Hearts in Flight

by Patty Smith Hall

  “I trailed him in that direction before you. . .”

  Dropped her to the ground like the enemy. He swallowed. But he hadn’t treated her like any enemy he had ever known. Not when she’d looked so beautiful there, her hair spread out in a tangle, her lips soft and full. Keeping Maggie off kilter may be his favorite past time, but this time, she’d won this battle.

  Wesley walked away. “Then we can’t be for certain.””

  “If Jimbo did take those supplies, what could he possibly need with that stuff?”

  Another reason he liked her. Her refreshing innocence. He hated to tell her the possibilities. “Maybe he sold them on the black market.”

  “Here, in Marietta?” The incredulous expression on her face told him she hadn’t phantom that particular idea.

  He smiled slightly. “I hate to tell you, but yes, there’s probably a black market even here.”

  The idea seemed to dim the light in her clear green eyes. “I know.”

  “But I don’t think that’s what Jimbo is up to. If he was, he’d be sporting a lot of cash.”

  She looked back in the direction of the camp. “Could he be giving it to them?”

  Wesley shook his head. “Why take their food and leave them hungry, then give them the cash? No, something else is going on here.”

  “He must have hit rock bottom to steal from his family like that,” she whispered.

  “Yeah, well.” Wesley took a savage swing at a pine sapling. “Grief does strange things to a person.”

  “You speak like someone who knows.”

  Wesley ignored her. He didn’t want to talk about Beth; wasn’t sure he ever would in this lifetime. But his gut told him that if he ever needed to talk to, Maggie would be a willingly listener. The thought offered him a bit of comfort. “And you don’t?”

  She mashed her lips together but not before he caught the slight quiver in the corner of her mouth. Her eyelids fanned down across her cheeks, and he wouldn’t have been surprised to see tears track down her suddenly pale cheeks.

  You’re a jerk, Hicks, a real jerk. Just because he couldn’t stomach talking about Beth didn’t mean he couldn’t give Maggie a shoulder to cry on.

  Wesley touched her shoulder, and she lifted her head, her chin quivering slightly, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.

  Yeah, he was a jerk alright. “I’m sorry. If you don’t want to talk, that’s okay.”

  “I can talk about Jackson.” Maggie stared off into the forest, unfocused as if conjuring her uncle up from somewhere deep in her memories. “It’s just sometimes, I think that he’s still around, you know, over in a trench or locked up in a prison camp or something. Then I remember.”

  “I understand.” Wesley dropped his hand from her shoulder. It was exactly like that for him, as if the thought of Beth being alive and somewhere on this earth made everything all right.

  But Beth was gone, and nothing would ever be the same again.

  9

  Stepping over a dead log, Maggie stole a quick glance at Wesley, concern for him coursing through her. That he’d lost someone important was evident in the slouch of his shoulders, the sober line of his mouth, the kinship of sadness reflecting in his eyes. But the emptiness in his gaze told her that he had lost a great deal more, as if death had seeped into every corner of his world.

  Help him open up about this, Lord. Maggie lifted a quick prayer as they reached the trail. Doesn’t he know he’d feel a lot better of he did?

  Or would he? Had something happened to make the loss that much worse?

  “That was nice, what you did back there, giving them those cookies like that,” Wesley said, effectively changing the subject. “I’m sure they appreciated it.”

  Great, now he’s closed up tighter than a clam. Maggie shrugged. “Pastor Williams says you can’t expect people to understand God’s love when their stomachs are growling or they’re shivering in the cold.”

  “He’s got a point.” He gave her a soft smile, the first one since they’d left the camp. “I got the impression you were prepared for something like this.”

  “Not really. Mama and I use to visit the sick boys over at the CCC camps when they were camping over at Kennesaw Mountain. But I was a little girl then.”

  “You’re an old pro at this,” he replied. “Maybe I could help you out on the days you’re around.”

  “You mean like every day?”

  “Not tomorrow,” he said, dropping the limb in the bushes.

  She shook her head. What was the man saying? “I don’t understand.”

