Love in the no-fly zone…
Distraught over the loss of her
brother in a fighter jet accident, Tinklee Pinkerton decides to follow in his
footsteps and prove the tragedy wasn’t his fault. But when she’s chosen as the
first woman to fly the Air Force’s F-35, her plan for a life that revolves
around work is thrown off course by a handsome, mysterious stranger…
Thanks to Locke’s seductive
British accent, sweet nature, and one too many beers, Tink is soon inspired to
throw caution to the wind and herself into his arms. She thinks maybe love can
heal after all—until she discovers Locke is her superior officer. Tink has no
problem risking her life in the air, but with everything on the line, is she
brave enough to risk her heart on the ground?
Exclusive Excerpt...
I spared my charm and
avoided everyone for the rest of the weekend, spending every second preparing
for my first flight.
I sat in my bed reviewing
take off and landing data when the phone rang.
“Hey, it’s Fantom.” His
voice boomed in my ear.
I gulped before answering.
“Hello, sir.”
“I’m the flight lead
tomorrow so I wanted to breakdown the flight.”
It was a no-bullshit call. I
listened without speaking, or breathing, I just scratched down notes.
At the end of the call, his
humanity surfaced and he added, “You’ve got this, Tink. You’re gonna be fine,”
he paused as if unsure if he should offer any more support. “You wouldn’t be in
the program if we didn’t think you could make it.”
It was these the moments
that freaked me out. None of these badasses wanted me to fail, but I wondered
if deep down they worried I would. That sucked the most.
I got dressed and picked up
my watch and strapped it on. It had been a gift from Colin when I graduated
from the Academy. Wearing it would be like having him with me in the cockpit.
It was a double-edged sword that brought me happiness and pain.
I polished the watch face
with my sleeve and stared at my reflection in the glass. I’d give up my wings
to see his warm, boyish grin one last time. I swallowed the lump in my throat
and slung my backpack over my shoulder. I rushed out the door before my dad
could ask for a ride.
He would be there because of
his job, photo-op or whatever other bullshit reason, but I didn’t want him or
his work connected to me. I needed to wear a disclaimer: I am Max Pinkerton’s
daughter, but my thoughts, opinions, and flights are my own.
My stomach growled. I wasn’t
sure how food and nerves would mix, but I needed to try. I pulled into the
coffee shop outside of base. It was way too early to go to the squadron and I
didn’t want to sit around dwelling on this first flight. Once I got past this
one, I would be fine. At least I hoped to be. Would I ever be comfortable
flying the beast that spurred my demons?
“Miss?” A high-pitched voice
interrupted my thoughts.
“Sorry, Venti Americano and
an old fashioned donut,” I stammered. I hadn’t had time to think about what I
wanted.
“Can you add two waters and
a protein plate?” A strong hand slid a twenty-dollar bill across the counter.
My stomach twittered with butterflies as I recognized his voice and remembered
his hand on the small of my back.
“No, I got it,” I replied
and fidgeted with my wallet, irritated that my brain went fuzzy when he was
around.
The cashier’s face turned
red as she stared into his eyes.
“Please, take it from the
twenty.”
The brunette giggled. I
rolled my eyes. It was that damn accent.
“Thanks.”
“My pleasure,” he said as he
flashed me a gentle smile. “How are you feeling?”
I shrugged.
He reached for my coffee.
Holy hell, he had a death wish.
“Miss, could you bring over
the rest?”
Of course she would, I
thought bitterly.
Locke turned to me. “I have
your coffee, so I know you won’t run away from me. You really shouldn’t have
it, but it looks like you might need it.”
I had to give it to him,
that was a clever plan. I followed him to a table in the back corner of the
shop and he pulled out a chair for me.
“What’s that supposed to
mean?” I reached out my hand for him to hand over my liquid gold.
He held up the cup and
motioned to the chair.
I wouldn’t normally
negotiate with terrorists, but he was holding my coffee hostage. I growled and
dropped into the chair.
He sat next to me and slid
me the cup. “I was merely suggesting that you look a bit frazzled, but still
lovely.”
I snatched it and took a
gulp.
“I’m not frazzled.”
I was hoping to convince him
and myself. The brunette server delivered the rest of our order. I waited for
her to move out of earshot before adding, “And don’t flirt with me.”
Locke chuckled then opened
the water and slid it to me. “Here.” When I shook my head, he reached for my
coffee. I gripped it tighter.
“Drink the water. You’re
going to puke if you drink that. Water and protein, that’s what you need.”
Locke removed the plastic
from the plate and slid it toward me. He took my donut and bit into it.
Locke was right, but I
didn’t want to admit it. I grabbed the donut from his hand and took a bite.
I sipped my coffee and he
shook his head.
“You’re so bloody stubborn
and obviously pissed. Point made. Eat your donut and drink your coffee.”
Could he blame me?
I picked up the water, drank
it, and grabbed a piece of cheese from the plate. I was trying to be difficult,
but I realized that I had fallen into his trap and done what he suggested at
the beginning.
I resisted smiling as the
corners of Locke’s lifted into a grin.
“I’m sorry about the other
night. It was daft of me to put both of our careers on the line.”
I shrugged and glanced down
at my watch. My first step into the cockpit was approaching at lightning speed.
I had to get my head in the game. I twisted the pilot bezel on my watch.
“Bodhi won’t say anything.
So please don’t worry,” Locke said quietly. I hadn’t been too worried about
Bodhi blabbing, he was a good guy. “You have to relax if you are going to
function in the jet.”
The mention of the word jet
and I worried my breakfast would make a reappearance. I pulled down my sleeve
and polished the face of my watch.
“You’re wound as tightly as
that watch you keep staring at,” Locke said as he tapped my foot with his.
“It was a gift when I graduated
from the Academy,” I whispered.
He leaned forward and placed
his hand on my leg under the table.
“From Colin?”
I flinched at the sound of
his name.
He rubbed his thumb along my
leg.
“I should have realized by
the way you’ve been looking at it.”
“Yeah, it probably isn’t
wise to have my ghosts haunting me in the cockpit.” I reached for the latch to
undo it.
Locke’s hand covered mine.
“It’s brilliant. Allow his memories to bring you strength.”
I looked up into his eyes.
They were full of trust, encouragement... understanding. He believed in me.
“You’re ready Tinklee. I’ve
watched you in class and in the simulator. You’ve got this.”
It gave me the confidence I needed
to face the jet, but it frightened me that he had stolen another piece of my
heart.
About the Author...
JAMIE RAE is a New Adult and Young
Adult author. She writes with one goal in mind--create stories with a positive
message that will stay with the reader long after they've finished reading.
Jamie is an avid reader and loves
discovering stories with a great hook, though she will not eat, sleep, or speak
until she reaches the end. The Harry Potter years weren't pretty!! Convinced
that her Hogwarts letter was lost in the mail, she keeps a watchful eye for
owls hoping her children will have better luck!
In her other life, Jamie Rae is an
orthodontist, and literary agent. She keeps her heart overflowing with love as
a mother of three and has perfected the art of nomadic living as a military
spouse and Air Force veteran. Jamie has a passion for critters of all shapes
and sizes and you can often find her sneaking them into her own home or
volunteering for rescues.
Website: https://www.jamieraewrites.com/
Giveaway...
Signed Copy of Call Sign Karma
US only
US only
The MC is in quite a pickle. I'd love to find out what she does about it.
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