The following is the first sneak peek from Where the Wings Rise, available in autumn of 2023! In this preview, Avery Miles and her sister Addisyn discover the identity of the mysterious “project” with which they’ve been asked to help by Avery’s boss, Laz Jobe.

Silver mist shimmered over the mountains like the first breaths of the new day. The gold ribbons of September aspens threaded their way along the bristling green hillsides. Avery rolled the truck window down slightly as she turned onto Marys Lake Road. The morning air rushed in—bracingly cold, yet exhilarating. 

“So today we find out what the project is.” In the passenger seat, Addisyn raised her eyebrows. She’d been so curious over Laz’s phone call on Friday that she’d asked to come with Avery to work this morning. 

“Yeah.” The truck groaned slightly on a hill, and Avery shoved the gearshift harder—it had always tended to stick in cooler weather. 

“What do you think it will be?”

Avery slowed to navigate a curve and smiled. “With Laz involved, it could be anything. But we’ll see.” Something nudged her elbow, and she glanced toward the backseat to see her black Lab leaning over the console. “Mercy, you’re excited too, aren’t you? Ready for work?” The dog had been accompanying her to the outdoors store for almost a year now. 

“She’s a sweetheart.” Addisyn rubbed Mercy’s ears, and the dog squinted in rapturous enjoyment. “And I’ve finally recovered from my shock that you adopted a dog the size of a horse.”

Avery grinned. “Yeah, I’ll never forget the look on your face when you opened the door to the cabin for the first time.”

“And this giant bear hurtles out, and you’re like, ‘Oh, did I mention I got a dog while you were gone?’” Addisyn pulled a mock exasperated face, but her eyes glinted with fun. “You know, I could have had a heart attack, A.”

“I know.” The laughter was like a cleansing burst of joy. This was something Avery had missed more than she’d realized—the banter they’d always shared. “At first, I thought you had.” 

Five minutes later, they pulled into the gravel parking lot beneath the carved wooden LIVE BIGGER sign. With Addisyn and Mercy at her heels, Avery opened the creaky door and stepped into the maze of display racks, which featured everything from walking sticks and trail maps to hiking boots and fishing rods. 

“Laz?” The lights were on, and John Denver was crooning from the sound system. But there was no movement except for the lazy spinning of the taxidermied ducks suspended from the ceiling. 

Addisyn glanced into the back room and shook her head. “Could he be at his house?” 

“Hmm…maybe.” Laz lived in a small cabin not more than a hundred yards from the store. Perhaps the project was over there. “Let’s put Mercy in the back room and find out.”

Sure enough, Laz was behind the shop, talking to someone in the driver’s seat of a mud-splashed SUV. Avery waved. “Laz!” 

“Howdy, gals!” He gestured to the truck’s driver, a deeply tanned man with chiseled features beneath thick black hair. “Miz Avery, you ‘member my buddy, Chayton Wingo.”

“Of course.” Avery offered her hand. “How are you?”

“Wonderful!” Chayton’s smile was as bright as a sun-dazzled mountain lake. He turned off the ignition and swung out of the truck, then tipped his head toward Addisyn. “And you are—” 

“This is my sister, Addisyn.” As soon as the words sprang out, Avery winced inwardly. She’d always had a bad habit of answering for her younger sister. 

Addisyn pinched her lips together but shook hands with Chayton. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Addisyn will be helping your wife in the store.” Avery smiled at Addisyn, but her sister wouldn’t meet her gaze. 

“The Bluefeather Boutique!” Chayton shoved a hand through his bristle-brush hair. “Thanks for helping Skyla out, Addisyn.”

“Well.” Addisyn tossed an unreadable glance at Avery. “I haven’t actually agreed yet.”

Why was Addisyn being so stubborn? The moment itched with awkwardness, but before Avery could smooth over her sister’s odd response, Laz broke in. “This is why I needed you, Miz Avery. Chay dumped a big ole headache on me—” he glared darkly at Chayton—“an’ it’s gonna take more than me to manage it.”

Whatever reason Addisyn had for her unfriendly behavior would have to wait. Avery took a deep breath and turned toward Laz. “So what is it?”

Chayton had already turned toward the SUV and opened the hatch. He slipped on a pair of leather gloves and then retrieved a large box that somewhat resembled a pet carrier, gently settling it on the dusty ground.

A box? What could possibly— Avery’s thoughts scattered when she heard a soft rustling from inside the crate. 

Addisyn jerked back. “There’s something alive in there!” 

