“What do you mean, ‘For the time being?’” Jack felt his blood pressure rise.
“You don’t really think this little stunt is going to stop me, do you? Whoever did do this has underestimated me.” She straightened her back and lifted her chin. “I suppose you haven’t known me long enough to know better than that. But my mom certainly has.”
“Exactly! She’d know this wasn’t going to stop you. She’d know it would only make you more determined than ever. Why would she risk that?” He didn’t like the determined gleam spreading across her face.
“Hailey, I can certainly understand your hostility. But we need concrete facts before we accuse anyone of what went on in that hangar last night.”
Frustration shook through her body before she abruptly moved toward the door.
Jack stepped beside her, reaching out and clutching her by the arm. “Wait.”
“Don’t try to stop me, Jack.”
Her voice held more pain than anger now, and he resisted the urge to pull her to him. He was painfully aware that he couldn’t shield her from what she was going through. His mind scrambled for words to help her understand. “You know, you keep talking about all this ‘calling’ stuff.”
“Don’t start on me,” she closed her eyes. “Not now, Jack.”
His mind continued to fight for something he could say that would get through to her. “It seems to me that with your mother so dead set against a flight business, you’d at least question your ‘calling’ theory.”
Her expression dropped and she opened her eyes. “What? That again? Just because my mom never respected my dad’s dreams doesn’t mean I should step aside and let her destroy everything he worked so hard for. It’s my responsibility to — ”
“Your responsibility? Is that how you look at this, Hailey?”
“I’m going to do what’s expected of me.” Her voice was firm, final.
“‘Responsibility. Expected. You sound like a vigilante when it comes to this business.”
“Stop it! You’re as ridiculous as everybody else around here.”
“Well, I’m not the one who’s put pretty much my entire life on hold so I can finish something that someone else started, regardless of how everyone else feels.”
“You stop it. You don’t know, Jack. This is — ”
“Your calling.”
“Yes!” She screamed the word at him.
“Then where was God when this was going on last night?” his voice rose to meet hers. “Where was God when your mom was begging you to let it go? Where was God when your dad’s dreams weren’t realized?”
The questions lunged from his lips without warning.
She opened her mouth in total disbelief. “I can’t believe you said that. Don’t you dare blame God for this. He doesn’t force His will on us. We’re not puppets. He doesn’t control our every move.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
The agony in her eyes pierced his heart. How do I respond to her? He kept his mouth shut.
“I choose to do His will because I love Him, Jack. And I love my dad. And the best way I can honor that love is to continue the work my father began.”
He released her arm slowly. Maybe she’s right about us not being puppets. A shadow of comprehension touched his face. With all her heart she believes in what she’s doing. With all her heart she loves her dad and loves God. “You really believe that God wants you to resume the business.” It wasn’t a question.
“Of course I do. What have I been telling you and everyone else?” Her voice was definite. The emphatic light in her eyes punctuated her resolve.
He took in a deep breath and offered her a slow nod. “Alright, then.” He let the air out of his lungs in one steady release. He let his eyes mold to hers. “Again, I’m with you. I can’t believe I’m doing this. But we’ll find out who did this. We’ll get help for your mother if she needs it. We’ll work things out with her. We’ll see what we can do about the Watsons. We’ll work through the obstacles. Together.”
She seemed uncertain at first, soaking his words into her heart. Then she nodded her agreement. “I don’t know what to say. I don’t know why you’re agreeing, after everything, but … I really do appreciate you, Jack.” She gave him a grateful look. “I can’t believe you’re going to hang in there with me.” She shook her head. “You came here expecting something a whole lot different, and you’ve hung in through some craziness. I’m not going to question why, I just know I’m thankful.”
“You don’t corner the market on hopes and dreams, Hailey. I’d like to see this work, too. But be realistic. You may have to concede on a point or two. Or three even.” He raised his eyebrows at her. “You can’t just go through life bulldozing your way through others to get where you want to be.”
It was evident his words stung. “Is that what I do? Bulldoze people?”
“In a way,” he chose his words carefully. “In a way, you do. Your heart is in the right place. Your father would be proud of your determination in his name. But you can’t be so all-fired set in doing this that you forget the people around you, the people who are still here. The ones who need your love and commitment, too. Isn’t that a part of God’s will for all of us? Is this business the sole reason God put you on this earth?”
Hailey closed her eyes and let her head fall back. “Sometimes … ” Her voice trailed off and she raised her head and opened her eyes to look at him. “Sometimes I’ve felt like it.” Her voice was soft. “I just want to do what’s right.”
