Flying Violets

Chapter 4

All Rights Reserved ® CarrieLahaye ™ 2014

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 “I heard that ‘Jack.’ I snapped.  "And your manners are severely lacking.”

Was that a chuckle I heard as I hurried down the hallway into the only room at the end of the hall with an open door.  Surely not. 

 I entered a very masculine room with a bed that was neatly made, a dresser lacking pictures, and the window had a view over the pretty pastures.  Blue curtains adorned the windows.  They were neat and newly starched.  Jack’s wife probably lived a dismal life on this farm I assumed.  I quickly changed into the soft shirt and buttoned it up all the way against the chill.  He had also provided me with thick wool socks.  I pulled the blanket around my shoulders, absorbing the warmth that it provided. 

 With my wet clothes in my arms, I headed back down the hallway to the kitchen.   I was not looking forward to seeing  Jack, and was anxious to be on my way.  When I entered the kitchen there was soup on the stove, but Jack was nowhere to be seen.  I sank down on a kitchen chair and suddenly felt very weary.  My head sank down into my hands as I thought longingly of Atlanta.  This was my second week flying and I did not want to be behind schedule.  I was also very worried about Jenny.  What if she were damaged?  What if I couldn’t leave this afternoon?  What if somebody had an important letter that they needed to receive instantly?   I was almost ready to weep.

“What’s wrong Miss Callahan?”  I heard a drawling voice behind me. 

“I guess you wouldn’t know.”  I said snidely.  “You are obviously a farmer who has no clue of what's really going on in the world?  You are chauvinistic and your head is stuck in the field that I landed on.” 

 “Miss Callahan are you always spoiling for a fight. Or is it just with me?”  Jack asked finding humor in this situation which only added fuel to my fire. 

“Just with you Jack” I retorted turning away.  By now tears were beginning to fall, as I began to realize that I was probably stuck here through the afternoon and evening.  And I was sure that this crumbly old farm didn’t even have a telephone. 

“Violet, your plane is going to be alright.”  Jack said trying to sound reassuring.  “Come I’ve made us some soup, and we can sit by the fire.” 

“I didn’t say you could call me Violet.” I growled. 

 “Violet” he reiterated. “Has any other man ever seen you dressed as such?” 

“No” I whispered.

 “Then I think we can officially be on a first name basis.” Jack said being practical.

 I shot him a dirty look and huffed “What will Mrs. Moran say about this?”

 “There is no Mrs. Moran.” Jack said quietly.

“Oh!”  I blurted. “Then who starches your curtains.” I said indelicatley. 

“This was my sister’s home Violet, and they were her curtains.” 

 It finally dawned on me that his sister was either dead or was not living here anymore.

 “Enough of your questions Violet. Now eat.”  Jack placed my soup in front  of me along with a cup of coffee.

 “Thank you.”  I muttered 

“You are welcome.”

Sitting across from each other at the small kitchen table, we ate our soup in silence.  I was anxious  my plane and my job.  And Jack was certainly making me edgy.  He seemed so moody, and he was so infuriating.   I had never met a man that could get a rise out of me so, but then again, I didn’t have much experience with men period.  

The soup was delicious; I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I had eaten the entire bowl.  And the coffee was fragrant and delicious and seeped out the chill that had become absorbed in my body.  I looked up and found Jack watching me as I drank my coffee. 

  “Violet, I’m afraid that you are going to be stuck here tonight.”  Jack said “This weather is not going anywhere.”

 “I feared that” I said.  “Do you have a telephone?”

 “The closest telephone is at the next farm over and it is too stormy to call anyone.”  Jack said looking at me with a furrow between his brows.  “Do you have family who may be worried?”

 “No family.  I’m just worried about getting the mail in.”

 “Damn the mail.” Jack said looking mad.  “Your life is more important than that mail.”

 “I have got to get the mail in.  People are paying extra for air mail.” I said feel agitated.

 “How in the world did you get yourself into this?”  Jack asked while shaking his head.

 “My job and airplane are everything to me.  And I’m good at what I do.”  I challenged.

 “Violet, stop being so defensive.  I’m only asking what made you want to fly”

 Many people had asked me that question before, but with Jack it seemed like he was truly interested.  I had my generic answer ready.  But with Jack, I wanted him to understand what flying truly meant to me.

 “Flying is a freedom that I have never known before.”  I said simply.  “I sold my family home for that airplane.”

I met his gaze, "It's the greastest gift I've ever been given."

 Jack was watching me intently and I was stunned when he said,  “I’ve never met a woman like you before Violet.”  

 With that he got up and placed both of our plates into the sink.  “Come.” he said grabbing my hand and pulling me up.  “Let’s sit by the fire.”

Jack grabbed my hand and pulled me into the parlor towards a chair near the the fire.  I gratefully slouched into it, and held my hands to the warmth of the flames. I noticed that Jack too had changed clothing and was wearing dark trousers and a warm flannel shirt.  From the corner of my eye, I inspected every inch of his muscular build and it dawned upon me that he really didn’t look like a farmer.  There was something refined about him, but  dangerous as well.  Despite these qualities he made me feel safe.  Such contradictions played out in my mind.