She didn’t have time to bask in the pseudo-praise because he immediately moved on to the holding instructions.
“Fly published missed, expect further clearance ten minutes after the hour.”
With the autopilot flying, Jannie reviewed the magenta lines on the multifunction display.
“Ready for a circling approach?” Newell asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Prepare the ILS approach to runway 12 Left, circle to land two-five. I will coordinate with ATC to see if they can accommodate.” He cued the mic. “Nellis approach, this is November 290 Fox Delta. We’re conducting a checkride. We’re requesting a circling approach to two-five from 12 Left if you can accommodate.”
“November 290 Fox Delta, fly heading 360, expect direct JOKUS for the ILS runway 12 Left, circle to land runway 25, maintain 7,000.”
Jannie cued the mic and gave Approach a quick readback of the instructions, then reprogrammed the GPS.
Just as she finished, Approach called again. “November 290 Fox Delta, you are now cleared present position direct JOKUS for the ILS 12 Left, circle to land runway 25.”
She read back the clearance and activated the direct-to function of the autopilot to take them to JOKUS. The angle ofintercept looked good, so she pushed theapproachbutton.
Soon, she reached the altitude of 2,800 feet.
“Field in sight,” Newell called.
Good, no imaginary cow this time. Ditching her opaque glasses, she caught sight of North Las Vegas straight ahead. Using her eyeballs was so much easier. She exhaled a long breath, her shoulders relaxing a bit.
Maintain visual contact with the airport environment.
Piece of cake, Jannie,Nick’s encouraging voice echoed in her mind.
She then proceeded to perform a circling approach, straightening the airplane on a three-mile final to runway 25, and could not hold back a triumphant smile. No way Newell could find fault with what she’d just done. It was a perfect approach—she knew it, and surely, so did he.
The main gear kissed the runway with a satisfying chirp as the rubber met the asphalt. The little Piper rolled for a while, gradually coming to a stop, and Jannie’s smile widened into a grin that lasted well through her completion of the shutdown checklist.
“All right, Miss Larssen.” Newell turned to her, his expression still deadpan, but with a flicker of respect in his gray eyes. “You are an IFR-rated pilot. Let’s take care of the paperwork to make it official.”
•
Nick
If that shining look on her face was his reward for all the work he’d done with her, only to have to let her go, then it had been worth it.
Jannie hadn’t just passed; she’d passed with flying colors. Given her talent for this, which he’d noticed the instant he’d gotten her in the cockpit, he wasn’t surprised. The woman was born to do this. A pity that she wasn’t going to put those innate talents to use.
Yeah, he was selfishly hoping she’d change her mind. In the furthest corner of his soul, the place he rarely dared to look, lived another goal: to make her fall for him. Because he’d been in love with her for over fifteen years, and the past few weeks had confirmed it. His failed relationships and constant search … it all made sense now. He had looked everywhere for years and never found what he’d really been after.
Because what he had been searching for all along was her.
But there was a silver lining: he had achieved his most important goal, which was helping her break out of her funk. The Jannie who approached with Newell, her chin held high, her cheeks rosy, and her beautiful blue eyes sparkling, was not the same Jannie who’d nearlythrown him out back in Orlando.
Orlando … he grimaced. The very thought of that city felt like a punch to the gut. He shoved it aside, choosing instead to focus on the beautiful woman confidently striding toward him in her figure-hugging navy pants and crisp short-sleeved white shirt.
Damn. She looked like a goddess.
Sky goddess.
A smile tugged at his lips. He liked that one. She was every part the professional pilot, and, glancing at the Piper she’d perfectly parked with the marshaller’s guidance, he got ideas.
A couple of feet away, the two grizzled men still sat, having switched from Pepsi to beer to go with the footlong sub sandwiches they were enjoying for an outdoor lunch.
