Page 37 of Plane Passion

“I know,” said Jack before digging into his chicken pot pie.

For several minutes, they ate in silence. The food warmed him and took away the last vestiges of chill from their flight in. He understood why Bellefonte was a favorite stop for many of his fellow pilots. The people were friendly and welcomed the airmail pilots like family. The food was good, especially the pies. No one skipped dessert at the Brockerhoff. Bellefonte wrapped you in a warm blanket after a long, cold journey from New York or Cleveland.

He chanced another glance at Millie. She appeared to be reading a book while she drank a cup of coffee. What would a woman like Millie read? Technical manuals? Romance novels? Adventure stories?

She looked up and caught him staring. His cheeks heated as he turned abruptly back to his steak.

“Is something going on between you two?” Jack was giving him a funny look.

Uh oh. He’d been too obvious.

“Between who?” Ernie asked, all innocence.

“You and Miss Aldrich.”

“No. Nothing at all. Why do you ask?” He was grinning too widely, wasn’t he? Something was wrong with his face.

Jack was still staring at him with wide eyes. “You keep looking over at her and turning red. Something is going on.”

Ernie cleared his throat. “No. Nothing. We can’t stand each other, actually.”

“Maybe that was true when you met, but not anymore. There is definitely something brewing between you two.”

“There’s nothing going on, I swear.”

Jack put down his fork. “I don’t believe you. You think you can fool me? I’ve known you since we were both in diapers. Those looks you’re giving her mean something.”

Was Ernie so transparent? “Can you drop it, Jack? I don’t have anything to say about Millie Aldrich.”

Shifting back, Jack crossed his arms. “Is Mr. Dickson the reason you’re not telling me? You know I won’t say a word to Mr. Dickson or anyone else for that matter. I’m not O’Donnell, for heaven’s sake.”

No, he wasn’t O’Donnell. Ernie had no particular reason to mistrust Jack other than general embarrassment. And he needed to unburden himself to someone. “Fine. You want to know? I’ll tell you.”

And so, he did. He told Jack about the study session and the kiss. He strategically left out the current room predicament. He trusted Jack, but there were limits.

“So you kissed her. And then what?”

“And then what? She ran away. That’s what. And now we’re barely on speaking terms.”

“Sounds very awkward.”

“Yes, thanks. It is.” Really, did Jack have to point out the obvious?

“So what are you going to do about Millie?”

“I have no idea. She’s ruined me for anyone else, but if I want to keep my job, I have to keep my distance and somehow get her to quit. I guess I’ll do my best and pray that this madness passes.”

A smile curled one side of Jack’s lips. “Good luck, my friend. You seem like a man who needs pie.” He flagged down the waiter. “Two pieces of apple caramel a la mode.”

In the absence of liquor, pie would have to do. Could one drown oneself in pie? Ernie was damned well going to try. But he also wouldn’t have minded something stiffer.

“I don’t suppose you have a little something to splash in my coffee, do you? I could use a drink.”

Jack grinned at him. “It just so happens I have a flask of whiskey with me.” He looked around surreptitiously to make sure no one was looking, then he poured a splash into each of their coffee cups. “Cheers,” he said, holding up his cup.

“Cheers,” Ernie answered, downing his cup in one go. “Ah. That’s better.”

“Agreed.”