Oslo Overtures (12 page)

~*~

“That went better than expected.” Kyle folded his arms behind his head, leaned back and smiled.

Anjelica stared at him.

He shrugged and laughed. “What?”

“How can you take all the blame?”

Kyle wasn’t sure if she was angry with him, or proud. He took her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it. “Because what’s done is done. And it’s the right thing to do.”

Luke shot out of his chair. “Bro, no. You can’t do this. Your sponsors might still be interested in you after a year, but two?” His arms moved in all directions as he protested Kyle’s decision, his eyes pleading more than his words.

This don’t-worry-be-happy space Luke always occupied felt good. Kyle wiped the corners of his mouth, an unsuccessful attempt to contain his grin as it spilled past his fingers.

Luke turned to Anjelica. “Angel, talk some sense into him.” Poor Luke squirmed in the unfamiliar territory of being the responsible one.

Her gaze darted between Kyle and Luke. “I—I can’t. I’m sorry.” She pulled her hand out of Kyle’s and fled the room.

Again, Kyle wondered if he should pursue her or give her space. Again, he chose the latter.

Luke leaned on the conference table. “What will you do if they ban you?”

“I can still fly, just not professionally.” Kyle smacked Luke’s leg. “Besides, I think I might stick around Norway a little longer.”

“How much longer?”

A grin broke across Kyle’s face. “At least a year or two. Maybe a lifetime.”

~*~

Leaning against the closed bedroom door, Anjelica caught her breath.

“Is that you, Angel?”

Brandy.
She should’ve known she wouldn’t find solitude in her room at this time of the day. But where else could she go to escape? With deep breaths and slow steps, she walked into their room. “Yes, it’s me.”

Brandy sat on the bed, feet up, nail varnish in hand. Apart from her pedicure, she was ready for a night with the boys again. “Is everything all right? I heard that you, Kyle, and Luke had a meeting with Jeremy, and that he wasn’t happy.”

Anjelica forced a smile to her lips. “Everything’s fine.” It wouldn’t help if word of what happened got out. “Just some final plans and instructions. You know…lead fliers…”
Forgive me for lying.

“So why wasn’t Erick there?”

Shrugging her shoulders as high as she could, Anjelica grabbed her gown off the bed. “I have no idea.” She walked into the bathroom and turned on the taps. A good soak would rid her of today’s stress. After throwing a capful of bubble bath into the running water, she stuck her head around the doorjamb. “I’m going to take a bath.”

Brandy looked up. “Enjoy it. I’ll see you downstairs later?”

“Hope so.” Anjelica doubted it. As much as she wanted to be with Kyle tonight, she didn’t want to see him right now. If she left this room, she would.

Tonight it would be the paperback novel, these four walls, and her.

Clothed in bubbles, Anjelica sank deeper into the water. It felt warm and safe there, yet she shivered at the memory of the cold waters only thirteen hours ago. Fresh fears assailed her mind. What if, without the professional side of the sport to channel their energies into, Kyle and Luke became even more reckless, tried even more dangerous stunts? She had buried one man she’d loved. She could not bury another.

She had to end things with Kyle before they got too serious. But not just yet. Not until after the bigway. She had to allow him at least one victory before he faced another loss.

13

Two days of intense training passed and they were ready. The excitement amongst the one hundred and eleven participants was intoxicating. It was easy to be drunk on the emotions of this day. But the bittersweet memories of last night kept Anjelica sober.

She leaned against Kyle as the Skyvan took to the air for the last time on this journey. It was an enthralling moment; a sad moment. Kyle’s arms around her felt good. He held her tight and she closed her eyes. For a few moments more she wanted to remember their dinner together last night, how they’d quoted psalms to each other between bites, and kissed beneath the oak trees. Spoken words. Unspoken words. Both as special.

Soon she’d have to focus on this flight, and thereafter end things with Kyle. But only once the victory dinner was over. He’d not feel like celebrating if she told him before. And he deserved to celebrate.

Was she right to let him go?

Kyle whispered in her ear, “Almost time to go. You ready?”

How she wanted to kiss him again, wish him luck, but their helmets wouldn’t allow it.

