Alaska Skies. Debbie Macomber

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СКАЧАТЬ it is. Hello, Susan,” Sawyer said next, holding out his hand to her daughter. The girl solemnly shook it, then glanced at Abbey and smiled, clearly delighted with this gesture of grown-up respect.

      “Could we speak privately, Ms. Sutherland?” Sawyer asked. The warmth and welcome vanished from his eyes as he motioned toward the waiting area. He walked just far enough away so the children couldn’t hear him. Abbey followed, keeping a close eye on Scott and Susan.

      “Christian didn’t mention that you have children,” Sawyer said without preamble.

      “He didn’t ask. And there was no reference to family on the application or the agreement Christian sent me. I did think it was a bit odd not to inquire about my circumstances, considering that you’re providing housing.”

      “You might’ve said something.” An accusatory look tightened his mouth.

      “I didn’t get a chance,” she explained in even tones. His attitude was beginning to irritate her. “I did try, but he was busy, and I really didn’t think it would matter.”

      “There’s nothing in the agreement about children.”

      “I’m aware of that,” Abbey said, striving to keep the emotion out of her voice. “As I already told you, I filled out the application and answered every question, and there wasn’t a single one about dependants. Frankly, I don’t think they’re anyone’s concern but mine. I was hired as a librarian. And as long as I do my job, I—”

      “That’s right, but—”

      “I really can’t see that it matters whether or not I have a family to support.”

      “What about your husband?”

      “I’m divorced. Listen, would you mind if we discussed this another time? The children and I are exhausted. We landed in Anchorage late last night and were up early this morning to catch the connecting flight to Fairbanks. Would it be too much to ask that we wait for a more opportune moment to sort this out?”

      He hesitated, then said in crisp tones, “No problem.”

      The pulse in his temple throbbed visibly, and Abbey suspected that it was, in fact, very much of a problem.

      “I brought the Baron,” he said, directing the three of them toward the luggage carousel. “All I can say is I hope you packed light.”

      Abbey wasn’t sure how she was supposed to interpret “packed light.” Everything she and the children owned that would fit was crammed into their suitcases. Everything that hadn’t gone into their luggage had been sold, given away or handed over to a shipping company and would arrive within the month. She hoped.

      “Look, Mom,” Scott said, pointing at the wall where a variety of stuffed animals were displayed. Abbey shuddered, but her son’s eyes remained fixed on the head of a huge brown bear. Its teeth were bared threateningly.

      “That silly bear stuck his head right through the wall,” Sawyer joked.

      Scott laughed, but Susan stared hard as if that just might be possible.

      When they’d collected all the luggage, Sawyer stepped back, frowning. “You brought six suitcases.”

      “Yes, I know,” Abbey said calmly. “We needed six suitcases.”

      “I don’t have room for all those in the plane. I’m not even sure how I’m going to get you, two kids, the mail and the rest of the cargo inside, much less enough luggage to sink a battleship. If you’d let me know, I could’ve brought a larger plane.”

      Abbey bit back a sarcastic reply. She’d tried to tell Christian about her children, but he’d been too interested in his dinner date to listen to her. She hadn’t purposely hidden anything from him or Sawyer. And, good grief, how was she supposed to know how much luggage some airplane would hold?

      “Never mind,” Sawyer grumbled impatiently, “I’ll figure it out later. Let’s get going.”

      Abbey would’ve liked something to eat, but it was clear Sawyer was anxious to be on his way. Fortunately Scott and Susan, unlike their mother, had gobbled down what the airline laughably called a meal.

      They loaded everything into the bed of a pickup and drove around the airport to a back road, which took them to an area used by various flight service operators.

      “All that stuff belongs to Mom and Susan,” Scott whispered conspiratorially as Sawyer helped him out of the cab. “They’re the ones who insisted on bringing everything.”

      “Sounds just like a couple of women,” Sawyer muttered. He led them to the plane.

      Abbey wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but this compact dual-engine aircraft wasn’t it. She peeked inside and realized that what Sawyer had said was true. There was barely room for her, let alone the children and all their luggage.

      “There’s only three seats,” she said, looking nervously at Sawyer. It didn’t take a mathematical genius to figure out that three seats wasn’t enough for four people.

      “You’ll have to sit on my desk—the seat beside mine,” Sawyer instructed after climbing aboard the aircraft. “And I’ll buckle the kids together on the other seat.”

      “Is that legal?”

      “Probably not in the lower forty-eight,” he told her, “but we do it here. Don’t worry, they’ll be fine.” He moved toward the cockpit, retrieved a black binder and a stack of papers from the passenger seat and crammed them into the space between the two seats.

      “Go on in and sit down,” he said, “while I see to the kids.”

      Abbey climbed awkwardly inside and carefully edged her way forward. By the time she fastened the seat belt, she was breathless.

      Sawyer settled Scott and Susan in the remaining seat behind her. One look at her children told Abbey neither was pleased with the arrangement. But it couldn’t be avoided.

      “What about our luggage?” she asked when Sawyer slipped into the seat next to her.

      He placed earphones over his head, then reached for the binder and made a notation in it.

      “Our luggage?” she repeated.

      “The suitcases don’t fit. We’re going to have to leave them behind.”

      “What?” Abbey cried. “We can’t do that!”

      Sawyer ignored her and continued to ready the plane for takeoff.

      “How long is the flight?” Scott asked.

      “About an hour.”

      “Can I fly the plane?”

      “Not this time,” Sawyer responded absently.

      “Later can I?”

      “We’ll see.”

      “Mr. O’Halloran,” Abbey СКАЧАТЬ