“She your girlfriend?” The first reporter nodded to Darcy with a snicker.
Jack’s gut twisted. He did not want Darcy’s picture spread across the newspapers. He could imagine what the articles would say. They’d point out the impropriety, comment on her wearing overalls instead of a skirt, and insinuate she was somehow less than moral. Darcy Shea was the most moral and honest woman Jack had ever met.
“Miss Shea has been instrumental in getting this flight underway.” He stepped in front of her to prevent additional photographs. “Without her assistance, I wouldn’t be making this attempt.”
“Will she be flying with you?”
“Of course,” said Darcy, popping out from behind him.
“No,” Jack said at nearly the same time. He stepped back in front of her. “Dwight Pohlman will fly as navigator. Miss Shea’s not certified. The Daily Mail requires all entrants to have an IAF certificate.” He heard her gasp. He had not wanted her to learn about Pohlman this way. “Miss Shea has supported this effort through her groundwork. It’s impossible to list all her contributions.”
“She’s an investor then,” the reporter prodded.
Darcy practically quivered with rage, yet she kept her voice steady. “I’m a partner and journalist, whose stories are on exclusive to The Pearlman Prognosticator.”
Jack had never been prouder of her. She could stand up to anyone.
“You can’t have an exclusive on news,” sneered the reporter.
“If the lady says she has an exclusive, she has an exclusive,” Jack said fiercely. “If you take issue, I suggest you contact the paper’s editor, Mr. Devlin.”
Her anger dissolved into the most dazzling smile, and Jack nearly forgot what he was doing.
“Mr. Hunter, how long do you expect the attempt to take?” From the look on the reporter’s face, he’d asked the question more than once.
Jack answered their questions, but as the interview progressed, Darcy drifted off, the hurt back in her eyes. She acted as though he’d betrayed her, but he’d never agreed to let her fly. Yes, he should have told her Pohlman was going to be navigator, but he’d been afraid of losing her.
“I had to hire someone with experience,” he said to Darcy after the reporters left.
She stood silent, lip quivering, and that shook him even more. What had he done?
He struggled to right the situation. “Pohlman is certified.”
“I could get my certification.” She angrily wiped away a tear. “If you’d just give me more flight time.”
Jack inwardly groaned. He didn’t want her to cry. He hated tears.
“I’m sorry, but Dwight Pohlman is better qualified.”
She started to protest, but he cut her off.
“He has ten years’ experience. He’s taught as many students as I have, and he’s an expert in navigation.”
She choked back a retort, but he could tell she wasn’t pleased. At least she wasn’t crying.
“I’m sorry, but I have to go with experience. You do want me to return alive, right?”
She stood dead still for a full minute before barely nodding.
“I’m glad you care if I live or not.”
His joke fell flat. She wouldn’t look him in the eyes. She wouldn’t even turn her head toward him. Her hurt was palpable, and Jack couldn’t stand it. He had to lift her spirits somehow.
The test flights. Dare he? Those flights were still risky. Many a test pilot had died in a faulty machine. Still, no one knew this plane better than he. No one was more cautious or careful. He could practically ensure her safety by eliminating weather and mechanical variables. It would put him behind, but it could be done.
He took a deep breath and plunged in. “I need your help with the test flights.”
She whipped around. “You do?”
“Pohlman can’t make it here until April. Before then, we need to run the load and fuel tests. If the weather stays fair, we also need to get in a distance test. This is important, Darcy. Without these tests, the flight will not succeed. Believe me, you’re one hundred percent a part of this.”
With a quick little sob, she flung her arms around him, sending his heart into a tailspin.
“Thank you,” she whispered against his shoulder. It was better than nothing. It kept her in the cockpit, and anything could happen before April. She didn’t wish Mr. Pohlman ill, but a travel delay would be fine. She might make that flight yet.
He smoothed a stray strand of her hair, sending a jolt through her. She’d never understand that man. Hot and cold.
“Plane’s ready, Mr. Hunter,” said Simmons.
Hendrick. He’d been there the whole time.
Darcy jerked away and straightened her coat.
Jack grinned, like he’d made some conquest. “Ready?”
“Now?”
“You do want to help with the test flights, right?”