“We’re considering a fresh face for Rockol.”
Fresh face.The words settled uncomfortably in Mattie’s stomach like an overripe peach. Was this the reason they had selected her? Not for her flying skills but for her looks? Although she wouldn’t mindknocking the arrogant Crenshaw from his plum position, she didn’t want it to be because the Rockol executives found her attractive.
Mr.Lewis was blunter. “Our customers are male. They’ll pay more attention to our advertisements if they feature a pretty young woman.”
Pretty. Young. Woman.Mattie didn’t want to lose out on opportunities because she was female, but she didn’t want to get them because of sex appeal either.
“A pretty young woman who flies like no other,” Vera added. The perpetual grin had fled from her face, and she regarded Mattie solemnly. The message was clear. She did not want Mattie to damage the deal without listening to more.
“Yes indeed.” Mr.Monroe shot Mr.Lewis an irritated look. “We want a woman who can show off the performance of our motor oil with stunts of her own. Even better, you have a natural ability to sing its praises.”
“Better than Mr.Crenshaw.” Mr.Lewis muttered the words under his breath. Mattie didn’t think she was supposed to hear him, but just like her uncanny eyesight, she’d always had unusually keen hearing.
The words mollified her... mostly.
The conversation floated away from business terms. By the time the oysters Rockefeller arrived, Mattie found herself regaling the men with more of her childhood memories of Rockol. Even Mr.Lewis seemed pleased. Vera took over most of the talking when the main course was served, for which Mattie was grateful. While she loved to talk, chitchatting was a different skill altogether. Besides, it gave her more time to focus on the absolutely divine chicken à la king.
She noticed Mr.Lewis glancing at her as if taken aback by her lusty consumption of her lunch. After dabbing her mouth with her napkin, she shot him a grin. “I believe in enjoying the fine things in life, Mr.Lewis, like the sound of a motor freshly lubricated with Rockol.”
Mr.Monroe laughed heartily. “Provided you put on a show to remember today, you are definitely our girl.”
“I promise to deliver an unforgettable circus,” Mattie promised. She actually appreciated the fact that her hiring was contingent upon her performance.
The men excused themselves after the delightfully moist pineapple upside-down cake, but Mattie and Vera lingered. Vera reached across the table and gently placed her gloved hand over Mattie’s.
“If you don’t feel comfortable, you don’t need to accept the offer that they make.” Once again, the heiress looked uncharacteristically solemn. Her violet-blue eyes had lost their mischievous twinkle, making them even darker and more fathomless. “I am not going to ask for a percentage of your earnings, so please do not think you are obligated to do this for my sake or for the Flying Flappers.”
“You would let me fly with Rockol’s brand on my plane during your circus without any compensation?”
“I don’t ask Carrie or Leo for a cut from their endorsement deals,” Vera pointed out.
“But you arranged this,” Mattie said.
Vera waved her gloved hand dismissively. “It is easy to conduct business when you already have the money and the connections. I did this foryou. Because you’re talented, and you deserve it. That is why it is completelyyourdecision on how to proceed. And I encourage you to talk everything over with my attorneys. I’ve already arranged for you to have a meeting with them to discuss protecting your rights to the RadioNavigator.”
“Do you think my looks are part of the reason Mr.Monroe and Mr.Lewis chose me?”
Vera cocked her head. “How would you describe Mr.Crenshaw? Physically, I mean. Inwardly, he’s certainly proven himself to be a toad.”
“Well... handsome,” Mattie admitted.
“Square jaw, dimple in his chin, cheekbones that could cut butter?” Vera batted her eyes and gave a dreamy sigh worthy of the screen star Norma Talmadge.
“Is your point that perhaps it wasn’t just his flying skills that got Earl Crenshaw his job at Rockol?” Mattie asked.
“That is precisely what I am saying.”
“It doesn’t seem very fair, does it?” Mattie sighed. “Endorsements should be based on talent alone.”
“Life is more complicated than that and is rarely equitable,” Vera said. “Although I do hold the highest opinion of myself and my abilities, I would be a fool to believe that my wealth and family ancestry hasn’t helped me. Goodness, I could never begin to afford this circus otherwise.”
Mattie tapped her finger against the table as she thought. “They partially chose me because I am a woman.”
Vera shrugged. “I hardly see how that matters. They’ve been picking men for jobs based on their sex for years. It is about time women have their chance. You are more qualified than Crenshaw anyway.”
“How do you know that?” Mattie asked.
Vera tossed her hand into the air. “Because you areyou. I’ve never met anyone more driven or daring. You are a bear cat, Mattie, and you wouldn’t let a drugstore cowboy like Earl Crenshaw be better than you.”
