Compass by Jeanne McDonald Read Free Book Online Page B

with adoration and compassion.
    There was a tug at Alexis’ heart, seeing the love this woman had for her departed husband. It honored and saddened her to be privy to someone who knew such love. “How so?”
    “He was a sweet man, kind to the bone.” The woman’s eyes sparkled with a memory. “I see that same kindness in your eyes. Not only that, he was a spitfire, as are you.”
    “Me? A spitfire?” An amused smile tickled her lips.
    “You did put that man in his place back at security.”
    If Alexis hadn’t already been blushing, she would’ve been after that reminder. “Oh, Heavens. I’m so sorry about that. There are times my mouth gets the better of me.”
    “You have nothing to be sorry about. He deserved much worse.”
    “Amen to that. So, how long were you and your husband together?”
    “Fifty-two years.”
    “Wow!”
    Millie’s grin widened. “We were high school sweethearts. That’s how I could tell about you and your pilot fellow. There’s something in the eyes that shows a pure love like that.”
    Alexis chewed on her bottom lip, letting her guard slip. “I did love him. It just wasn’t meant to be.”
    Mildred patted her hand, her ghostly eyes filled with sympathy. The compass rattled against her palm when Millie’s hand touched hers. The old woman stared down at the faded red compass in bewilderment.
    “May I ask, what’s that you have in your hand?”
    She flipped the circle over to reveal the large green N on the white face of the toy. “It’s a compass. Ryan gave it to me before…” she drifted off. The irony of the situation struck her. She was moving then when she left him, only to find him again during another move.
    “A compass to lead you home,” Mildred whispered.
    Alexis was stunned by the woman’s words. Her mouth dropped and tears swelled behind her eyes. Suddenly the sound of Ryan’s voice echoed those words in her head.
    “Excuse me,” a sweet but firm voice interrupted them. “I apologize for the wait. How might I help you?”
    Alexis looked up to see the woman with raven black hair and deep blue eyes staring back at her, from behind a pair of cat-eye glasses.
    “Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry to be a pain, but I really need to speak with the first officer.”
    “The first officer is currently working to ensure the safety of this flight. Is there maybe something I can help you with?”
    Alexis’ chest deflated at the finalization in the attendant's expression. Still determined, she knew there was only one other way to reach Ryan, for him to know she was there, even if he couldn’t come to her.
    “May I ask your name?”
    The attendant nodded. “Yes, ma’am. It’s Makenna.”
    “Well, Makenna, I understand the first officer is very busy ensuring the safety of this flight, and I’m more than appreciative of that. All I ask is for you to do me one tiny little favor.”
    Makenna straightened her back, her head cocked to the side in curiosity. “And that might be?”
    “Take this to him and tell him an old friend is waiting for him here,” Alexis stated, handing the compass to Makenna. The flight attendant looked bewildered as she accepted the toy from the passenger. Her eyes darted from the compass and then back to Alexis.
    Makenna turned the plastic toy over in her hand. “This is very unorthodox and against regulations.” She stretched her hand out, ready to return the toy to Alexis, when Millie clasped Makenna’s hand, closing the toy in her palm.
    “It’s nothing more than a tiny toy─”
    “Yes, I─”
    “There’s no harm in taking the pilot a toy from a dear, old friend.”
    The hard shell of Makenna’s exterior melted, and Alexis felt like she could breathe again, if only for a moment. Millie might’ve just saved her reunion with Ryan. “I’ll see what I can do,” Makenna stated, tucking the compass in her skirt pocket.
    “Thank you so much. Please tell him, ‘forever and always.’”
    “Forever and always?” Makenna repeated, her