Aeronaut Gone Page 5

  “Whatever do you mean?” Ro asked innocently, widening her eyes and batting her lashes.

  “My granddaughters-in-law, save Jade, and my grandsons have made you regret your invitation.” Grandfather Longmont snorted at the surprised looks on their faces. It wasn’t that he was wrong, it was just that he was so unexpectedly blunt. “Spoilt the lot of them. Jade and Will—well, they’re good ones, and I’m glad they’re here.”

  “Why did the others come?” Hettie asked, deciding that if he was going to be blunt, she was too. “Surely you could have been safe enough with your son and Will?”

  “I would like to say I have no idea,” Grandfather Longmont said, “but I do. Will’s father passed away when he was a boy. Ronald has made his own fortune. When it became clear I wasn’t going to live much longer, Ronald suggested leaving the money directly to the boys. The death duties, you know. Why let the queen take a share more than once?”

  Hettie wasn’t sure she saw the connection.

  “I decided to just do as he suggested and leave the money to them as I would have. The twins, however, expected me to split the money three ways evenly.”

  “Are you not?” Ro asked.

  “He’s leaving half to Will,” Hettie guessed, “since he would have gotten half from his father. And then a quarter to each twin.”

  Grandfather Longmont nodded. “That’s how it was meant to be. I am not going to change it now. Not because my son has excused himself.”

  Ro nodded and then turned back to Hettie and said, “It’s always money.”

  “It really is,” Hettie agreed. She reached out and squeezed Grandfather Longmont’s hand.

  They watched as the three cousins whispered together and then the aeronaut, Captain Benedikt Herzfeld, approached and explained accommodations. This was not one of the great ocean liners with ballrooms, world class chefs, and libraries. The gents would be sleeping on deck or in hammocks in the small room that served as kitchen, storage, and dining.

  “This is roughing it,” Truman told them as they looked around.

  “Well, of course it is,” Ro laughed. He held out his arm, and she thoughtlessly put her hand on the crook of his elbow. Hettie grinned at the natural change between them. This might not be the portion of their trip for luxury, but it was one where the walls between Ro and Truman were being removed just as they were between herself and Neville.

  “Can you handle it?”

  “Luxury doesn't always mean comfort,” Ro said, revealing so much about her past with Leopold that Truman’s jaw clenched hard.

  “I find comfort comes most easily among those you love and trust,” Hettie said easily. “Which includes not even half of this group, but as long as we stick together, I think the others will fall into line.”

  “Or we’ll throw them overboard and steal all their rum and champagne.” Ro snorted and then glanced over the side of the airship once again. “I suppose I didn’t realize it might be rather alarming to approach the clouds.”

  “It isn’t the clouds I’m worried about,” Truman muttered.

  “It’s returning to the ground far too quickly.” Neville shuddered a little bit and then said, “I suppose if we crash slowly enough, we’ll survive until we hit the ground.”

  “Whereupon,” Ro said blithely, “we only need to worry about jungle cats, poison frogs, snakes, plants, strange unknown creatures of the jungle deep, and those alligators.”

  “Crocodiles,” Hettie corrected, knowing Ro was using the term alligators to prompt the correction.

  “Or,” Neville said, frowning deeply when one of the twins shoved the other, only stopping from following up on the shove with a sharp word from his father. “We might need to worry about our companions. It never ceases to amaze me that humans are the most dangerous predator even in jungles.”

  Chapter 7

  The takeoff, or the ascent as the captain referred to it, had been much smoother than Ro had anticipated. It was a still day and as they climbed into the sky, the ever-changing perspective of the jungle below was breathtaking. She’d grabbed Truman’s hand when the ship initially lifted from the ground and got caught up in the air current. She continued to hold on as they drifted above the treetops, sighting sloths and beautiful, bright colored birds that were squawking in what Ro imagined was a cheery send off. Now that they were higher up and could see the wide open panorama of jungle, rivers, waterfalls and mountains in the distance, she didn’t want to let go even though the ride was smooth. She’d maybe never experience a more romantic moment in her entire life, and she didn’t want it to end.

