Page 59 of Soaring Sweethearts

“I have a lead on financing, sir. I’ve had two meetings with August Belmont to go over the business plans. He’s out of town for the next month, but I’m hoping when he comes back, we can close the deal.” Jack had a lot riding on this. Once it was finalized, he could quit the airmail, and only then would he feel right about proposing to Constance.

“Glad to hear it. I know the risks you airmail pilots take and what a toll it takes on Constance when something goes wrong. Just this week when you and Ernie arrived late at the airfield, she cried in her room for two hours after she got home.”

The thought of Constance crying over him made his heart ache something awful. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

“Look. I know she puts a brave face on things, but she takes losses harder than most. Not that I have to tell you that. You’ve known her most of her life. I just want you to be careful. All right? I love my little girl, and I don’t want to see her heart broken.”

Jack didn’t know what to say except, “Yes, sir.” He agreed with every word the reverend said. Once again, the worry that deep down he wasn’t good enough for Constance reared its head, but it was too late now. He was committed, no matter what.

At that moment, Bee came bustling back in, saving him from further conversation. She was carrying a pot roast on a platter, trailed by the twins carrying several side dishes each, including sliced up pineapple. “Dinner is served, everyone,” she called out.

Millie and Constance came back from the parlor whispering and giggling. What had they been talking about?

“Verity, can you trade seats with Jack? I want him next to me.” Constance beckoned to him to switch places.

“Only if I can have your share of the cinnamon cookies.” Verity didn’t budge.

“Highway robbery. I’ll give you one cookie.” Constance put her hands on her hips.

With a huff, Verity rose. “All right. One cookie. But I get to choose the biggest one.”

“They’re all the same size, but fine.” Contance reached out her hand and practically dragged him to her side. “Sit before she changes her mind,” she whispered just loud enough for him to hear.

Taking a seat beside Contance, he forced himself to smile and take deep, steady breaths as everyone studied the two of them like zoo animals.

Fortunately, Reverend Pritchard came to the rescue. “Let’s say grace.”

Jack barely heard the prayer because Constance adjusted her posture so that her knee and shin pressed against his. He might have been trying to keep his distance, but she certainly wasn’t.

The prayer ended, and Mrs. Pritchard started passing dishes while the reverend carved the pot roast.

“So, Jack,” said Prudence as she served herself a heaping scoop of mashed potatoes. “Are you taking Contance to the ice cream social on Sunday after church?”

The ice cream social? He’d stopped going to events like that since Myrtle ended things with him, but the prospect of going with Constance on his arm warmed his heart more than he wanted to admit. “That depends on whether she agrees to go with me,” he answered in a loud whisper behind his hand.

Constance rolled her eyes and gave his foot a playful bump beneath the table. “Of course, I’ll go with you.” Then her face paled. “Though I should warn you that Doug will be there. He organized the whole thing—talked about it all month.”

Right. Doug. If Jack was him, he wouldn’t want to see either of them about now. “Hmm. Do you think we should stay away?”

“Nonsense,” said the reverend. “Doug is a big enough man to be gracious about this. After all, he voluntarily stepped aside. And I think it would be good for the three of you to make up.”

“If you say so, Reverend.” The idea still made him uneasy, but if Doug could manage, then Jack could certainly be sportsmanlike about the whole thing.

“It’ll be our first date.” Constance beamed, placing a hand on his knee beneath the tablecloth and then running her fingers up his inner thigh as high as the tablecloth would allow.

Blood drained from his head, rushing to inconvenient places, leaving him tongue tied. He reached quickly beneath the tablecloth to take her hand in his and pull it away before his growing predicament became obvious. “I…umm…I…” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I can’t wait to take you to the ice cream social.”

“Aww. You two are so cute,” said Prudence, watching avidly.

“Did you know Benjie Stanton asked Pop if he could bring me to the social?” Verity asked, reaching for a piece of pineapple. “Pop said no, of course. He says we have to wait until next year when we’re eighteen to go on a date, even if it’s just to a church event. But I think it’s awfully sweet of him to ask. Don’t you?” she asked Millie.

Jack was thankful for the change in subject. He’d had enough scrutiny for one evening, and it was a relief to sit back and enjoy the soft pressure of Constance’s calf against his own as he ate Mrs. Pritchard’s delicious pot roast.

As the reverend launched into a defense of his dating rules, Constance put her hand back on Jack’s knee, and he completely lost the thread of the conversation. It was going to be a very long few months of being on his best behavior, especially if she kept this up.

Because all he could think about was the sweet heat of her lithe body pressed against his own on that wonderful, dangerous day when he drove her home. If only they were alone and she could run her hand just a touch higher. If only he could push her pretty pink dress right off her creamy shoulders and slide it down until⁠—

“Jack?” Ernie’s sharp voice yanked him from his reverie. “What’s going on with you? I’ve asked you four times to pass the green beans.”