Page 67 of Simply Yours

She reached out, brushing her fingers over the rough stubble on his cheek, her touch soft but intentional. “I gave you the best birthday present I could think of,” she murmured, her voice tender yet unwavering. The way he looked at her made her chest ache—like he was trying to memorize every detail, trying to understand why she would do this for him.

“I wanted to give you a chance to see what could have been," she continued, her voice thick with emotion, "a bit of an escape, and a memory that we can always share. I know you missed out, but you arenotdead just because you stayed behind to help your family. Every day is a new chance, Jason—a new beginning. And you should really start making the most of it.” She let out a slow breath, willing him to see what she saw—that his life was still wide open, full of possibilities. “And there’s no better time to start than with a celebration of your life.”

Jason’s expression shifted and something sparked behind his eyes. Disbelief. Wonder. And then—realization.

“At Flyboys?” he asked hoarsely, like he was afraid to hope.

She nodded, unable to stop the tearful smile tugging at her lips. “We’re taking a discovery flight. And you, Jason Baird, are going to fly a plane today because it’s long overdue to you, my friend.”

His lips parted slightly, but no words came out at first. Then, just as the stunned silence stretched between them, a figure approached—a man in sunglasses and a flight suit, his grin easy, his stride confident.

“Hey there. Jason Baird? Are you my ten o’clock?” the man greeted, extending his hand. “My name’s Anthony Blake, but you can call me Teflon. I’m gonna be taking you up today. You’ve got an hour booked—ask questions, fly for a bit, help me land—whatever you choose, aviator.”

Jason exhaled sharply, like the breath had been punched out of him. “You’re kidding…” he breathed. His voice wavered slightly, and then—he laughed. A real, genuine, disbelieving laugh, the sound of a man who had just been handed back a piece of himself he thought was long gone. His fingers found Caitlin’s without hesitation, lacing through hers, holding on tight.

“This is incredible.” His voice was raw, unguarded.

Caitlin squeezed his hand, feeling the unspoken emotions crackling between them.You deserve this,she wanted to say.You deserve more than just surviving and watching out for everyone else.

Teflon grinned. “Just wait… And happy birthday, sir. Let’s make it a memorable one. Are you ready to go?”

Jason looked at the small aircraft waiting for him, then back at Caitlin, his gaze filled with something she couldn’t quite name—but it made her heart clench in the best possible way.

“Yeah.” His voice was steady now, brimming with excitement. It was the same tone a little boy might use when handed the keys to his dream car.

Caitlin laughed at his joy, the sight of it filling her with warmth.

As they neared the plane, she hesitated, pointing toward the small building nearby. “I’ll wait there.”

Jason’s grip tightened on her hand. “Come with me.”

There was something almost pleading in his voice, and it caught her off guard. Before she could answer, Teflon chimed in.

“We’ve got the space,” he offered. “Might be a little tight in the back seat, but if you want to take pictures or a video of him flying, there’s no better view.”

She hesitated for only a second before nodding. “All right.”

Jason’s grin widened, and she didn’t miss the way relief flickered across his face—like he didn’t quite want to do this alone.

She stepped back as Jason and Teflon moved through the preflight checks, their conversation filled with technical terms she didn’t fully understand but could appreciate. Every now and then, someone would walk past, offering Jason a handshake and a birthday wish. The camaraderie was undeniable—strangers, yet bound by a shared love of the skies. It was a side of him she had never seen before, a glimpse into whatcould have beenif life had played out differently.

And yet… he was here.Now.

“All right,” Teflon finally announced about ten minutes later. “We’re ready. Caitlin—ladies first.”

She swallowed, suddenly acutely aware of how fast her heart was beating. Jason was still holding her hand, and as they stepped toward the aircraft, she glanced up at him. His eyes were bright, alive in a way she hadn’t seen in a long, long time. And at that moment, she knew—this was more than just a birthday present.

This was a turning point.

Caitlin knew it in the marrow of her bones.

It was as if she’d cracked open a door into Jason’s soul and glimpsed the part of him he kept locked away. Instead of retreating, she had thrown the door wide open and marched in with banners flying. He had spent so long believing that certain things were beyond his reach—flying, dreaming, allowing himself joy—but she had other ideas. She was determined to prove to him that impossible was just a word, not a reality.

And these people? They were his neighbors, his community. They saw something in him that he refused to see in himself: a man worthy of celebration. A man deserving of happiness.

Jason was stubborn to a fault, always overworked, always pushing forward like a horse with blinders, too focused on responsibilities to even consider what he might want. But she saw him. She saw past the burden he carried, past the endless weight he bore. And if he had once dreamed of flying, there was no reason he couldn’t still do it.

The opportunity was right next door at Flyboys. A business that started as a dream, a chance, and had grown exponentially from there. Everyone in Yonder knew about the flight school and its humble beginnings – and it was still growing. The did charter flights now, taught classes, and helped the community whenever they could… just like Jason.

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