” I replied as I handed her one of the bags.
Nora expertly landed, far clear of where we were waiting near one of the plane hangars.
“Do you all have a ride to town?” I asked, glancing at the women.
Right then, an SUV pulled in nearby. A woman got out, her dark hair streaked with gray and twisted into a braid, which swung as she jogged toward us. “Hey there!” she called.
I recognized Dana immediately. “Hey, Dana.” I lifted my hand in a wave. Glancing at my two passengers, I added, “I’m guessing this is your ride.”
Nora had parked her plane and climbed out. She was walking toward us. Even though this was absolutely not the place for my body to react to her, it was a given that it would. My cells sparked and fired, a familiar hum of anticipation sliding through me.
Lauren smiled up at me. “I don’t suppose you all have any room at your resort next week?” Her question was innocent, but her tone was coquettish and her smile flirtatious.
Nora stopped beside us, greeting Dana first. I kept my gaze neutral when I looked down at Lauren. “It’s doubtful. We’re usually booked well in advance. Nora would know that.” I glanced at her, nudging my chin in her direction.
Lauren followed my gaze. “I was just asking our pilot here if your resort had any bookings available. It sounds like an amazing place.”
Nora gave her a bland smile. “Unfortunately, no. We’re usually booked out for the year by May.”
“Well, that’s too bad,” Lauren replied. She gave me another dimpled smile, this time reaching over and squeezing me lightly on the elbow. “Maybe we’ll see you around town when we’re back from this part of our trip.”
Dana caught my eye and chuckled. “You got any mail for us?” she asked.
“I think so.” I strode back to my plane, opening the back compartment and scanning the mail bins.
When my eyes landed on one labeled Dana , I reached for it.
Like so many people in Alaska, Dana juggled multiple part-time jobs.
She ran a bed & breakfast, along with managing the small post office here.
“Here you go.” I handed the mail bin over to her. “Always good to see you. Catch you later, okay?”
With a wave, Dana departed with my two passengers, leaving Nora and me alone. “You must be picking up,” I commented.
Nora nodded. Her shoulders were tight, and I watched as her eyes flicked over to the two women who were now climbing into Dana’s vehicle.
“Yep,” she replied when her eyes met mine again. She glanced at her watch. “Where are you headed next?”
“Don’t you know?” I countered.
Her lips pressed in a line. I could tell she was thinking before she replied, “Oh, that’s right. You’ve got to unload all that gravel first. Have fun with that.”
I chuckled. I couldn’t resist stepping closer and catching her hand in mine to reel her to me.
“Gabriel,” she whispered.
“What?” I palmed her cheek, letting my thumb trace along her bottom lip.
Her eyes stayed locked on mine, and a wash of pink crested on her cheeks. “Um, we’re in public.”
“So, what? We’re not a secret anymore, darling.”
I let my hand slide into her silky brown curls before dipping my head and brushing my lips over hers. A sizzle of electricity passed between us, and I couldn’t help the groan in my throat as I fit my mouth over hers, giving her a hungry kiss.
By the time we broke apart, my heartbeat was thundering through my body, and my breath was ragged. I couldn’t let go just yet. I loved the feel of her body imprinted against mine, her curves soft, a contrast to my sharp edges.
The sound of a throat clearing audibly reached us. I glanced to the side to see an elderly man approaching.
“I always do love to see a young couple in love,” Tom commented conversationally as he smiled at us.
Nora’s cheeks flushed even pinker, and she stepped back, reaching up to tidy her hair from where I’d rumpled it. “Hey, Tom,” she said.
“Always good to see you, Tom,” I commented. “I have ten bags of gravel to unload.”
Tom chuckled. “You’d better get started on that.” He looked back toward Nora. “Gabriel’s a good man. He hides it well, though.”
Nora twisted her lips. “I know.”
I wanted to kiss her again, but I didn’t think she would go for it. We chatted about the weather, but I had to stay on schedule. With a wave, I returned to my plane and started unloading the bags of gravel.