The Darling Dahlias and the Texas Star

“Plenty of money. That’s a laugh!” Miss Dare’s face darkened. “You want to know the real story, Charlie? The money’s all gone, every cent of it. The Dare Devils Flying Circus is flat broke. Rex and me, we’re in hock up to our eyeballs to family, friends, sweethearts—anybody we can squeeze for a little cash to keep the planes in the air. We live hand to mouth. Every dollar we earn goes into fuel and repairs. The new propeller? The money came from Angel—no idea where in the hell she got it. Most nights, we’re so broke we can’t even afford a room in a fleabag hotel. We sleep with the airplanes. You better believe I’m looking forward to sleeping in a bed tonight—haven’t slept in one for a couple of weeks. And maybe, if I’m lucky, I’ll get a bath in a real bathtub, and I can actually wash my hair.” She laughed harshly. “The idea that somebody would try to squeeze a ransom out of us—it’s just crazy, that’s all. You’re a lunatic.”


Lizzy was listening with amazement. The famous Lily Dare was broke? The woman who flew stunts for the movies? The fastest woman in the world? But maybe that’s where Roger Kilgore’s nine hundred dollars had gone—to keep the Flying Circus in the air.

“Well, if you’re broke, you manage to hide it pretty well,” Charlie said wryly. “Nobody would guess. And crazy or not, here’s what’s happening. I’m taking you to the movie tonight. I’ve also arranged for a couple of ladies—Liz Lacy and Verna Tidwell—to keep an eye on you. They’ll be staying at the Kilgores’ while you’re here. But don’t worry, they won’t get in your way. You won’t even know they’re there.”

“Keep an eye on me?” Miss Dare gave an unpleasant laugh. “That’s sweet, but really, Charlie. I may be down and out, but I can take care of myself. I always have, you know.”

“And I’ll be out at the airfield overnight, with the planes,” Charlie went on, as if she hadn’t spoken. “If that dirty trickster follows you to Darling, he’s not going to get a chance at a repeat performance.”

Lizzy remembered that Rex Hart planned to stay at the airfield, too, and understood that Charlie would be watching him, as well as the planes.

Miss Dare shook her head. “I really don’t think this is necessary, Charlie. I—”

But Charlie was firm. “You can risk your life in the air all you want, Lily. That’s your business. But regardless of what happened between us—or maybe because of it—when you’re on the ground here in Darling, I’m making you my responsibility. You and your airplane. And that’s all there is to it.” He grinned. “If you want to, you can chalk it up to my being crazy.”

Miss Dare gave in, grudgingly. “Well, if you put it that way, I suppose I’ll have to accept. You’re sweet, Charlie. Regardless of the past, you’ll always have a special spot in my heart.”

She leaned forward and kissed him lightly, and then again, her arms around his neck, her lips against his. Charlie pulled back, which seemed to surprise her.

“What’s the matter, Charlie?” she teased. “You’ve found yourself another girl? One of your local pretties, I suppose. Is she letting you off your leash for the weekend?”

With a sinking feeling, Lizzy thought again of Fannie Champaign. How was she going to feel when she saw Charlie squiring Miss Dare around town?

Charlie chuckled without amusement. “Now, now, Lily, don’t be catty. It’s not becoming.” He glanced up at the clock, then out the window. “Hey, it’s time we got you something to eat. Anything special you have in mind? We don’t have a lot of options, though,” he added. “Darling is pretty small.”

Miss Dare had a ready answer. “Well, to tell the truth, it’s been a while since I’ve had a decent meal. Do you suppose I could get a pulled pork sandwich? I used to know a hotel chef who made that, with some sort of white sauce, and it was delicious.”

Charlie put the whiskey bottle and empty glasses back in the drawer, and stood up. “I like pulled pork, too, but we’d have to drive over to Buzz’s Barbeque in Monroeville to get it. It’s not on the menu at the diner, and anyway, their regular cook quit. Dunno who’s cooking there today—probably won’t be much good.” He glanced toward the window. “Looks like the rain has let up. We could walk across the square to the Old Alabama Hotel. I’m sure we can get something decent there.”

Lizzy stood, too, glad to take a lunch break. Breakfast seemed like a long time ago and she was hungry. “The diner has a new cook,” she offered, stepping forward. “I’m told she’s very good. Even better than Euphoria.”

Charlie and Miss Dare both looked startled, and Lizzy knew that they had indeed forgotten that she was there.

“Better than Euphoria?” Charlie repeated with a skeptical lift of his eyebrow. “I’ll have to see that for myself.”

“I’ll eat anything,” Miss Dare said hungrily. “Just so I get some food.”

And a change of subject, Lizzy thought. It was obvious that the Texas Star didn’t want to talk about the people who might have a serious grudge against her—might even be angry enough to try to kill her. And from what she had heard, the list could be a long one.