An Unexpected Kiss (3 page)

BOOK: An Unexpected Kiss

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“I’m sure she does.” He signed the bill that I hadn’t even noticed had arrived and I thanked him for our dessert-meal. An unreadable look crossed his face, then he reached across the table for my hand. “My mom is the same way as yours,” he said.

Tingles danced along my skin as he laced his fingers through mine. “Really?”

He traced the edge of my palm with his thumb, something flickering in his blue eyes. “My younger brother is autistic. One time my mom turned her back to do the laundry and he wandered out of the yard. She panicked when she realized he was missing.”

I gasped. “How awful.”

He nodded. “It was three long hours before we finally found him at a park several blocks away. Now she overcompensates with her protectiveness.”

A lump formed in my throat and my eyes watered. “I understand holding on to the ones you love. When my dad passed away, my mom tried hard to get me to move back to the city. She still tries. I know it’s because she loves me, but I belong here.”

His gaze caught mine and held. We didn’t speak any words but an electric current of understanding ran between us and I felt an invisible tug drawing me closer to him. We’d finished all of our desserts and I could sense that the night was winding down, but I wasn’t ready for the evening to end. Not even close.

“Would you like to take a walk by the lake?” Dave asked, as if he could read my thoughts. Seemed he could do that quite easily.

My heart fluttered. “Definitely.”

Together we rose, each of us wearing a smile. This had been the most incredible first date of my life and I was glad we could stretch out our time together a bit longer.

Dave held the back door open for me as we walked out of the restaurant and headed down to the path that skirted Whitefish Lake. We stepped onto the deck as the late-setting sun cast a final golden sheen on the surface of the water, and the pine-studded mountains across the way grew shrouded in shadow. Completely and utterly radiant.

This was the perfect way to end such a perfect night. I’d tried so hard to keep my feelings at bay, but the evening had only served to pull me closer to him. I could feel magic in the air and the beginning of something special.

We stopped at the edge of the dock and, side by side, we stared out at the lake. A smile played at my lips as I gazed up at the sky’s dark hues as twilight crept over the mountains, bringing the night in softly.

We’d lapsed into a comfortable silence, yet I was keenly aware every time our arms brushed against each other. I longed for him to kiss me but he didn’t make a move, and I couldn’t gather the courage, either.

I squeezed my eyes shut, asking a silent question that the connection I was feeling wasn’t all in my head. When I opened my eyes, I saw the dark-spread wings of a bald eagle as it swooped down to the lake, kissing the water with its feet as it plucked a fish from beneath the surface in one swift motion.

It was another sign.

My breath caught in my throat and my heart rate kicked up as my hand flew to my necklace. Then the powerful bird flew toward the trees and I watched it get smaller and smaller until it disappeared in the night sky.

Completely exhilarated, I turned to Dave. “Did you see that?”

“Yes.” He peered down at me in a way that felt like he could see into my soul. For the third time that day, it seemed like he understood me in a way that no one before him ever had. I never wanted that feeling to end.

I stared up at him, mesmerized, until he reached out and cupped my cheek in his warm hand. With heavy-lidded eyes, he eased toward me. Butterflies fluttered in my belly. My lashes lowered, and when his lips brushed mine, a feeling of peace washed over me—the same feeling I’d had when I’d first laid eyes on Big Mountain.

Pure. Magical. Everlasting.

I poured all of my heart into this unexpected kiss knowing that being brave and taking risks was the way I wanted to live my life, the way I would make all of my dreams come true. “I’m glad you took that leap of faith,” I breathed.

“Me, too,” he whispered.

We both leaned back and gazed into each other’s eyes, until we simultaneously smiled. Then I pulled him closer and he kissed me again, deepening his kiss this time. Here in each other’s arms, we were both home.

THE END

If you enjoyed spending time

with these characters,

be sure to read Holly’s next adventure in:

An Unexpected Love

(Treasured Dreams series, #3)

Acknowledgments

I lived in Whitefish, Montana for almost six years and it’s still my home away from home. Unlike Holly, though, I actually did miss the city. But we visit Whitefish regularly and writing Holly’s story helps me share the beauty of this small mountain town, which holds such a special place in my heart.

I’d like to thank talented authors Virna DePaul, Cyndi Faria, and Rochelle French for your feedback on this story, your friendship, and your support in this delightful writing business. You gals are the best!

Big hugs to my mom, Ann Rego, for your cheers and encouragement while I’m writing each and every story.

I’m so thankful for my hubby, Mike Hatler, whose unexpected kisses fill me with joy, and remind me why I love writing romance. My home is always with you, baby.

About the author
:

SUSAN HATLER
is a
New York Times
and
USA Today
Bestselling Author, who writes humorous and emotional contemporary romance and young adult novels. Many of Susan's books have been translated into German, Spanish, French and Italian. A natural optimist, she believes life is amazing, people are fascinating, and imagination is endless. She loves spending time with her characters and hopes you do, too.

You can reach Susan here:

Facebook:
facebook.com/authorsusanhatler

Twitter:
twitter.com/susanhatler

Website:
www.susanhatler.com

Blog:
susanhatler.com/category/susans-blog

Titles by Susan Hatler

Treasured Dreams Series

An Unexpected Date

An Unexpected Kiss

An Unexpected Love

An Unexpected Proposal

An Unexpected Wedding