Face of Destiny
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Kilby started walking across the hardened mud, hearing the small patches of ice breaking under his feet. He paused mid-way to the hangar, as the memories of the night flooded his mind. He remembered the bar and his conversation with Tip. He’d still been sober then and he was pretty sure his guided excursion into the mind of a woman had left its desired impression on his friend. Tip might not have been happy but, upon reflection, he’d see the value in that little discussion. He couldn’t give up flying any more than he could take a hacksaw and cut off his hand. And, sure as shooting, his little sweetheart would insist on the amputation. Kilby nodded, pleased with the rightness of his action. The nod caused his head to throb. And the pain caused him to remember what transpired after Tip had left. He’d stayed for awhile at the bar, feeding his guilt with scotch. When he’d finally left the bar, he’d headed straight for Evangeline’s, finding his way to her door like a drunken homing pigeon. And as much as he hated to admit it, she was a sort of home to him. Her warm arms and soft body had become a familiar landing field for Kilby. He’d spent many a night in those arms, caressing the woman whose body he’d come to know as well as his own. Filtering through the ache in his head was another memory. Evangeline had been trying to tell him something while he’d been pawing her clothes off. Kilby frowned causing the muscles in his forehead to hurt. It had been something important, but for the life of him he couldn’t remember the gist of it. He did remember that he had the impression she was trying to get through his drunken maneuverings and make him understand something. But, his playfulness had her laughing while she was talking and he never understood a thing she said. Under the influence of scotch, his mind could only focus on one thing at a time. And what he’d had on his mind was of paramount importance. Evangeline’s news never penetrated his lust. And now, that missing information was bothering him. He stood on the frozen dirt of Hazelhurst Field searching through his brain cells.
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About the Book
Nick Kilby was a World War I ace, a hero, now an airmail pilot, a man who could risk his life, but never risk his heart. Victoria Robinson is a young nurse with the skill and the heart to care for the wounded soldiers on the front lines. After witnessing the horrors of war, it is in her hometown, that she learns of a deeper pain and injustice encompassing the lives of the women of Hagers Lake.
After the War, hero-pilots were an unnecessary commodity. There were few avenues in which to pursue flying, and most of them were highly dangerous. While it wasn’t as glamorous, flying the mail for the U.S. Postal Service wasn’t any less deadly. The death rate among the Post Office pilots was one in six. In dangerous weather, flying refitted World War I fighters, these men risked their lives, and in the process, developed many of the innovations in aviation still in use today.
While at a terrible cost, the War had also seen innovations in medicine and treatment, innovations whose scope was expanding on the homefront. It was Victoria’s hope to bring these new ideas to her hometown. However, old ways and old ways of thinking die hard.
Reluctantly, both people become crusaders and pioneers in a time and era when progress and innovation are the bywords of the day.
The maelstrom of issues and events in post-WWI America bring together two people who confront life from opposite emotional poles. Through crisis, they forge new meaning for their lives. Finally, together, Kilby and Victoria face a destiny that will alter their hearts and their lives and change the face of America.
While the events and characters are strictly the author’s invention, this work of fiction is based on historical fact. The story would appeal to anyone who enjoys historical romance, a story that reveals the danger and adventure, in the sky and on the ground, in the era when flight was born.
About the Author
About the author Melanie Read is a history and English major, and for years has flown small aircraft. She is, as well, an enthusiast and lover of anything to do with flight and aircraft design and the history of its development. She is currently working on her third novel, the sequel to “Face of Destiny” She resides in Charlotte, North Carolina