Page 56 of Forever Fallen

“Sophie, do you want to wait in the truck or get in the seat of the plane? I need you clear of the propeller,” Ryan began…

Sophie climbed into the plane without hesitation.

She’d made her decision.

Ryan was taking her flying… and it wasn’t going to be something they did eventually in the future. It was now. The look of pride and delight in his face was indescribable.

Ryan looked at Thumper, handed him a set of keys, and quickly shook the man’s hand before climbing into the seat beside her.

“Buckle up,” he instructed and handed her a headset.

The cord dangled freely on the floorboard but before she could ask or say something, Ryan leaned over her leg, directly into her personal space, and plugged it into the jack.

“You could have just told me.”

“Then I would miss out on the view…” he taunted, putting his own headphones on, adjusting the mic.

He turned the key in the ignition, and she heard the engine start to whine as it sputtered slightly, before the propeller turned as the entire vehicle flared to life.

She felt like she was a bystander, viewing something she could barely comprehend, but couldn’t turn her eyes away from.

Ryan was studying the gauges, flipping a switch here and there, before adjusting a few levers that made the loud engine sputter before smoothing out.

He gave Thumper a thumb’s up and turned to Sophie.

“Are you ready?” he asked, before putting a hand on her headphone and adjusting her mic to where it was almost touching her lips.

“Yes.”

“Press the handle down on the door,” Ryan instructed. “That locks it shut. We don’t want it opening in the air. If you get stuffy, use the vents or say something. Keep the mic close to your mouth, so I can hear you.”

“Okay.”

“Then let’s go…” Ryan said quietly, a faint smile touching his lips, as she sat there nervously, her heart fluttering, as the plane began to roll forward.

Thumper was waving from a distance – and she waved back almost in a childlike manner.

“No loops in the air or anything weird…” she urged immediately, suddenly scared, only to see Ryan’s smile.

“I promise. No loops.”

There was a small runway nearby and she listened in disbelief as she heard a sudden flurry of activity in her headset as Ryan spoke with someone in a nearby tower or building.

Azle Municipal… this is Zulu-three-four-niner-alpha requesting take-off.

Copy, Zulu-three-four-niner-alpha. Runway is clear. What is your heading?

Eastbound to Tyler. Copy?

We’ve got you clear for eastbound departure, Zulu-three-four-niner-alpha.

“Roger that…” Ryan finished, glancing at Sophie. “Ready?”

“Yes.”

“Perfect.”

He taxied forward, turned slightly, and within seconds they were in the air.They barely used any of the runway,she realized.

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