“Look,” Jack began calmly. “If your mother is the one, don’t you think she’s going to need all the support we can get for her? It would mean she’s disturbed. Not just a little bit, either.”
“You’re right.”
Her prompt admission took him back. “Yes, Hailey, and I’m not being glib or anything like that this time. I am right on this.”
Before Hailey could respond, a tearful Dee suddenly appeared in the doorway, her hair tousled and her face drawn. She stood facing both of them. “Hailey, don’t be sad.” She began to sob. “Don’t be sad.”
Jack hurried to scoop the little girl in his arms. “Hey, nobody’s sad. What are you doing up so early?” He patted her back softly as she lay her head on his shoulder.
Hailey stepped toward them and smoothed the little girl’s hair. “Shhhhhh. It’s okay, Deedles. Go back to sleep. Everything’s gonna be okay, sweetie.”
“You were crying.” She picked her head up from Jack’s shoulder. “I heard you. And yellin’, too.”
Hailey kissed the top of Dee’s head. “You don’t have to worry, baby. Everything’s fine.” She smiled. “Do you want Jack to tuck you back in?”
She nodded against Jack’s shirt. “I didn’t barely sleep none last night.” She yawned, and her eyes closed before Jack could tiptoe back to lay her in the day bed in Felicia’s room.
When he returned, Hailey had her purse on her shoulder and keys clenched in her hand.
“Let’s drive over to the diner. I think it would do us both good to get away from here for a few hours and I need to talk to Uncle Frank.”
“Are you sure we should leave, Hailey?”
“I’m sure. If it’s my mom you’re worried about, don’t. She’s either back in bed or waiting until we leave to come back out.”
He cast her a concerned glance.
“It’s okay,” she assured him. “Dee won’t get up again until Felicia does. Lindsey will sleep until noon. Trust me on this one. Come on. Will you drive?”
He nodded and hurried back to the cottage to retrieve his keys. Trust her. That’s exactly what he wanted to do. But … his stomach was beginning to hurt.
• • •
The first face to greet them at the diner was Carleen Watson. She made her way toward them with a smile and a steaming pot of coffee in her hand. “Hey, kids!” she called across the tables to Hailey and Jack. “Let me pour these boys over here some caffeine, and I’ll be right with you.”
Hailey nodded her acknowledgement.
Jack noticed an ample man with a huge shock of gray hair glance up from the cash register where he was breaking a wrapper of new dimes into the drawer. He smiled and nodded his head as Hailey motioned to a booth in the far corner of the room.
“We’ll be over here, Uncle Frank,” she called above the chatter and clanging of dishes.
“Where’s Aunt Shirley?”
“Just back from the bank, kiddo. I’ll tell her you’re here. We’ll be ’round to say hey in a sec.”
Hailey nodded and led the way around the close quarters filled with square center tables, each one topped with different colored plastic. They reached the last of three bare wooden booths lined against the back wall. She slipped in and slid her purse strap from her shoulder, clasping her hands tightly in her lap.
Jack slid in across from her. “Nice little place.” His eyes canvassed the room. Movie posters adorned the walls. James Dean and Natalie Wood stared into each other’s eyes. One showed Doris Day and Rock Hudson in a serious lip lock. But it was mostly John Wayne who plastered the walls. The picture above their booth announced a movie named Stagecoach.
The man from the cash register bustled over and sat heavily on the bench next to Hailey, bestowing a mighty hug around her neck.
Uncle Frank caught Jack’s interest. “That one.” He jabbed a finger in the air at the direction of the old poster. “John Wayne’s big breakout role.”
Jack’s admiration was evident. “Really? That’s interesting.”
Uncle Jack’s head bobbed up and down, “Yep, big role. Ringo! You a fan?”
Jack nodded. “Yes, sir. Who doesn’t like The Duke?”
“That’s what I always say.” The older man slapped the table and delivered a huge grin Jack’s way. “Now, Shirl,” he motioned with his head toward his wife. “She likes this tear jerkin’ movie stuff. So she’s got her favorite movies around, too.”
He turned his attention to his niece. “Comet, girl, what brings you ’round this time o’ mornin’?” He tipped his Texas Rangers cap at Jack and held out a thick calloused hand. “Better introduce myself official. Frank Richard. Or Uncle Frank around here.” He poked a playful elbow at Hailey’s side. “Right, sug?”
Hailey made an attempt at a smile. “I’m sorry. This is Jack Stinson, Uncle Frank.”
