“Jake Ford called and asked if we’d take his horses back, but I didn’t want to stir up a hornet’s nest. I gave him a couple of recommendations, and he picked the one I would have. Gingersnap, I’m afraid, is just not a show pony, but April Showers…she’ll be a tough one to beat in the championship.”
Puzzle pieces clicked together. Show ponies, their owners, the performances, and fans who filled arenas. A celebration of form, of style, of running the race. Winners came and went. But love of the sport and all that went with it made a lovely completed picture.
“What about Buck Lamberson? Any idea what happened to him?”
“The last I heard he had the stable for sale and was moving to Montana.”
“I saw Dobbs yesterday. He looks good and is engaged to a beautiful girl. All these years I’ve pictured him as a grotesque cripple.”
“I’ve not seen him, but I believe he’s studying to be a doctor. Your uncle Granville might know.”
Mittie sighed. She wouldn’t ask; it was enough to know Dobbs was all right, that he’d risen above the bitterness and greed of his parents. Her heart ached a little that Ames hadn’t.
The arena was packed for the saddlebred Five-Gait World’s Championship, and once again, her family gathered in support of MG Farms, her daddy, and tonight, Gypsy in her final performance. Her last chance at the cup before she became a broodmare and would hopefully, with her pedigree, birth future champions. It was a joint decision between Mittie and her parents, and they’d consulted her grandmother and Rex as well. As a five-year-old, it was time for Gypsy to leave her youth behind and embrace the future.
Bobby held her hand gently in his, the talk between them easy. Mittie, too, was ready to embrace her future, the one with Bobby York beside her. Each day, her love for him had deepened. When she’d finally thought about Calista’s declaration that she should open her eyes, Mittie’s soul had been flooded with memories of Bobby. His tenderness and quiet but reassuring manner. Always faithful and steady. She’d been blinded by her affections for Ames and not seen it, but when the veil was drawn aside, she knew Bobby was the rudder who’d been there all along. She squeezed the hand he’d placed in hers and gazed into eyes the color of the sky.
The organ music began and with it the announcement of the horses and their solo lap around the rail. April Showers. The sorrel stallion from MG Farms. A few newcomers. And Gypsy.
Gypsy was resplendent, her muscles like sculpted clay, her hooves lifting high. And as the crowd clapped and cheered, Gypsy put on the show of her life. Walk. Park trot. Canter. Rack. Slow gait. There wasn’t a step she didn’t make to perfection. When the judges examined the horses for conformation, Mittie tried to guess what they were thinking and the marks they were giving.
Her daddy leaned over, elbows on knees, his face unreadable. The other faithful and steady force in her life. And beside him, her mother. Perfectly coifed. Her proper black gloves. Matching handbag and shoes. The one who had swallowed her fear and finally given Mittie wings.
Mittie’s grip on Bobby’s hand grew tighter as the judges asked for another demonstration of the rack and slow gait. Her lungs burned from the breath she held while the judges made the eliminations. Then only Gypsy, the sorrel, and April Showers remained.
The organ played a bum-bum-bum-bum-pa, bum-bum-bum-bum-pa until at last, the head judge stepped forward. “This year’s Five-Gait World’s Championship goes to Gypsy of Morning Glory Farms.”
Tears sprang to Mittie’s eyes, her heart in her throat. Bobby put his arm around her shoulders, kissed her cheek, and handed her his monogrammed silk handkerchief.
She rose and went with her parents to accept the silver bowl. Unspeakable joy radiated through her as she waved to the crowd, but Bobby’s face was the only one she saw. Her spirit soared.
Note to Readers
Weaving historical events into fiction is both a fascinating and challenging part of the writing process. I want to give my stories verisimilitude, but at the same time, I tremble at the mantle of portraying history accurately. A Flying Affair is the juncture of my imagination and a slice of the past based on the following documented historical events.
Colonel Charles Lindbergh did indeed fly the Atlantic in May 1927, a widely acclaimed feat, and in the months following, he went on a goodwill tour promoting aviation. He made an overnight stop in Louisville on August 8, 1927, landing the Spirit of St. Louis at Bowman Field. The conversation with Mittie Humphreys is a product of my imagination.
