Chapter 11 #2
Warmth slid through Ace, and the tight knot behind his ribs loosened just a fraction.
“I was in a crash outside of…” Ace rubbed a hand over his jaw, searching for the right entry point and not finding one he liked.
“I got into a dogfight. Ejected. Hit the ocean. I was knocked out long enough to probably damage my brain a little.”
“Obviously,” Damian said quietly.
Ace rolled his eyes. “Shut up.” The words held no bite, just reflex. He stared at the floor for a beat and then forced himself to continue. “A friend of mine died just before that. I think that impacted me just as much.”
Damian didn’t rush him. He never did. “You should go see Smitty.”
“Yeah. I’ll try again.” Ace leaned back, tension settling into his shoulders. “I don’t know where he is.”
“It’s Smitty. He could be anywhere.”
Ace huffed a laugh, though it faded quickly.
“Or,” Damian continued, “we can take you to Anchorage. You could see an expert in PTSD. I know several. I could find you the best.”
“I’ll stick with Smitty,” Ace said.
“That’s what I figured.” Damian watched him with that infuriatingly perceptive gaze. “I do find it interesting you’re finally thinking about dealing with this.”
Ace cleared his throat. “It is summer.”
Damian tilted his head. “You asked me why we all want you back in the skies.” His eyes locked on Ace’s. “You belong there. That’s where you’re happy. Or happiest.”
Ace held his stare, then snorted softly. “You think if Hank had named me Albert, I wouldn’t want to fly?”
“No.” Damian’s mouth twitched. “I think flying’s in your blood, but your name does fit. Hank had a way of knowing somehow, don’t you think?”
“Yeah. I guess so.” Ace shrugged. “Or he just picked the easiest A, B, C, D names he could when the city made him give us names.”
“Could’ve gone either way,” Damian said, fondness threading through his tone.
The humor ebbed, leaving something quieter behind.
“I miss him,” Ace admitted.
“Me too.”
Silence settled between them. The mountain view stretched wide beyond the glass and summer light poured across the office. Clouds were gathering over the mountains, promising an oncoming storm. Another one.
Damian straightened. “So you’re going to be flying soon, huh?”
“No,” Ace said immediately. “I didn’t say that.”
“Well, once you are, get re-certified. Do whatever you need to do.” Damian remained maddeningly calm. “We have a plane that comes in and out of the facility here. Even during the winter.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that.” Ace crossed his arms. “People wouldn’t get their mail all winter if this place wasn’t so generous about sharing that plane. Sometimes it’s a month before anyone can get in or out.”
Damian nodded. “Our pilot is looking to retire within the next couple of years. You’d have a job if you wanted it. As soon as you’re ready.”
Ace blinked. “Really?”
“Absolutely.” Damian drummed his fingers on his thigh. “We have a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter.”
“I know what kind of plane you have,” Ace said, anticipation already threading through his blood. The thought of it hit fast and bright. “It’d be a fun one to fly.”
Damian leaned back. “There’s also the town plane. It isn’t getting enough hours.”
Yeah, the town had a Cessna pretty much anyone could use if they had a pilot’s license. Or if they knew how to fly. The rules weren’t followed very well. Ace’s temples throbbed.
“I always figured you’d get a seaplane and fly out to ponds and rivers no one else can reach.” Damian paused before speaking again. “If you need a partner in that venture…”
All of a sudden everybody wanted to partner with Ace. “Thanks, Damian, but I’m taking one step at a time.”
Damian was quiet for a beat. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“You didn’t really ask one,” Ace retorted.
Damian rolled his eyes, and for a split second Ace saw the kid version of his brother. The older one who always seemed ten years ahead of the rest of them. “Why now? You wouldn’t even talk about flying again a month ago.”
“Blue skies and summer,” Ace said evenly. “I keep looking up.”
Damian wasn’t easily brushed off. “Yeah. That’s not it. Tell me what’s going on with our sweet doctor in town.”
“She’s not our sweet doctor, and nothing’s going on,” Ace said.
“You keep telling yourself that.”
Ace exhaled slowly and clenched his jaw. The image of May flickered uninvited through his mind. Her smile. Her eyes. The way she made Knife’s Edge feel… different. That alone was dangerous.
Damian glanced at his watch. The shift was instant as he moved back to command mode.
“I have a conference call with the Joint Chiefs in a few minutes, but I’m hoping to have Christian try to infiltrate this place later this autumn when he returns from training.
I wouldn’t mind if you gave him a hand. I want to see how good the security is. ”
“Sounds like fun. Count me in.”
“Great.” Damian stood.
Ace rose with him, his muscles loosening.
Damian’s expression turned serious again, brother instead of executive. “Get your head on straight if you’re interested in the doctor. Just from reading her file, she’s a good one, and she needs stability.”
Yeah.
Like Ace hadn’t already figured that out.