Joy Takes Flight by Bonnie Leon Page B

her. She’d come to see the splendor of the vast wilderness even when frigid temperatures kept it locked away from the world. The Arctic possessed a beauty unlike any other.
    Kate set the Bellanca down on the airstrip south of the village. Nena stepped out of a cabin that squatted alongside the landing field. Bundled in a heavy parka, she shuffled toward the plane, her mukluks scuffing up a small ice cloud around her feet.
    Angel woofed at Nena, leapt from the plane, and then she was off, her nose to the ground. Kate stepped out. Even though she knew to expect it, the cold hit her hard. She sucked in frigid air and coughed, then smiled as Nena approached. “I don’t know if I’ll ever adjust to the weather up here,” she joked, pulling her friend into a tight hug. “Oh, it’s good to see you.”
    Nena stepped back. “The weather—it is a nice day today.” She grinned, her almond-shaped eyes nearly disappearing in her dark, weathered skin. She studied Kate. “I think being married is good for you. You look prettier than ever.”
    â€œYou think so? I am happy. I love Paul and I love being married.” Kate patted her arms, trying to dispel some of the cold. “You look wonderful. You’re glowing.”
    â€œI am?” Nena smiled, her cheeks rounding. “It is the baby.”
    â€œA baby? You’re having a baby?”
    Nena nodded.
    â€œHow wonderful!”
    Nena rested a hand on her abdomen. “It should be here by the end of summer.” She grinned. “And you? You will also have a baby soon?”
    Kate was taken aback by the question, but she should have expected it. Nena always spoke her mind. “Not yet. When God wills it.” The conversation she had with her mother came charging back. Kate wanted a child, but didn’t know what she’d do about her work if she had a baby.
    Kate turned to the plane. “I’d better get this bird taken care of. I can’t wait to see the children.”
    â€œThey are excited to see you too.”
    Working together, the two women drained the oil, tied off the plane, and draped and secured a tarp over the engine. Then with their arms linked, they headed toward town. A cold breeze blew in from the frozen bay, creating glittering ice fog.
    Kate pulled her hood closer around her face. “It’s freezing.”
    Nena laughed. “Yes. But soon it will be spring.”
    â€œIt can’t be soon enough for me.” Kate put her head down to keep out the cold and kept walking.
    When they stepped into the Turchiks’ combination home and general store, the children swamped Kate with greetings and hugs. Kate knelt and gathered them into her arms.
    She looked at Peter, the oldest. “You are growing so fast. You’re nearly a man.”
    A flush rose in the nine-year-old’s cheeks. “My father said I can go with him next winter when he hunts for seal and walrus.” He threw his shoulders back.
    Kate picked up little Mary, who was nearly five. “And how about you? You’re not a baby anymore. Do you want to go hunting too?”
    Mary smiled and dimples appeared in both cheeks. “No. I do not hunt.”
    â€œReally?” Kate looked at Nena.
    â€œIt’s not the custom for women to hunt.”
    â€œI want to go hunting,” Nick piped up. He looked at his mother as if hoping for affirmation.
    â€œOne day. Now you are not old enough.” Nick’s smile turned into a pout, but Nena ignored it. She took off her parka and hung it on a hook made of walrus tusk.
    The children engulfed Angel with hugs and kisses. They loved animals and especially Angel.
    Kate could already see the bulge of Nena’s growing child. An unexpected longing for one of her own welled up inside of her. How long would she have to wait? She hung her coat beside Nena’s.
    â€œI have tea. Would you like some?”
    â€œThat sounds good.” Kate followed Nena