Compass by Jeanne McDonald Read Free Book Online Page A

his voice. What were the odds of Ryan being the pilot of her plane?
    She rubbed her hands over her face, fighting the uneasiness inside her. All she wanted to do was jump up from her seat and rush to the cockpit, but even she knew that would be a fool’s mission. Logic be damned, because she had to see him. She had to let him know she was there. Alexis waved at the flight attendant, who held up one finger, signaling for her to hold on.
    She growled at the woman’s inability to see how important this was for her. Her leg bounced with nervous energy. She waved at the flight attendant again, only to receive another vague demand for time. Impatient, she reached down into her bag and grabbed her wallet, removing the tiny, plastic compass she’d placed in it the night before.
    A fortunate circumstance, she mused.
    This small token was the one way she knew, without a doubt, Ryan would believe it was her.
    Alexis bounced anxiously in her seat waiting for the flight attendant to assist her. Her aggravation intensified by the second. Patience was never a virtue Alexis displayed and this woman was trying her to the nth degree.
     
    Her irritation bubbled over when the raven-haired woman glanced in her direction then disappeared. She unbuckled her seatbelt, ready to become a lawbreaker, when her attention was pulled by the sweet, elderly woman sitting next to her.
    “How do you know the pilot?”
    She turned her head to see the woman staring at her through clouded, blue eyes. Her face, wrinkled with age, wore a bright smile. There were age spots on her face and hands, but they didn’t deter from what Alexis could’ve only assumed was a knockout of a woman back in her day.
    “I beg your pardon?” she asked politely.
    “You came unglued the moment our pilot made his announcement, so I’m only able to assume you know him. Which makes me curious as to how.” Her voice shook as most old women’s do.
    “Oh.” A small chuckle rumbled Alexis in her chest. Feeling a little embarrassed, she squeezed the compass in her hand and let out a soft sigh. “We went to high school together.”
    “There’s no more special a bond as that of high school sweethearts,” the old woman cooed.
    Alexis shook her head. “Oh, no, ma’am. We were only good friends.”
    The old woman’s smile dropped. “But there was love there.”
    Heat rushed through her cheeks. Alexis shook her head.
    The woman’s smile returned exposing her bright white teeth. Alexis couldn’t determine if they were dentures or dental implants. But she was certain of one thing; her teeth were too perfect to be natural.
     “I highly doubt that. It’s written all over you. How long has it been?”
    Alexis lifted her eyes to the ceiling. A sense of nostalgia engulfed her. “Over fifteen years.”
    “He must’ve been something special.”
    “Even to this day, I’d say he’s the greatest man I’ve ever known. I hate that we lost touch, but things change. People grow up and distance tends to pull friendships apart.”
    “Sadly, that’s true.” The older woman stretched, and sat up straighter in her seat. Her back hunched slightly with age, and her cardigan skewed around her waist. “So what is it you do, my dear?”
    “I’m a doctor,” Alexis boasted. She couldn’t help but feel extremely proud of that accomplishment.
    “Lovely. What an achievement for one so young.”
    Her blush deepened when she realized she was bragging. “Thank you, ma’am.”
    “Please, stop calling me ma’am. You’re making me feel old,” she chuckled and extended a shaky hand. “My name is Mildred. Mildred McCallum. Most people call me Millie.”
    Alexis accepted her fragile hand and shook it. “Alexis York. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
    “The pleasure is all mine, I assure you. You know, Doctor, you remind me a lot of my late husband.” The old woman’s smile faltered as she released a small sigh. She glanced down at the faded gold wedding band on her finger, circling it