“Sure, I know who this young man is.” He shot Hailey a knowing look before smiling back at Jack. “I’ve heard all about ya.”
“Uncle Frank, I need to talk to you. And to Aunt Shirl. It’s serious.”
“I can see that, sugar.” Uncle Frank turned his head to scan the room, catching the eye of a petite woman with big-rimmed glasses and short graying hair. He waved her over. She waved back and began moving toward them, pausing at each table long enough to issue a greeting to the breakfast crowd.
When she reached their booth, Shirley Richard stretched to lean past her husband and planted a kiss on the top of Hailey’s head.
Jack slipped out of his polished wood bench seat and stood waiting to be introduced to another of Hailey’s relatives.
“Girl, what are you doing in town this early? Hey, you been crying? Feuding with your mama again, huh?” Then she turned to Jack, acknowledging his presence. She grabbed his head and pulled it toward her, kissing the top of his head, too. “And this is your pilot friend, I guess.” She held out a hand covered with silver rings on each finger for him to shake. “Hello, pilot friend. Don’t tell me your mama refused to feed you kids this morning. That gal’s got some mad on about all this work you two are doin’ on those planes. Let me get a coupla menus.”
Hailey cast a pained look up at Jack before turning her attention to her aunt. “No. It’s a lot worse than that, Aunt Shirl.” She fidgeted with the silverware rolled tightly in a paper napkin in front of her. “Do you have a few minutes to sit with us?”
Shirley shot her husband a questioning look, but nodded her head. “Well, sure, baby. We’ve got all the time in the world for you, you know that.” She slid across the seat and folded her hands on the table in front of her as Jack settled beside her.
Before Hailey could begin, Carleen scooted up with a tray of cups and saucers, and a pot of fresh coffee. “Can I get you good folks somethin’ to eat?”
Hailey shook her head. “We have a real problem, Ms. Carleen. You’re welcome to stay and hear about it, if you want. You’ll hear about it anyway.”
Carleen glanced across the diner. “Freida! Cover for me, please.” And then she pulled a chair from a nearby table to sit at the end of the booth.
Jack surveyed the sweet, dimple-faced woman sitting with them. It didn’t seem feasible that she could be the mother of those trouble-making Watson boys.
Hailey relayed the morning’s catastrophe to the group amid gasps of disbelief and astonishment. No one agreed with Hailey about Rinnie’s involvement. Ms. Carleen sat quietly, shaking her head, while Uncle Frank watched his niece with concern.
Jack thought from the look on Ms. Carleen’s face, she had to be thinking the same thing he was thinking. And it wasn’t a good thought.
“Come on, sug, you know your mama isn’t capable of doing something that mean spirited.” Uncle Frank kept his eyes on Hailey’s face. “You know it as well as we all do. She’s got a stubborn streak in her, just nearly as wide as your daddy had. And you, of course. But mean, no ma’am.”
Aunt Shirley agreed. “After all these years, darlin’, she’s not gonna do anything to harm those planes. She’s been through it all with your daddy.”
“I don’t know.” Hailey rubbed her finger across a deep heart-shaped scar carved into the wooden table. “She’s unreasonable when it comes to the business and those planes, you all know that. Why can’t she just get over it and let me do what I have to do?”
The look between Uncle Frank and Aunt Shirley seemed lost on Hailey. But not on Jack.
The rivet of concern that crossed the table spoke volumes to him, and he knew for certain then. He’d been right all along about Rinnie Holman. There was something more Rinnie Holman didn’t want to share with her daughter. Something he was determined to find out for himself.
Jack reached across the table and grabbed Hailey’s hand in his. “I’m going back to the house. You stay here with your aunt and uncle.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but Jack was already standing beside the booth with his Jeep keys in his hand. “I’ll be back to pick you up in an hour or two.” He nodded to the group. “It was nice to meet all of you. I only wish it could have been under more pleasant circumstances.”
Hailey tried to scoot her uncle from his place on the seat. “I’m going with you, Jack.”
“No. You stay here. I want to talk to your mother. Alone.” He turned to make his way across the room.
She was adamant as she called after him. “You will not. This is my battle!”
He stopped and turned back to face her. “This isn’t a battle, Hailey. It’s time you learn that.”
The only thing Jack heard as his hand touched the door to leave the diner was her Uncle Jack’s deep voice boom above the commotion in the diner. “I think you’ve met your match there, Miss Comet.” He was chuckling with obvious admiration. “I think you’ve finally met your match.”