Distractions (31 page)

contacting Mr. Kretzer, everything was

in place. I loaded up on German

guidebooks and contacted my Aunt

Hannalore to let her know what

happened. She too was thrilled at the

prospect of me living so close. In two

more days, I would take a step that

would irrevocably change my life

forever.

Chapter 29 - The

Catalyst

The clicking noise of my foot

tapping furiously against the mahogany

barstool went unnoticed by the other

patrons. It was a nervous tick that

became present while deep in thought.

The guidebook I was poring over was

starting to resemble a children’s

coloring book with all of the highlighting

over every page. I only had a week in

Munich, which I was determined to

make the most of.

The gin and tonic that I was nursing

diluted quickly from sitting stagnant for

so long. I never took my eyes off the

pages while taking sips through the short

black cocktail straw. The wet napkin

that was stuck to the bottom of the glass,

adhered by condensation, fell into my

lap, breaking my concentration. At the

same moment, an announcement came

over the intercom. “This is AeroEurope

regarding flight 2219, Chicago O’Hara

to Munich. Due to a storm coming in

from the Atlantic, we are being

instructed to remain grounded until

further notice. We are working on

alternative routes with the FAA. We

will begin boarding once it is finalized.

If you need to adjust your travel

arrangements, please approach the gate

for assistance. Thank you.” Immediately

a mad rush descended on the poor flight

attendants. I couldn’t imagine having to

deal with angry passengers on a daily

basis. I remained comfortably at the bar,

savoring this time to myself. I had two

days to complete my travel; a few hours

did not bother me.

There were no more labs, no

lectures, or empty apartment. My mind

filled with images of what Bavaria was

promoted to be…romantic castles, lush

rolling hills, beer and pretzels. Streets

would be filled with tightly corseted

women and strapping men wearing

leather lederhosen. I laughed to myself at

the stereotype in my mind. It was one

that

was

perpetuated

by

glossy

brochures and the multiple festivals held

year round in Cincinnati. I knew better.

Germany had become an industrial

powerhouse. One word described the

country:
efficient
.

After World War II, they brought in

immigrants to rebuild after it was nearly

decimated. Now, Germany boasted fast

sleek cars, gorgeous alpine vistas, and

an economic infrastructure that not only

cared for its citizens, it pursued progress

relentlessly. A few of my coworkers

tried to tell me that Germans were not

friendly, but I never found that to be true.

My Aunt Hannalore lived in Lindau near

Lake Constance in the South. When I

asked her about why that rumor

persisted, she simply told me that

Americans are rude travelers with a

superiority complex. It was simply

different there, and I would see it for

myself.

As a scientist, I would appreciate

the way of life over there. She

responded excitedly to the email I had

sent to tell her I was going to be close

for an interview. I wished she could

have picked me up from the airport, yet

she assured me the public travel was not

like the United States; there was nothing

to be nervous about.

I slurped the last bit of drink I had

left and set my glass down. Feeling

someone walk up next to me to order

something, I kept my eyes glued forward

towards my book, feeling it awkward to

turn immediately at the stranger. He

smelled delicious. I closed my eyes and

breathed deeply. Hints of cedar and

leather; it was intoxicating.

“What can I get you, sir?” the

female bartender said cheerfully while

wiping the spot in front of him.

I looked up at her face to see she

was blushing. I smiled slightly and

looked back at my book, yet wanting to

see whom this was next to me, causing

such a reaction.

Clearing his throat with obvious

exaggeration, he replied, “Bourbon,

neat.”

The girl blushed again and quickly

turned around to grab the bottle from the

far side of the bar. I still refused to take

my eyes away from the spot in front of

me. Absentmindedly grasping for the

glass and mouthing for the straw, I

remembered again it was empty. I set it

back down and turned the page, trying to

appear uninterested in the man next to

me. She set down his glass as he slid a

credit card across the bar to start a tab.

As she started to ring in his drink, he

motioned for her to come back.

“I would like to buy this lady a

drink; she seems to have finished hers.”

I looked up at the girl who now

held a scorn beneath her smile. Instantly,

I waved my hands in refusal.

“I am good, but thank you.”

The bright smirk reappeared as her

eyes danced back to the gentleman.

Feeling increasingly curious, my body

turned to see who was attempting to be

charitable. It wasn’t liquor coursing

through my veins, but sheer shock as I

reeled backwards, grabbing for the top

of the bar as I started to fall off the stool.

This was graceful,
yeah right
…I felt his

strong hands grab my wrist to keep me

from going any further. It happened so

quickly, I could not help but laugh loudly

as I positioned myself into a more stable

spot. He started to join in at the

dramatics quickly unfolding, and then I

stopped.

My face tightened and contorted

into a strange shape that he mirrored

from my reaction. I looked down at the

hands that caught me, still gently placed

around my wrist.

