Chapter Sixteen

In the back seat of the taxi on the way to the airport, John sat next to Hannah, silently sharing encouragement and strength with an occasional smile and a squeeze when her cold hands started to fidget. She had never looked more stylish than today in her navy-blue, mid-calf suit with white piping that flattered her slender figure and brought out the blue in her eyes. The large-brimmed hat hid most of her thick, dark hair, but small wisps curled around her ears adorned with small pearl earrings.

The lady was a class act, and he wanted her in his life. He’d never felt this way before, and, hopefully, she felt the same.

“How do they know those big things will stay up in the sky?”

He chuckled, sobering when she quirked her mouth to one side and frowned. “Sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you. It’s just that everyone asks the same question about planes. Look,” he said, meshing his fingers with hers, “I could give you a history in the science of aeronautics, but let’s just say that the concept is similar to how birds fly, and birds rarely fall out of the sky. Contrary to what people think, it’s safer to fly than it is…” He stopped mid-sentence, stomach tightening. How insensitive could a guy be? He’d been about to say flying was probably safer than walking down the street, but that comment would have dredged up her mother’s recent death. “Well, safer than any other mode of transportation that I know of.”

She remained silent, staring at him for several moments before speaking. “I guess if it were highly dangerous, you wouldn’t fly, right?”

“Exactly. Now, don’t worry about that and just enjoy a new experience. After all, isn’t that what life is all about?”

“I thought it was about a man and woman working together for a better future and raising kids that will be upstanding citizens and a contribution to society.”

He turned slightly in the seat to get a better view of her. “That’s very philosophical.” He chuckled when she smiled and shrugged. “Honey, I know you’re nervous about meeting your father, and I don’t blame you, but just remember that he loves you.”

She stared at him, gaze screaming skepticism, but she remained silent and just nodded.

The air terminal was bustling, but it didn’t take them long to hand their two small cases over to the porter and line up to board. He held on to her hand, her nails digging into the back of his being the only outward sign of her trepidation at this new experience—and no doubt, the meeting with her father when they reached New York.

“This terminal is busier than I expected.”

“Flying is expensive, but saves a lot of time. Probably most of these men are flying for business reasons. Did you have anything to eat this morning?” She shook her head, but he doubted she was even conscious of lifting her free hand to press against her stomach. “Well, if you’re hungry later, they serve water and sandwiches on the plane.” Another thought crossed his mind. “Oh, and here’s a stick of Wrigley’s. Chew half of it when we get ready to take off to help keep pressure from building up in your eardrums. Then as we land, you should chew the other half.”

“Okay.” The gum disappeared into her purse. “Do you collect the baseball cards that comes with some of the gum?”

He nodded. “I never did before, but this year, the Goudey Gum Company started a History of Aviation series, so I’m hoping to get them all. There’s supposed to be ten in the series. Who knows, they might be worth a lot of money someday. With Hughes breaking all kinds of flying records and another long-distance flight planned for next year, his card will be very popular.”

Arriving at the counter, he pulled the coupon book from his pocket and handed it to the agent.

“Two flying to New York City.” The young man glanced up and smiled. “We have a great DC-3 all lined up. I’m sorry that this flight doesn’t have sleeping berths, but the seats are padded and very comfortable. Is this your first flight?”

He watched Hannah nod and even manage a tight smile despite her breathing already coming a little more rapid than normal. But she was facing her fears, and he couldn’t be more proud of her.

“Great. You’ll enjoy the experience, and I hope you fly with us again soon.”

“Thank you, sir.” He turned his attention on Hannah. “We don’t have long to wait. Do you want anything?”

She shook her head. “No, thanks. So, we won’t arrive until about noon tomorrow?”

He led her toward two seats along the wall where they could watch the other passengers until their flight was called. “That’s right. It’ll take about twenty hours or so, but we land a few times for fuel, and we’ll be able to stand up and stretch. I was hoping to get a flight with sleeping berths, but there wasn’t one like that available. Sorry.”

“That’s okay. I know this flight must be horribly expensive, and I imagine having a bed and all would cost even more.”

He didn’t want to think about how much this flight was costing for two tickets. He’d be scrimping and saving for a year to replace his meager savings that had just been depleted. But she was worth every dime.