  “Well, tomorrow, you’re flying to Greenville to deliver a Mustang.”

  “I’m on the flight schedule?”

  Wesley nodded slowly. “Yeah, as of this afternoon.”

  They stepped out of the woods. Was the afternoon sunshine or the possibilities that had suddenly been opened to her that ignited a flame in her very soul? She giggled, unable to contain the happiness bubbling up inside. She considered Wesley’s handsome face, took in the genuine smile he gave her and without thinking, looped her arms around his neck, hugging him close. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

  He seemed startled at first, his arms hanging to his side. Then, he relaxed, nestling his cheek against her head, his breath gently ruffling the hair around her ear, causing her to tighten her hold of him. When his arms came around and held her close, she felt as if she had been searching for a safe place to land and had finally found it in his embrace.

  The sharp click of metal against metal interrupted Maggie’s thoughts. She had barely turned her head when the coal black barrel of a double gauge shotgun entered her sights. She put her hand on Wesley’s chest and pushed, but his arm around her waist held her against him.

  “What are you doing, Mr. Daniels?” Wesley’s words vibrated beneath Maggie’s hand.

  “Defending what’s left of the girl’s honor, though with her, there’s probably not much to save,” Uncle James pushed the flush end of the rifle into Wesley’s face.

  Maggie twisted around, through Wesley kept his arm around her waist. “Put that gun down before you kill someone, Uncle James.”

  “What were you doing out in the woods with this man?”

  Her face burned hot. Why did her uncle have to make it sound as if she and Wesley were doing something wrong? “If you’ll move that gun out of the Captain’s face, I’ll explain.”

  The older man glared at them for a moment before lowering the barrel of his weapon. “I’m listening.”

  Wesley loosened his hold on her and Maggie took a step back, the early evening chill raising goose bumps along her exposed arms. Or was it the loss of Wesley’s arms? She pushed away the thought. Whatever happened here, Uncle James couldn’t find out about the tent camp. She’d made a promise.

  “We were discussing the new flight schedule,” she finally answered.

  Her uncle eyed her suspiciously. “Didn’t look like you were doing much talking a minute ago?”

  No, they hadn’t been talking. She’d been thrilled by the feel of Wesley’s arms around her, enjoyed the sound of his breath against her ear.

  Wesley glanced at her for a long second. Was he thinking about their embrace? “Maggie got a little excited about her first assignment, that’s all.”

  An odd twinge of disappointment settled in her chest. Of course, Wesley was right. It was just a bit of excitement. Like flying straight for the stars.

  “Then what were the two of you doing in the woods?” Uncle James asked, bring the barrel up once again.

  Time to stop daydreaming and answer his question. “Flight schedules are a matter of national security, Uncle, especially anything coming out of the Bell. You know, loose lips sink ships.”

  James scoffed. “I don’t believe that for a minute.”

  “Believe what you want, but I needed to brief Maggie as she is due to fly out first thing tomorrow morning.” Wesley answered, giving her a questioning glance.

  James gaze flicked over one
, then the other before settling on her. He pointed his finger in her face like the barrel of his shotgun. “You know what kind of talk gets started when a girl who goes off by herself with a man. You’d best think twice about that next time.”

  Maggie swallowed past the lump of embarrassment lodged in her throat. “Yes, sir.”

  “Any more of your secret talks needs to be done at the plant, Captain. Is that understood?”

  “Completely.” Wesley replied.

  “Good.” Easing back on the trigger, Uncle James lowered his weapon and headed off in the direction of the house.

  Closing her eyes, Maggie fought back the anger that threatened to go unleashed. She was completely mortified. How could things get any worse than having to turn and face Wesley after her uncle’s outrageous performance?

  “Why didn’t you tell your uncle about the tent camp?”

  And there’s your answer! Shifting around, Maggie raised her gaze to face him. “Because Uncle James would use it against my aunt.”

  “How could helping a group of people in need be used against Merrilee?”

  Maggie drew in a breath. “You’ve heard my uncle talk about taking her to court?”

