The Simple Wild: A Novel

Calla spends all day with Jonah as he flies to tiny island villages, delivering essential goods to Indigenous Alaskans, including a portable ventilator for a young girl with asthma. Each time Calla witnesses Jonah interact with the people, she understands that his gruff exterior is just a cover for a truly caring person. Moreover, she understands that her father’s business is about more than just turning a profit and that Alaska Wild uses its planes to serve its community.

Agnes and Wren wait for them at the airport, and Calla gives a full report of all their adventures. The weather is changing, and Calla may not make her flight to Anchorage that weekend. Jonah can take her a day early to ensure she makes the connecting flight, but Calla isn’t ready to leave. She wants her father to ask her to stay, but after glancing at Jonah, she knows she must be the one to make the move. Calla says she will move her flight to next weekend, giving her more time to work on the new website. Wren reports that Calla’s luggage is lost, and Jonah jokes that he can take her shopping at Meyers.