Chapter 15: Bush Plane

With her eyes squeezed shut, Shasta gripped her seat with both hands as the plane began skipping along the top of the water. “Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit…”

As they reached top speed, Blake eased the stick back and they lifted off the lake, soaring up over the trees on the eastern shoreline. Cautiously, Shasta eased one eye open. They were high above the trees now.

Blake grinned at her. “You can probably let go of the seat now.”

She looked down at her white knuckles. Letting go was easier said than done, and she rubbed her fingers to restore circulation.

“Was that so bad?” he asked her.

“It wasn’t bad, just a little scary.” Leaning forward, Shasta looked out over the landscape below. Tree-covered hills gave way to rocky outcroppings and to more lakes. “The water’s so clear,” she commented. “I noticed that when I went swimming yesterday. It’s way deeper than it looks.”