Page 15 of Wild Promise

She shook her head. “Silly boy. You’re just like my Archie. Kind and caring. You just need to meet the right girl, and then bam.” The air cracked with the sharp slap of her spotted hands. “It’ll be like lightning. You won’t know how to stop it.”

“Sounds painful.” So was the image that hit me then—dark hair, serious eyes, soft lips, and the sting of being told no.

“If I was twenty years younger, I’d grab you up for myself.” She laughed, the joyful sound bringing a wide smile to my lips.

Even if she magically lost twenty years, she’d still be older than my mother, but I didn’t bother telling her that. “I bet you would.”

The rest of our meal was peppered with lighter conversation, and more laughter than I’d expected. I helped clean up after, and by the time I was ready to leave, both my stomach and heart were fuller.

On my way out the door, she handed me a plate of cookies. “For your late-night snack.” She winked. “I hope you find the right girl to share them with soon.”

“Me too,” I said with a warm smile.

But maybe it was already too late. Maybe I’d already found her but had let my chance slip by. Because there was no way in hell Melina would give me a second opportunity.

How often did lightning strike the same spot twice?

Chapter Five

Melina

Normally, I loved mornings. This one, however, could go straight to hell.

Instead of hopping out of bed, ready to take on the day, I hit snooze three times before finally dragging myself into the shower. I rushed through my regular routine, trying to save water and time, and mentally cursing the power company for taking longer to reconnect us than they’d promised.

No electricity meant no hair dryer. No hair dryer meant extra time wrestling my cold, damp hair into a bun that made me look like a successful event manager and not an exhausted single mother.

Although, with the way my dad had acted last night, it did feel a bit like I was caring for a child.

Tired and cranky, I was not in the mood for the full day of client meetings ahead. Three new weddings were on the schedule, and I still hadn’t solved my catering staff problem. At some point today, I’d have to get creative. Maybe even perform a miracle.

But first, coffee.

No, I couldn’t really afford four dollars for a small latte. Yes, there was free coffee at work. Still, Java Junction was calling my name, and I just couldn’t ignore it.

It was the best coffee shop in Copper Ridge, and not because it was the only true café in town, though that certainly helped. The décor was simple and cheerful, they had the most amazing homemade cinnamon rolls on the planet, and every fall they served my favorite pumpkin spice latte—one of the few little luxuries I allowed myself. And since it was almost out of season, I’d take as much of it as I could get.

My phone buzzed as I walked through the door, the bell overhead jingling. Olivia’s name lit the screen.

The electricity is back! Thanks miracle worker.

Finally. Sure, throwing the overdue bill onto my credit card only delayed the disaster instead of fixing it, but picturing my sisters waking up to heat and lights made it worth it.

I stepped into the short line, still smiling at my phone, and typed out my reply.

Sorry it took so long. Love you, O.

The line moved forward, bringing me face-to-face with the beaming barista, and I made the spontaneous, and maybe slightly irrational, decision to change my order. “Can I get a medium pumpkin spice latte, please?”

Why not? Miracle workers deserved to treat themselves occasionally. And it could’ve been worse—I could’ve ordered a large.

I stepped aside to wait for my drink, glancing back down at my phone as the little typing dots beside Olivia’s name appeared and disappeared.

“Hey, Melina.”

My entire body lit up at the sound of his voice. A shiver rolled over my skin, down my spine, straight between my legs, and suddenly breathing became something I had to think about.

Zane stood a few feet away, his forest green eyes laser-focused on me. The ends of his damp hair curled around the collar of his flannel, and his sun-kissed skin glowed despite the gray November morning outside.