Tailspin Read Online Free Page A

about flying came rushing back, swirling with images of her mother. Her relationship with Sylvie’s stepfather, Damon Masters, and the endless arguments.
    Secrets.
    Was her life flashing before her eyes like she’d so often heard would happen in the last few moments of life?
    â€œWhat’s happening?”
    When Will didn’t answer, she risked opening her eyes. His features were tight.
    Okay, well, that doesn’t look good. “If I survive this, I’m never flying again. I wouldn’t be on this plane now if I had any other choice. No offense.”
    â€œNone taken.” His voice had an edge to it. “You miss out on a lot if you don’t fly. You’ll never see the world like this, see the wonders of Alaska, if you don’t get in the air and soar with the eagles.”
    â€œAre you saying this is normal?” Her teeth clattered along with the plane.
    â€œYou just have to roll with it if you can. But if it makes you feel any better, I know what I’m doing.”
    Then the plane lurched to the left, and a sound like the crack of thunder rocked the plane, vibrated through her core. “Will, I can’t die today. I have to find my mother’s plane!”
    * * *
    Her words held some kind of meaning for him personally, but he couldn’t figure it out when their survival was on the line, so he tucked them inside his mind to pick apart later. He’d just reassured her he was a good pilot. He needed to live up to his word.
    â€œYou’ve been honest with me to a point, so I’ll be honest with you. I think the rifleman might have done some damage to the plane. It’s taken time to work its way through, and now we’re feeling the pain of it.”
    â€œWhat are you saying?”
    â€œI’m saying I’m a good pilot—a great pilot—but it never hurts to say your prayers. Get your affairs in order with God.”
    â€œAre you kidding me?”
    â€œI wouldn’t kid you about something so serious.” He hated to scare her, but neither could he hide the gravity of the situation.
    As he struggled to bring the vibrating plane in, to find a body of water on which to land, he thought back to his mother. Was this how she’d felt when her plane was going down? She’d been a great pilot, too. The best. And yet his mother’s plane was missing. It had to have crashed somewhere. What had Sylvie said about needing to find her mother’s plane? He couldn’t think about that now—he had to focus on keeping them alive.
    A friend lived within hiking distance of the strip of water he aimed for. Even if they landed safely, Sylvie wouldn’t survive without some place warm to wait until help arrived.
    The plane kicked, a rumble spilling through the fuselage. His gut tensed.
    Though he struggled to grip the vibrating yoke, he reached over and pressed his hand over Sylvie’s white knuckles that squeezed the armrest. Surprising him, she released her grip and held his hand, strong and tight. Maybe it had nothing at all to do with reality but more to do with looking death straight in the eyes, but Will had a sense of connection with Sylvie Masters—a complete stranger—which made no sense.
    God, please let me save Sylvie. Save the day. Like her, I want to find my mother’s plane. Find the answers. Then he understood what his mind could not comprehend earlier.
    God had to have brought them together for this same purpose. They couldn’t die today.
    â€œWe’re going to be okay, Sylvie. Just keep praying.”
    Her reply came out in an indistinguishable murmur. Indistinguishable but understandable, all the same. She fought to hold herself together. He couldn’t blame her. He didn’t want to release her hand, finding a comfort in her grip that he hadn’t known he needed, but he pulled away and gripped the yoke.
    â€œThere, see the water? That’s all I need for a smooth landing.” He