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  “How sweet.” I watched his blue eyes dance, mesmerized by how passionately he spoke about his career. Quite the opposite of a red flag.

  “My client loved the site I built for her and offered me free pet grooming for life. Only her business is in Florida and I don’t even own so much as a goldfish.” His eyes crinkled when I giggled, then he popped another chip into his mouth. “I basically have my ideal job, and now I get to do it with a view of the Flathead Valley out my window.”

  “You can’t beat that.” I kept my gaze on his as I sipped my beer, knowing I was sliding down the slippery slope of attraction, and soon there would be no way for me to dig myself out. I couldn’t fathom that he was as excited about this date as I was, but the simmering look in his eyes gave me an inkling of hope that maybe, just maybe, he was feeling the chemistry between us, too.

  “Your turn.” Dave leaned forward, grasping his glass. “I’d love to hear about your business. I saw your work at the festival so I already know you’re talented. How did you come to be a jewelry designer?”

  I flushed at his compliment. “I started beading in high school and fell in love with creating new and unique pieces. At first I gave the jewelry away as gifts. Necklaces, pendants, bracelets, you name it. Soon, family and friends started placing orders from me, and eventually word spread and more orders came in. The demand grew and finally I started my own business.”

  His gaze dropped to the point just below my collarbones. “Did you design the necklace you’re wearing? It’s amazing . . .”

  My fingers flew to the bald eagle charm clasped to the silver chain around my neck. With the pad of my thumb, I skimmed over the eagle’s wings like I often did mindlessly, and paused over the bird’s yellow crystal eye. “Yes, I designed this one. Actually—”

  “Here we go,” Michele trilled, interrupting our conversation.

  I sank back against my chair, feeling simultaneously relieved and disappointed because I’d been about to tell Dave the story behind my design—which every instinct in my soul wanted to do—but that also seemed way too personal since I was supposed to be keeping things light.

  “The desserts look delicious.” I stared at the plates, unable to believe we were really having dessert for dinner. Too awesome. Plus, thankfully distracting enough to buy me more time to get to know Dave.

  “You two must have serious sweet tooths tonight. Or would it be sweet teeth? Doesn’t matter.” Michele laughed, waving her hand dismissively. “Enjoy, you guys.”

  “Thanks.” Dave began slicing the desserts in half then he separated them onto each of our plates while I watched, adoring how he worked so precisely. “Ready to dig in?”

  “Definitely.” I smiled, then sampled the huckleberry sorbet. Next I tried the the crème brulee, which tasted creamy and sweet like everything I had always wanted in a dessert. I moaned a little as I took a bite of the tiramisu. “This was the best idea ever.”

  Dave chuckled, then we were silent for a few minutes as we sampled our yummies. Finally he glanced over at me. “You started to tell me about your necklace when we got interrupted earlier. Is there a story behind the bald eagle charm? If so, I’d love to hear it.”

  “Yes.” I blinked, surprised he’d remembered. Oh, wait. He was probably just being polite. But when I met his gaze, his look was intense, as if he really did want to know what I had to say. My tummy fluttered. Every part of me wanted to share the story with him, so I sucked in a breath. “This was the first piece I made after I moved to Whitefish.”

  He set his fork down, giving me his full attention. “I sensed the necklace was something extra special.”

  “It is.” My stomach warmed. How could he read me so well? “My dad took me camping in Glacier Park when I was ten. We explored the surrounding areas and found a pair of nesting bald eagles here in Whitefish. We watched them for hours. They soared, hunted, and added sticks to their nest. The eagles seemed so in sync, working together for their future offspring.”

  “That must’ve been a sight to see,” he said.

  “It was.” I fingered my bald eagle charm. “I fell in love with Whitefish that first day. The animals, the hiking, the mountains, the rivers . . . all of nature’s magical beauty. After college, I came back here for a visit to see if the area moved me as much as I remembered. It did. My dad died a few years later, but I still feel him here. In all the things we did and saw and shared on these mountains. I never returned to San Francisco.”

  His eyes clouded. “I’m sorry about your dad.”

  I nodded, my throat tightening. “Thanks.”

