Page 89 of Air Affair

“I’ve decided to give you three the farm,” he said to Ma, Kate, and Jeremiah. “I checked with a lawyer, and he says you can share ownership if you set it up as a business. Each of you can own a one-third share. It’s not fair for me to own it when you’re doing all the work. My life is in Mineola, and it’s going to stay that way, especially with my new job with the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company. I should have done this long ago, and I’m sorry it took me so long to realize it.”

Ma’s eyes went wide. Kate clutched Jeremiah’s hand while staring at Hank. Jeremiah furrowed his brow. “It’s yours by right, Hank,” he said. “Kate and I have been saving up the money to buy you out. Are you sure you want to give it to us without getting anything in return?”

“I’m sure,” he said, smiling. “I had my lawyer write up the paperwork before we left. We just have to file it with the county to make it legal.”

Ma took a deep breath and fanned herself with her hand. “That’s mighty generous of you, Hank. Mighty generous. Thank you, son. It means a lot to me. It hasn’t been easy since losing your father. And Benny. I understand why your father set things up as he did, but I think he underestimated the women in this family.”

Hank smiled. “Rory taught me some important lessons about what it means to be supportive of the women in my life.”

“And I hope you know, son, that you will always be welcome here. I know you’ve been reluctant to visit. Maybe not being responsible for the farm anymore will make it a bit easier?”

She gave him a sly grin.

“I want to see my grandchildren regularly,” she said, her eyes flicking to Rory then back again.

“I think you may be right, Ma. It’s a weight off my shoulders to let this place go. It never should have been mine in the first place. I should have realized that a lot sooner.”

Later that evening, Hank and Rory sat together on a porch swing with a knitted blanket over their laps, looking out at the stars. Rory rested her head on his shoulder, unable to imagine more perfect contentment. “I’m so proud of what you did today. It was the right thing to do.”

“Yes, it was, and I never would have seen it if not for you. I would have kept beating myself up about how I was failing to live up to my responsibilities and ignoring the obvious solution.”

“It means a lot to me that you not only gave me my independence when I asked but that you volunteered to give your family theirs too. It means you truly understand and weren’t just doing it to humor me. I’m a very lucky woman.”

He pulled her closer and kissed her head. “And I’m a very lucky man. I love you, princess.”

“I love you too, Hank.”

She saw a shooting star in the clear night sky, and then another, and she didn’t make a wish because she knew she had everything she ever wanted right here.