  His brows drew together for second. “Yes. Why is that?”

  An ugly piece of family business she’d rather not go into. “My grandfather left the homestead to Merrilee rather than my uncle, and he’s been determined to snatch it away from her ever since.”

  “But your grandfather left it to Merrilee fair and square. How does your uncle think he’s going to take it away?”

  The fact that Wesley stood soundly on her aunt’s side made Maggie’s stomach flutter. She pressed a hand into her midsection to calm the butterflies. “It hasn’t been that long ago since women were given the right to own property. Granddaddy being Granddaddy, he decided that if he left the house to Merrilee, she’d have to live up to his standards.”

  “His will has a moral clause?”

  No wonder the man was considered an engineering wiz if he could figure out the workings of Granddaddy Daniels’ mind. Maggie nodded. “James has already complained about Merrilee boarding men and women in the same house. But if he knew she had okayed that camp on family property, he’d take her to court for sure.”

  “You don’t think the judge would see that Merilee was doing her patriotic duty?”

  Maggie didn’t reply. Wesley was like no one she’d ever met in her life, believing that the law would see the good in Merrilee’s work. For a moment, she believed it too.

  But she’d seen the ‘good ole boys’ in action and they wouldn’t stand by and allow Merrilee to keep her home if James gave them any reason to think it was rightfully his.

  “Don’t worry, Maggie.” His voice held her in a comforting embrace. “I’ll keep quiet about the camp for now. But if your uncle makes any more noise about taking this property away from Merrilee, he’ll have to deal with the United States Army Air Corp.”

  Maggie clasped her hands together, fighting the urge to hug him again. Wesley was more decent and kind than she’d given him credit for. Maybe with him in the know, everything would work out all right. A sudden burst of happiness slicing through her as she remembered what tomorrow held.

  She was finally going to fly!

  10

  “I heard through the grapevine that you’re some sort of hot shot in a Mustang, Daniels,” Jimbo called out from under the wing of a P-51. “Aren’t you afraid you might break a nail on the bomb switches?”

  The sound of muffed laughter trailed after Maggie as she walked through the maze of recently repaired aircraft. Three weeks had passed since she had been included on the flight schedule, and the cat calls and offensive remarks had only escalated. She had thought that over time, the men in the Flying 83rd had grown tired of the childish behavior would have grown tired of the childish behavior but if this morning’s comments were any indication, some had obviously not.

  Well, if they wouldn’t back down, neither would she. Maggie turned, checklist in hand. “Why, Jimbo? You afraid I’ll aim my gun sights at you?

  Heat climbed up the man’s face as his buddies snickered around him. “I wouldn’t be acting all high and mighty, little miss. You never know what might happen around here.”

  Her fingers tightened around the clipboard, her lungs refusing to breath. No, Jimbo Haney couldn’t have just threatened her, not in front of the entire squadron. He was just mad she’d bested him in front of his buddies and needed to blow off a little steam. The men retreated to their work.

  “I wouldn’t put you on report if you took a shot at him.” Wesley came up alongside of her, his voice barely a whisper. “It might scare some sense into that thick skull of his.”

  “I doubt it.” She struggled to breath, though from fear or from the man standing beside her, she wasn’t sure.

  “It was just a suggestion,” he flashed her a smile that she had grown quite fond of in the past few weeks. “I’m on my way to the major’s office for a short meeting. Anything you need?”

  He’s giving me the chance to report Jimbo. But she wouldn’t, not if she had any hopes of earning the respect of the squadron. “I could go for a three day pass,” she teased, enjoying the flash of humor that ignited the silver sparks in his eyes.

  He laughed. “You wouldn’t take a break ever if the President himself signed the order.”

  The man had gotten to know her well. Maggie caught herself from smiling back. Maybe too well. “I got flight clearance to deliver this Mustang back to Augusta this afternoon.”

  “What time?”

  “Thirteen hundred hours.” She noticed the look of concern on his face. “Why? Is there a problem?”