  He leaned toward me. “You came here all by yourself? That’s very brave.”

  I stared down at the crumbs on my plate. “I was actually pretty scared to be on my own for the first time, so far away in this tiny little town, isolated from everyone I knew and loved with only my small business to support me.” I paused, remembering those first days, and the fear came rushing back. Then I lifted my head. My gaze locked with comforting blue eyes across the table, and a warm feeling washed over me. “It was my secret dream to live in Whitefish ever since that camping trip with my dad. My mom protested big time. To tell you the truth, she still bugs me to move back to the city. But . . . this is my home now.”

  Dave was quiet for a moment and I worried that I’d said too much. But when I studied him more closely I was stunned to discover the look of amazement on his face.

  “I felt the exact same way about this place.” His voice was soft, barely a whisper. Then he cleared his throat. “I came to Whitefish with friends for spring break in college. Once I’d skied Big Mountain—felt the cold powder whoosh up all around—something changed inside me. I felt a peace I’d never known before. When I received the opportunity to work from home, I had to take that leap of faith and move here. Everyone thinks I’m crazy.”

  I smiled, understanding exactly how he felt, in more ways than one. “I get what you’re saying about a leap of faith. My parents wanted me to move back to the city, and my friends, too. It was a lot of pressure, and one day I debated whether or not to listen to them while I was sitting by the lake out there . . .” I gestured past the window at Whitefish Lake, and looked out at the reflection of tree-lined mountains in the glassy water. “I sat on a fallen log, glanced up at the sky, and asked a silent question.”

  “What?” His voice was barely a whisper.

  “I asked for a sign to tell me if I should build my nest here, or go.” I closed my eyes, remembering that moment years ago. “Then a bald eagle suddenly swooped over my head, powerful and amazing. A rush of adrenaline shot through me and I can still see that majestic bird gliding toward its nest with his dark wings spread wide.”

  “Incredible,” he whispered.

  “So I ignored everyone’s rational arguments and listened to my heart.” I opened my eyes and found Dave sitting alert in his seat, hands folded on the table. I’d never told anyone that story before, but somehow I knew he’d understand. “My dad had told me bald eagles were the epitome of strength and bravery. I totally agree.”

  “They’re amazing birds.” Dave’s resolute voice brought me back to the present.

  I lifted my lashes. “I’d considered giving up hope. Giving up on my dreams. And then that majestic bird flew across the sky and filled me with strength. Time stood still. I could feel the breeze against my face and the whisper of the trees telling me to be brave and that everything would work out. It felt like a sign.” I shrugged, eased one hand back, and clasped my necklace. “That might sound silly—”

  “It doesn’t,” he said, his tone firm.

  “I designed this charm that afternoon and then called my mom and told her I was staying here permanently.” As I told him that, I released the charm. It dropped back to rest tucked into my clavicle and felt warm against my skin, reminding me to be brave in any situation.

  Dave seemed to read my mind because he asked, “What does your mom think of you being out here still? Does she understand now?”
r />   “Not really.” I lifted a shoulder, then took the last bite of sorbet, the cold berry flavor bursting against my tongue. “After seeing the bald eagle, I’d made the decision to stay. My mom still worries about me, though. Currently, she’s worried you’re an axe murderer and that she’ll never see me again,” I blurted.

  Dave choked on his beer. “Well, I take it as a compliment that you told your mom about me. Tell her to rest assured I don’t even own an axe.”

  I rubbed my forehead, then placed my hand on the table, embarrassed that I’d told him about my overprotective mom. But I wanted to be brave and let him get to know the real me. “She tends to overreact but she means well.”

  “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

  An Unexpected Joy

  An Unexpected Baby

  Kissed by the Bay Series

  Every Little Kiss

  The Perfect Kiss

  Just One Kiss

  The Sweetest Kiss

  Better Date than Never Series

  Love at First Date

  Truth or Date

  My Last Blind Date

  Save the Date

  A Twist of Date

  License to Date

  Driven to Date

  Up to Date

  Déjà Date

  Date and Dash

  Teen Novels

  Shaken

  See Me

 

 

 
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