“Come on, sweet thang.” Neal’s voice reeked of sarcasm. “You know we kin do lots better if we work together on this thang. Yur gonna be takin’ bread outta li’l Dee’s mouth. And Mama’s. Now, ya don’t want that, do ya, suga’ plum?”
She crossed her arms. “For what you spend on beer in two days, you could feed the four of ya’ll for two months. Carleen and Dee won’t go hungry, we’ll always see to that. But you two,” she gave them a piercing look, “you’re on your own. Now get out of here and stay out. The Blue Yonder Flyers will open as planned.”
She turned on her heel to walk back into the hangar, followed closely by her faithful dog.
Jack waited until the two had revved the engine and fled the premises. The obscenities hurled through their windows stirred up more than just the dust and gravel from their tires. He watched them until they were out of sight and the roar of the old truck no longer filled the air. Then he turned his attention back to the courageous young woman who knelt on one knee, her back to him, stroking the big dog’s head.
“You really stood up to those two out there. I’m really impressed. But maybe you’d get some resolution to this if you’d let me handle it man to man.”
“Uh, yeah, well, that’s not happening.” She stood to face him. “You’re expecting way too much from those two. Man to man? Please.”
Hailey walked back toward the open doors and stood without a word.
Jack wasn’t sure whether to get back to work or go to her side. He gave her some space, then finally took steps to stand beside her. “Thinking about the Watson’s?”
She turned her attention his way. “I was just thinking how everything got started. I can remember my dad sitting at the dining room table with his big drafting sheets, drawing out plans for the hangar. And my mom standing beside him, telling him what an impossible and foolish dream it was. Sort of like the way she does now with me.” Hailey’s voice held a sadness that touched him.
“I can only imagine what you’re feeling right now, Hailey.”
“Well, if you can imagine how infuriating those Watson boys are to me, then yes, you know how I feel. They try to ruin everything.”
“And admirably, you’re determined not to let them.”
“Would you?” Her eyes scanned his face.
He had to admit. No, he would not.
“If it weren’t for the booze and bad tempers, they’d still have their crop dusting business. I can’t stand the thought of anyone needing a plane around here and being at the mercy of those two bullies. It’s like I always told my dad, they’d sell their own mother for pure meanness.”
“Can’t say I doubt you’re right.”
“And now poor Ms. Carleen has Neal’s six-year-old daughter, Dee, to raise.”
“Scary thought. That guy reproducing.” He didn’t mean it as a slam, but the thought really was unsettling.
“I wish I could disagree. But none of us can imagine life without that little girl. Neal married a girl from Cypress County when she was about a month from giving birth to their daughter. Ms. Carleen took them in, fed them, and made sure mother and baby had health care. Within three months, the girl ran off with a welder from Greensville. Nice, huh?”
“That’s rough.”
“It just doesn’t seem fair that Ms. Carleen is stuck with so much to deal with on her own. We know we weren’t responsible for Mr. Watson’s death, but we’ll be here for Carleen and Dee forever. We love those girls, but something serious has to be done about Neal and Paul. It’s so unfair.” Hailey let a weary sigh leave her lips and the conversation lapsed for a minute. She picked up a wrench and flipped it end over end and heaved another deep sigh.
Her shoulders rose and fell quickly as she set the wrench back down and picked up the bag she’d tossed on the workbench earlier. She held it open for him to inspect.
“Your chocolates are melted.” He announced.
The look she tossed him was unconcerned. “If you hang around us Holman’s long enough, you’ll find that there’s no problem we can’t solve.”
“Is that what you were doing just now, lost in thought, solving problems?”
She jerked open a drawer and retrieved a zipped baggy full of plastic spoons and forks. Dipping her hand in, she seized a spoon and waved it through the air. Her eyes narrowed. “That’s exactly what I was doing. Solving problems.” She dipped a spoonful of melted chocolate. “Now. What were we arguing about before we were so crudely interrupted?”
Everything. That’s what he wanted to say. But he knew arguing wasn’t really the word for what they were doing. This woman had a way of holding his attention and making it hard for him not to smile. Even when she was being infuriatingly hardheaded.
He avoided looking into her intriguing eyes. “Okay, so what do you think they’ll do next? The Watson brothers, I mean.”
“Stay passed out for a week, maybe. Who knows with those two. But don’t worry about it, Jack. God can handle them. Same way He’s gonna change my mom’s heart.”
A nagging doubt tugged at his mind. Sure, God could do it. Or so he had heard. But would He? It seemed to him that God chose to work His miracles rather sparingly. How many years had his mother prayed that his father would change his angry ways and go to church with her? And stop being such a tyrant to his family and employees? It hadn’t happened and didn’t look promising.
Obviously, the Stinson family wasn’t on God’s priority list, or He would have worked things out for his family.
He watched her dip into the bag of chocolate again. Whether she’ll admit it or not, Hailey’s situation is so different with her mother than what we faced with my father.
Why does she think she’s so different? Why would God listen to her and not to me or my mother? At least her mother isn’t forcing her to go against her principles. I’ll never condone some of my father’s business practices. Things like learning ahead of time what a competitor bid on a project and then underbidding just enough to land the job. And making a promise on a deadline with no intention of keeping it. I’ve always tried to do the right thing. The honest thing. But it certainly hasn’t gotten us anywhere with God.
