Page 61 of Plane Passion

“I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.”

She had defeated him, utterly. He had lost the fight and was glad of it.

But did he dare state his feelings so plainly? What if she rejected him out of hand? He couldn’t make a declaration of love over the phone. He needed to see her, hold her hand in his as he spoke, look into her eyes.

What he needed to do was convince her to see him. If he could get her to agree, he could pour out his heart in person. He could only pray she didn’t laugh or run away when he stated his case. Somehow, he suspected she wouldn’t. She was soft-hearted underneath her bristly persona. She cared about Vera, and her friend, Katherine. No, she wouldn’t laugh. At the very least, she would hear him out.

“Son?”

Pop’s voice interrupted Ernie’s reverie. Turning around, he saw a smile on his father’s usually stern face. Pop stood there in a starched suit a decade out of date with his mangled hand in his pocket looking amused for once instead of judgmental.

“You look like I did when I was working up the courage to ask for your mother’s hand. Who is this woman that’s got you pulling out the Shakespeare?”

Did he dare tell? While Pop was stern with his family, with his congregation, he put on a kindly face. The kind of face you couldn’t help but trust. When Pop gave a certain look—head tilted, brow furrowed, an indulgent smile playing across his lips—people couldn’t help but spill their sins and seek absolution. That was the look he was giving Ernie right now. He had the same, sympathetic, penetrating, dark eyes as Constance. Ernie was no more immune than any other member of his father’s flock. He never had been able to keep a secret when confronted.

“Her name is Millie. I think I’m in love with her, Pop, but at the moment she barely wants to speak to me.”

His father’s grin widened. “Someone finally captured your heart, eh? Glad to hear it. It’s about time you put an end to your wandering ways.”

“Pop, I didn’t⁠—”

“Yes, you did. You think I didn’t know what you’ve been up to, going out all the time?”

Ernie’s face burned. All this time, he thought he’d been discreet. Of course, Pop knew he went out, but Ernie always said he was going out to meet friends. He didn’t realize Pop saw right through him.

Barely able to meet his father’s eyes, he said, “I didn’t know you knew.”

Pop put a hand on Ernie’s shoulder and shook his head.

“I know I’ve been hard on you growing up, but it’s only because I want you to be better than me.” He took a deep breath and let it out. “I was young and handsome once too, you know. I did things I regret before I met your mother. And the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as they say.” Pop’s eyes bored into him.

Ernie tried to wrap his head around this new information. His father had always seemed rigid, unyielding, but suddenly he was all too human—a man who made mistakes, a man with a past.

“But if you knew, why didn’t you say something?”

His father shook his head. “I’ve done the best I can to teach you the difference between right and wrong. But you’re a grown man. I see what you do for our family and what it costs you. I may not like it, but I understand all too well. And it’s not my place to tell you what to do any more.”

Pop squeezed Ernie’s shoulder.

“Besides, I knew the right woman would come along eventually to straighten you out. I prayed for you, and now I see my prayers have been answered.”

Ernie always thought Pop was born pious. And yet, now that he knew, it made perfect sense.

“You should invite Millie over for dinner. I’d love to meet her,” Pop continued.

“I’ll think about it.”

He couldn’t imagine inviting Millie over for dinner. Especially not when she was barely willing to speak to him. Though he’d have to do it eventually now that Pop had raised it. But that was a problem for another time.

The phone rang.

Ernie ran for it, his father chuckling behind his back.

“Pritchard residence,” he said, picking up.

“Ernie?”

It was Millie. Thank God.