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

Rafael’s jaw dropped. “That’s…that’s—”


“Disgusting!” Dustin sputtered, his face red with anger. “Who the fuck does that to a kid? What the hell is wrong with these people?”


“I don’t know,” Mac said solemnly. “My brother is probably turning over in his grave. But I’m trying to keep her from knowing about all that crap. I think it’ll be good for her to be out here. I took time off to be with her but I’m ready to get back to work, too. Which is really one of the reasons I came by. We’re ready to take over your plane whenever you’re ready.”


“Thanks. We’re winding down on the repairs we can make ourselves. I was assuming another few days. Tuesday, maybe, at the latest? Does that give you enough time to finish the restoration and pass inspection before I head to Oshkosh?”


Chapter 28