Page 4 of A Love Unexpected

I throw my head back with a groan. “Ugh, this already sounds impossible. But I have to at least try.”

Chapter 1

Odette

My flight lands in Wichita on a hot August evening, and everything looks wonderfully familiar. Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport is my first reality of being home. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and I’m almost positive that I already smell the wheat, cows, sunflowers, and all the Kansas things.

I know that’s impossible, but a girl can pretend.

I never thought I’d move back home at twenty-eight years old, but my dad’s recent stroke made it imperative. I couldn’t leave my mom to take care of him on her own. It’s my duty as their only child to be there for my parents like they were always there for me. And I missed them terribly while I was in D.C. Having a job I loved didn't replace the feeling of family and community I left behind in Kansas.

With a smile on my face, I walk down the long hallway leading toward the exit. As I get close to the end of the hallway, though, a familiar voice calls to me.

“ODETTE!”

I swivel at the sound and see Kate waving at me from outside the security exit. I run to her and wrap her in a ridiculous embrace, both of us giggling and spinning in circles in the middle of the airport. A few people nearby stare at us, the two crazy women acting like little girls, but I don’t care. I haven’t seen my best friend in over a year.

My eyes become watery the moment Kate wraps her arms around me. Her hug feels like home. There is simply nothing that compares to the bond of a childhood friend–a friend I grew up with, who knows everything about me.

“Oh, my gosh, it’s so good to see you!” I step back to get a better view of her.

Kate looks basically the same as she did when we were teens, though a prettier, adult version now. Her dark curly hair is much shorter than it was the last time I saw her. I didn’t realize she got a pixie cut, but it looks exceptional, especially as it accentuates the ornery twinkle in her enormous hazel eyes.

But then I notice her dress and I can barely disguise the laugh that escapes from my mouth. “Kate, you know I love you, but what on earth are you wearing?”

She just giggles. “I want to be the most unforgettable teacher my students ever have. When they tell their children and their grandchildren about high school, I want them to say, ‘Mrs. Augustine was the most vivacious, creative, and inspiring teacher I ever had!’ So, naturally, I’ve been dressing like Miss Frizzle from The Magic School Bus!” She twirls around in her 1950s-style dress festooned with a colorful insect print.

“Miss Frizzle taught small children. You’re a biology teacher at a private high school.”

“Oh, you’re no fun. Quit bugging me about my amazing dress.” She erupts into laughter.

I shake my head, but I suppress an amused smile. Kate has always cracked herself up and I love her for it, even though she can be so over the top sometimes.

“I know you’re jealous of my dress, but don’t worry. I’ll get one for you.” Kate takes my carry-on bag and slips it onto her shoulder. “Actually, I would’ve changed before I picked you up, but we’re going to be late to the reunion as it is.”

I groan. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into going to our high school reunion.”

“Oh, stop. It’ll be fun! Plus, we can see who’s aging well and who’s still single!” Kate waggles her eyebrows suggestively.

“I don’t know, and I don’t really care,” I say as we walk to the escalator. “If I didn’t want to date them in high school, I’m pretty sure I won’t want to date them now.”

“I wonder if Madden will be there. I saw him a few months ago and, let me tell you something, he is somehow even more gorgeous than he was ten years ago. And unlike most guys our age, he still has all of his hair.” If a heart-eye emoji could take human form, it would look like Kate’s face right now.

At the mention of Madden Windell, I feel a blush creep up my neck. I always thought he was extremely handsome, but he never paid any attention to me. I’m pretty sure, in fact, that he never knew I existed. We moved in very different social circles.

I feign a stumble at the bottom of the escalator, so hopefully Kate doesn’t see my blush. I scoff in pretend disgust. “You're a happily married woman. Why on earth are you ogling Madden Windell? He always seemed like an airhead to me. He was so busy playing football, I’m not sure how he had any time to study.”

“I wasn’t looking at him for me. I was looking at him for my lovely, very single best friend, who just so happens to be moving back to the same city Madden lives in.” Kate says, as we reach the baggage claim.

“I have barely stepped off the plane and you are already trying to marry me off! And to someone who would never even look twice at me.” I step forward and search for my suitcase amongst the sea of bags rotating through the carousel.

I hear Kate mutter something under her breath about how I need to have a little fun. Then she sighs loudly. “Okay, I’ll stop pestering you, I promise! I just adore you and want you to be happy, you know that, right?”

“Yes, of course I do,” I say over my shoulder, spotting my plain black suitcase coming toward me. I grab it off the conveyor belt and we walk toward the exit, Kate looping her arm through mine.

“You really shouldn’t pack so many books. Your carry-on must be well over the weight limit.” She shifts my bag on her shoulder as we walk to the parking garage.

Playfully, I wink and nudge her hip with my own. “I only packed the important ones, of course.”