Because of the success of her air show and now the invitation to meet Jackie Cochran, Barbara felt starved. Not only for food, but gentlemanly attention, if not affection. To satisfy both hungers, she telephoned Ken Knowland right after talking to Jackie Cochran and simply said, "It's Barbara. Can I cash in that raincheck for dinner?"
Two hours later, he flew her to San Diego in his sleek Northrop Gamma. Enroute, she told him about Jackie Cochran's call and asked him to tell George so he could tell Leila.
Barbara wore a billowy silk low-cut floral dress she had splurged on buying at a shop on Michigan avenue back in Chicago. It had been a gift to herself when in a low morale spot the year before. It was to be worn on special occasions between formal and too casual.
She felt like a princess being whisked off from her castle to be wined and dined by a visiting prince from another kingdom. Ken looked more businessman than prince, in blue serge suit, but nonetheless handsome.
Over the most delicious lobster dinner she ever tasted, Barbara also thought he was not only very attentive but generous. He showered praise for her accomplishments, both in getting America West back in operation and for the air show that had gotten national attention.
He's almost too generous, she thought, for someone competing for the same ticket-buyers and mail delivery business. But she wouldn't spoil her enjoyment of the evening by thinking any ill of him.
Over dessert, a magnificent ice cream concoction, the prince turned into the businessman as Ken had some suggestions for her.
"I don't mean to pry, but I hope you've taken out a good insurance policy for the airport and planes."
She admitted she had not, yet, but thanked him for reminding her to do so.
"I can recommend a good insurance agent, if you want."
She said she'd call him about it, soon as she had a chance.
"And then as you start to make good money, you need to invest it wisely. I'd like to be of help in that, too, with an investment broker who has done me a lot of good."
She promised she would get back to him about that, too. But silently, she intended to watch her step. He was coming on to her more with financial suggestions than he was romantically.
Please be sincere, Ken, she thought as he poured more Cabernet Sauvignon into her tall-stemmed wine glass. Please be helpful because you care about me, not for any other reason. Besides eating to relieve tension or anxiety, Barbara also at times ate out of sheer pleasure and to treat herself for having done or endured something. She felt like that at dinner with Ken Knowland in San Diego, so after the ice cream she leaned forward at their table and asked him, "Do you think they'd have a chocolate éclair?"