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The ferry’s horn blew, signaling their approach to the dock in New Jersey. “We should head back to the car,” Millie said, standing.

“Of course.” Constance followed Millie through the slow procession of people returning to their cars. They climbed into the roadster just as the front gate lowered to the dock so that the cars could exit.

As they drove the short distance to the airfield, Constance pondered their conversation. It was wonderful having a friend like Millie. “Thank you so much for letting me confide in you and for all the advice you gave me. I’m so glad you married Ernie. I love having a sister my own age. Prudence and Verity are too young to really talk to, and Ernie… Well, he’s Ernie.”

“Believe me. I know,” Millie said with a chuckle as she pulled into the dirt parking lot outside the hangar. “Listen,” she said, unhooking a key from her key chain. “In case you ever need it for a romantic emergency, here’s a key to that apartment.”

“Thank you, but when would I go there without Jack?”

“You might decide to surprise him there some evening. I don’t know. I just had an extra copy and thought you should have it.”

“I appreciate it. I feel braver already after our talk. I can’t thank you enough.” Armed with Millie’s advice, her fears about a future with Jack dwindled until they seemed almost manageable.

“If you’re ever feeling really brave, I could teach you how to fly. Just say the word.”

Constance laughed. Millie offered this nearly every time they spoke. She knew Millie was just teasing her, but a little corner of her wanted to say yes. “I’ll be sure to let you know.”

They climbed out of the car and made their way into the hangar. Constance settled in at her desk right on time. Jack would be here soon. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach at the thought of seeing him, even if they had to be on their best behavior at work.

“See you later, Constance.” Millie waved and turned toward the locker room.

Constance was about to say, “Fly safe,” like she always did, but after their talk, something bolder was in order. “See ya, Skates. Break a leg!”

Millie turned and beamed. “Right back atcha, sister!”

As Constance watched Millie’s retreating form, she couldn’t help wishing for an ounce of her bravery. If only she could be more like her sister-in-law, she wouldn’t worry herself sick every time anyone she loved took off in a plane. With a little bit of courage, she could give her whole heart to Jack, despite the risks, not holding anything back. It was a terrifying prospect, but if Millie could do it, maybe Constance could too.

And then the phone rang, and an unwanted jolt of dread ran through her. Ever since that awful call on her first day on the job, her stomach dropped every time a call came in.

“Heller Airfield. Constance Pritchard speaking.” Be brave, Constance. Nothing is wrong.

“Good morning, Miss Pritchard. It’s Jimmy Casper. I’m calling in with the morning weather report from Boston.”

Constance let out her breath. It was just the weather. No one was dead. “Good morning, Mr. Casper. Give me a moment to grab my notepad.”

As she fished her notepad out of her desk drawer, she forced herself to take a deep breath to calm her beating heart. Maybe Ernie was right all along, and she was too tenderhearted for any of this—for her job, for Jack. If a phone call with a weather report sent her into a panic, how would she ever survive loving a pilot? But Millie was right. It was already too late to turn back. Somehow she had to find her bravery, because she’d already lost her heart to Jack. For better or worse, she was all in.

20

Six days had passed since Jack kissed Constance, and he still hadn’t come clean to Ernie. But it wasn’t for lack of trying. Their flight schedules hadn’t aligned, and the only layover they had in the same place at the same time was today in Bellefonte.

Looking out at the runway from the shade of the hangar, he watched Ernie come in for a landing. They only had an hour to grab lunch before they both had to take off again to fly back to Newark.

Jack dithered about whether to raise the topic over lunch or to wait until they were back in New Jersey so that they could go to a speakeasy and have a drink. A little liquid courage would have done him a world of good, and it might have mellowed Ernie’s reaction. But he’d waited long enough. In the absence of alcohol, he’d have to settle for pie.

After a picture-perfect landing, Ernie taxied into the hangar, parking the plane, and climbed down in his bulky leather flight suit. Ernie always had been one hell of a pilot. Jack liked to think he was a skilled flier, but somehow Ernie did everything a hair better.

It had always been like that. When they were kids, Ernie was the stickball pro, and Jack always played second fiddle. But Ernie had never lorded it over him. He always treated Jack as an equal and insisted that he be included on the team, even when the other players had doubts.

In the war, they’d been in the same squadron. Jack had less flight experience, and Ernie had to save his neck time and again in dogfights. Of course, Jack had done the same for him once he got the hang of flying, but not nearly as often. He owed Ernie so much, and he was about to risk years of friendship for the sake of Constance.

But he had no choice. At the very least, he owed Ernie honesty, no matter how badly he took it.

“Hiya, Jack,” Ernie called out as he sauntered over, pulling off his goggles and flight cap. “Why the long face?”

“Hey, Ernie. It’s good to see you.” He tried to smile, but he must not have been doing a very good job because Ernie’s face fell.

“Did something happen? Did a plane go down? Look, if there’s bad news, just give it to me. Don’t keep me hanging.” Ernie came to a halt in front of Jack, searching his face.