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

The blonde stuck out her hand. “Hi, I’m Kate. This is my wife, Jennifer. This is our first time at AirVenture.”


Dustin shook the offered hand and smiled. “Dustin. This is my boyfriend, Rafael.” He shook Jennifer’s hand, too.


“This is our first time also. We’re going to secure the plane and head over to register for the campground, then come back, set up camp, and get a feel for the place.”


“Us, too. Mind if we walk with you?”


With Raf’s help, Dustin tied down the Cessna, then locked up. The four of them followed the crowds, hoping the masses knew where they were going.


When they found the registration area, they discovered a fairly long line, so they spent the time getting to know Kate and Jennifer, who seemed just as excited about the event.


“Are you both pilots?” Jennifer asked.


“I just got my pilot’s license in May,” he said.


Chapter 60