“Yep.” Laz didn’t sound happy about the fact. He tipped his head at Chayton. “Go ahead. Do the honors.” 

His movements still gentle, Chayton knelt beside the box, reached inside…and pulled out the most magnificent bird. 

Avery gasped. The bird was as tall as her forearm, with a splendid shimmer of mahogany feathers and the proud profile of a raptor. He rustled his wings slightly, the golden eyes under his bold brows seeming to gaze far beyond the small crowd. 

“That’s—that’s a hawk.” Her laugh was an exhale of shock. Of all the possibilities she could have envisioned inside that box, this would never have crossed her mind. “What—” 

“Where did he come from?” Judging from the hushed tone in Addisyn’s voice, she was as impressed as Avery was.

Laz folded his arms, an odd mixture of emotions tugging at his expression. “Chay runs a raptor rehab center here in Estes. Him and his folks get birds that’ve been hurt.  Shot, hit by cars, poisoned, you name it. Then they fix ’em up and send ’em back out there.”

Cradling the bird expertly, Chayton took up the story. “This poor guy was hit by a car about a month ago. When he was brought to our center, he had multiple injuries, including a broken wing.” 

Avery had already noticed the stark white patch of bandage on the bird’s side. 

“Anyhow, he’s had surgery for that, but now he just needs a quiet place to rest up and keep healing.”

Laz scowled. “An’ for some reason Chay wants to pawn him off on me ’stead of keepin’ him in that world-class center of his.”

Chayton raised his eyebrows. “As I mentioned, Laz, that ‘world-class center’ is filling up more each day.” He sighed. “We simply don’t have room to accommodate the birds that are just in need of a resting place. Which is where volunteers like you come in.”

“Volunteers. As if.” Laz snorted. “I didn’t ’zactly offer my services. You jes’ called me up an’—” 

“Because I trust you.” A quiet intensity filled Chayton’s voice. “And you’re still one of the finest raptor rehabbers around.” 

Raptor rehabbers? Avery pivoted toward Laz. She’d seen him help stray dogs and last summer a sick squirrel, but she hadn’t known— “You’re a rehabber?”

Laz grimaced. “No. Not anymore. Jes’ ’cause I still got a license—” 

Chayton bent and returned the hawk to the box. “He’s still a rehabber, Avery.” He kept his eyes on Laz with a pointed gaze. “He’s got the touch in his hands and his heart. He knows more about birds than—” 

“That’s enough.” Laz held up both his hands and spun on his heel. “If yer really gonna make me do this, then let’s get started. Don’t have all day to waste bickerin’.”

With Addisyn behind her, Avery fell into step next to Chayton as they followed Laz across the backyard toward a small structure. “How long have you been a rehabber, Chayton?”

“Over ten years.” Chayton’s voice was easy, kind. “It’s the best job around. Skyla helps too, but mainly she runs the store.”

“A gift shop, I understand.” Addisyn’s voice still sounded wary, but at least she was talking about the prospect. 

“Yes, it’s right downtown on the River Walk. It’s a really great concept. The proceeds help us keep the lights on at the center, and local artisans have a place to sell their wares. And I personally think handmade items from the mountains are the best souvenirs.” He laughed. “It was Skyla’s idea. I guess you can see I’m pretty proud of her.”

Avery smiled. “You should be.” The system sounded like a win-win. Why wouldn’t Addisyn be thrilled to work at a place like that?

Before the conversation could continue, they reached the small structure, about the size of a closet with only one tiny window. Chayton reached inside the box and withdrew the hawk again.

“He’s so beautiful.” Addisyn leaned closer.

“Yeah.” The bird began to squirm, and Chayton stroked his feathers gently. “I think so too.”

“What kind of hawk is he?” 

“Red-tailed Hawk.” 

“I thought so.” Avery had often seen the majestic hawks swirling in the sky. “That’s wonderful.” 

“How long will he be here?” Addisyn hadn’t sounded this interested in anything the whole time she’d been in Estes. 

Chayton shrugged. “It will depend on a lot of factors. His wing has to heal, of course, and then he’ll have to reengage the muscles that atrophy during the healing process. And he has to prove to us that he can fly well and catch prey for himself before he can be released. It could be a long road. The other possibility is—”

The wings will rise.

The words crackled against Avery’s spirit like splitting lightning and shaking earth and howling wind. She jerked, her breath a gasp against the grip. A knowing. Here?

The wings will rise.

A spin of sky, for a single snap—translucent blue, shredded clouds swirling, and somehow, around and over and within the clouds, wings whirled. Vertigo whipped at her, and she stumbled.

