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DNA Secrets

By Diane E. Tatum

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Chapter 1
Getting Ross and Dorie home …

Daelin Police Captain Riley McDonough stood in Atlanta Hartsfield Airport waiting for Ross and Dorie MacAvoy’s flight to land from their honeymoon in Scotland. He had taken them to the airport on Christmas day following their wedding on the twenty-fourth.
“Look over here. I bet this is their flight!” Jenny had come with him. She was staring out the window, waiting for planes to land. “Riley, come look and tell me if I’m right.”
Riley sauntered over to where Jenny and her ponytail twitched with excitement. He slipped his arms around her, timidly at first then with growing confidence. They had been dating just since the wedding. A whole week. It seemed to Riley it had been longer than that. Of course, he’d known her longer from his regular stops in the Area Café diner where she waited tables. Then she turned up cooking and waiting on guests at Ross and Dorie’s wedding a week ago. They’d been together ever since.
Of course, his best friends had been in Scotland. Now the plane was late, and they’d still have the drive to Helen after Ross and Dorie deplaned, went through luggage retrieval, Customs, and Border Control. Maybe it had not been a good idea to bring Jenny along.
“Ladies and gentlemen, American Airlines Flight 36 from Edinburg, Scotland is now arriving at Gate 25.”
“Thank God.” Riley was feeling impatient and unsure, two things he hated to feel. He’d rather be in control of a situation.
“They’re here!” Jenny ran to the gateway from the secure terminal area.
“It’s still going to be a while before they come out. Why don’t we get coffee?” Riley steered her toward a Starbucks Coffeeshop. “We can get a pastry or a sandwich or something.”
“Aren’t you excited to see them?” Jenny walked backwards while talking to Riley. “They could have cool souvenirs. And they’ve been married, you know, able to sleep together for a week.”
“And that’s something I will not be asking about when they arrive.” Riley chuckled and steered Jenny to walking forward to avoid the oncoming crowds. Riley’s phone chimed, indicating a text message. “Ross says they are at the gate and preparing to get off the plane. He’ll keep me informed.”
Jenny probably didn’t need a cup of coffee. She was bouncing while she walked. Would she crash on the way home, or rev up even more? Hard to tell. This relationship was still so new.
“Hurry, Riley, we don’t want to miss them.”
“They can’t get home without us.”
The line was long, but there was plenty of time. Once they ordered and received their coffee and food, Riley guided Jenny to a bistro table in the walkway.
“I’ve been meaning to ask where you go to church. I’d be happy to go with you or you can go with me.” He took a bite of iced pound cake to give Jenny a chance to speak.
“Hmmm. Well, I really don’t go to church regularly.” Jenny sipped her coffee. “Is that a problem, Riley?”
Riley took a deep breath. “It depends. Are you a Christian?”
“Sure, I’m an American living in the Bible Belt.” Jenny peeled the paper from the muffin she’d chosen. “My mom and dad didn’t take me to church. After their car accident, I moved in with my Aunt Flo who runs the Doll House B&B in Helen. Sunday mornings are premium for cleaning with guests coming and going.”
Riley’s heart sank. An unbeliever?
Riley’s phone chimed again. “They have their luggage and are headed for Customs and Border Control.” He drank a long sip of his espresso to avoid talking about Christ with Jenny. That would need to wait for a day that she was open to listen. Or not at all, but he guessed he had a responsibility to at least share his faith before the relationship became too serious or ended.
***
Dorie was glad to be on Georgia soil once again, but thoroughly exhausted by the nine-hour return flight. Ross had the two bags they had taken, and she rolled the new bag nearly bursting with souvenirs, gifts, and Ross’s new wool suit.
They approached the official US border agent’s booth together. He looked at them both and at their passports.
“You just came from Scotland?”
“Yes, sir. It was our honeymoon.” Dorie was so excited to be Ross’s wife. She’d been telling nearly everyone they had met on this trip.
“Your passport is in your maiden name then?”
“Yes, sir. Is that a problem?” A glance at Ross and she knew he was embarrassed, flames of blush painted his throat and face.
“Do you have another form of ID with you, ma’am?”
Dorie dug in her purse and produced her driver’s license.
“Where do you live now? Is either of these addresses correct?”
That’s when Dorie had an inkling of fear. “No, sir. I live at Ross’s house. The address on his passport.”
The agent checked Ross’s passport. “Get those documents updated, Mrs. MacAvoy.”
“Yes, sir.”
He stamped both their passports. “Welcome home to the United States of America. Congratulations on your marriage.” He then grinned a toothy smile.
Ross roared with laughter. “Thank you.”
Dorie felt confused and a little angry. Ross pulled her through the aisle and into the terminal.
“He was just giving you a hard time.” Ross laughed again.
Dorie dragged her luggage behind her. “How was I to know to update my passport and my license, so they at least had the same address? I didn’t know we were going international for our honeymoon.”
“No, you did not. That’s what makes it a surprise, y’know?” Ross walked backwards and gave her a smile.
Dorie stopped and sat on her bag.
Ross stopped and rolled his luggage up to her. “Let’s go home to our own bed.”
She crossed her arms. “I don’t think I can move another step.”
“Ah, darling, you’re just being stubborn now. Come on. Riley and Jenny are waiting to drive us home.” He wrapped his arms around her. “I love you.”
“Okay, but I am so tired. You may end up carrying me.”
A porter approached them. “Do you need help with your luggage?”
“Apparently we do.” Ross picked Dorie up. “I’ve got my wife. Can you get the three bags?”
The porter smiled. “Yes, sir.”
People in the terminal began clapping and cheering.
Dorie threw her arms around Ross’s neck. “What are you doing? You’re embarrassing me.”
“No, darling, I’m taking you home.” Ross held her close. “There’s Riley and Jenny.”
“You can put me down, Ross.” Dorie faced forward and saw Riley and, yes, Jenny from the B&B.
“Once we’re out of the secure area, I’ll put you down. If you want me to, I’ll carry you all the way to the car. I only want what’s good for you.” Ross held her close. “I know you’re tired. I am, too. Let’s just go home.”
Dorie and Ross followed Riley and Jenny to the parking garage. The porter took the bags all the way to the car. They threw the bags in the back of the car, then climbed in.
Riley started the car. “Next stop, Helen, Georgia.”

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