He kissed his fingers and pressed them against her lips. With a wink, he slipped a pair of goggles over his eyes. Good thing he travelled with backups of everything.

“This is it, fellers.” Luke’s voice boomed through the cabin. “I’d say ‘break a leg’ but I wouldn’t want to be responsible for anyone getting hurt.”

Did it really make a difference? She hadn’t heard him say that when Kyle had jumped, and yet he’d almost drowned. Surprising he hadn’t broken a leg, too.

The belly of the plane opened. Anjelica gave herself a last once-over, tightening her helmet strap and checking all the zips on her suit. She was ready.

“Let’s do this,” Kyle shouted.

Erick grinned. “Bigway Norway.”

Nineteen voices rose in unison. “Bigway Norway.” No doubt the same sounds consumed the other planes, too. They began to fill the sky, as wingsuiter after wingsuiter tumbled out of the planes.

We can do this
. That was all Anjelica could afford to think about. Thoughts of Kyle were replaced by concentration on the event and her role as lead. Unlike Tuesday’s failure, she’d managed five perfect rolls at yesterday’s final practice. She had to have the confidence to repeat that today.

Five planes tailed their own across the sky, away from them. All the participants were in the air, diving to their positions. Soon they’d fly over Oslo city. Soon it would be time for their star to shine.

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
The Sunday school song swirled in her head like the barrel rolls she prepared to do. She felt so free flying through the air. Pity she’d reunite with her troubles back on earth.

After checking her altimeter, Anjelica closed her arm wings partially before twisting her torso and legwing to the right. Over she went. Five perfect rolls that left her a little giddy at their precision. After three taps with her feet, she broke away and deployed her chute.

Like thrown confetti, the sky was soon littered with colorful rectangles, while the streets far below were awash in red and blue as revelers waved the Norwegian flag.

Anjelica wished she could be one of them, to see what they’d just seen—the tallest tree ever to appear in a field of blue, a shining star at its tip.

Blue smoke rose to the sky in the distance, indicating the drop zone at the defunct Oslo Fornebu airport located on a peninsula just west of Oslo city center.

As she unzipped her suit in preparation to land, she glanced across at Kyle.

He drifted beside her, preparing for their landing, too.

He gave her a thumbs-up accompanied by the biggest smile she’d seen on his face. Why did he have to look as good in red as he did in black?

Kyle touched down close to her. While she gathered up her chute, he snatch up his own and bounded toward her.

“We did it!” He almost knocked Anjelica over as he grabbed her and swung her around, tangling them both in a sea of silk. He brushed his hands over her hair and pulled her face toward his.

She didn’t want to refuse his kisses. Not yet. For a little while longer, she still wanted to savor them.

“I’ve news for you, Angel. I’ve decided to stay in Norway.”

What?

The wind taken out of her sails, Anjelica finally managed, “For how long?”

“As long as it takes for you and me.”

~*~

Satisfied, Kyle stretched out on his hotel room bed and closed his eyes. It was official—one hundred and eleven wingsuit skydivers from twenty-three countries, flocking in a tree formation. A new world record.

When he’d stepped off the plane a week ago into this glorious land, Kyle knew they’d be successful. But some things he’d never anticipated. How could his future look so different than when he’d set out from New Zealand? Now it likely included no job.

The upside was that it contained a beautiful blonde. He wouldn’t change anything.

Tomorrow he’d fly the fjords in Kjerag for a week with Luke, and then on to Stryn. He’d ask Anjelica to join them, thereafter relocate to Stryn where she lived. She’d spoken about her family, and the restaurant they owned on the banks of Nordfjorden. When she wasn’t away wingsuiting, she helped in the restaurant. Maybe he could get a job there, too. He could wait tables, even cook. He was pretty mean in the kitchen. And when his ban was lifted, they could fly the world together. By that time, maybe, they’d have tied the knot.

Yep, life was good, and he was on an incredible journey.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

A pillow hit his head.

“What’s the silly grin for, Sheppard?”

Kyle threw the pillow back at Luke. His grin widened. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“I’ll bet it has to do with a certain petite Angel.”

“Just thinking about the future.”

“Well, for now, your future’s under the shower. I’m done. And if you don’t hurry, we’ll be late again.”