  Hettie had been right, curse her to the stars and back, in her estimation of Truman’s character generally as a human but specifically regarding him for Ro. She could feel the innermost parts of her heart thawing, making room for his affection. She wanted to push him away before it was too late, but that airship had sailed. Her intent to stay emotionally grounded seemed to have stayed below her in the jungle. For whatever it was worth, she was falling for Truman and there was nothing for it at this point but to just go with it.

  Neville and Hettie approached where Ro and Truman stood, their arms linked. Ro thought how serendipitous it was they’d lost their husbands at the same time and were also finding love again simultaneously.

  Ro saw Hettie notice her hands intertwined with Truman, and Hettie gave Ro a knowing glance. Ro resisted the urge to let go as though she were caught doing something scandalous and squeezed his hand even harder. She couldn’t be sure if she was doing it because she wanted to keep his giant hand around hers as though it would somehow save her if the airship plummeted to the earth or if she was trying to prove something to Hettie. She frowned. Probably a little of both if she were honest with herself.

  If Hettie noticed Ro’s frown she didn’t let on. “Captain Herzfeld said we are at cruising altitude. Isn’t this the grandest adventure we’ve had to date, Ro?”

  “It is! If I wasn’t here, I don’t think I’d believe it myself. Now that we are up here, it somehow seems the most natural thing in the world. Thank you for agreeing to come with me, Hettie. You truly are the greatest friend.” She avoided the bosom friends reference they’d become accustomed to. Canada and all the trouble there seemed millions of kilometers away and there was no reason to bring up a painful subject.

  “Do you know what I should like to do, Nevi?” Hettie looked up at Nevi through her lashes. It wasn’t some sort of enticement move, he was just so much taller than her, and she didn’t think about how enticing it made her seem.

  Ro noticed Hettie had used his nickname publicly which meant two things. First, their relationship was heating up. It also meant that Ro needed to have a talk with Hettie about their pact. A serious talk, not one filled with jest and sarcasm.

  Neville gave a partial bow and made a flourish with his hands. “Yes, darling? I’m ever your captive audience. If it’s in my power to give it, it’s yours.”

  This was promising on his part, Ro thought. She approved of those inclined to spoil. He did seem to be legitimately head over heels with Hettie for which Ro also approved. She’d been fooled before, but she really was quite impartial and looking at Neville with objectivity. And as much as she strained to find faults, he seemed about as perfect as a man could be—at least where Hettie was concerned. It was those bedamned kind eyes that Hettie droned on about.

  “How far up are we, do you suppose?” Hettie asked softly. “Am I morbid to wonder if we fell from here whether we would die instantly?”

  “No,” Neville said, grinning sheepishly. “I was just wondering that myself. I would imagine that our chances of survival, if we go overboard, would be very bad indeed as we’re about half a kilometer, I’d guess. Why?”

  “Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a little dance amongst the clouds?” Hettie suggested, glancing at Ro and winking.

  “There is no music.”

  Ro remembered something she’d seen in the bridge. “I think the Herzfeld aeronaut fellow brought a guit
ar. I’m sure there must be someone on board who can play it.”

  “Probably him,” Hettie said sarcastically.

  “Certainly the aeronaut himself would, but I should think we’d be best letting him pilot the ship and finding another source of entertainment as I don’t want to die in the manner you just elucidated.”

  “I could play a song or two for you, Hettie,” Truman said, shocking Ro.

  She had no idea he could play the guitar. They really did have quite a lot to learn about each other. He let go of her hand to retrieve the guitar and Ro moved away from the short wall that separated her from a fall to her death. In the absence of him, she suddenly felt less safe and when he returned and took a seat on a rough bench with the guitar, she leaned into his warm body, breathing in the scent of him. She could imagine smelling him forever.

  He played a soft, yet bright tune and Hettie and Neville danced around the tiny space on the airship. The smile on Hettie’s face spread from ear to ear and Ro thought her heart might burst at the sight of her friend having such an adventure.

