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Tears streaked her father’s face as he smiled at the two of them. “It would be my honor.”

Jack lowered her feet to the floor, keeping a firm arm around her waist, and turned to the crowd. “Hear that, folks? We’re getting married!”

A cheer went up from every person there. Ann hurried up to the flowers on the altar and pulled out a few to hand her as a bouquet. Her parents took off their wedding rings and handed them to Ernie for them to use until they got their own.

Ernie called Hank and Bill to the front of the church to stand as groomsmen, and Millie and the twins rushed to the front to be bridesmaids.

As the guests settled in for a very different ceremony, Constance whispered in Jack’s ear, “Please tell me we’re skipping the reception. I want you to take me straight home.”

“I was thinking exactly the same thing.”

Her father cleared his throat and held up his hand for quiet. “Dearly beloveds, we are gathered here today…”

Even after all that had happened, Constance’s heart soared. It was whole again and buoyant, despite all the sorrow that had scarred it. Together, they could face anything, and this was only the beginning. For the rest of her life this man would stand by her side and hold her and love her. With him, the world was full of possibility, and nothing could bring her down.

33

It was a beautiful day for flying, as Jack and Constance drove out to the airfield on Long Island where they were meeting Mr. Belmont.

It had been two weeks since their very unusual wedding, and they’d been filled with untold bliss. Even though they’d intended to leave quietly as soon as the ceremony was over, their friends and family had demanded to hear his tale, so he stood up on a chair and spun his yarn while everyone listened, completely forgetting their finger sandwiches and lemonade as he regaled them. Only once he’d answered every last question did Constance tug on his sleeve and nod her head toward the door.

He made his excuses on their behalf and walked home with her, to his home—now their home—picking her up and carrying her over the threshold as she deserved and then taking her straight upstairs, as tears streamed down her face. He took off her dress, though even in black, she looked so lovely. And her took off his traveling clothes. And then he’d held her—just held her—while she told him her quiet tale of loss and grief. It was the story no one wanted to hear, but he knew she needed to speak it.

He was so grateful to the women of the PBA who stood by her in her time of loss. He wished he could undo it all, that he could fix the pain that he caused her. But she said the most curious thing as she finished her story.

She told him, “In a strange way, I’m glad all of this happened. Not that I would ever want to go through it again. But it proved to me that I am strong enough to love a pilot. With a loving family and friends, I can face anything, even losing you. I hope you won’t stop flying for my sake. I want you to start your school and live your dream. I love you because you’re brave and you take risks. Let me take this one with you.”

He made tender love to her and held her close as they both slept soundly for the first time in a week. When they woke up, long after sunrise, they needed each other again, craving closeness after their long, terrible separation. It was nearly noon when they finally came downstairs to a bountiful breakfast, cooked by his mother, and Constance had been a quiet presence by his side, giving him joy, every moment since.

“I’m so glad you quit your job at the airmail to help me get my school off the ground. You’re a marvel of organization. Do you know that?” He kissed her hand and squeezed it as he steered along the country roads of Nassau County toward the airfield where he was meeting Mr. Belmont to sign the papers for the business loan and then complete the purchase of his first airplane.

“I don’t mind hearing you sing my praises any time you like, Mr. Thompson.” She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her.

“And I’m also glad that you are now the only Mrs. Thompson in the house. I love my family, but it’s a relief to have the place to ourselves again.” Having his family around was a pleasure and a joy for a few days. They were all so relieved to spend time in each other’s company, reassuring themselves that the specter of what they feared had passed for good.

But having his family around made certain things difficult, like sending her to the stratosphere while she was pinned against the icebox or making her come so hard that she couldn’t help but cry out like a wild woman. They’d gotten so desperate for privacy that he’d even snuck out to the old treehouse with her to make love as silently as they could manage, away from the folderol.

“I quite agree, Mr. Thompson.” She blushed so sweetly as she said it, and he knew she was thinking of everything they’d done in the week since his family left. Like the night before when she was kneading dough for a loaf of bread, and she was covered in flour up to her elbows.

He couldn’t help himself. She was too tempting. So, he nuzzled her neck as he asked if he could send her soaring, and he made slow and sweet love to her from behind until she was trembling and writhing against the kitchen table. By the end of it, they were both covered with flour, but neither of them cared. The bread dough ended up on the floor, so he got up early to bring back a loaf from Dahlgren’s Bakery first thing in the morning.

Bread could be replaced, but giving Constance joy and pleasure was priceless.

“Should we make bread again this evening, Mrs. Thompson? I rather enjoyed the process last night.”

She burst into giggles by his side. “You’re terrible. If we keep canoodling in the kitchen, I’m never going to be able to cook a decent meal again.”

“What about an indecent meal?” He couldn’t resist.

She smacked his arm playfully. “You’re terrible.”

“I am. Terribly in love.”

She sighed and snuggled closer as he turned off the highway at Mineola and made his way to the gravel lot outside the airfield. As soon as they parked, Hank and Rory waved as they drove up, and they all headed inside together.

“I’m so glad my father is investing in your flight school,” said Rory. “I’ve been spreading the word to everyone I know about it. You’ll have quite a few customers lined up for opening day. I hope you don’t mind that nearly all of them are ladies.”

“I’m happy to teach anyone who wants to fly. In fact, Constance has agreed to be my first student. I’m giving her the first lesson today.” It had even been her idea. She thought that if she got her pilot license it would be good advertising to other ladies who wanted to become pilots. Millie had been asking her for ages, but he was proud beyond words that she’d chosen to trust him.