The conversation lagged as they watched passengers arrive and depart. He held her hand, squeezing it every so often and smiling when she glanced his way.

“You know,” she said, gently waving her free hand to indicate the terminal, “I find it interesting that people can come to an airport and then fly to all different parts of the country. It’s like a wheel hub, and planes fly out in all directions like the spokes in that wheel.”

“That’s exactly what it’s like. In fact—”

“The flight for New York is ready to board,” the agent behind the counter called out. “Would all passengers with passage on that flight please proceed to the door on my right and walk to the plane parked straight ahead.”

“That’s us.” Hannah sucked in a deep breath.

He nodded. “Are you nervous?”

She hesitated. “A little bit, but since you’re with me, I know everything will be okay—not just during the flight,” she added, glancing to him with a slight smile, “but tomorrow after we get there.”

He stood a little taller. How had he gotten so lucky? Even after admitting his sins to this woman, she still trusted him to have her best interest at heart. What had he done to deserve such loyalty?

Stepping in behind her, he ushered her into the line heading out the door to walk across the asphalt toward the plane.

A smiling young woman in a tailored uniform greeted them. “Good afternoon,” she said, shaking their hands. “Welcome to the flight. I hope you enjoy being our guests.”

“Thank you.”

John followed Hannah as they climbed the steps that had been rolled up to the plane and found their seats.

“You know, I’m beginning to get a little excited.” Her smile became less tentative as she took in every detail of the interior. “And we even have a little round window so we can watch the birds.”

He grinned and nodded, but refrained from telling her the plane would be flying at about twenty thousand feet above the ground, far above the birds and up among the clouds. No need to worry her sooner than necessary.

John noticed that other than the air stewardess, Hannah was the only woman on board. She kept busy watching the men on the ground adding fuel and putting the small amount of luggage aboard. She no longer looked nervous—until the pilot started up the two big engines. That’s when her body tensed and her eyes widened.

“Hold my hand. It’ll help hold the plane together if things get shaky.”

Her gaze immediately shifted to glare at him, just before she punched him on the arm. “Brat,” she whispered.

He didn’t bother to stop the chuckle that slipped out as he reached for her hand and gave it a quick squeeze. “Guilty as charged. But just so you’re forewarned, it will be a bit shaky and probably even bumpy at times. It’s normal, so try not to let it scare you. I’ll be right here beside you all the way.”

She nodded, and he reminded her to chew half her gum as he put his piece in his mouth.

Her eyes closed when the plane began to roll forward. John tried not to stare, but the urge to see how she was handling this new experience was overwhelming. Her lips pressed together into a straight line, and her chest rose and fell with each shallow breath. The roar from the propellers as they revved for takeoff echoed off the walls of the cabin, creating a constant, loud hum that might seem noisy to her, but, according to what he’d been told, was a great improvements over flying only a few years earlier.

John relaxed his head back against the top of the seat, bracing for the gradual increase in speed and then the surge that would lift them into the air. The plane was now scooting down the runway at a good clip, but he would have been able to tell just by the increase of Hannah’s grip on his hand, and how her rounded fingernails dug into his skin.

“Can you count to ten?”

“Hm?” She opened her eyes and turned to stare at him.

“Can you count to ten?” he repeated.

She gave him a disgusted frown. “Of course, why?”

“I just wondered. Oh, and by the way, we’re off the ground.”

Her head jerked around, and she stared out the small portal. “Hey, we are. Oh, and we’re getting higher. And look at all the houses. They’re getting smaller. This is fascinating.”

The pressure on his hand decreased as she focused on the world outside the plane.

So far, so good.

At least until they had to land. That would probably be another tense time—unless she was sleeping, of course.

He had to smile at her child-like captivation while she sat straighter in the seat to look down at the city as it grew smaller and smaller below them. Thankfully, she was enjoying the thrill of flight and putting concerns about meeting her father on hold. He, on the other hand, had betrayed Vince and broken a promise.

John didn’t fear dire consequences, but being disowned and no longer welcome was a definite possibility.

Hannah might be gaining a father, but he stood a good chance of losing one.