Page 87 of Tinder Embrace
I sighed, releasing the tension that gripped me at the thought of marrying again. Things with Sophie would be different because I was different.
Jo was right about me leaning traditional. In a battle between my fear of commitment and the possessive drive to claim Sophie as mine forever, I’d bet on love too.
Sophie was my future, not my past.
"Hush, Jo. I don't want to scare him away."
I stirred, squeezing her hand before releasing it. "Bee, you are definitely the scary one in this relationship," I teased. "I didn't stand a chance, and you know it."
"Just because I'm ruthless about going after what I want doesn't mean it always works out," she said modestly.
"As if I could resist offering you anything you needed," I grumbled, softening the complaint with a smile.
"Is now a good time to ask you to fly with me on Saturday?" she asked.
"Anywhere you go, I go, Bee."
Her brown eyes darkened, softening with love. For once, I felt at ease accepting her affection. Like I deserved it. Living in the past hadn’t beendoing me any favors. While the future wasn’t set in stone, it held more promise with Sophie by my side than I could remember. Her love might not have fixed me, but it had helped convince me I wasn’t broken.
Chapter 32
Sophie
I was used to the frenetic activity that accompanied a balloon rally. It was a beautiful hive of action, as crews and pilots performed the ballet of tasks that comprised launch. Jo, Eve, Izzy, and Gwen were tied up with other aspects of the event, so it was my job to lead the meeting before launch, welcoming my fellow pilots to Campfire and going over the safety protocols and plans for the Hound and Hare game.
We'd attracted twenty-three balloons to town. I'd met most of the pilots before. The northwest ballooning community was relatively small, with about thirty balloon owners or companies spanning the Pacific Northwest states. I nodded a welcome to Cindy Thomas, a retired real estate agent who flew the RE/MAX balloon, and Ruth and Roger Willis, who had designed and sewn their own small fleet of hot air balloons.
After we'd launched the pi-ball to check wind direction and speed and reviewed the map of preferred landing zones, I introduced our field marshal, Tom, a retired pilot from Spokane, who talked us through the launch protocols and order. Davis stepped behind me as Tom wrapped up, and I leaned into his warmth. Chilly mornings made for good ballooning, so long as there wasn't a lot of frost, but it didn't stop me from appreciating Davis's heat. He wrapped his arms around me, snuggling me beneath his chin, and I sighed, wishing I didn’t have to move soon.
We broke to return to our flight crews, and I started the fan while Davis covered the crown line position. As the lead balloon in the Hound and Hare, we'd be the first to launch, and I made quick work of my pre-flight checks. I'd volunteered to fly a couple of our sponsors as a thank you, and Trina and Ned from Sing-along arrived as I was ready to turn off the fan.
"Great timing," I said, extending my hand to shake Trina’s. I welcomed Ned, her husband, and had them stand ready near the basket to put weight on.
Jo bustled up, and I handed her my keys. "Radio check?" I asked.
She nodded, sprinting for the truck, returning with her chase radio, and we tested them.
"Grab the fan for me?"
Jo turned off the fan and wheeled it back to the trailer with the ease of practice while I fired the burner, heating the envelope until it rose, bobbing gently above us.
"Okay, Trina, go ahead and climb in."
I helped Ned scramble over the edge and into the basket after his wife. Davis passed me the crown line, and I secured it.
"Ready?" I asked Davis, who nodded, slipping into the basket like a pro.
I grinned at Tom, the field marshal. "Bee-gonia is ready to go."
Tom smiled. "Then you're cleared for lift-off. Fly safe."
I squeezed the burner handle, smiling at Davis when Trina squealed her excitement.
This. This is what I loved about flying. That initial exhilaration as you left the ground and any troubles behind. Flying was freedom. It took you beyond your daily habits and stress and let you see the world from a new perspective.
Davis gave me space, keeping his distance as I monitored our ascent, trusting me to fly us safely.
We traveled over Campfire neighborhoods, Trina and Ned waving wildly to the handful of families who emerged from their homes in bathrobes to watch us fly over. Fewer people came out to greet us as we reached the fields on the outskirts of town.
