My Husband Gave Her My Parachute Chapter 01

At 3,000 meters, Ryan Hayes swapped out my custom parachute rig at the last minute.

He strapped it onto Mia Carter, a student he’d just started training. Then he tossed me a spare.

“Mia’s scared of heights. Your rig’s safer, so let her use it. You’ve got experience, so switching rigs won’t be a problem.”

I jumped out and pulled the deployment handle. All I got were two severed lengths of nylon cord.

Mia’s amused voice came through my headset.

“Ryan, she actually jumped. What did I tell you? She’s too sure of herself to check that spare rig.”

Ryan’s tone was as indulgent as ever.

“You’re such a troublemaker. Let her choke on a little seawater before the rescue boat goes in. It’s about time she got a scare.”

The wind forced its way down my throat.

I looked down.

Below me wasn’t the water of South Bay, as planned. It was Black Hawk Canyon, nothing but bare, gray-black rock.

Ryan, there’s no water down there.

Just jagged rocks that could smash a body to pieces.

…

The cabin altimeter read 3,200 meters.

The door opened, and cold wind drove ice pellets into my face.

I looked down to tighten my leg straps. A hand suddenly reached over, opening the quick-release buckle at my chest.

Ryan worked fast, pulling my red-and-black custom rig off my back.

“Ryan, what are you doing?”

I reached for it just as the plane jolted.

He turned, blocking me, and slipped the rig onto Mia’s narrow shoulders.

“It’s her first jump from this altitude, and her legs are shaking. Your rig has dual altitude monitoring, and it’s easier to deploy. Let her use it.”

Mia stood behind him, clutching the hem of his outdoor jacket.

“Claire, I’m so scared my legs are shaking.”

She looked at me, then drew a small breath.

“Ryan said he had a German technician adjust it just for you. It’s the safest one. You’ve jumped so many times that any rig should do, right?”

She said she was scared, but she could barely suppress a smile.

I stared at my husband.

“This rig is for next month’s international championships. It’s been adjusted for my weight and build, right down to the line lengths. Mia’s ten kilos lighter than me, so it’ll be less stable for her.”

I held out my hand, palm up.

“Give it back. Switching rigs right before a jump violates club safety rules. You’re the head instructor, but you still have to follow the inspection procedure.”

Ryan frowned. He yanked an old, dark-green spare rig from the equipment box at his feet and tossed it at mine.

“Claire Bennett, stop dragging your place in the competition into this. I’m in charge of this jump.”

He pressed a hand against Mia’s shoulder strap.

“She’s my student, and I train her myself. I know what equipment she can handle. You’ve won three national titles, and a spare rig scares you?”

He glanced at the others without lowering his voice.

“We’re all waiting. Are you really going to hold everyone up over this rig?”

Several students looked away and fiddled with their instruments. No one said a word.

Mia smiled, looking down as she fastened her safety buckle.

The green light came on. The copilot’s voice sounded through the cabin speakers.

“Ten seconds to the drop point. Prepare to exit.”

Ryan patted Mia’s helmet.

“Look at me and jump the way we practiced. I’ll be right behind you. A rescue boat’s waiting in South Bay, so you won’t be in the water long.”

Then he turned to me.

“You go first. Show her how it’s done. Stop glaring at me.”

I looked at the man I’d been married to for four years.

At our wedding, he’d called me the bravest, most dazzling person he’d ever met. He’d said I only looked truly at home when I flew.

He’d promised to pack every parachute I used. All I had to do was fly. He’d make sure my equipment was safe.

But ever since Mia joined the club, she’d had all his attention.

If she showed the slightest fear, he handed her everything that belonged to me.

I bent down and picked up the spare rig. I put it on and quickly tightened the straps.

You’d chosen to give her all the protection. I wouldn’t leave my safety in your hands again.

The door stood open, the green light flashing.

I didn’t look back. I jumped out toward the swirling clouds.