Page 54 of Air Affair

“But Shannon⁠—”

“But nothing. I’m taking her up, and that’s final.” She turned to Rory. “Come with me, lass, and I’ll show you the place.” Stuffing the dish towel in her apron, she turned and walked through a door at the back of the shop. They passed a door and heard someone playing scales on the piano and flubbing it every few notes. “That’s my granddaughter practicing piano in the parlor. We’re so proud of her musical talent!”

At least the piano was two floors away from where she’d be staying.

They climbed a narrow, dimly lit staircase to a third-floor landing. Pushing open the door, Mrs. O’Donnell ushered her into the apartment and squinted in the bright sunlight. “These back windows face south, so it’s very bright up here.” They were in a long room that served as a sitting room, dining room, and kitchen.

There were two modest-sized bedrooms and a small bathroom. “Our children used to live up here. They’re all grown up now, though, so we let it out. Our last tenant was a family with a two-year-old and a four-year-old, and it was like having puppies upstairs—constant noise of running feet. It drove us crazy, even if they were cute little things. We’re hoping our next tenant will be quieter.”

“I promise to be quiet as a mouse, Mrs. O’Donnell. This looks like an ideal place for me to stay. I’ll sign up for room and board if you don’t mind. It’s so dull to cook for one.” She looked around, feeling very pleased with her new home to be. “When could I move in?”

Mrs. O’Donnell gasped and clapped her hands together. “Oh, I’m so pleased! We’ll just need a deposit of fifty dollars and a letter from your employer or your bank to prove you can pay, and you can move in as soon as you like.”

“Excellent. I have proof of income and the money right here. I just got a new job, you see.” She handed over the telegram and cash, and Mrs. O’Donnell nodded appreciatively.

“Well in that case, you can move in as soon as tomorrow, if you would like.”

Rory smiled. “Excellent. I’m staying with a friend at the moment, and I don’t want to impose longer than is necessary.”

Walking back to Hank’s house, she couldn’t help but be pleased with how well everything was working out. By tomorrow, she would have fully embarked upon her new life as an independent woman with nothing to tie her down.

20

Hank could hardly wait to get home so that he could propose. He had it all planned out—a romantic dinner, a drive to the airfield, a proposal in front of the Jenny where he met her. Last year, his mother had given him his grandmother’s engagement ring in case he ever met the right woman. He never thought he would use it, but now he was glad to have it.

He landed at Belmont Park and handed off the mail. As he was about to get in his Model T and go home to Rory, Major Fleet stopped him.

“Hawley, I need to speak with you a moment.”

“Yes, sir. What is it, sir?” he said, saluting.

“I have Glenn Curtiss here, and we were just talking through design modifications to make a new aircraft custom-made for the mail. I was hoping you would share your thoughts. You always have more engineering insights than the rest of the team combined.”

Glenn Curtiss. Exactly who he needed to talk to. He followed the major eagerly into the mess hall.

“Mr. Curtiss,” the major said, “I believe you’ve met Hawley here.”

“Indeed, I have,” he said, standing up and shaking Hank’s hand. “I tried to steal him out from under you, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He wanted to keep flying.”

“I think he’s just the man to tell you all about what we need from this new plane,” said Major Fleet. “I’ll leave you two alone with these design specs.” He bowed out and headed for the door.

Part of Hank wished he could follow. Rory was waiting for him at home. But he needed to speak with Curtiss, and he hadn’t promised Rory he’d be home at a specific time.

They spent half an hour pouring over the technical details of the design when Curtiss said, “Are you sure you won’t work for me? I could use a guy like you. It’s not as exciting as flying, but it’s a hell of a lot safer. Pays better too.”

“Now that you mention it, I have been thinking about getting into a safer line of work.” How could he walk past such an obvious opening?

“You don’t say. Looking to settle down finally, Hawley?” he asked with a smirk.

“Yes, sir, Mr. Curtiss. I met someone. I don’t want her to spend her whole life worrying about whether I’m going to survive my next assignment.” For Rory, this was a sacrifice worth making.

Curtiss gave him an all-too-understanding smile. “Well, I’m sure you’ll make the little lady happy. She has my thanks if it means I finally get you on my team. Come by my office tomorrow, and we’ll work out the details.”

“Yes, sir. I will do that. Now if you don’t mind, I should be getting home. Someone’s expecting me.” And if he didn’t see her soon, he was going to climb out of his skin.

“Don’t let me keep you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Hank had to restrain himself from running to his car, and he drove a trifle faster than he ought on the way home. He rushed in the door and found…an empty house. Where could she have gone?