In an exciting decade of aviation, there were numerous events across the country. Barnstorming was generally unregulated and flight challenges sprang up frequently. The events I created were based on similar shows and events found during the research process, but none are factual until the Women’s National Air Derby near the end of the book. It is based on a true event—the first Women’s National Air Derby that took place in August 1929, a collaborative effort of the Cleveland Air Race officials and the National Exchange Club. The scheduled stops, mishaps, and people mentioned are based on others’ accounts of this much-heralded event. Among the women who participated were Amelia Earhart, Louise Thaden, Pancho Barnes, and Marvel Crosson, whose death was a sobering reminder of the dangers of early flight. I inserted Mittie Humphreys and Calista Gilson as two of the twenty participants for the purpose of the story without changing the outcome or historical significance of the race. I pray my portrayal pays homage to these women pioneers in aviation.
I’m so grateful for the work of Heather A. Taylor, whose meticulously researched, award-winning documentary, Breaking through the Clouds (2010), was invaluable to me as I crafted the scenes of the Women’s Air Derby. For readers who want to learn more, I encourage you to visit www.breakingthroughtheclouds.com.
A sidenote about women in aviation: In November 1929 there were 117 licensed American female pilots. All were invited to assemble in New York to form an organization for mutual support and the advancement of aviation. Of those, 99 charter members formed The Ninety-Nines, a group that is still active today. Amelia Earhart was elected the first president with Louise Thaden as secretary.
When I first began research on A Flying Affair, I thought the Humphreys farm would have Thoroughbred horses trained for racing. On a research trip, I discovered the other jewel of the Kentucky equine world—the American saddlebred, considered by many as the peacock among horses. This look into the training and showing of this magnificent breed is based on my observing a training session at a modern-day saddlebred farm and the information gleaned from reading about similar shows held during the era. Creative license was taken with the actual dates and winners.
Thank you for following the fictive dream of A Flying Affair. I’ve tried to stay the course in presenting history in a way that entices and entertains. Any errors are mine.
Reading Group Guide
Aviation was a new frontier in the Roaring Twenties, and Mittie Humphreys’ grandest dream was to fly and be part of this exciting time. Considering the era, what were some of the obstacles she faced? Would she face those same obstacles today?
One of Mittie’s obstacles was gender bias. Do those issues still arise today? Discuss any experiences you might have had.
Mittie had the lifelong notion that she had to prove herself to meet her dad’s approval. At the same time, she regarded Iris, her twin, as the “pretty one” who met with both her parents’ approval. Do you struggle with being good enough or trying to meet the expectations of others? Do you think Mittie’s dad and sister would be surprised by how Mittie felt?
Mittie’s dream of flying was connected to Ames, who took her on her first flight. How much did the free-spirited Ames play into Mittie’s own need for adventure? Have you ever been so enamored with someone that you didn’t see their imperfections? How does the saying “Love is blind” apply to Mittie and Ames? Mittie and Bobby?
Ames gives Mittie a locket, which becomes a symbol for their relationship. Have you ever had a treasured item that later elicited neg
ative feelings? Did you keep the item or get rid of it?
When Bobby is the surprise dinner guest, Mittie assumes her parents are trying to fix her up with someone they find suitable. Had Mittie met Bobby on her own, how might their relationship have developed differently?
Mittie’s relationship with her mother is described as a “dance”—a give-and-take that keeps peace between them. Are there people in your life that you find difficult to get along with? Do you avoid them or try to work out your differences? Was Sarah’s fear of Mittie’s flying justified?
Mittie puts her dream on hold to care for Gypsy when she’s injured, which showed her personal integrity and work ethic. Name a time when you’ve had a life interruption. Was it a time of frustration or personal growth for you?
The horse-showing circuit is a fraternity of sorts. How did this background prepare Mittie for flying competitions and the “sisters” she found among her fellow aviatrixes? Which matters more: winning or running the race?
Charles Lindbergh was a world-renowned hero after his solo flight across the Atlantic. Who are your heroes? What makes someone heroic?
PRAISE FOR A Flying Affair
“Romance, danger, rebellion, exploration…and it’s all delivered with the intricate sensory details and historical research readers have come to expect from Stewart’s work.”
