“Maybe,” Darcy seized her friend’s hands, “but don’t you see? This attempt isn’t just for Jack and me, it’s for Pearlman. Hendrick can work on the motor. We can get Mrs. Baumgartner, at the upholstery shop, to sew the wing coverings. Lyle Hammond could shape the wood at his shop.”
One by one, Darcy ticked off how the townspeople could help. “All we need to do is organize them. It can be done, Beattie, and think how Jack will feel when he sees his plane back in one piece. We can do it.”
It took no time at all to convince Pearlman’s craftsmen to help out. Blake and Beattie canvassed the town, and by the end of the following day had lined up enough materials and workers to get the repairs underway.
The following morning, Darcy surveyed the plane with Blake and Hendrick’s assistance. They took measurements from the good wing and located unbroken pieces from the wrecked wing to use as forms for the new pieces. The carpenter, the upholsterer and the welder took the measurements and pieces back to their shops. Simmons began to fix the motor and Darcy worked with the rest of the crew to disassemble the broken wing.
Darcy returned home at dusk to find both Mum and Papa home. Mum seldom ate supper with them anymore, so something must be wrong.
“Who is with Amelia?” Darcy asked as she took off her coat.
“Her sister-in-law, Grace, stopped by.” Mum nudged Darcy toward the parlor. “We’d like to talk with you, dear.”
Now what? She hadn’t done anything wrong. “Doc Stevens said I could get out of bed today.”
“Out of bed, yes.”
“But?” Darcy sensed a lecture.
“Sit down, Darcy.” Papa set aside the newspaper and folded his spectacles. His grim expression sent her high spirits plummeting.
“Yes, Papa?” Darcy balanced on the edge of the sofa, her chest squeezing tighter every moment. Mum held her hand.
Papa frowned. “I understand you’ve instigated work on that aeroplane.”
The pressure tightened. “Yes.”
“Do you think that wise?”
The invisible corset squeezed tighter, but she wouldn’t back down. “Of course. The faster we repair it, the quicker we’ll be back in the air.”
His eyebrows rose. “We? Do you think you should be flying after your accident?”
“George said I’m fine.” That assertion did not bring the desired results. “Oh, you want me to help out at Amelia’s house. Of course. I’ll be there tomorrow morning. I’ll put in extra time if you need me.”
“I’m not talking about your time. I’m talking about your safety.”
She’d heard that argument on the night of Beattie’s wedding. She’d won him over then. She could do it again. Only this time, she had a crash to overcome. “I’m perfectly safe. That bad landing was a fluke.” She didn’t want to mention that she’d held onto the wheel while Jack tried to steer. “Jack said he’d never had an incident before. I’m sure it won’t happen again.”
Papa’s frown deepened. “You can’t predict that.”
“No one can predict the future, and no one can be totally safe. Why, any one of us could have died from the Spanish influenza. Flying is where I belong, Papa. As soon as I get enough flight time, I’m taking the license test.”
He tapped his fingers on the end table. “Do I understand correctly that you were in that plane of your own volition?”
She slipped her hand from Mum’s. “You said I could resume lessons.”
“After Amelia delivered.”
Darcy’s cheeks burned. “Why do I have to wait for Amelia? Why is it always what Amelia wants? Why can’t I have this one little thing? I still help out at her house. I’ve never neglected my chores. Taking lessons doesn’t affect a thing.”
“Until you were injured. That changes everything. No more flying. Do I make myself clear?”
In that instant, Darcy knew why Jack had left. “You told Jack to leave, didn’t you?” Angry tears nipped her eyelids. “You made him quit. How could you? That was his project, his dream.”
“Darcy, you’re being unfair,” Mum said gently.
“I’m unfair? I’m not the one trying to control other people’s lives.”
Papa’s face had turned dark red. “The man made his own decision.”
But she knew better. Papa had said something to him. Jack wouldn’t have left otherwise. Every muscle vibrated. “All I wanted was my own grand adventure. You had yours when you shot the grizzly. Why can’t I have mine? Is that too much?”
“Darcy, we love you and only want what’s best for you.”
“Then why take away my dream? Why deny Jack his?” She hiccupped, the tears close. “Even if you deny me, you can’t take away Jack’s dream.”
“Deny you?” Papa gripped the arms of the chair so tightly his knuckles turned white. “How can I deny you? You’re grown now, and it’s apparent you do precisely what you want, with no consideration for others.”
No consideration? He was the one who showed no consideration. All she wanted to do was fly. Well, he was right about one thing. She would do what she wanted. She would fly.
“You’re dismissed,” he said. “Go to your room, child, and ponder where your loyalties lie.”
She didn’t have to ponder. She knew. Papa was the one who didn’t understand. Trembling, she ran from the room.
Chapter Twelve