“What’s wong, Momma?”
“Nothing’s wrong, sweetie. I’m just really, really happy.”
“Okay. Can we open pwesents now?”
“You bet. Go on into the living room and I’ll grab our cocoa.”
“Don’t forget the mashmallows!” the cherub yelled as she toddled away.
“I won’t.”
As Hunter turned to the kitchen, a shadow outside the window caught her eye. “What the...”
She flew to the door and flung it open as a man, in what appeared to be a valet’s outfit, sprinted across the road and disappeared.
“Lee!”
A silver package lay on the front step and she bent to pick it up.
“What’s that?”
“I don’t know. Some man just left it and ran off into the woods.”
“Wow. You really did hit your head, didn’t you? I don’t even see any tracks in the snow. Are you playing a trick on me? Did you get me a surprise?”
“No. And it’s addressed to me. Look.”
She held the package out to him and her name was neatly scrawled across the silver box. Once inside, Hunter tore it open to find a letter and a box wrapped in pink paper.
“Well, open it. See who it’s from.”
Dear Hunter,
Sometimes one small thing can change it all for the better. Money may not be able to buy answers for prayers, but magic is all around us. For those who are fortunate enough to have a pure heart, wishes do come true.
Merry Christmas,
Scarlet
“Who’s Scarlet and why is she talking about money? Did she send us some?”
“I don’t know and don’t be silly. We have everything we’ll ever need.” She swatted at him with the envelope and giggled.
“That’s really weird. I’m not sure I like strangers sending presents to my wife. But, you are hot and it is Christmas, so I guess I’ll let it slide this one time.”
Hunter unwrapped the inner box, tossing the paper to the floor.
“I thought I'd lost this years ago. How did this Scarlet person end up with it?”
“Don’t ask me. I’m as perplexed as you are. What is it?”
“My diary.”
“Your diary?”
“Yeah and a postcard of that new resort they built down by the Ohio River.”
“Why would some woman send you those things?”
Without having to think, Hunter suddenly knew the answer.
“Because they’re part of my destiny. I found my fortune there.”
“O-o-kay. Whatever that means. Do you have something to tell me?”
Hunter knew she would one day tell him the story of how she’d met Scarlet and what all of it meant. For now, it could wait. After all, they had all the time in the world.
“Yeah, I think I do, but you’d never believe me. Let’s go unwrap those presents and spend the morning with our beautiful daughter. I’ve waited my entire life for this moment.”
THE END
Coming Soon
Long Overdue
River Jewel Resort
Book 3
Welcome to the River Jewel Resort—where fantasy becomes reality!
After a decade of serving in the campus library, a small-town scandal involving one of its college students leaves Olivia Milan unemployed and able to spend a lot of time with her best friend of ten years. She’s always been attracted to Matt Osgood, but she believes he’ll never feel the same about her. When Matt heads out of town for the weekend, Olivia takes the opportunity to head to the River Jewel Resort in search of a new job. However, what she finds when she arrives proves life can be stranger than fiction.
Romance author, Matt Osgood, has been in love with the same woman for a very long time, but he thinks she’ll never return his feelings. Years of going to the River Jewel Resort have allowed him to live out his every fantasy. Still, he aches for a real emotional connection to the woman he loves.
Can the River Jewel Resort make fantasy become a reality for these two best friends? Or will they both run in opposite directions when confronted with the truth?
Sneak Peek:
“I’ve only been going up there for a few months now, but I’ve seen incredible things.”
“Such as?” Olivia shivered as a breeze blew across her back.
“You’ll think I’m crazy.” Matt turned away, and took a giant breath.
“I could never think you were crazy. You should know me better than that.”
He paused a moment and seemed to be gauging his next words carefully. “Olivia, I wish I could explain it to you.” He shook his head. “It’s something you have to see for yourself. All I know is, a lot of miserable people go through those doors and only happy people come back out. Everything people have been saying about it is true.”
“Don’t tell me you believe the hype?”
Matt shrugged. “I’ve seen things even you wouldn’t believe. I didn’t tell you because I wanted to make sure the stories were true.”
“Oh? What kind of stories?”
Matt reached for her hand and led her down the cement boat launch that led to the floating dock where they could watch barges and recreational boats pass by as they talked. After they were seated on the aged, wooden planks, he started trying to verbalize his experiences. “Olivia, that place is magical. That’s the only way I can think of to describe it.”