Kyle rose and walked to the bathroom. “Maskil, if you hadn’t taken forever, I wouldn’t have to rush…again.”

“Like you didn’t mind laying there daydreaming.”

Kyle turned on the water, drowning out Luke’s heckling.

Once dressed, they hurried downstairs.

Kyle scanned the crowded room for a certain lady. He didn’t have to look long. It was easy to find Anjelica. All he had to do was listen for the rowdy Norwegians, and he’d spot her long blond hair. A few days ago, jealousy would’ve plunged deep at the sight of her beside Erick. Not anymore. He walked up and slid his arm around her waist.

She glanced at him, offering only a smile.

When the evening’s festivities got louder and wilder, Kyle leaned over and whispered in her ear, “What do you say we get out of here? Find some privacy?”

She nodded. “Yes. We need to talk.”

They did need to talk. All night long she’d been distant. Almost sad. Did she think this was goodbye? Didn’t she know this was only the beginning?

~*~

Hand in hand they descended the stairs to the path in front of the hotel. Anjelica followed Kyle as he ducked between the trees. They crossed the grass in silence until they reached a secluded part of the garden, surrounded by shrubbery, flowers, and more trees.

He pulled her into his embrace.

She stiffened. She had to stop this now or she’d never have the strength to walk away.

Kyle stroked her hair as he searched her eyes. “What’s wrong?” he whispered.

“We can’t do this anymore.”

“Why? We have our whole lives ahead of us. Didn’t you believe me when I said I’m staying?”

Anjelica looked away. “You’re not good for me.”

“What?” Kyle turned her to face him. “How can you say that when we’re a match practically made in the heavens?”

Tears moistened her eyes.

He pulled her close and held her tight as he buried his face in her hair. “I don’t understand. Was it the lighthouse fiasco?”

“I—I can’t lose you.” Her lips trembled.

Kyle kissed her cheek and cupped her face with his hands. “You’re not going to lose me. I plan to be around for a very long time. Now that I’ve found you, I’m not letting you go.”

Anjelica’s sigh was so deep she feared she’d never be able to breathe again. “But
I
have to let
you
go.”

Kyle’s brow furrowed. “You just said you couldn’t lose me.” His gaze searched hers again. “You’re not making sense.”

She’d have to tell him everything. Perhaps then he’d let her go.

“It’s because of Kristoff.”

“Erick’s brother? Has he returned to the scene? Does he want you back?”

Anjelica shook her head. “No. He can never return.” She swiped at the tears that threatened. “He’s dead.”

Kyle pulled her to his chest and held her tight. “I’m so sorry. How?”

“Wingsuiting accident.”

He remained silent for a while, clearly processing what she’d said.

“Kristoff Thuesen? I don’t recall a wingsuiter by that name.”

Her head moved from side to side. “No. Kristoff Hagen. Erick and he were half-brothers.”

“Hagen…yes, I remember that. About three years ago, wasn’t it? Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland? Crashed into the side of the mountain.”

Anjelica nodded.

“I had no idea he was Erick’s brother. What happened?”

“Proximity flying. He got too close. He always pushed the boundaries. I begged him that day not to fly the lines he’d planned.” Anjelica bit on her lip for several moments, regaining her composure. “We got engaged that morning…”

“You were engaged?”

She rubbed her ring finger. “Yes.” For a while she’d still worn his diamond. Until the day she finally accepted he wasn’t coming back. “We fought about the flight. He was angry when he made the jump. Maybe he wasn’t concentrating…” She pulled away from Kyle. “For over two years I felt guilty. Perhaps if I’d handled the situation differently—” She swiped at a tear. “I can’t go through another loss like that. And I can’t risk feeling guilty again, like perhaps I’d caused it. I’m sorry. I should never have thought there could be anything between us. And I shouldn’t have let you believe that, either.”

Kyle pulled her close again. He held her chin so she couldn’t turn away. “Do you want me to give up flying? Is that what you want? Would that make you happy?”

Would it? If she expected that of him, he’d surely expect the same of her. She wasn’t ready to hang up her wingsuit yet. “I don’t know what I want.” Unashamed, she allowed her tears to stream down her cheeks.