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romantic getaway with a special someone.” She winked at him.
    He was almost speechless. “Wow. I didn’t.... This is really nice of you.”
    â€œHoney, you’ve had a tough time of it. I think you’re due for a few good things. My job is to make sure you get them.”
    He took his stack of papers, thanked her three or four more times, and walked away.
    Although he was hungry, it was too early for most of the restaurants to be open, so he took a seat near the windows. The first traces of dawn brightened the sky. He mentally revised his letter to the airline executives. Instead of complaining, he was going to praise the wonderful customer service he’d received from Gabi. He’d urge them to give her a raise.
    As he tucked the pass and vouchers into his pocket, it occurred to him that his parents were probably wondering where the hell he was and how the job interview went. As soon as the stores opened, he would buy a new cell phone charger so he could call them—and then likely listen to his father’s lecture about worrying his mom. Once he returned home, he’d still need to find a job, pay off his debts, and get his roof repaired before the next big storm blew his house away. For no good reason, a quiet internal voice informed him that all these things were minor obstacles, that everything would be all right. “Well, miracles do happen.”
    â€œThey certainly do.”
    Tom startled and then blushed, embarrassed that he’d spoken aloud
and
that he hadn’t noticed the man sitting next to him. The extremely handsome man with the Superman chin and smoldering amber eyes.
    â€œUh, sorry,” Tom mumbled. “I think airport terminals are hard on my sanity.”
    The man grinned. “You’ve been stranded here awhile, huh?”
    â€œYep.”
    â€œAre you heading for Cedar Rapids?” The man nodded his head in the general direction of the jetway entrance.
    â€œEventually, but not until the next flight. I was on standby for this one.”
    â€œOh, that’s too bad.”
    Tom shrugged. “I’ll get home eventually.” It was sort of an inane conversation, but he didn’t want it to stop. Hell, he couldn’t even take his eyes off the guy—who didn’t seem to mind that he was staring.
    â€œSo you live in Cedar Rapids. Would you mind if I asked you some questions about the place? I’m moving there.”
    Trying to ignore his irrational burst of joy, Tom said, “Sure. I’ll be glad to. Are you relocating for a job?”
    â€œNot exactly. I, uh, used to fly. But I gave that up.”
    â€œYou seem awfully young to be retired.” Tom thought the man couldn’t be more than a year or two older than his own thirty-one.
    The handsome man chuckled. “I’m older than I look. And anyway, I recently decided I wanted a new direction in my life. New goals.”
    â€œBut... in Iowa? Not the top of most people’s dream location list.”
    â€œI guess I’m not most people. And my dream definitely involves Iowa. It seems like a friendly place. A place where I could build a good future.” Something in his smile suggested that Tom might be included in that future.
    Warning himself to get a grip, Tom considered the man’s words. Iowa certainly did have its charms. Tom’s family was there, of course. But more than that, his home state had a true sense of community. It was a place with roots. He loved complaining about the ever-changing weather and watching the storms roll in across the wide open sky. He loved the way complete strangers waved at him from cars or started conversations in the produce aisle of the supermarket. He loved the comfortable little old houses with the wide front porches—even his own, which needed repairs—and the approachable museums and theatres. He loved that nobody judged him even if he chose not to pierce his nose or dye his hair purple.
    â€œI