Page 15 of Pin-up Girl

“Textiles.”

She let out a clipped huff. “I could introduce you to my granddaughter.”

I heard that, or similar things, a lot. My daughter-slash-son is single, and the two of you would hit it off.” I resisted the urge to say does she like rich, quiet men? Because that was something I heard a lot too. “Tell me about her.” I prepped myself to pick out the highlights of whatever praise came next.

“No. That’s not a conversation for strangers.” Her tone held a hint of finality.

Sounded like a good reason not to ask for more information. I turned my attention to my tablet again, keeping half an ear on the boarding instructions from the flight attendant. A short while later, we taxied to a runway, and then we were in the air.

The conversation seemed to be long over, until my row mate turned to me again. “I’m Donna,” she said. “It’s nice to meet you, young man.”

“I’m Brodie.” I shook her hand. “Is Salt Lake your final stop, or just a layover?”

“It’s close enough. I’m visiting one of the towns an hour or so away. Another granddaughter is getting married.”

“That sounds exciting.”

Those were the words that came out of my mouth, while my brain rocketed ahead, connecting the pieces. True, a lot of people got married, and quite a few of them were in Utah. There was no reason to believe this woman was going the same place I was.

Aside from the fact that everyone in Haddarville knew the name Donna Lantrey, even if they’d never met her.

This was way too much of a coincidence.

“Oh, this one is lovely.” In a blink, Donna’s attitude shifted. “She’s brilliant. Successful. And all at such a young age.”

“What does she do?” I was really hoping the answer was something like heart surgeon or Peace Corps or anything other than?—

“She works in technology. I have to admit, I don’t understand most of what she says about her job, but she’s a Vice President. She’s going to take a position from someone like you one day.”

Possibly, from what I remembered about Sylvie. “I’ll consider myself fortunate she’s in a different industry, then.”

Donna chuckled.

My life had been filled with bizarre coincidences. Some were crushing and others got me where I was now. I wasn’t in the mood for more, though. I knew from Aubrey that her grandmother wasn’t a fan, and polite conversation would go out the window if Donna ventured down an insulting path.

The flight attendant interrupted to ask if we wanted drinks, and with a polite reminder that because this was only an hour-and-twenty-minute flight, there was no meal service.

Donna asked for a ginger ale in a can, and a separate cup of ice, and I was fine with water. When our drinks arrived, I poured Donna’s with a flourish.

She was delighted. “Why, you’re almost a professional.”

“Being the man in charge doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten how to take care of the people around me.”

Her grunt was one of being impressed.

The distraction was enough to convince me there was no way this woman was who I thought she was. I should go back to my work, and leave this alone. That wasn’t who I was though.

“Which town are you visiting?” I asked.

“One no one’s ever heard of if they’re not from there.”

Most of the state, then. “I’m heading someplace similar, to visit family and friends. The number of people who don’t believe I’m actually from a place called Haddarville is too high to count.”

“Huh. Small world. Are you looking forward to going home?” Her question held an air of you’d better answer this correctly.

Fortunately, I didn’t give a fuck what she thought. “I am. I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of old friends. Is your granddaughter getting her dress from Aubrey? That’s one of my stops—visiting her.” My only planned stop.

“Not if I have any say in things.” Donna scowled.

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