So he had to wonder again: Why does she think she’s so different?
Hailey wiped a smudge of chocolate from her lips. “Jack, God only knows what those two will do next, or when Mom will come to her senses. I only know what I have to do. And what I’m going to do.” She threw the empty chocolate bag and wrappings, along with the plastic spoon, into a nearby trashcan and rested her hands on her hips. “I’m getting on with my duties. There’s a bunch of work to do.” She cocked her head to the side and eyed him boldly. “Are you with me, or not?”
He studied her face before nodding and turning his attention to work.
“Good.” She slipped a rubber band from her wrist and wrapped it around her hair into a neck skimming ponytail. “Now, where were we? We’ve wasted enough time on the Watsons.”
While his hands got busy surveying one of the planes, his mind couldn’t stay completely on task. Was he with her or not? Actually, he wanted to know the same thing. Man, she makes it hard to walk away.
He could identify with Hailey in a lot of ways. She believed in what she was doing, regardless of what others said. She wasn’t arrogant about it or overly pushy. Well, maybe pushy. He stifled a grin. But her determination was contagious. And her down-to-earth boldness — certainly attractive.
Neal and Paul Watson didn’t bother him nearly as much as the realization that he’d have to meet face to face with Mrs. Holman at some point. He didn’t relish the thought of being where he wasn’t wanted. Personal or not. Maybe if he left, Hailey wouldn’t be able to find someone else and she’d give up.
He almost laughed out loud. That’s a ludicrous thought. After knowing her for less than one day, he knew better. She’d somehow
handle the whole thing by herself if she had to, he was certain of it.
Maybe he could help Hailey and her mom arrive at some kind of compromise. Maybe he could actually do some good around here with his negotiation skills.
His eyes searched the determined face before him. Deep into her work, the flame in her sky blue eyes burned bright. And the fixed resolution of her voice when she spoke gave her an invincible air. But he sensed a vulnerability. A vulnerability that he already knew she’d never readily admit to.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“So what’s it gonna be, Mr. Stinson?” An hour later and there was no doubt in Hailey’s mind that Jack had been contemplating her question as he mapped some wiring inside one of the planes. Nobody worked as intensely as he’d been without being pretty excited about it. This job was perfect for him and she knew it. Surely he knew it, too.
She met his eyes boldly. “You know you want to stay. Admit it.”
“I never said I didn’t want to.”
She checked her watch. “It’s almost ten already.” She reached for a package of fine grade sandpaper hanging on the wall. “I’ll finish the rust spots I started yesterday, and you can start working on the elevator.”
She began sanding on the plane as her mind took off on a bittersweet journey of its own. This is my domain, Hailey thought with a surge of tenderness. Mine and Dad’s.
His death left a void in her heart that she was certain no one could ever fill. She knew her mom to be a devoted and able parent, but Hailey couldn’t help but feel that she, herself, was now responsible for the family.
“There are two kinds of folks on this earth,” Web Holman always said. “Those who stand below staring up into God’s great heavens, and those who soar smack dab into those great heavens.”
That’s how she learned to approach everything, soaring smack dab, full speed ahead.
Out of the corner of her eye she was suddenly aware of Jack watching her. She gave him her full attention, as one corner of his mouth twisted upward. “What?” She always seemed to want to smile at him.
“I suppose I might as well do something constructive while I’m here,” he announced, as if she thought he’d do any different.
She flashed him a triumphant smile. “My sentiments exactly.”
Three hours later, Jack stood beside the workbench scrubbing at his hands with a towel. “I can definitely get into this kind of work.”
“Well, degrease yourself and let’s go in for lunch before my mom changes her mind about feeding us.”
He stopped scrubbing and looked at her. “If that’s an invitation to have lunch with you and your family, I appreciate it,” he shook his head, “but no, thanks. I think we’ve definitely ruled out me sitting at the same table with your mom any time soon, if ever. I’ll run into town. Your uncle’s diner sounds really good about now.”
She shook her head. “Absolutely not. Home-cooked meals are just one of the many perks you’ll get working here at The Blue Yonder Flyers. Besides, it’ll take thirty minutes to drive all the way into town. That’s sixty minutes of drive time. And don’t forget, this is the busiest … .”
“ … time of day at the diner,” he finished her sentence. “I don’t mind. I need to get a few groceries anyway. I’m perfectly capable of cooking for myself while I’m here.”
Her lips turned up in a mischievous smile. “What? You cook? I figured you for more of a dress for dinner and be served in the grand dining hall kind of guy.”
He snorted. “You make me sound like a snob. I’m not going to make things any more uncomfortable for your poor mother than they already are.”
“My poor mom?” Her brows drew together in a questioning frown. “You’ll have to get over feeling sorry for my mom, Jack. She’s been given every opportunity to be a part of the business when it was my father and I. She has the same opportunity now, if she wants.”
She was tempted to add: “This-is-a-recording. My-mother-will-accept-the-business. This-is-a-recording.”
