Skydive Read Free Page B

her side.
    Robin barely had time to think. She turned and ran for all she was worth. The man shouted something in Spanish and raced after her.
    The lobby door banged shut behind her, but she knew better than to look back. If she could onlyfind someone to help her! The hall was empty and so was the training hangar.
    Robin darted out the side door of the hangar and bolted across the field. A small plane was just rolling out of a hangar, and people were standing nearby.
    “Wait! Don’t go!” Robin screamed.
    The tall man chasing her stopped when he saw what she was doing and ducked behind a truck.
    Robin was out of breath when she reached the plane. Buck took her by the shoulders. “What’s wrong, Robin?”
    “I … need … help.” Robin gulped air and tried to collect herself.
    Jesse moved to her side. “Has something happened, Robin?”
    Robin nodded furiously. She was just about to explain when Pete appeared in the doorway of the small airplane. The color drained from her face and she felt dizzy.
    “What’s the problem out here?” Pete growled. He looked at his watch. “We’re behind schedule already.”
    Robin swallowed. “Uh, no problem.” She glanced back at the truck. “It’s just that …”
    “What is it, Robin?” Buck asked gently.
    Robin swallowed again. “I’ve decided that I want to go up with you.”
    “Now that’s a surprise,” Buck said. “What’s gotten into you?”
    “Nothing. I just think it’s about time for me to get over this silly thing I have about heights, that’s all. Can I go?”
    “Buck, we don’t have time for this,” Pete protested. “Your class is waiting for you at the landing zone. Let’s go.”
    “Her dad did sign that permission slip,” Jesse chimed in.
    “Are you sure about this?” Buck searched her face.
    “As sure as I can be.” Robin tried not to look as nervous as she felt.
    Buck patted her on the back. “All right. Looks like we’ve added a crew member.”

C HAPTER 7
    “Everything all right?” Buck asked, tapping her shoulder.
    “Great!” Robin yelled over the roar of the plane’s engine. She was sitting on the floor with her head down, trying not to think about where she was. It was hard, considering that the plane’s door was wide open and Buck was preparing to step out on the wing strut.
    Jesse adjusted the buckle on his parachute harness and stepped close to the door to watch for the landing zone. After spotting it and checking the wind indicator for the second time, he reached out and slapped Buck’s thigh.
    Buck’s jump was perfect. He threw his bodybackward into a poised arch and drifted away from the plane.
    “You really ought to see this, Robin. He’s the best.”
    Robin didn’t move. “I’ll take your word for it.”
    The rainbow-colored parachute slipped out of its deployment sleeve and blossomed in midair. Like a paper doll, Buck floated effortlessly to the ground and landed in the center of the zone.
    “Right on target as usual,” Jesse said proudly. He moved to the front of the plane. “You can take us in, Pete. Buck’s down.”
    Pete nodded and turned the plane around. Jesse sat down on the floor beside Robin. Because Pete might be able to hear snatches of their conversation, he decided not to ask what had happened back at the field. Besides, Robin didn’t look much like she wanted to talk right then anyway.
    Jesse leaned back and closed his eyes. Someday it would be him floating down through the clouds, putting on exhibitions for students. Later he’d enter international jumping contests. When he landed perfectly on the X, the other contestants would all crowd around him begging for his autograph.
    The plane lunged forward. Jesse’s eyes flewopen. The engine coughed and sputtered. He jumped to his feet. “What’s wrong, Pete?”
    “Looks like engine failure. We’re going down, kid. You and your girlfriend better get out now if you want to keep your skin.” Pete unbuckled his safety belt and checked