Barely a whisper, all that could

come out was a small “hi”.

His fingers gently swiped along the

curve of my jaw before pulling me into

an embrace as the reality of him being

there set in. My face nuzzled into the

corner of his neck. Arms wrapped tightly

around my waist as I felt his cheek press

deeply into my hair. The scent was no

longer a hint, but an overpowering

wave, devouring my senses. I felt the

white cotton shirt start to soak with

tears.

I

pulled

away

with

embarrassment, realizing there was also

pink lipstick and black mascara along

his collar.

“You look like a crazy raccoon,” he

chuckled.

I reached for the bar napkin to wipe

my runny nose and attempt to restore my

face to a more reasonable state. My lips

pursed into a pout as I tried to back into

my stool to sit down. Hands swiftly

grabbed my hips to pull me close again,

causing a hitch in my breath.

“You look amazing.”

I knew why the bartender was

blushing like an idiot now. He was

striking, no…he was gorgeous! Dark

chocolate waves fell into place as he ran

his fingers through his hair. Piercing

blue eyes stared back at me lovingly. My

hands ran along his broad chest, feeling

the expensive wool of his coat beneath

them. I was sure I was the blushing idiot,

based off his smile. He reached in and

pulled me into another embrace.

“God, I missed you.”

I squeezed back. “I missed you,

too.”

I imagined this scenario in my head

a million times; however, it always

brought me pain rather than the elation I

was currently experiencing. I waited to

wake up at any moment, finding this

another lucid dream that has haunted me

for far too long. I felt the vibration of his

Adam’s apple against my forehead when

he let out a deep growling sigh. I

squeezed him tighter, unwilling to break

the embrace first.

“Can I buy you a drink now?”

I pulled away to give him a grin.

Breathing out in feigned exasperation, “I

guess, if you must.”

The bartender was now gawking

unabashedly at our reunion, unsure of

what to make of the situation. His hand

rubbed my shoulder with familiarity I

was no longer accustomed to. The

muscles involuntarily flinched at his

touch, causing him to stop and look at me

curiously for a moment. Shepard then

picked up the short rocks glass and

swirled the amber colored bourbon

before taking a sip.

“What do you want?” his eyebrows

piqued at the loaded question.

Without a pause, I replied, “What

do you have in mind?”

He nearly choked with laughter at

my playful response.

“Well, since my flight just got

delayed, I am sure I can figure something

out, especially since we are on the same

flight.”

I was caught off guard; how did he

know what flight I was on? Knowing

what was running through my mind, he

picked up the guidebook in front of me

and tapped it on the bar.

“Oh, I see. Where are you sitting

at?”

He pulled the ticket from his inner

coat pocket and glanced. “Seat 4C. And

you?”

“Not business class, I know that.

26G.”

He reached over and grabbed the

ticket from my hand. “We will need to

fix that then.”

“What? Give me that back!” I

jumped up to follow him as he walked

towards the line at the gate, shoving all

of my belongings into my backpack.

They

had

worked

swiftly

to

accommodate the passengers so the line

was considerably shorter.

“Get your passport out, they will

need to see it.”

“Shepard, what are you doing?” I

sounded irritated, but it was confusion at

this sudden change in plans.

His voice took on a quieter tone as

he gazed down at me. “Spending any

moment I can with you.”

I looked away to the gate agent who

was waiting expectantly for our request.

I reached into my pack for my wallet,

which Shepard immediately motioned

for me to put away. I frowned. “I can get

this, you know. How much is it?”

“Violet, let me. I can expense it,

and I’d like to do this for you.”

The agent was already swiping his

card, not waiting for my approval.

“It looks as though it’s already been

done.” I couldn’t hide the smile creeping

across my face.

Shepard handed my passport back

with along with my new ticket. The

expression in his eyes told me that this

was going to be the beginning of a very

interesting flight. His hand pressed

lightly on the small of my back, guiding

me back to the bar to wait for the

boarding announcement. His whole

demeanor had morphed into one of

contentment. Internally, I grew cautious

about this supposedly random encounter,

yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that was

forming. My heart beat so strongly inside

my chest, pulsing life back into my very

being. I shoved the doubt down deep,

only

allowing

these

currents

of

anticipation to flow through. Time could

not diminish the effect he had on me.

Chapter 30 - Icarus

“Pinch me!” I held my arm in front

of Shepard as he was settling in his seat.

“You’re holding out the wrong

body part, Violet.”

As I snapped my arm back, a deep

belly laugh filled the cabin taking a few

of the passengers off guard. “You’re

going to have to keep it down mister; we

can’t get kicked off this flight. They may

not let us on the same plane together.”

The flight attendant approached us with

two glasses of champagne and warm

towels. Taking one after buckling in, I