“My name’s Levi,” he said. “I don’t work here or anything, I was just passing through, picking someone up. But if you need a hand, I don’t mind helping out. You lost, little miss?”
His words were calm, like slow-moving water. Nothing too pushy or invasive. It was exactly what Sydney needed in that moment to help her calm down enough.
Still hugging Banana, she managed to whisper. “I... I’m okay.”
“Alright,” he said, nodding slowly, like they were having a real conversation. “You sure? You look like maybe the day’s got you a little turned around there.”
Her lip trembled, and she ducked her head. “I was... supposed to be on a different flight. My boyfriend’s meeting me later. I didn’t tell him I’d be early.” She took a deep breath. “Itwas supposed to be a surprise, but now... I am not exactly sure how to get to him.”
There. It was out.
Levi gave a quiet, understanding smile. “That does sound like a rough start. Especially for someone in a different country. But you’re not stuck, little miss. Not at all. We just need to get you a ride.”
She hesitated. Sydney didn’t want to share too much. Greg had warned her about that. About being careful.
Plus... with her history, Sydneyknewthat giving the teensiest bit of information to a stranger could lead toverydangerous things.
“Yeah,” she said finally. “I need a ride.”
He stood slowly and offered a hand. Not to touch, just to help her, if she wanted it.
“I’ll help you to the main exit,” he said. “There’s a transport desk just near the front. They do rentals, shuttles, local drivers. They’ll get you all squared away.”
Sydney stared at his hand.
Big, tanned, a faded scar crossing over his knuckles. He obviously did a lot of work with his hands, and somehow that made him seem safe.
She took it.
Levi didn’t grip too hard. Just enough to steady her. And then he made it even better when he grabbed her suitcase.
“I got it,” he said, easily taking the handle. “And I saw that ‘deer in the headlights’ look, little miss. You don’t need to tell me where you’re going. I just need to see you safely on your way.” His warm words washed over Sydney in a soothing way. “In fact, I think it’s very responsible of you. Your boyfriend should be proud of you for being so careful.”
At his last words, Sydney felt her cheeks redden with a blush. She shouldn’t be so affected by the words from this handsome stranger.
He led her through the crowd, shielding her from bumping shoulders and impatient travelers. Sydney walked beside him, still holding Banana in one hand, feeling like she’d stepped into a dream or a movie of some kind.
When they reached the transport counter, he handed off her suitcase gently.
“There you go,” he said with a little grin. “You’re almost there now. Just breathe. One step at a time, alright, little miss?”
Sydney opened her mouth, then closed it. Her eyes stung again.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He tipped his hat slightly, then turned to go.
She watched him disappear into the crowd, her heart still pounding. Not from fear, but from something else. Something unexpected. And a smidge unwelcome.
Clutching Banana to her chest, she whispered to herself and her floppy-eared bunny. “It’s okay. We’re okay. And soon we’ll see Daddy.”
She stood in the queue at the transport counter, trying not to look like she was on the verge of falling apart. The airport noise still throbbed around her, but somehow, Levi’s calm had left an impression, a buffer against the chaos.
Her fingers tightened around Banana again, as she looked around, her gaze following where Levi had walked off to. She quickly found him. His broad shoulders and long stride made him look every inch the cowboy she’d imagined the second he spoke. Something about him had stuck to her skin, like the heat of the sun even after it’s gone.
But then he stopped.
A few feet ahead, a man stepped out from the flow of people. Tall, dark-haired, with a slim build and a sharp, stylish jacket that contrasted with Levi’s rugged simplicity.
