Free Wings of Promise by Bonnie Leon Page B

it is here too.”
    Kate could hear the booming sound of a voice coming from the other end of the phone.
    “Sure. No problem. I understand.” Mike’s head bobbed. “Okay. Stay in touch. I’ll see you too. Good-bye.”
    He hung up and looked at Kate. “He said no. I knew it was a long shot.”
    “At least you tried.”
    Mike sat at the table. “If we weren’t just coming off the winter months, I’d have some money, maybe enough to hold Sidney over for a while.”
    Kate dropped into a chair across the table from him. “Me too.” She took a sip of coffee. “So, how are your brothers?”
    “Okay . . . I guess. Jerry said they’re barely keeping up, like everyone else.” Mike stared into his cup. “Can’t imagine working for Jack. He’ll run the place into the ground.”
    “Maybe not. He’s been in the business a long time. He might do okay. But he’ll probably fire me right off.”
    “Nah. He needs you.” Mike took a big drink of coffee.
    The idea of working for Jack made Kate’s stomach hurt.
    Her gaze wandered to the waffle iron. Smoke rolled out and over the top. “The waffles are burning!” She ran into the kitchen and threw open the griddle, then poked the blackened waffles with a fork and speared them out. “Can’t even make a decent waffle.”
    “Guess you ought to stick to flying.” Mike chuckled.
    Kate laughed. “You don’t think I ought to take on a second job . . . say as a cook?”
    “Can’t think of anyone who’d hire you.” He laughed and soon the two were doubled over, laughter releasing the day’s worries.
    When they quieted down, Mike took the fork. “I’ll make some more.”
    “I’m not hungry.” Kate shook her head. She knew how things would be—Jack belittling her, giving her the worst runs and as little work as possible. “I don’t see how I can stay on.” Unbidden tears pooled in Kate’s eyes.
    “It’ll be all right. We’ll work out something. And the fellas and I will stand up for you. You don’t have to worry about Jack.”
    “He’s not going to be easy on you either. And I doubt he’ll get along with the customers. They’ll be falling off like flies.” Kate wiped away her tears, hating that she’d let someone like Jack get to her. “Thanks, but I can stand up for myself.” She sniffed and grabbed a handkerchief out of her pants pocket and blew her nose, then moved to the closet and grabbed her coat. She wished Paul lived in town. She really needed him right now. “Well, I better go. Sorry we didn’t come up with anyone, but thanks for your help.”
    “No problem. Just wish we could have figured out something.” Mike opened the door for Kate. “See you tomorrow.”
    The following morning, Kate felt crummy. She’d lain awake most of the night, trying to come up with an answer. She even considered asking her father for the money. She was sure he had some put aside. But an airfield was a risk, and she couldn’t ask him to jeopardize his savings.
    While Kate washed her face, dressed, and combed her hair, melancholy wallowed inside her. She didn’t bother with makeup. When she stepped outside, she glanced at the sky. It was clear. Sidney would be leaving.
    She climbed into her car and prayed that something had happened overnight. Maybe Sidney’s father had made a miraculous recovery, or Mike’s brother had changed his mind. God, you can do anything. Please provide the money we need .
    When Kate pulled up at the field, three cars were parked out front—Sidney’s, Jack’s, and Mike’s. She didn’t see Kenny’s or Alan’s. They don’t care enough to even say good-bye to Sidney , she thought with disdain.
    When Kate stepped into the shop, Mike was bent over the stove. He used a poker to stir the embers. He glanced at Kate, his expression glum. After adding kindling to the coals, he closed the door, leaving it open a couple of inches to help it draft.
    She tossed Mike a nod, then turned to Sidney. Even though she already knew the