She shouldn’t be surprised that people were speculating about her and Andrew, but her insides twirled just the same. There were still so many unanswered questions between them. She was afraid to trust her heart again. Either way, she didn’t need those rumors running rampant in Bailey’s Fork while she was away, so she shrugged nonchalantly and said, “Not a chance. Andrew is quite happy living abroad.”

“Lucky me, then. Think you’d like to grab dinner sometime?”

I didn’t see that coming. “You know, I don’t really have much time to date. But thank you. That was really sweet of you to ask. Made my day.”

His posture slumped a little.

Great. I hurt his feelings. Well, at least it might slow down the idle chitchat.

It had done more than that. He didn’t speak another word all the way to Raleigh. “Which airline?” he asked.

“American.”

He pulled in front of the American departure door and got her bag out of the car.

“Thanks for the ride. It was good seeing you again.”

“Yeah, have a good trip,” he said, although he didn’t really sound sincere.

She lugged her bags into the airport. All of the machines and counters were a bit overwhelming. She made her way over to the American Airlines counter and stopped at one of the electronic kiosks. A welcoming message displayed on the screen. Touch here to begin. Easy enough. She tapped on the screen and fumbled through the instructions.

Finally, one of the airline associates came over and rescued her. “Sometimes these things are finicky. I can help you with this.”

“Thank you so much. It’s my first time flying.”

“How exciting.”

“I’m a little nervous, and confused on what to do and where to go.”

“No worries. I’ll get you all checked in here.” Her bright red fingernails tapped in a clickety-clack against the keys of her computer. “Checking one bag to JFK?”

“In New York, right?”

The attendant smiled. “Yes. JFK is one of the New York City airports.”

“Then yes. Thanks.”

“Here’s your license and boarding pass. I put your claim ticket for your bag on the back of your boarding pass for you. You’re all set. Just follow the signs to security.”

She looked over her shoulder and then trekked toward the escalator. The security line was long, snaking through a maze of webbing. She got in line, shuffling along in the crowd, like cattle on auction day.

By the time she got through security, her flight was already boarding. She took her seat, thankful when the pilot announced it would only be an hour and fifty minutes to New York.