I winked.
“I’ll be waiting.”
“We’ll be waiting, Daddy,” Mia corrected me.
“That’s right. We’ll be waiting.”
Amy’s smile was brighter than the sun on an August afternoon. Its warmth hit my chest and made me smile with her.
“Okay,” she breathed out and hurried away.
I glanced at Holly, who gave me a subtle thumbs-up. I met a few curious gazes with a calm smile and then ignored the rest.
I made Amy happy with a simple gesture. I made Mia happy.
And they, in turn, made me happy.
Meeting Amy had brought me an unexpected gift. A second chance at love. I hadn’t said the words yet, but I felt them. And I planned to tell her how I was feeling later when we were alone.
I loved her, and she brought me joy. I wanted that feeling forever.
I was grabbing it with both hands.
And I planned to never let it go.
Thank you so much for reading AN UNEXPECTED CHANCE. If you are so inclined, reviews are always welcome by me on Goodreads.
If you would love to know Holly and Evan’s story, AN UNEXPECTED GIFT is available now. Read how getting stranded in a snowstorm leads to their HEA.
For more small town HEAs, keep reading for a sneak peek about a harried city woman desperate for a reprieve from the stress finding herself finding love on a farm in HARVEST OF LOVE.
Enjoy reading! Melanie
Here is a sneak peek at Chapter One
Harvest of Love
CHAPTER 1
DANI
I woke in the night, sitting upright, my breathing loud in the dark. I wiped a hand across my forehead, my skin damp and clammy. Reaching for the glass of water beside my bed, I knocked it over, cursing as it hit the floor, the needed liquid soaking into the rug instead of my throat. Grateful the glass hadn’t broken, I picked it up. I padded to the kitchen and poured another glass from the jug in the refrigerator, the chilled liquid soothing my parched throat. I rested the cold glass against my forehead, feeling my strumming heart begin to slow down. I sighed at what was becoming a nightly routine. Waking with a start, feeling panicked, but unable to figure out why. The sensation of something unsettled ate at me, yet I couldn’t pinpoint it.
I poured some more water, grabbed a towel to soak up the dampness beside my bed, and headed to my room. I left the light on as I lay back, contemplating the ceiling. It was barely after three—far too early to go into the office, even though I knew I had enough work to keep me busy if I did. I also knew there was a good chance I wouldn’t fall asleep again.
With a sigh, I closed my eyes and tried to relax. When that failed, I picked up a book, but I was unable to concentrate on the words. Finally as dawn was breaking, my exhaustion pulled me under, and my eyelids shut of their own accord.
I drifted and allowed sleep to claim me.
Midday, I blew out a long breath of frustration, the air lifting my hair off my forehead. I seemed to be going around in circles. The fractured sleep from the previous few nights had left me feeling off-kilter and tired. No amount of coffee seemed to jolt me out of the fog that had settled in my brain. I shook my head to try to clear it, the lights overhead humming as I reached across my desk and grabbed another file folder. As I skimmed the pages, I found the document I was looking for, reading it over to make sure I had remembered the data correctly. The words swam in front of my eyes, and I blinked to clear them, frowning when the action failed to work. Startled, I realized the room around me seemed to be vibrating. Lifting my hand to my neck, I was surprised to feel the skin damp.
Leaning forward, I pressed the intercom button.
“Yes, Ms. Rawlins?”
“Lynn, can you get maintenance in here? I think my thermostat is broken and the air conditioning has stopped working. The heat is killing me.”
“Right away.”
“A cold water would be great as well.”
I leaned back, taking in a deep breath, smiling in gratitude as Lynn appeared, handing me a glass of water. She was a couple of years younger than me, with light-brown hair and dark eyes. She was smart and efficient, and we got along well.
“Is the rest of the building hot as well?”
She shook her head, frowning. “Your office doesn’t feel hot. It’s actually quite cool in here.”
“Really?”
I took a deep swallow, sighing in relief as the icy liquid hit my throat. I laughed lightly. “I must have had my first hot flash.”
Lynn grinned and left, shutting the door behind her. I cleared my throat, picking up the file again, trying to concentrate.
A few moments later, it was back. The room became hot, oppressive; the words in front of my eyes danced and moved, and a strange pressure built in my chest. My hands started shaking.
I dropped the file folder, leaning back in my chair. My body began trembling, and like a slow tidal wave, I was engulfed in a feeling of panic so great, I could barely breathe. My lungs struggled for enough oxygen, sweat covering my skin, congealing around my hairline and neck, and my teeth began to chatter.
I couldn’t move, speak, or reach out for help.
Then, as quickly as it came on, I felt the sensation loosen and ease from my body. My tightened muscles relaxed, my breathing slowed, and finally, my body sagged in sheer relief.
With still-shaking hands, I reached for the water, sipping slowly. When I was able to, I stood and went into my private bathroom. The mirror reflected my image back—my normally pale skin ashen, my dark blue eyes wide and frightened, my blond hair damp against my forehead. Leaning forward, I splashed cool water on my skin, patting myself dry, and stared at my reflection.
I looked exhausted.
I sat back at my desk, wondering if I was coming down with something. My gaze drifted to the files that covered my desk. I couldn’t afford to be sick right now—we were in the midst of another takeover, and I needed to get everything in order.
I reached for the file again, only to feel the prickle of unease begin at the back of my neck. The walls around me felt as if they were closing in. My breathing picked up. Without even thinking, I stood, grabbing my purse, one thought on a constant loop in my head.
I needed to get out of there.
Rushing by Lynn’s desk, I called over my shoulder. “Cancel my meetings. I’ll be out the rest of the day.”
Her shocked face as the elevator doors shut normally would have amused me, but right now, it only added to the swell of panic I felt building again.
Reaching my car, I yanked open the door and slipped in, shutting my eyes and leaning my head back against the headrest.
The underground garage was dim and deserted—all the owners of the empty vehicles busy in the building above me.
I inhaled deep, calming lungfuls of air, feeling myself relax. Once I was composed and steady, I started the car and pulled out of the spot. When I exited the dark garage and felt the warm sun fill the interior of the car, I sighed in relief.
I turned up the music, the thumping sounds of Shinedown echoing in the small space. I glanced left and right, and with no destination in mind, turned to the left, and started to drive.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR