Authors: Anne A. Wilson
Clear to Lift (39 page)
“Alison, did you want to bring out your presents?” Will asks.
“Oh, yes!”
“Cupboard on the far left,” he says.
I stand and move to where Will stashed my surprises.
“I just have a little something for our two acrobats here.” I give one box to my mom and one to Celia, both stamped with the logo from the hospital gift shop.
They open their boxes, lifting out identical mugs. “Cat poster!” they say in unison.
“Can you believe they had the âHang in there, baby' mugs in the gift shop?” I say.
“Well, that pretty much sums it up,” Celia says.
“Not something I'll soon forget,” my mom adds.
“And we're definitely having cider,” I say.
“Would we have anything else?” my mom says.
“I'll boil the water,” Jack says.
“But what about dessert?” Boomer asks. “I mean, just bringing us back on topic.”
“Would you like to do the honors?” Jack says. “I mean, since you brought it.”
“Hell, yeah.” Boomer rumbles over to the kitchen as I retake my seat.
He returns shortly holding a large sheet cake-size box that he places in front of Will and me.
“Go ahead. Open it,” Boomer says.
Will lifts the lid, and our faces broaden into matching beaming smiles. Inside, one dozen heavenly pieces of glazed doughnut perfection.
“Grabbed 'em up fresh from Schat's this morning,” Boomer says.
Will motions for me to pick first, then turns to me, his eyes sparkling the way they did the first day I met him. “How much you wanna bet that'll be the best doughnut you've ever tasted?”
“I have no doubt about that,” I say, raising it to my mouth. “None whatsoever.”
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Also by
Anne A. Wilson
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Anne A. Wilson
graduated from the United States naval Academy and served nine years active duty as a Navy helicopter pilot. This included three years as a search-and-rescue pilot based at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, where she specialized in high-altitude technical mountain rescue. The Naval Helicopter Association named Anne and her crew Helicopter Aircrew of the Year, an award given for search and rescue. Anne currently resides in Fountain Hills, Arizona, with her husband and two sons. To learn more, visit
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Contents
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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
CLEAR TO LIFT
Copyright © 2016 by Anne A. Wilson
All rights reserved.
Cover art by Getty Images
A Forge Book
Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
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New York, NY 10010
Forge® is a registered trademark of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-0-7653-7851-4 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-7653-8621-2 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9780765386212
Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at
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First Edition: July 2016