The Girl With the Broken Smile

Chapter One: Two On The Ground

She was sitting in the airport, frowning as she looked through her bag for something. Sighing, she placed the bag on the floor and bent over to more easily dig through it. A smile crossed her face, and she muttered to herself.

"There, I knew I brought it," she murmured, not even noticing that she spoke out loud. She pulled out an electronic book reader. She straightened back up, closing the bag and settling herself to read while she waited.

The plane had been delayed, for at least another hour. She was impatient to get traveling again, but her impatience wouldn't change the situation. The waiting area by the gate was crowded. She guessed it must be a full flight, or close to it, with all the people here. There was a group of families by the window, and several kids were playing with each other, laughing and carrying on. One child was whining, crying to his mom. She smiled to herself, trying to ignore the pang she felt. She wished she could help- it made her miss her own kids- but she was glad to not be traveling with them for once.

A tall, slender but muscular man came into the waiting area, looking around for a place to sit. She vaguely noticed him approaching from the periphery of her vision, and then realized she was sitting next to one of the few open chairs. She smiled up at him as he approached, shifting slightly to make him welcome to sit.

"Thanks," he said. His voice was pleasant.

"No problem," she said, quickly noting his hazel eyes, then returning to her reading.

After sitting next to her for a moment, he asked, "What are you reading?" then quickly added, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to interrupt if you are trying to read. Forgive me."

"No, not at all," she said, setting the book reader down on her lap, open to conversation. "It's just a novel. New one by James Rollins. Have you read any of his books?"

He shook his head, his eyes eloquent as they searched her face. She felt like he was saying more with his eyes than he had with his words.

"Very action packed, lots of twists and turns," she mentioned, not turning back to her reading. Striking resemblance to my life lately, she thought, but she didn't say it out loud. She couldn't seem to look away from his eyes. He spoke again.

"I don't have much time for reading, but I do enjoy it, when I get the chance."

"These are great for traveling," she mentioned, holding up the book reader. "You can carry as many books as you want, without taking up more space." She paused. "What do you do?" she asked. His eyes seemed to study her own as he answered. Almost like he was puzzled.

"I travel a lot for work," he answered, rather vaguely.

"What kind of work do you do?"

"I'm in the music industry," he answered, looking down as he set his bag down at his feet, then smiling at her. She smiled back, unable to resist.

He was a tall man, easily over six feet tall, slender but muscular, and very good looking. His hair was dark brown, his jawline well defined, and those eyes...she pulled her attention away from them, unconsciously placing her hand on her stomach. She had no business noticing any of that.

"Why are you here?" he asked, seeming sincerely interested.

"I'm on my way back home from a conference," she answered, then paused before deliberately adding, "I'm picking up my kids from my parents. They've been staying with them while I've been away."

"And where have you been away to? Or am I being nosy?" His smile set her at ease, which was saying something, these days. He didn't seem at all put off by her mention of her kids.