  Falling in love with a kind man was something that seemed to engender happiness for everyone who loved those involved. Seeing it blossom into something special was a joy in and of itself.

  From the side of the ship, the twins and their wives watched with judgement and Ro had the briefest inclination to push them all overboard. What spoiled brats they all were. Hettie really had made quite the mistake when she’d invited them along. Even Daisy, who’d seemed adventurous when they’d spoken of sloths now frowned at Hettie and Neville.

  It truly was unfortunate that they’d brought them along, but then Ro caught a glimpse of Grandfather Longmont tapping his feet in time with the music. The smile that he wore at the sight of the couple dancing gave her an idea. She whispered to Truman that she’d be back and then she walked over to Longmont senior.

  “Mr. Longmont, I was thinking that I’d love to dance as well but seeing as Truman is providing the music, perhaps you’d be willing to cut a rug with me?”

  His eyes lit up and he stood right away. She’d hoped he was capable; after all, he did seem to do a fair amount of walking on his own. She figured that even if they only got a few steps in, he’d never forget their brief adventure in the sky.

  “Madame, I’d be delighted.”

  His hands were light as feathers around her, but he still took the lead and whisked them around the tiny area. The sparkle in his eye was something that Ro vowed to never forget. Even with all the near death experiences and the whiny cousins, this moment made the entire journey worth it. Giving Grandfather Longmont this experience to send him into the next life was so satisfying to Ro’s soul that it almost wiped the memory of Leonard from her mind. Though the memory of her life with him was still there, now all she felt was a great relief for the life she was living now. The life she planned to build with Truman and Hettie and whoever she brought along—most likely Nevi—was everything she could have dreamed of before Leonard had ruined so many of her dreams. Ro had never been able to completely engineer her existence.

  The old man grew tired eventually, but Ro thought they’d probably danced to five or six songs before he wore out. Truth be told, she’d worn out a couple songs before he had, but she hadn’t had the heart to cut the moment short.

  Now back to his seat, Grandfather Longmont squeezed Ro’s hand. “Miss Lavender, if my life ended today, I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect send off into the Great Unknown.”

  “I feel the same, sir. Quite the same. Thank you for honoring me with that experience.”

  She snuggled back against Truman, breathless not from age but from the excitement of dancing amongst the clouds.

  “You looked lovely out there, dancing with him.” Truman put the guitar down and placed his arm around her.

  Ro blushed in spite of herself and hoped that he’d write it off to the flush from having danced. “Thank you. I felt as though you were with me, since you were playing.” She gave him a spontaneous kiss on the cheek, throwing all social etiquette over the side of the airship. The excitement from her dance with Mr. Longmont still bubbled in her.

  He pulled her to her feet, surprising her with his forward move, and began to lead her in the softest, sweetest, slowest dance. “We don’t need music. We’ll dance to the rhythm of our heartbeats.”

  She wanted to say something, but only silly or awkward things came to mind. Instead, she leaned on his shoulder, squeezed him tighter, and danced with him until she heard a commotion that pulled her out of her fairytale moment.

  Daisy and Betsy were involved in some sort of dispute and Ro only witnessed the tail end of it, watching them each storm off in different directions. The twins watched their wives retreat, looked at each other, glared, then followed their wives away from the common area. It was a small ship and Ro wondered if one of the women might just throw the other overboard. If they didn’t, Ro might take care of it herself for disrupting her romantic moment with Truman.

  Hettie and Ro made eye contact and smiled broadly.

  Even the tantrums of the twins’ wives couldn’t dampen her spirits for long. She and Hettie were having a magical time aboard the airship. It was maybe the best investment she’d made to date. She’d have to send Mr. Herzfeld a special gift from Costa Rica as a thank you. She’d never forget the magic she’d felt aboard the airship for as long as she lived.

