Read Online Vibrant Heart: Book 1 in the Great Plains Romance Series by Corrissa James - Free Book Online Page B

the patrons. Two waitresses dressed in white button-down shirts and black pants were moving throughout the room, refilling water glasses and speaking to their customers. The shorter of the two, a strawberry blond with pronounced dimples and expressive blue eyes, laughed a bit too loudly while talking to one of her customers. It was a laugh that was instantly recognizable as over-the-top flirting. Melanie shook her head. Some things never changed.
    A chuckle in response made her heart skip a beat. The waitress moved on to another table, leaving Melanie with a direct view of Jake. What was he doing here? Her brain was screaming at her to hide, to leave before he saw her. Last night was done, it was over, she didn’t need to see him again, not yet, not when a simple smile from him or a touch could create more cravings, more desires that had to be satisfied. But her body didn’t listen, and she was still standing there watching him when he noticed her and stood to wave her over. Her feet moved of their own volition, carrying her to his table while she swallowed repeatedly, trying to overcome the dryness in her mouth.
    “Morning.” He leaned in to kiss her, but at the last moment turned his head so his lips barely brushed her cheek. Even that contact was almost more than she could handle.
    She sat down before her knees gave out, setting the gift in the middle of the table. Melanie tried to think of something safe to talk about, something that wouldn’t immediately bring up images of him touching her body and causing her to lose control in the most delightful ways, but her brain couldn’t seem to get past the memory of his burning kisses or the feel of him inside her.
    “Sorry we’re late,” her father said, startling Melanie from her thoughts as he pulled a chair out for Evelyn. “Told you the preacher was getting long-winded.”
    Melanie looked up, grateful for the distraction. “No worries.” Her voice still somewhat shaky. “I just arrived myself.”
    Her father smiled and winked at her as he sat down.
    “Oh, I am starving this morning,” Evelyn said, then turned to Stan and giggled. “Gonna have to get my strength back up.”
    Stan patted Evelyn’s hand. “For you my dear, anything you want.”
    Evelyn called over the flirtatious waitress, whose name tag said Trish, and asked about the day’s specials. Jake’s knee brushed against Melanie’s under the table then jerked away quickly. The brief touch sent heat surging up her leg, and her body demanded more. She tried to focus on what the waitress was saying, knowing that if she looked directly at Jake, she might just maul him on the spot. Melanie stifled a giggle as she thought about just what would happen if she started ravaging Jake at the table in front of everyone. Her father was fairly open-minded, but even he had his limits.
    Trish took their orders, ending with Jake. “And for you?”
    Jake glanced up at Trish and winked. “The usual, darlin’.”
    Trish winked back. “Not a problem.” She gathered the menus, flashed another smile at Jake, then headed off to the kitchen.
    Melanie wanted to trip her and send her flying across the room.
    “So what’s this, sweetie?” Evelyn’s question brought Melanie out of her visions of Trish landing face first in a well-placed bowl of potato salad.
    Melanie moved the wrapped box closer to Evelyn. “Your wedding gift. I forgot to grab it out of the car yesterday.”
    Evelyn grabbed Melanie’s hands in her own and leaned close. “Honey, just being here was gift enough.”
    Melanie blushed. “Thank you.”
    “And I will accept this gift on one condition,” Evelyn continued. “That you come back to visit more than once a year.”
    “Here, here,” Stan said, raising his glass of water to Melanie. He clinked glasses with Jake, who wouldn’t look at Melanie.
    “I promise to do my best,” Melanie said.
    Evelyn eyed her for a moment, then patted her hands. “That’s all I ask. Now hand me that box.”