  He shook his head. “Just a front coming through. Suppose to bring it some pretty big storms.”

  “Should I put in a request to move my departure time up?”

  “Let’s just wait and see what happens,” Wesley replied. “If it does come a downpour, you can hold off delivery until tomorrow.”

  Dropping her arm to her side, Maggie came to attention, then snapped off a sharp salute. “Yes, sir.”

  With a ghost of a smile, Wesley saluted her. “Later, Ace.”

  Maggie clutched her checklist tight against her chest as she watched Wesley weave in and out of repaired aircraft before slipping out the hanger door. She’d spent a lot of off duty hours with Wesley, visiting the tent camp, sitting on Merrilee’s front porch talking planes and movies and anything else that popped into their heads. He’d even shared a pew with her during Sunday Service, though Merrilee told her later that Wesley had been a regular since his arrival.

  Best if I keep busy. Then she wouldn’t have time to wonder about the ominous memory that would flash across Wesley’s face from time to time, marring his handsome features with a pain unlike anything she’d ever seen. And just as fast a bogey on the radar screen, it would disappear.

  “Leaving it to you to get a dreamboat for a commanding officer.”

  Maggie spun around at the familiar voice. Leaning against the nose of her plane was her friend and fellow WASP, Donna Lane. In three short steps, she wrapped her in a welcoming hug. “What on earth are you doing here?”

  “Bringing in a bucket of bolts for repairs. What about you?” Donna glanced toward the hanger door and gave her a knowing smile. “Met any interesting people?”

  She’d forgotten. Donna always played matchmaker during the girls’ leave at Sweetwater. “A few. How are the boys in Savannah treating you?”

  “Like a queen.” She dropped her gear to the floor as she stretched his shoulders. “Why, just last week, I found a dead mouse under my pillow.”

  “At least, it was dead. You remember those Texas rattlers we use to fish out of our barracks constantly.”

  “That’s what we get for wanting to soar through the skies,” Donna said, drawing her hand along the contoured edge of the Mustang. “But it can only get better from here.”

  Would it? Maggie couldn’t help
but wonder if she was grasping for the stars. “I don’t know.”

  “Hey, there’s a lot of guys in the Army Air Corp who are already coming to realize what valuable assets we are,” Donna said.

  Crossing her arms in front of her, Maggie leaned back against the body of the plane. “Wait a minute. Last time I heard, you had convinced some navigator out of South Carolina you were the greatest thing since sliced bread. How’s that going for you?”

  “Very well.” The soft smile Donna gave Maggie turned dreamy, her eyes luminous. She lowered her gaze, her sooty lashes resting against the pink glow of her cheeks. “In fact, Bill asked me to marry him.”

  “You’re engaged?”

  Donna pressed her finger against her lips. “You don’t have to act so surprised.”

  “I can’t believe you’re getting married,” Maggie whispered, glancing around as if Donna’s announcement was a breach of national security.

  Donna frowned slightly. “You don’t think a man would want me?”

  Great, now she had hurt her friend’s feelings. “Any guy would be lucky to get you. It’s just that,” Maggie hesitated, not sure how to word her next statement without hurting Donna even more. “I never figured you for the type to give up on your dreams.”

  “Who said anything about giving up?” Donna snapped.

  “Isn’t that what a girl usually does when she gets married?”

  “Is that what you think, that marriage is where a woman has to surrender their hopes and dreams?”

  Maggie ducked under the belly of the plane, feigning interest in the wheels of the landing gear. That’s exactly what she thought. Maybe some point in the future, she could think about including a husband in her plans, someone like Wesley who shared her love for aviation and her faith in God. But not now. Not until she’d reached her goal. A sadness she hadn’t expected nipped at her heart.

  “Have you ever been in love, Maggie?” Donna asked, leaning down to watch Maggie.

  Maggie shook her head. “No.”

  “Well, when you do,” Donna started, brushing her bangs out her eye. “You’ll find out that those dreams you’ve been having aren’t enough anymore. They grow to include the person you love.”