Her knees wobbled as she left the office. She was glad to sit down in the classroom, but the cold wooden chair couldn’t diminish her excitement. Finally, for the first time in ages, something truly exciting was happening in Pearlman. In addition, it meshed with her dreams. A pilot the caliber of Dan Wagner could teach her stunts. Even if he wasn’t flying air shows anymore, he could talk the sponsors into hiring her. Maybe he could not only teach her, but he could also become her manager. The possibilities were endless.
“Thank you, God.” She’d never received a better answer to prayer.
“For what?” Darcy asked as she took the seat across the table. “That Dan Wagner is here?”
Jen hadn’t intended anyone to hear that. “I’m thankful that I passed the examination.”
“Of course.” Darcy grinned. “But you do seem taken by Mr. Wagner.”
“No more than I would be for any other star aviator.” Jen stared at the chalkboard, which was still covered with notes from last fall’s classroom sessions. “This is my dream. Why wouldn’t I get excited to see the best pilot in the world?”
“The best in the world?” Darcy chuckled. “Some might debate that, but he’s certainly accomplished.”
“He can do everything. Don’t you see? It’s the perfect opportunity to learn from the best.” Jen frowned. “But Jack said he’s not an instructor. And Mr. Simmons said he’s only here to look at the new engine. Do you really think someone like Daring Dan Wagner would come all the way to Pearlman just for a motor?”
“I have no idea, but there isn’t a lot for a pilot to do this time of year other than the exhibitions in Florida and California.”
“And he said he’s done with air shows.”
“He did?” Darcy seemed as surprised as Jen had been. “Interesting. The crash must have gotten to him. I can see why. Jack was pretty shaken up by our crash. It took a lot of nerve to get in a plane again.”
“But he did. And so did you. Wagner doesn’t seem like the type to run away.”
“Wagner?”
“That’s what he told me to call him.”
Darcy shook her head. “Oh, Jen.”
“What do you mean by that?” Though she knew perfectly well that Darcy thought her hopeless when it came to men. Many a time Jen’s friend had counseled her to give a man a chance, but Jen had yet to meet someone who made her pulse race.
Darcy smiled coyly. “You must admit that he is a handsome man.”
Jen’s stomach fluttered despite her attempt to appear aloof. “I suppose some might think so.”
Darcy laughed. “Your reaction reminds me of when I met Jack. I remember noticing how handsome he was—and how arrogant. The man annoyed me to no end. Did you know that at first he refused to teach me to fly?”
“He did?” Jen had never heard that part of the story.
“Oh, yes. I thought he considered women incapable of flying an airplane, but then I learned he was afraid I’d get hurt.”
“But he did teach you.”
“With a little persuasion.” This time Darcy’s laugh tugged up the corners of her mouth. “I didn’t give him any choice. Remember that, if Mr. Wagner proves to be as frustrating as Jack was.”
“I don’t think he’s going to stay. The way he talked about seeing the test flight makes me think that’s the only reason he’s here.”
“Hmm. That’s not much time to get to know him,” Darcy mused, “Nor is a test flight the best place to show your finer qualities.”
“Why would I want to show him my finer qualities, whatever those are?”
“A woman should always show a man her best side, especially when that man could help her achieve her dream.”
Jen sucked in her breath. “You read my mind. He could teach me stunts and get me in air shows.”
“He could. Did he seem interested in teaching you?”
“I didn’t ask,” Jen admitted.
“Then we’ll need to arrange an opportunity to do so. The engine test won’t do. He won’t want to talk about anything but the motor.” Darcy’s dark eyes twinkled. “I’m thinking a dinner invitation might be in order. We can celebrate your success at the same time. Say six o’clock?”
“Tonight?”
“Why not? We can’t afford to wait a single day.”
Jen’s pulse accelerated. Dinner with just the Hunters and Dan Wagner. Darcy would make sure she had plenty of time to talk with Daring Dan. She would start by asking him to show her a stunt or two on one of the school’s planes and work up to the rest. “I’ll be there at six o’clock sharp.”
“Oh, Jen?” Darcy touched her arm in the same manner her older sisters did when they were about to suggest something they knew she wouldn’t like. “You might want to wear a dress.”
“What did you say?” Jen’s oldest sister, Beatrice, stood rooted to the slate floor of her foyer, her jaw dropped.
“I need to borrow one of your dresses.” Jen thought she’d stated that plainly the first time. “I need a dress, and you’re closest to my size.” It also didn’t hurt that Beatrice had a sizable wardrobe of fine gowns, courtesy of marrying into the most prominent local family. True, they’d hit hard times lately, but even an outdated gown from Beattie’s closet was better than anything in Jen’s.
“You need a dress? You? What on earth for?” Beatrice asked. “You only wear dresses to church and special occasions, like weddings and...um, dances and such.”
“I have a dinner engagement.”
“Dinner engagement?” Beattie echoed, still shocked. “Such as with a gentleman?”
“Such as at the Hunter’s house.”
“Darcy and Jack won’t care if you wear a dress or not.”
“They’re not the only ones who will be there.” Jen hesitated to reveal that Dan Wagner would be in attendance. Beattie would leap to the wrong conclusion, thinking Jen was sweet on him, which she wasn’t. She was only interested, in a general and businesslike sort of way.
“Ohhhh.” Naturally, Beatrice still assumed a man was involved.
“It’s not what you think. It’s just a dinner.”
“You need to borrow a dress for that? Surely your Sunday best would suffice.”
“It’s old and worn.” Jen gritted
