Plot introduction
JimLaneisatestpilot,whoseprofessionallifeisdangerous,andwhosepersonallifecompensatesforthatdangerbyfastlivingandrecklessness.Assuch,helivesfrompaychecktopaycheck,andisoftenindebt,butknowshislucrativejobwilleventuallygethimoutofthosedebts.Onacoasttocoastrecordattemptspeedflight,Jim’splane,theDrakeBullet(namedafterthecompany’sowner),hitssomemechanicalproblemsandJimisforcedtomakeanemergencylandingonafarmer’sfieldinKansas.ThefarmbelongstotheBartonfamily,whosestraighttalkingdaughter,AnnBarton,fallsforJim,andvisaversa.TheyimpulsivelydecidetogetmarriedandliveinNewYork.Jim’ssidekickandmechanic,"Gunner"Morris,doesn’tknowifJimandmarriagegohandinhand,bothbecauseofthetypeofpersonheisandhisprofession.AnntoosoonlearnsthatsheplayssecondfiddletoJim’swork,shereferringtotheskyasJim’smistress.AnnalsotrulycomestounderstandthedangersofJim’swork,hewhoisoftenrequiredtopushtheplanesbeyondtheirphysicallimits.Witheachflight,Annfearsthatshewillbecomeawidow,asshehasseenitbeforewiththewivesofJim’scolleagues.CanJimandAnn’smarriagesurvivethemanypressuresstemmingfromJim’slifeasatestpilot?
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