Jack gave her a doubtful look. “Yes, ma’am. Whatever you say.”
“All you have to do is your job, and I’ll do mine.”
“I understand, but while I’m here, maybe I can help the situation with your mom. I’ve had to unruffle my share of irritated customers and employees. Thanks to my dad,” he added. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned about business, it’s that direct communication is the key.”
“Direct communication?” She patted the side of her leg to summon Kisses from his place lying in the sunny doorway. She cocked her head at him, stifling a knowing grin. “My dad tried that for years. And if you think my problems are hopeless, you sure don’t know what can happen when God’s on your side.”
She gave Kisses a tousle on the head. “And that, Mr. Stinson, is about as direct as a person can get in the communication department. Now let’s go eat. I’m starving!”
• • •
To say that lunchtime was awkward would be a gross understatement. Jack decided he’d have to give Hailey’s mom credit. Rinnie Holman was the epitome of graciousness. Detached graciousness, but graciousness nonetheless.
Something about her reminded him of his own mom, except for the fact that Hailey was right: his own mother would have served an elegant luncheon in the formal dining room. Under different circumstances, he would have preferred this more casual meal around the kitchen table to the stiff dinner time rituals his dad insisted on. Everyone, and that meant every member of the family, was not only expected but required to sit at the massive mahogany table until Marshall finished his last bite and scooted his chair from the table. Meals were exhausting at his house. And usually quiet. With the exception of some sporadic business talk initiated by his dad. Or some critical analysis of something Jack had done. Or not done.
Jack dropped those thoughts and turned them instead to his mother. Now with his younger brother gone to Virginia Tech on a football scholarship, she was alone with his dad. If Hailey could see what his mother went through to keep the peace around their home, she might realize her mom wasn’t really that bad. Disagreeable maybe, but not bad.
What could have happened to Marshall Stinson during his life to make him so hard to deal with? He’d always been what Jack considered overly strict, but with every passing year, his irrational demands seemed to grow worse.
Jack placed his napkin on the table and pushed his chair back. “Thank you, Mrs. Holman, I appreciate lunch. It was delicious.”
Rinnie Holman’s dark eyes never left the table as she scooped up the basket of leftover rolls. “You are welcome, Mr. Stinson. And thank you,” she said, her voice edged with formality.
Jack reached for his plate, but the older woman whisked it from his hands without a word.
Hailey had excused herself to answer the phone, and he found himself hoping she wouldn’t return too quickly. He intended to have a talk with Mrs. Holman. By himself. He wanted to hear her side. There had to be more to this than even Hailey knew, and he didn’t mind being the negotiator. That was something he was actually really good at. He’d hate to see an inoperable rift tear this family apart. The way it appeared his own family had been torn.
Someone had to give Hailey a reality check about what was going on with her mom. It might as well be him.
“Mrs. Holman, Hailey tells me that you’re not happy about her plans to reopen the business. I’d like to hear your objections. Maybe I can help in some way.”
Rinnie turned from the sink and faced him squarely, her hands still wet from rinsing food from the dishes. “Mr. Stinson, at this point I have no quarrel with you personally. This matter is between my daughter and myself. She’s pig-headed and wants her own way in this, just as her father did. I had no control over him. But I should have at least a little bit over her.”
“I honestly don’t think this is about her wanting co
ntrol, Mrs. Holman. If you have a viable reason for not wanting Hailey to fly or to reopen the business, can you talk to her about it? Maybe the two of you could come to some sort of — ”
“Compromise? Is that what you’re getting at, Mr. Stinson?”
“Yes. A compromise. No harm can come from discussing your concerns.”
“My ‘concerns,’ Mr. Stinson, are none of your business.” Her eyes burned through him.
He took a step closer to her. She certainly seems closed. But Jack was used to tough customers. “Mrs. Holman, I’m not here to make trouble. I promise you that. I don’t even know how I got into the middle of this, but somehow I seem to be.”
“That’s most unfortunate, because I suppose,” she turned back to her dishwater, “you’re a nice enough young man. But the fact is, you are putting yourself into the middle of a great big pile of trouble. No good can come of this.” She lifted the stack of plates from the counter and sloshed them into the dishwater. “No good at all.”
“I promise I’m not trying to get into your personal business, Mrs. Holman.”
She turned to face him. “There’s more than — ”
Before she could finish, Hailey breezed into the kitchen. “That was Ms. Carleen.” She halted in her steps, looking at her mom. And then at Jack. “What have you two been talking about, as if I don’t already know.”
Jack kept his mouth shut. Seriously. It was not his place to try to solve their problems. But here he was, standing between two feuding women.
Hailey cut the silence. “Well, good. You two are going to be swell friends, I can tell.” She pushed her mom away from the sink with a playful bump of her hip. “You’d better sit while you can, Mama dear, because Dee’s on her way.” She handed her mom a dishcloth to dry her hands on, working with her back to Jack as she offered him more information on Dee.
“She’s a handful, let me tell you. Just as precious as she can be, though.”
She tossed a brief look of irritation over her shoulder. “We don’t hold it against her that she’s Neal Watson’s daughter, right Mom?”
Texas Temptation Page 179
