Page 88 of Air Affair

“Not necessarily,” said Kate. “When you’re both grown, he might be even taller than you.”

Pete gave her an alarmed look. “Well, I’ll always be older than Tom. He can’t catch up with me there.”

“Very true,” Kate assured him.

“Who’re you?” Tom said, pointing at Rory.

“It’s rude to point,” said Pete, shoving Tom in the shoulder.

“Boys,” warned Kate. “That’s your Aunt Rory. She lives in New York with Uncle Hank.”

“Aunt Rory, do you fly in airplanes all the time?” Pete asked.

“I fly a lot,” said Rory, smiling at the question. “I’m working on getting my pilot’s license, but Hank and I don’t fly all the time. Sometimes we walk. Sometimes we drive. Sometimes we even stay in one place and don’t go anywhere at all.”

Much as she liked flying, staying in one place with Hank had undeniable appeal.

“Where’s Jeremiah?” Hank asked.

“Had to go to town. He’ll be back soon, don’t worry,” Kate said.

The boys squealed in delight as they clambered up into the two cockpits.

“I think you just made their year,” said Ma. “This is better than Christmas.”

Kate came up next to Rory. “Hank has always been good with the boys. It’s a pleasure to see them together.”

“Yes, it is,” said Rory. “It’s only a matter of time before we have little ones of our own. It’s good to see he’s ready.” They’d done nothing to prevent the arrival of children. There was a chance she was expecting right now. Her monthlies were a few days late. She didn’t want to say anything until she was sure, though.

“How are things going on the suffrage front? Please tell your friend Evelyn I said hello. She and I have been corresponding since the wedding.”

“I don’t want to jinx it, but I think something is shifting. Women have played such an important role on the home front all through the war.”

“I hope and pray you’re right, Rory,” Kate said, crossing her arms as she watched her boys scramble all over the airplane with their uncle. “Ma and I work just as hard as Jeremiah to keep this place running. If we can work like men, why shouldn’t we have the same say as men in how our country is run?”

Rory smiled. “I agree.”

“And women should have a right to their money too. I envy the agreement you have with Hank. I love Jeremiah, and he respects me. He doesn’t have the best head for figures, though. I take care of most of the business end of running this farm, and yet I’m the one who lives on an allowance because that’s how things have always been done. And then there’s the fact that Hank owns the farm because Pops thought a woman couldn’t handle it. Ma put her blood, sweat, and tears into this place same as Pops. I think it’s shameful he only left her the money and not the farm.”

Rory began to wish she could bring Kate back to New York to join the cause. “Have you thought about organizing the other women in the area to advocate for suffrage?”

“I have,” said Kate. “There’s six of us so far, and I think our numbers will grow if we can just convince these farmers’ wives to think beyond the next harvest.”

Jeremiah drove up just then and saw everyone gathered around the plane. “Hank, Rory, it’s so good to have you here!” He walked with a slight limp as he made his way to shake hands with Hank.

Kate followed Rory’s gaze. “He had a tractor accident five years ago. It kept him back from the war, so I’m almost grateful. It hasn’t slowed him down one bit, though it pains him from time to time.”

Rory nodded and watched as the two men wrangled the boys down from the airplane with the promise of treats from Jeremiah if they cooperated. They all went inside, and Jeremiah handed them each a lollipop from the general store.

“You spoil them,” Kate said.

“And you should be glad I do, or they’d be sleeping in that airplane tonight.”

They all sat down, and Ma served everyone coffee. Hank took a deep sip and smiled. He looked completely at home.

“While we’re all here gathered together,” he said, “there’s something I’d like to tell you.”

All eyes turned to him. Rory knew what was coming, but her heart beat faster with anticipation.