Page 48 of Someone Like You
Maddie slid closer to him. “This isn’t about me and you.” She turned to him, their faces a breath from each other. “Believe me?”
“I do.” He worked his fingers through her hair and kissed her. “And I can’t wait till I say those words in front of a packed church.”
“Mmm.” Maddie felt the same way. “Me, too.”
“How long will you be there? A few days?”
“Well … probably longer.” She eased back so she could see him better.
“Probably?” He laughed, but it sounded nervous. “Don’t you have a return flight?”
Maddie winced. “Not yet. I thought it would be better to keep it open.”
The light left his eyes. “Oh.”
She searched for the right words. “What I mean is, I might want to come home tomorrow.” Her smile felt weak. “My boss at the zoo told me to take my time. So who knows?”
“Or stay a month.” Connor ran his hand over her hair again. Peace seemed to return to his spirit. He filled his lungsand studied her. “You know what? I don’t care. Stay as long as you need to stay, Maddie. You’re going for answers … you need to find them.”
“Really?” Maddie felt a burst of relief. She had never loved Connor more. She studied him, making sure he meant the words.
“Yes.” He grinned. “You just graduated and your job isn’t full-time yet. Why not? Go figure things out. Then come back.” He kissed her again. “Ready to be my wife.”
The way Connor said it, she could hardly wait. She would go to Portland, meet with her biological parents and hear the story of London—the sister she would never know. Then—after a few days—she would return home and get back to planning a wedding with Connor.
Maddie opened her eyes and gazed out at the vast blue. There was one problem. Where was she going to live when she came home? Connor’s parents knew the truth now. But it wouldn’t feel right moving in with them. Andrea couldn’t take her long-term, either. Every room in her place was filled. Maddie certainly didn’t want to stay at the home she grew up in.
She had a lot to work through. But at least she had Connor.
He was the only one who even remotely understood. Maddie smiled. Connor was such a good friend. Telling her she could be gone as long as she needed, and that it was important to figure this out. All so she would have no questions or hesitations when they moved forward with their marriage.
Yes, Connor was great. She was blessed beyond words to have him.
Maddie slept the last two hours of the second flight,and then suddenly they were landing. This was Maddie’s first time to the Northwest. What she saw out the window made her catch her breath. Portland was stunning. Crisp towering mountains covered in forests of dense pines. Rich, deep shades of green set beneath a beautiful bright blue sky. Picturesque rivers wound their way from the mountains through the city. The landscape was how she pictured heaven looking.
As far as the eye could see.
She could hardly wait to be on the ground and feel the cool air. A thought occurred to her. Maybe she was drawn to the city because she should’ve grown up here. What would life have been like living in this beautiful place, without the heat and humidity of Indiana? Would she have been a mountain climber or a windsurfer on one of the rivers? Maddie had no answers for herself. She would probably never have answers, because she had missed growing up here. Missed getting to know London.
Of course, if she’d been raised here she wouldn’t have her family in Bloomington. And she wouldn’t have Hayley. The wonderings were enough to make her head hurt.
Once she was off the plane, she texted Dawson.I’m here. Headed for baggage.
He replied almost immediately.Welcome to Portland. I’m out at the curb. Look for the Chevy truck.
Maddie read his text again. This was really happening.
But as she walked the concourse a wave of anxiety hit her. Dawson would be waiting for her. A guy she didn’t even know, which made this whole trip seem a little crazy. What if he was only making up the story about knowing her biological family? Maybe he really was going to kidnap her?
Maddie stepped into a bathroom and gripped the edge of the sink. Dawson was not going to kidnap her. How could he possibly have known she was adopted unless he was telling the truth? That would be the weirdest guess a person could ever make.Breathe, Maddie. Just breathe. Please, God, protect me.
She touched up her face and hair and headed to baggage claim. When she had her two suitcases, she took a deep breath and walked through the double doors to the outside. The air was cold and clean-smelling. A hint of evergreen tinged the breeze.
Just as she began looking for his truck, she felt someone behind her. Maddie spun around and jumped. “Dawson! You scared me.”
“Sorry … It seems to be a pattern.” He stood there, a goofy grin on his face. “I guess that’s the effect I have on you.”
“No … I’m okay.” Maddie’s laugh caught her off guard. “I thought you’d be in your truck. That’s all.”