Peace. The wings will rise.

The sky blazed suddenly to sunset glory, and then the vision dissolved. And she was back in the autumn day, gentle sun on her face and the reassuring ring of mountains around her. 

“A, are you okay?” 

Avery pressed a hand over her thudding heart and glanced at Addisyn. Chayton and Laz were busy unlocking the enclosure door, but her sister was staring at her with concern. 

“I—yes.” She shoved her trembling hands into her pockets. She wouldn’t mention the knowing to Addisyn. The messages she received—the words and images and feelings El Shaddai sometimes laid on her heart—had always made her sister uncomfortable. She swallowed the last of the dizziness. “I’m fine.” 

The guys had the door open now, and Chayton gently reached into the small shed and placed the hawk on the floor. “There you go, buddy.” He stepped back as Laz shut the door.

“That’s it?” Addisyn looked confused.

“Yep.” Laz was still wearing that unreadable expression. “He needs to be nice and quiet-like while his wounds are still healin.’ He’ll rest in there for a few weeks ’til he can try the flight cage.” He jerked his thumb vaguely into the woods. 

A flight cage? Avery shook her head. She was still too distracted to ask right now. 

Addisyn craned her neck to peer into the narrow window. “Won’t he get lonely in there?”

Chayton peeled off his gloves. “Actually, he needs to be left alone as much as possible. Too much human contact, and he might forget how to survive in the wild. Or start to become accustomed to interaction, which is a terrible thing for wild birds.” 

“An’ you’ll be helpin’ me, Miz Avery.” Laz gave her a pointed look. 

“Really?” Avery grinned. She was finding the rhythm once more, the earth finally feeling firm beneath her. She forced herself to tuck aside the knowing for later. “I’d love to.”

“Of course.” Laz made an exasperated sound. “I’m not takin’ full responsibility for this critter.”

Chay ignored the comment and focused on Avery. “So what you and Laz will need to do, at least at first, is just keep an eye on him and take care of him. Visit him once a day—no more than that. You’ll need to take him out of the enclosure and clean it, then put him back in, feed him, give him some water for drinking and bathing. Once a week, assess his injury and weigh him.” He smiled. “Laz can give you more details, of course. He says you’re always careful with wild things.”

“She is.” Addisyn slung her arm around Avery’s shoulders. “A, this is awesome! You’ll do great.” 

Avery didn’t have time to respond to the compliment before Chayton handed Laz a small package. “Here. The antibiotics and the extra bandages. I’ll bring the food over on my way home from work. He’s already eaten today.” 

“Fine.” Laz glanced warily at the bird. “Chay, I wish ya could’ve found somebody else to—” 

“Laz.” Chayton gripped Laz’s broad shoulders, drilling him with an unwavering gaze. “I picked you particularly for this bird.” 

“Why?” Laz hurled the word with all his signature stubbornness. “Ya think he needs me or somethin’ sentimental like that?”

“No.” The piercing intensity in Chayton’s eyes reminded Avery of the hawk himself. “I think you need him.”

Laz frowned, but something shifted ever so slightly behind his expression. As though the statement had penetrated some wall in his heart. 

“Don’t live in that place, my friend.” Chayton stepped back. His tone was lighter, but the plea in his eyes was still strong. “I mean it. I trust you.” He nodded toward the hawk. “And so does he.” 

“Oh…” Laz coughed and swiped a hand hard over his beard. “Waalll…fine.” He stomped toward the store. “C’mon, gals. Cain’t stand there moonin’ over that bird all day.” 

Avery laughed and hurried after him, Addisyn on her heels. But even as she said goodbye to Chayton and returned to the regular business of ordering fishing poles and helping customers choose the best brand of hiking boots, she couldn’t stop thinking about the hawk. 

And the knowing. 

The wings will rise. What could it mean? The knowings were always cryptic, but this—this was different. The swirling sky, the repetition—how was she supposed to patchwork the pieces? And why had she felt so—disoriented?

It had to be about the hawk. There was no other possibility. But why would she receive a word about him? Up to this point, every message she’d heard had been about her own soul—or Addisyn’s.

No matter how she puzzled over it, she couldn’t unravel the thread. After her lunch break, when she returned from driving Addisyn back to the house, she finally released. Okay, El Shaddai. You will show me in Your time.

She glanced out the store window at the enclosure. From this angle, it almost looked like a cocoon—a protective shelter where the beautiful wild creature could heal. 

Yes. The wings would rise.