Magnolia Gods (River Sunday Romance Mysteries Book 2) (37 page)

Jeremy opened one of the sliding glass doors and bounded out on the terrace. He was all smiles. “A man from the Lake Success Chamber of Commerce talked to me out in the Club lobby,” he said, very excited. “He said that the tourist effect of the seaplane coming here is terrific. The Chamber of Commerce wants to build a museum. The idea would be to put some kind of tribute here at Lake Success along with the other monuments to the beginning of the United Nations. Like a museum to peacemakers rather than warriors.”

“It’s a good idea,” said Mike, “A museum of peace. Captain Lawson would have appreciated that.”

“What about the US Government?” asked Robin. “Will they allow the plane to remain here?”

Jeremy sat down at the table and said, “The Defense Department is examining that valve system and the controls. They want to make sure they document any breakthroughs and that, if there is any threat to the defense of the United States, that it is taken care of, that the parts are removed. Most likely though after that, some form of negotiation will be conducted to formally give the plane to the United Nations. I’ve even heard talk of developing this steam power for the airplanes your grandfather wanted, the Giant Boat, big seaplanes that carry cargo.”

“Maybe Magnolia Whispers can be flown some more,” said Jesse. “Maybe she can be used for goodwill tours for the United Nations.”

“Let’s hope that she continues flying in some way,” said Mike.

“Yeah, Lindbergh’s plane did those kinds of tours,” said Robin. “Maybe they’ll need a pilot like me.”

“You might have something to say about it, Mike,” said Jeremy. “The man said they’d be looking for a consultant to put this new museum together.” He looked at Mike with a grin. “I told them to ask you about the job.”

“Looks like you won’t have to go looking for foundation money for a while, Mike,” said Jesse. “You’re going to be a busy man.”

Mike looked out over the lake where the blue seaplane was riding. Through the trees he watched a stream of uniformed men climbing in and out of Magnolia Whispers. He wondered if the power of this seaplane and its technology would go to good as Captain Lawson had desired. The concern that had caused Lawson to steal the seaplane would always be in the minds of good persons. On the other hand, others, many of them also good, would continue to dream of a weapon that would cower all enemies of the United States.

He felt good. He wanted to help build this new museum so it could be different. The museum would be for machines that had accomplished peace or peaceful pursuits. The cargo planes and the spacecraft would be the heroes. His museum in Wilmington could remain for the machines of war.

Robin interrupted his thoughts, “Strange how it all comes down to fathers.”

“What do you mean?” asked Mike.

“Jessica and her father, me and my father, young Jim and Hobble, you and your father,” she said.

“Can’t live with them, and can’t live without them,” said Mike.

They stood side by side and looked out over the water at the Magnolia Whispers.

“She’s been through a tough flight,” Robin said.

Then she pointed, “Look, Mike, look at her name on the starboard bow.”

He looked and saw that a letter was gone from the name.

Jeremy had come up beside them. “Someone sneaked in there early this morning and peeled off the paint of the letter A.”

“How do you peel off paint?” asked Mike.

“The old paint was like rubber on the aluminum,” said Jeremy. “We can paint it back on,” he said, yawning. “Not a big deal in restoration. We’ll make it look just like the original.”

“Would you work with me if we build a new museum up here for these people?” asked Mike.

“As long as we have plenty of old metal to restore,” Jeremy grinned.

Robin turned to Mike and put her arm in his. “You can count on me too, if you want me.”

“I want you,” said Mike, his face close to hers.

She held back slightly, her eyes twinkling. “Tell me, Mike, if Captain Lawson was a hero, who was the greater hero, your father or Lawson?”

Mike thought for a moment, “My father was a hero of the past. Jesse’s grandfather was a hero of the future.”

“You’ve changed, Mike,” she said.

“I have?”

“You stood up to your father and won. He never would have gone after Lawson’s plane. You had the courage,” she said.

“He still wouldn’t respect me for it,” Mike said.

“Oh, I think he would, in spite of himself. He was a fair man,” she said. She paused and then added, “Let’s put it this way, Mike. If he was still alive, he’d never dare call you ‘boy’ again.”

He pressed his hand against her arm.

“What about teaching me to fly an airplane barefoot?” he said.

She smiled and said, “I know where we can rent an Aeronca cheap.”

Thank you so much for reading
Magnolia Gods
! Please take a moment to leave feedback on Amazon, Goodreads, and any other review sites that you use.

Be sure to check out the third book in my series –
Gold
–

http://www.amazon.com/Gold-River-Sunday-Romance-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B006C75BI6/

http://www.solarsippers.com/

Acknowledgements

In 1994 the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery, 2812 Fawkes Drive, Wilmington, Delaware, a non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting responsible aviation archeology and historic preservation, discovered and preserved a section of the remains of the wings and fuselage of a crashed World War Two Republic P47 fighter bomber in a swamp near Wilmington.

Flying information for Catalina amphibians was drawn from “Pilot’s Flight Operating Instructions for Navy Model PBY-5A Airplanes,”5 June 1944, AN AA–10-1.

Technical information for steam planes was drawn from an article “A Steam Power Plant for Aircraft, translated and annotated by Alberto Collina, Aviation Engineering, December 1932.

The author quoted sections of “Steam Power for Aircraft,” Discovery, July 1933, 220-221, and “Steam Engines for German Warplanes?” Dr. Leo Handel, Aviation Engineering, May 1941, 107.

Lyrics for “Little Brown Jug” are from Historical American Sheet Music, Rare Book, Manuscript and Special Collections Library, Duke University, Words and Music by Joseph Eastburn Winner, Philadephia, c. 1869.

“Chattanooga ChooChoo” words by Mack Gordon, “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree,” written by Lew Brown, Charles Tobias and Sam H. Stept, “Moonlight Serenade” by Kim Gannon and Lucky Roberts, and “Little Brown Jug,” (J.E. Winner) are all taken from the CD Glenn Miller, A Memorial, BMG Music, New York, NY, 1992.

Wings of the Navy, a History of the Naval Aircraft Factory, by William E. Trimble, Annapolis, Maryland, United States Naval Institute, 1990, provided valuable insights into the technical development of long range seaplanes for the Navy at the installation in Philadelphia.

Much know-how on flying seaplanes was gleaned from “Flying the Clipper,” by M.D.Klaas, Air Classics, August 1995, 19-33, 70-71.

Allen L. James of the PBY Catalina Foundation, PO Box 6224, Santa Rosa, CA 95406, kindly worked out for me the take off distance required for a PBY 5 to become airborne.

About the Author

Thomas Hollyday brings to life strong Chesapeake characters showcased in their stunning, unique Eastern seaboard landscapes. Reviewers praise his rich sense of place and his respect for the great machines that made our era possible. His stories resonate with a deep awareness of history and legend. The humor in life shines through as Tom draws on a comedic sense honed sharp from an accomplished cartooning background.

In his River Sunday Romance Mysteries series, Tom honors the battles for love of land that have recurred over and over in the Chesapeake Bay. Past victories and defeats created mists of legend and history which shroud the present landscapes. Throughout Tom's stories, he incorporates both the machines that have left lasting imprints and the wildlife that enriches the captivating natural landscape. His modern and timely novels feature memorable characters from the small town of River Sunday, Maryland, and reveal their compelling stories as they search for answers to achieving love, unveiling mystery, and vanquishing evil.

Tom grew up in the Chesapeake Bay, and his love for his native land shines through in every word.

Part of the proceeds from the sale of Thomas Hollyday fiction and non-fiction goes to support drinking water resources for wildlife.