A Second Chance by Roseanne Dowell

Chapter One
     
    Damn! Christine stood tiptoe, trying to see over people’s heads. She hurried down the long corridor through the crowded airport. Pushing the shoulder strap back up on her shoulder, she readjusted her overnight bag. She should have taken Lisa’s advice and borrowed her pilot’s bag; at least it had wheels. She hated this, hated traveling, and hated crowds, but she was down on the ground in one piece. Worst part of flying, taking off and landing.
    “Mom!” Lisa’s voiced carried through the crowded airport.
    Christine peered through the crowd, spotted her daughter and hurried toward her family. She couldn’t help but smile, her grandchildren’s faces looked like a breath of fresh air among the busy travelers.
    Hello, who’s that tall, handsome man next to Lisa? Not another fix-up, she hoped . She let out a low groan. When was her daughter going to learn she didn’t want a mate? Her life was fine just the way it was.
    But still, a handsome man . The way his salt and pepper hair curled around his ears and the way his graying mustache drooped about his mouth caused her heart to flutter. She always was a sucker for a man with a mustache. Probably because her father had one. The slow, easy smile that started with a twitch of his lips caused a quiver in Christine’s stomach. His smoky blue eyes captivated her.
    Jenna and Richard raced toward her. Christine hugged her grandchildren but maintained eye contact with the man, curious about the stranger. “Gram, we missed you!” They said in unison.
    “It’s good to be back in Cleveland.” She hugged each of them and took their hands. “Come on, let’s get my luggage. I can’t wait to get home.” Something about the stranger fascinated her. He looked comfortable, yet sophisticated and confident in faded jeans and a white turtleneck under a navy blazer. His eyes held hers. She wanted to look away but couldn’t.
    Lisa stepped forward and gave Christine a quick kiss and hug. “How was your trip?”
    “Good, but I’m so glad to be home.” Christine still couldn’t pull her gaze off the man, try as she might. She glanced at Lisa, but her gaze moved back to the stranger as if her eyes had a mind of their own. Quit gawking, you’re acting like he’s a movie star or someone important.
    “Oh, Mom, this is Derek’s uncle, Steven Payton.” Lisa finally made the introductions. “Uncle Steve, my mother, Christine Rollin.” Lisa gestured toward each of them.
    Steven’s rough hand covered hers, igniting smoldering sparks, starting in the pit of her stomach. Christine groaned inwardly and pulled her hand away, trying to ignore him. Not normally a rude person, but something about him invited it. He annoyed her. His magnetism made her uncomfortable. She hadn’t reacted to a man like this since Tony, and that ended in disaster.
    Instead, she focused her attention on Jenna and Richard. “I sure have missed you two.” She looked at her grandchildren and avoided Steven’s eyes. Seeing the sign for baggage claim, she headed toward it. “Let’s go. I can’t wait to get home.”
    “Can we stop for dinner?” Jenna hooked her arm through Christine’s. Her long blond hair bounced as she kept up the rapid pace Christine set, leaving all but Steven lagging behind.
    Christine threw him a sullen look. He lifted an eyebrow and winked at her through long dark lashes. Great , she amused him. Who did he think he was, God’s gift to women? A bit arrogant…but so darn good looking. Stop it , she told herself. She was acting like a fool, why was she letting this man get to her?
    “You’re hungry too, aren’t you, Uncle Steve?” Jenna’s voice broke Christine’s thoughts and drew Steven into the conversation as Jenna linked her other arm through his.
    Something about her granddaughter’s tone aroused Christine’s suspicions. This sounded like a setup. Playing matchmaker again. Her family and friends had been trying to match her up since Tony divorced her two