She had never seen such an enthralled look in Matt’s eyes before. There was something new and lively about him when he spoke of the River Jewel Resort. In fact, his eyes reminded her of the hot, summer nights when moonlight would dance across the small waves of the Ohio, glittering like a million floating diamonds.
“Well, it must be something special if you, an incredibly talented romance author can’t think of anything better than ‘magical’. I can see it in your eyes. It’s just a resort. I’m sure with the kind of money they charge, they must have one helluva spa and massage salon, but magic? Really? And if everyone is so happy when they leave, why haven’t you found anyone who makes you happy yet?”
Matt laughed. “Yeah, the salon is amazing and what makes you think I haven’t found my happiness? I can sit on the gambling boat and have my pick of any available woman. In fact, it’s become my favorite place lately. When I walk on that boat, it’s almost as if they are there to serve me and only me.”
“Oh, wow!” Olivia tossed her head back laughing “You, my friend are hot, but I think you might be getting a bit of a big head.”
Matt wiggled his eyebrows and nudged her with his elbow. “I know how it sounds, but I’m serious. You have to experience it for yourself.”
She ruffled Matt’s already unruly brown hair and looped her arm through his. “I’m glad you’re having a great time, Matt. You deserve it.”
“What about you? If anyone needs to find happiness, it’s you. You’ve been alone for too long, Olivia. You have a huge heart, you’re smart, beautiful and kind. Instead of wasting all of that on temporary lovers you should be married to someone fabulous and having lots of smart, beautiful babies. Someone who truly loves you for you.”
Olivia knew he meant well, but she just wasn’t ready. Besides, who would want her now? Star of the latest town scandal, plus being officially unemployed, her reputation didn’t exactly scream, “Pick me! I’ll rock your world!” Besides, if she couldn’t find the nerve to tell the man she truly loved that she loved him, what was the point of looking for anyone else?
“Sometime.”
“You always say that. I love you and I feel it’s my duty to be honest with you. Get over it. Ever since Randy died, you’ve had a wall up and all you’ve done is float from guy to guy, mostly at the library.”
“So? They need my help. Besides, I’m good at what I do.”
“Sweetheart, it’s time to let go of the past and open up your heart. Make your own happy ending. Every guy out there isn’t worthless. Yes, you’ve met a few assholes, and yes, you’ve been hurt. But I think you do
it to yourself. Don’t be angry. I understand, I really do. The pain you’ve been feeling, the emptiness, it means you’re alive. I get it. This bravado you show to the world isn’t a flaw. You’ve had a lot to cope with, but it’s time to find that one in a million soul mate instead of hooking up with people you have no intention of ever loving, for random quickies on campus. Whether you admit it or not, you know I’m right. Now, let’s get you home so you can clean your house. Again.” He rolled his eyes and Matt’s lips slid into that mischievous grin that filled her with a longing to kiss him senseless. They laughed, falling into step with each other as Matt wrapped his arm around her shoulders and Olivia sent up a silent prayer that someday he’d want her by his side forever.
Other Books By The Author
Natural Lust, Smoky Mountain Escapes: Book 1
You’ll Never Be Lonely, Smoky Mountain Escapes: Book 2
Anything You Want, River Jewel Resort Series: Book 1
Long Overdue, River Jewel Resort Series: Book 3
About The Author
Romance author, Madison Sevier, officially began her writing career in 2011 by going after her lifelong dream and has been having the time of her life ever since.
Her days are spent home-schooling her daughter and doing the bookkeeping for her husband's business. At night, she gets to become someone else, creating characters who work their way into the hearts and minds of romance readers everywhere.
Being a coffee-addicted Gemini, Madison is known for doing whatever strikes her fancy at any given moment. Some of her favorite hobbies include; hiking, geocaching, animal rescue, writing, reading, baking, horseback riding and she loves NASCAR.
Living in what everyone calls 'Kentuckiana' with her husband, daughter, two Chihuahuas, one Saint Bernard and two cats, she's found the perfect paradise to allow all of her stories to come to life. Against a backdrop of the Ohio River and surrounding hillsides, she never knows where a new romance will come from. But you can be sure you're going to hear about it.
She loves hearing from her readers and meeting new ones, so feel free to contact her anytime.
Contact Madison
Blog: http://madisonsevier.blogspot.com/
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Email: madisonsevier at yahoo dot com
Cover art photo courtesy of:
© Artjazz | Dreamstime.com - Muscular Naked Man With Water Drops On Stomach Photo
Copyright@2014SMB
Hunter's Fortune (River Jewel Resort Series Book 2) Page 6