Karen White-Owens - Someone To Love

“Shae, thanks for everything. You are an angel.”

“You’re more than welcome.”

He offered her a weak smile. “I’ve definitely made up my mind to hire an assistant. That person can handle all the long-distance travel.”

“It sounds like a plan,” she answered.

“The best I can come up with.” J.D. unbuckled his seat belt, stood and stepped into the aisle, making a path for Shae. She opened the overhead compartment and reached for her bag. “Here, let me help you.” He wrapped his hands around her waist and shifted her out of the way. Something intense flared between them when he touched her.

Stunned, he stood like a statue, gazing at his hand. Shae’s sweet voice snapped him back into the real world.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I…it…it,” he stammered. Inhaling a deep breath of calming air, J.D. forced out, “It’s the least I can do.” He felt lightheaded from the emotions swirling inside him. The hours they had spent together had made him realize that he wanted to get to know this woman better.

Shae smiled her thanks and shifted out of his way as he pulled the bag from the white shelf and handed it to her. “Thanks.”

J.D. pulled his black laptop bag from the shelf and secured it on his shoulder. He cupped her elbow. “Let’s get out of here.”

“I’m ready.” Shae accompanied him past the flight crew. J.D. studied her profile as they made their way down the ramp. She was a beautiful woman and he didn’t plan to let her walk away without getting her telephone number or address.

He steered her down the ramp and into the boarding area. They entered the airport side by side.

Inside the airport, J.D. halted, taking a minute to acclimate to his surroundings. Different city and airport, but the same routine. Commuters hurried up and down the walkway, pulling luggage after them, talking on cell phones while they searched for their boarding area. “Come on, let’s get our luggage.”

Several passengers from their flight rushed by J.D. and Shae as they strolled toward the baggage claim area. At the baggage carousel they stood together, silently waiting.

The Asian lady who had caused such a ruckus on the plane shuffled past J.D. and Shae, stopping a few feet beyond them. Seconds later a small group of Asians rushed up and greeted her.

“Mei-Mei,” an auburn haired woman called, wrapping her arms around the older woman. “You made it.”

Each person took a turn hugging Mei-Mei. The tall, male member of the group asked, “How was your flight?”

Mei-Mei’s lips pursed and her forehead wrinkled into a frown. “They wouldn’t let me alone.”

“Why not?” he quizzed.

A serene, knowing expression spread across her face. “I said the blessing prayer over and over for a healthy boy and that Miho wouldn’t have much pain. They wouldn’t let me continue after I got on the plane. They said I was upsetting the other passengers.”

One of the women patted the older woman’s hand and said, “Don’t worry about that. Those people do not understand our customs.”

“You are right.” Mei-Mei asked, “How is Miho?”

“Miho gave birth to a nine-pound boy. His name is Henry.”

Overhearing this, J.D. felt heat burn a path up his neck and into his cheeks. He really didn’t intend to eavesdrop on their conversation, but the group was so close that he couldn’t ignore them. He supposed he should step away, find a different spot to wait, but he was curious. So J.D. stood near the Asian family and acted as if he didn’t hear them. Curiosity forced him to continue to listen.

The young man offered his arm sympathically, “We received our blessing. Thank you, Mei-Mei, for all of your help.”

Hugging the tiny Asian woman, the midnight-black-haired woman asked, “How long can you stay?”

“Until Miho is ready to return to her work.”

“Wow! That long?” One of the young woman rubbed Mei-Mei’s arm. “Great!”

J.D. turned to Shae and found her staring back at him with her mouth hanging open. She grabbed him by the arm and quickly drew him away from the family. “Good grief! I can’t believe it. I thought she was in pain. Instead, she was praying for a healthy baby.” Shaking her head, she giggled. “Amazing!”

Glancing back at the woman and her family, he smiled. “That it is.”

Their conversation was interrupted by an orange light flashing and an intermittent beep, beep, beep coming from one end of the baggage carousel. Bags shot from the opening onto the rotating carousel. Within minutes, J.D. had retrieved their luggage.

“Is someone coming to pick you up?” J.D. asked.

“No. But don’t worry. I’m going to take a cab.”

“There’s no need for that. I’ll give you a lift.”

Shae’s gray eyes widened in alarm. Biting her bottom lip, she took a step away from him and pulled her purse snugly against her side. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m fine,” her voice shook as she spoke.

She’s apprehensive, he thought. A dart of anxiety shot straight into his heart. That was the last emotion he wanted her to feel for him. Shae doesn’t trust me. Why should she?

Running a hand over his face, J.D. softened his voice. “Look, I’m not some mad rapist or killer. Other than my problem with flying, I’m an average guy.” Maybe if I show her that I am a decent man it will alleviate her fears. All he wanted to do was spend some additional time with her.

Removing his wallet from his back pocket, J.D. flipped to his driver’s license. “See, that’s me. All I’m offering is a ride to whatever location you choose.”

Her eyes shifted between the picture, then his face. “Why?”

He raised his hands in an act of surrender. “Because you’ve been so compassionate. I want to return the favor. The least I can do is make sure that you get where you’re going. I mean, it’s my turn to do something nice for you.”

Her brow wrinkled as Shae evaluated the truth of his words. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, studying him.

J.D. held his breath, silently praying she’d accept his offer, which might possibly open the door to a future meeting, maybe even a date. After what seemed like hours, but was in fact no more than a few tense seconds, Shae spoke. With the air of someone who had just thrown caution to the wind, she replied, “Thanks. I appreciate the help.”

“No, thank you.” J.D. grinned broadly at her. Until Shae had said “yes” he hadn’t realized how worried he was that she might reject him. Sure, he found her beautiful, but there was so much more that he wanted to learn about her.

Now that they were going to be spending a bit more time together, J.D. was concerned Shae not believe he was a coward. “I want to thank you for helping me during the flight.” He let out a sigh of relief, then turned to her with an expression of embarrassment on his face. “I kind of acted like a big sissy earlier. I’m sorry. That’s not me in the normal scheme of things.”

Placing a warm hand on his arm, Shae offered him an encouraging smile. J.D.’s skin tingled on the spot where her hand rested. “Don’t be concerned, I understand. I’m glad I was able to help.”

His embarrassment vanished. He felt his mood lighten. This woman was amazing.

Shae watched J.D. stroll toward long-term parking while she waited at the curb with their bags. She shook her head and giggled. Who would believe that after less than twenty-four hours away from home she’d be so frivolous? What was happening to her? she wondered. Why would she agree to get into a car with a complete stranger? You know why, a voice whispered in her head. She agreed—because she felt something special going on between them. Feelings that she wanted to explore.