Page 85 of Air Affair

Her father took a sip of coffee. “I can’t say I approve of the man you’ve chosen to marry, but I took to heart what you said about me and Eleanor. And, you may not know it, but your mother’s parents didn’t approve of her marrying me either.”

Rory stopped breathing. Papa never mentioned Mama out loud.

“I know I don’t speak about your mother much,” he continued, staring at his shoes. “You’re so much like her it hurts. I loved her with all my heart, you know. I’m sure you don’t think I have a heart after everything that’s happened, but I do. My heart broke the day she died, and I haven’t been the same man since. I… I lost the love of my life the day you were born.”

Something clicked in Rory’s mind. “My birthday. Ever since I was little, I wondered why you could hardly stand to look at me on my birthday.” She was still angry with him, but her heart ached at the thought of her father seeing his loss every time he looked at her.

“It’s not your fault, of course, that you remind me of what I lost. I haven’t been the father I should have been to you. I know that.” He looked up into her eyes, and the pain she saw there made her gasp.

“I’ll try to be better,” he said earnestly. “Starting today. I know you want to marry this young man.”

“Yes, Papa,” she said, holding his gaze, hardly able to believe what she was hearing.

“I don’t approve of what he’s done, but he could hardly have done it without your active cooperation. I appreciate that he’s now doing the right thing and offering marriage.”

Was he saying he was willing to accept their union at long last?

With a tentative smile, Rory said, “He’s done more than that, Papa. You should see our marriage contract.”

“I have it right here,” said Hank, retrieving it from a side table and handing it to her father.

“He’s promising not to touch any money I make or inherit. He’s promised to give me my independence so that our marriage is one of equals rather than one where I am entirely dependent on him.”

Her father flipped through the agreement swiftly, with avid attention. Then he looked up at Hank. “Perhaps I’ve underestimated you, young man. I thought you were after my money, but this proves you aren’t. I don’t like the liberties you’ve taken with my daughter, but perhaps you’re more honorable than I thought. Under the circumstances, I suppose I must give my blessing for this marriage.”

Rory squealed and hugged Hank, planting a kiss on his bristly cheek. Then she got up and hugged her father, whose muscles went rigid, but after a moment, he relaxed and patted her back. This was more than she’d ever dared hope. “Oh, Papa, thank you! I love him ever so much, and I love you too. It’s been awful being estranged from you like this. I know you’re going to love Hank once you get to know him. He’s so smart and brave.”

“Perhaps I will,” he said with a strained smile. “In the meantime, I hope you’ll agree to come home at least until the wedding.”

“I can’t, Papa. I have to stay out here to help Hank as he recovers.”

“At least tell me you’re going to keep the wedding arrangements we already made for your marriage to Edward. The date is only two and a half weeks away. There’s no reason for you to waste all the effort and expense we’ve already gone to. We’ve already reserved Trinity Church for the wedding and rented out Delmonico’s for the reception.”

Rory gave Hank an inquiring look. He shrugged and smiled. “All right, Papa. We’ll go through with the big wedding if you insist. That’s when we were planning to wed anyway.”

“Wonderful,” her father said. “I hope you can forgive me for being so pigheaded.”

“Of course, Papa. And I hope you can forgive me for being so impulsive. It is more my fault than Hank’s. I gave him very little choice.”

“I can imagine.” He gave Hank a commiserating look. “I apologize for…well, I apologize, Lieutenant. I tried to get Glenn Curtiss to rescind his job offer, but he was adamant that he had to have you on his staff. He even went so far as to suggest that it was unpatriotic to try to stand in the way. Major Fleet wouldn’t hear a word against you either.”

“Papa!” How dare he try to interfere in Hank’s life like that!

“I’m very sorry. I was being an ass and doing the same thing to you that the Vanderbilts did to me when I married Eleanor. Young man, I hope you will forgive me.”

“Of course, sir.” Hank held out his hand, and Papa shook it.

“I’m glad that’s all water under the bridge now. I should be going. I have business to attend to, now that this nonsense has all been resolved. I wish you two the best, and I hope to see you soon. Don’t be a stranger before the wedding, or after, for that matter.” He turned to go and mumbled so low she hardly heard him, “I love you, Rory.”

What did he just say? She never thought she’d hear those three beautiful words from her father, not in a million years. “I love you too, Papa!”

Before she could throw her arms around his neck and hug him, he was gone. Of course, he was. Papa had never been comfortable with sentiment. But he’d said it. Her heart was full.

Hank wrapped his arms around her from behind as the door closed. “I’m glad you two made up.”

“So am I.” Gladder than she could ever say. Her life was so full of love, and she couldn’t wait to see what the future held.

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