After spending the first hour trying to get into the romance novel, and not getting anywhere, I pulled out my small sketch pad and let out a long breath. I needed to work on a few new designs for my spring line that I wanted to kick off my new venture with. I let my eyes wander around, taking in the styles and color palates of the better dressed females walking through the airport and let my mind explode with options.

My fingers scribbled furiously as I sketched out three new tops and a short summer dress that would only do well in warm weather states.

"Attention all United passengers on Flight 2543. We're looking for anyone who might take a two hundred dollar voucher to move to the five o'clock flight. We're a packed flight today and we have a standby passenger who's in need of getting home. If you're willing, please come visit us at the desk."

"Nope," I muttered and turned my attention back to my drawing.

Someone dropped down in the seat next to me with a loud sigh and I glanced over, the young guy appearing to be nineteen or twenty.

He looked my way and nodded. "Hi."

"Hi." I returned to my project, not at all wanting to start a conversation with a stranger. I didn't like half my friends and most of my family. Strangers were definitely out.

"That's pretty." He leaned a little closer as his dark grey eyes moved across my sketch pad. He was attractive, but in a rock star sort of way. The tats on his arms were done in various colors, some of them beautiful and some not so much. He had to have let a drunken friend do a few of them.

"Oh. Thanks." I set the pad down in my lap and turned to him, resigning myself to a short conversation. "You heading home for the holidays?"

"Trying to." He lifted a can of sprite to his lips and took a long drink. "My parents are in Maine and for some damn reason I'm supposed to stop through Colorado to get there. I've been bumped from the flight, so it looks like a long afternoon."

"Sorry to hear that." I crossed my legs and glanced down at my sketch pad, not really sorry at all.

"Yeah. That call they put over the intercom was for me."

That got my attention. "Why are you so desperate to get on this next flight? The connector flights all booked up if you don't make this one?"

"There's that, and the fact that my mother is going into emergency surgery at seven tonight." He shrugged, turning his gaze away from me.

"Oh. That's not good." I didn't want to dive into her personal business, but he was leaving me little choice in the matter.

"She's been battling cancer for the last two years, but I guess it's metastasized. She's not doing well." He reached up and pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose as my heart ran cold.

His story was a little too similar to mine.

"I'm so sorry. Maybe this surgery will be exactly what she needs." My phone buzzed and I lifted it to my face, grateful for the momentary break.

Dad: The change in flight was $200. I'll add that to your ever-expanding tab.

"How much was the voucher for someone willing to go later?" I moved to the edge of my seat as the desire to do something good left me overwhelmed.

"$200, but it’s okay. I'm sure it will all get worked out."

"Watch my stuff." I got up and walked up to the podium, sliding my ticket across to the flight attendant. "I'd like to give up my seat to that guy over there and I'll take the later flight."

"Are you sure, Miss Burke? You were scheduled on the earlier flight and are already going to be arriving late."

"I'm sure."

"It's first class and the next flight only has coach."

"That's okay. I don't mind at all. Just apply the voucher to the fee you charged my father for me missing the first flight. Less for me to hear about later." I laughed, feeling good about my decision.

"The fee has been waived, and we'll just give you the voucher for your kindness."

"Oh no, I don't want it. Apply it to the guy over there. Give him a break. I'm blessed as it is."

Her smile was filled with warmth as she nodded. "Will do. Merry Christmas."

"You too." I walked back over and reached out, patting the stranger on the hand. "It's all fixed. You're in my seat and the drinks are free. If you look as young as you are, no asking for one."

He sat up as tears filled his eyes. "Are you shitting me?"

"No. Merry Christmas." I smiled and turned back to my drawing, letting out a yelp as he pulled me into an awkward side hug.

He thanked me ten times by the time the flight was called. I didn't think it was appropriate to tell him that his story echoed mine, but it was a good reminder that the world didn't revolve around me. It was a lesson I wished my Dad would learn.

* * * *

"Tell me why the hell we're picking you up twelve hours later than we should have been." My father barked at me as he loaded up the back of the SUV with me beside him. Parker was already in the backseat, obviously not wanting to hear the fight that was sure to happen.

"Some guy's mom was dying. I gave him my seat." I turned and walked to the passenger's side door and got in.

"Everyone dies, Chloe." My Dad got in and gave me a stern look as he buckled up, letting out a huff.

"Yep, but it's nice to get to hold their hand as they go. The airport waived the fee, so that's one less thing for you to pop a vein over." I dug in my purse, hoping to avoid the daggers he was throwing my way.

"Time is money. We've been waiting around all day."

"Sorry." I shrugged, looking like the apathetic teenager he expected me to be.

"Right. Thanks." His tone let me know that the conversation was over, and I was relieved to have it as such.

The ride home was tense, but the minute we arrived at my father's large log cabin, excitement sprouted in my belly and I couldn't wait to check out the rooms and snuggle up with my brother.

"I'll help Sis get the bags out of the car. You're going to be late if you don't get going." Parker leaned up between our seats and patted our father on his arm.

"Right. You guys order take-out and have it delivered. I'll be back late tonight." He put the car in park and glanced over at me. "We're glad you're here."

"We're glad I am too, Dad. Thanks for the ride."

I got out of the car and moved to the back, helping Parker with my stuff as my Dad stayed in the comfortable warmth of the car. It was freezing outside and the winter wind blew violently, forcing my teeth to start chattering.

"Why do you have to always egg him on?" Parker grabbed two of the bags and hauled them to the large ornate house.

"Me?" I grabbed the rest and walked to the house, knowing my father would close the hatch.

"Yes. He's trying." Parker stopped and typed in a code at the side door before opening it and struggling through with my stuff.

"Trying? Is that a fucking joke?" I muscled the rest of the stuff in and closed the door, pausing to breathe in the vanilla and cinnamon scent that reminded me of home.

"You know he has a hard time around Christmas." Parker turned and pinned me with a stare, which lasted two seconds. His lips turned up in a smile and he moved around the bags, pulling me into a tight hug. His lanky arms were finally taking shape and his voice was much deeper than it was the last time I'd seen him.

"We all do," I whispered and buried my face against my brothers chest. He had to be a foot taller than me, his last growth spurt astounding.