Rafael Patino has a great life in Rain Valley. He’s a teacher at the high school, has a great group of friends, and enjoys the occasional baseball game. Other than the sporadic call from his drunken mother, he’s pretty content. He’s also been in love with his best friend Dustin for nearly a decade. Years of keeping those feelings under control are put to the test when they begin a summer project together. Dustin Vance builds furniture for a living, has just earned his pilot’s license, and has an amazing best friend. When he buys a 1976 Cessna Skyhawk, he asks Rafael to help restore it, then travel with him to Wisconsin for the largest aviation convention in the world. As they spend their days working on the plane, they begin to spend their nights together. Will they find love in the clouds, or will they stall out before they even take off?

Love in the Clouds

“No. It’s going to sit in the hangar and never see the light of day. Of courseit’s going to fly. The Cessna is a great plane and it just needs a little work. I’ve already got plans to take Raf on a trip this summer.”


Dustin gaped at him as he glanced to make sure Raf hadn’t heard. “What?”


His friend rolled his eyes. “Seriously? You guys are practically married. You’re joined at the hip.”


“We’re…we’re best friends.” His eyebrows raised as he stared at Caleb.


“You keep telling yourself that’s all you two are, Dustin.” He laughed and raised his glass. “To the new pilot.”


Dustin raised his and they clinked glasses, but he couldn’t stop considering what Lucas had said. Why did the words send a thrill through him? He chugged his beer, then reached for the pitcher, pouring another and quickly downing it. When he started on another, he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Raf.


Chapter 8