  Chapter 8

  “I think we need to discuss it.” Hettie sat down on the hard lower bunk and turned to face her best friend. Not that Ro was just a friend—not anymore. They were family now. The airship made a brief landing in a large clearing about an hour after their impromptu dance ended. Everyone had a chance to stretch their legs, but Captain Herzfeld advised them all to stay close. It would only be a short break, and the jungle wasn’t a place to wander unprepared. Ro had enjoyed her brief stretch but the tension between the twins and their wives only seemed to increase on the ground so she and Hettie returned to their tiny cabin aboard the airship.

  “Discuss what?” Ro asked, but she knew.

  “The pinky promise.” Hettie wasn’t going to let this go. They were, both of them, falling in love and a huge barrier to that was their promise to each other.

  “I’m afraid,” Ro said flatly, “I’m not ready.”

  “You don’t have to rush in,” Hettie countered. “Neither of us do, but I can tell you right now—”

  Ro put her hands over her ears. “No.”

  Hettie lifted a brow and then turned, digging through her bags, and pulled out a flask, handing it over. Ro scowled, almost snatching the rum out of Hettie’s hand.

  “I’ve been watching you with Truman. The way you looked at him while he was playing and the way you held on to him when we were climbing to altitude. He isn’t Leonard.”

  Ro’s answer was a swig followed by a playfully haughty “Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see, Hettie.” She followed her statement with another gulp. “Do you remember what we said?”

  Ro nodded, but Hettie recapped it for herself. She wanted to be honest with herself and with Ro as they faced their changing hearts. “We weren’t going to make the same mistake again.”

  “We aren’t lambs anymore. There was something about lambs,” Ro said. She tapped the knife strapped to her thigh and then said, “I’m not a lamb. You aren’t either, even if you are softer than me.”

  “It wasn’t as hard for me. Harvey wasn’t Leonard.”

  Ro shuddered.

  “I don’t think we’re blinded this time. Before we were blinded by love and those stupid poems that Harvey wrote. You were blinded by all the pressure from your family.”

  “We’ve learned,” Ro said, biting down hard on her bottom lip.

  “But it was too hard,” Hettie said. “It was too bad. What happened before…with our husbands.” Hettie was the one who shuddered this time and she stole back the flask from Ro. “We couldn’t trust ourselves to look after ourselves, bu
t can we now?”

  “Maybe,” Ro said, sounding doubtful.

  “Ro,” Hettie pled softly, “you’re supposed to be my voice of warning.”

  “You know,” Ro said, setting aside the flask and taking Hettie’s hands. “You can trust me. I said I’d be completely and viciously judgmental. It’s just—”

  Hettie lifted her brows in question when Ro didn’t continue.

  “It’s just—” Ro shook her head and then admitted, “It’s just I really like Neville and those kind eyes that you adore really are kind. He’s careful and he’d never hurt you like Harvey did. I just don’t want to say it because I’m afraid what we are will fall apart.”

  Hettie nodded, biting her bottom lip to hold back her emotions, but her eyes were burning. He was those things, wasn’t he? “He is an honorable man.”

  “They don’t need our money,” Ro muttered. “The only question mark is family, but I’m not sure that’s fair given my family and yours. They leave something to be desired, don’t they?”

  “Damn it,” Hettie said. She’d have paced if their little ‘cabin’ was more than a closet with tiny bunks. Now that they’d had the conversation and the result was what Hettie knew they’d find, she felt more panicked rather than less. It was almost as though in saying Neville was as trustworthy as Hettie thought he was also said that she’d made a decision.

  She hadn’t though, had she? She’d just taken the fetters off her heart to allow herself to think and wonder further.

  Hettie took the wet washcloth she’d brought down with her and wrapped it around her neck. “I hate this wet blanket they call air here. I’d give a lot to swim in a cool spring or something. I wonder if Grandfather Longmont will successfully guide Benedikt to the one he knew in his youth.”

  They paused as they heard another screech from the cabin opposite. The three sisters-in-law were crammed into that one and one of them would be making a bed on the floor, not that the bunks were any better. Hettie was going to spend days in a Turkish bath and get massage after massage after this trip.