—Julie Cantrell, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Into the Free and When Mountains Move
“Rich and complex…In A FLYING AFFAIR, the world is just opening up to women aviators, and Stewart does a beautiful job of capturing the exhilaration and anxiety of the era.”
—Judy Christie, award-winning author of Wreath, A Girl
“Deftly written, with a keen eye toward history, Carla Stewart’s latest is sure to delight!”
—Lisa Wingate, national bestselling author of The Prayer Box and The Story Keeper
“From a 1920s horse farm to the exciting world of women aviators, Stewart combines adventure, romance, and faith in a truly compelling story.”
—Myra Johnson, author of When Clouds Roll By, historical fiction winner of the 2014 Christian Retailing Best Award
“Carla Stewart has written a novel to remember...With a plot that kept me turning pages from engaging beginning to exhilarating end, A FLYING AFFAIR positively soars!”
—Karen Halvorsen Schreck, author of Sing for Me and Broken Ground
“A FLYING AFFAIR is more than a great read—it’s an experience!”
—Ane Mulligan, author of Chapel Springs Revival
“Tons of adventure and a sprinkling of romance...It’s a journey you won’t want to miss.”
—Anne Mateer, author of Playing by Heart
“[A] breathtaking tale of love, ambition, and self-discovery.”
—Camille Eide, author of Like There’s No Tomorrow
PRAISE FOR The Hatmaker’s Heart
“Stewart has once again written a rich and delicate novel that readers will love. Nell is a beautiful person with a heart of gold. Her resilience and determination to succeed and help others is refreshing, while her struggles are relatable.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Fans of Carla Stewart’s work won’t be disappointed with this Jazz Age tale. With lush sensory details, Stewart brings us deep into this historical setting…readers will savor the sweet escape.”
—Julie Cantrell, New York Times best-selling author of When Mountains Move
“Carla Stewart captures this time period with amazing accuracy…When choosing ‘never-to-be-missed’ writers, put Carla Stewart at the top of your list.”
—Kim Vogel Sawyer, best-selling author of What Once Was Lost
“Fans of the Jazz Age will cheer Nell’s journey and treasure this richly rendered taste of the Roaring Twenties.”
—Lisa Wingate, national best-selling author of The Prayer Box
“The Hatmaker’s Heart contains love, betrayal, and family secrets—all the elements that delight fans of Downton Abbey.”
—Kellie Coates Gilbert, author of Mother of Pearl
PRAISE FOR Sweet Dreams
“Sweet Dreams is an inspiring novel and one that is heartfelt. Readers are sure to savor every page of this wonderful story.”
—Michael Morris, author of A Place Called Wiregrass
“Carla Stewart is masterful at creating characters you care about—and places that seem so real you feel like you’ve gone for a visit.”
—Judy Christie, author of the Green series and Wreath
PRAISE FOR Stardust
“[An] enjoyable, worthwhile read.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Stardust is told with heart and skill and obvious love for her characters. A gripping story line that is inspiring and unforgettable.”
—Julie L. Cannon, best-selling author of I’ll Be Home for Christmas and Twang
PRAISE FOR Broken Wings
“While the story is heartbreaking, there is much more to this book…Stewart skillfully entertains and engages the reader with each character’s private pain and survival skills.”
—RT Book Reviews
“With apt descriptions and artful prose, Stewart delves into the vibrant, jazzy 1940s, at the same time creating a true-to-life present.”
—Christina Berry, award-winning author of The Familiar Stranger
PRAISE FOR Chasing Lilacs
“Coming-of-age stories are a fiction staple, but well-done ones much rarer. This emotionally acute novel is one of the rare ones.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A warm, compelling tale.”
—BookPage
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Contents
Cover
Title Page
Welcome
Heartfelt Fiction from Carla Stewart
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Note to Readers
Reading Group Guide
Praise
Newsletters
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2015 by Carla Stewart
Cover design by Chris Gilbert Studio Gearbox
Cover copyright © 2015 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.
Carla St
ewart is represented by MacGregor Literary, Inc., Hillsboro, Oregon.
FaithWords
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