Impulsive (45 page)

Ty located the switch that would take the plane out of autopilot
and put it in his control—or lack thereof. Feeling as if he was disconnecting
his own umbilical cord, he grabbed hold of the "stick" and flipped
the switch. The plane tilted sharply to the side, nearly unseating him.

"Whoa!" the radio voice said. "Easy does it."
Swiftly, he instructed Ty how to level off again. "Keep the 'wings' on
that dial level with the horizon line."

The next quarter of an hour was the longest and most frightening
of Ty's life. He was functioning on pure adrenaline, relying on it to
counteract the drugs in his system. From what he relayed to them, the tower
confirmed that the plane was nearly out of fuel. With luck and a tailwind, they
might have enough to make the nearest airfield. If not... Ty didn't even want
to think about it.

"Hey, fella?"

"Stan."

"Stan, I forgot to tell you something important. I'm about to
pass out, too. It was the coffee. Laced with sleeping pills. Tom Nelson did it.
He bailed out a ways back. Call Detective Haggardy. Columbus Police
Department."

"Later. Let's get you down, first. Then you can call him
yourself. Just stay with me, Ty. Not much longer. You're almost there."

Three minutes later, Stan reported, "I don't think you have
to worry about that Nelson guy anymore. We just got word about a man smashing
through a barn roof about thirty miles east of here. His parachute failed to
open."

"He's dead?"

"Affirmative."

"Couldn't have happened to a more deserving bastard," Ty
claimed tersely.

At last, Ty spied the landing strip. His stomach clenched itself
into knots.

"Just do what I tell you, Ty," Stan said. "That
baby can practically land herself, but she needs a little help from you."

"I... I'm fading fast," Ty warned. "Can hardly see
the... dials."

"Pull yourself together, man!" Stan yelled.
"Concentrate! You can do this! Just hang on a few more minutes!"

"Trying to," Ty murmured.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion from then on. Ty saw
his hands moving to do as Stan directed, but they seemed to be moving of their
own volition, not under any conscious command from his brain. He saw the wings
tip, and straighten. He heard the thump of the landing gear as it locked into
place. He saw the emergency equipment lined up along the runway, their bright
lights flashing. Last, he felt the lurch as the plane touched down, heard the
squeal of rubber tires skidding against tarmac.

The ceremony was simple, solemn, sincere. The guest list had been
pared to the bare minimum, yet the church was packed beyond its capacity.
Claudia clutched at John's hand, mopping her tears with the handkerchief wadded
in the other. Across the aisle, Maggie James held her hand to her chest, her
emotions running high. Beside her, Wes gazed intently toward the altar.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the pastor
intoned. "You may kiss your bride."

Ty drew Jess into his arms and kissed her with all the love and
longing in his heart. Jess melted against him, her happy heartbeats matching
his. When at last they parted, to gaze adoringly into each other's eyes, the
minister was announcing proudly, "May I be the first to present to those
of you assembled here today... Tyler and Jessie James."

Jess's mouth flew open. The congregated guests burst into laughing
applause. Ty grinned.

"You horse's rear! You told him to do that, didn't you?"
Jess swatted at him with her bouquet.

"You bet your sweet bippy," Ty admitted without a hint
of remorse.

"I'll get you for this," she promised, her eyes narrowed
in warning.

"Now, Jess, I have witnesses, about five hundred of them, who
just heard you pledge to honor and cherish me," he reminded her with a
chuckle.

"Wagara."

"Meaning?"

She told him at long last. "Who Actually Gives A Rat's
Ass?"

His blue eyes twinkled. "I do. You do. Everyone heard us both
say we do. Our vows, remember?"

She gave an exasperated huff. "That's what I get for wanting
a traditional wedding. And for being such an impetuous, love-struck fool."

"You know the old saying, 'Marry in haste, repent at leisure.'
Well, sweetheart, we've got a lifetime ahead of us for that and a lot more. By
the way, have I told you yet today how beautiful you are?"

"You do throw a smooth pass," she conceded with a wry
smile. "Just remember... I kick balls."

"Yeah, but I get to call all the plays, don't forget."

"Your saving grace is that you're great in the sack,"
she informed him with a smirk.

"So are you." He offered her his arm. She slipped her
hand into the crook of his elbow. They headed down the aisle, Gabe and Corey
falling into line behind them.

"Jessie James!" she muttered anew. "Honestly, Ty!
How could you?"

"Stick a sock in it, babe."

"Gladly, super jock. Bend over and show me some teeth."

He shut her up the best way he knew how. Without missing a beat,
he swept her into his arms and clamped his mouth over hers. The crowd cheered.

Josh, mindful of his role as ring bearer and all-around "best
son," scurried to grab Jess's trailing train and hold it off the floor. He
strutted importantly along in their wake, with a wide, gap-toothed grin.

Claudia followed John out of the pew. She dabbed at her damp eyes,
offering him a misty smile. "Like I told you, John. Those two were made
for each other."