I Love You Twice (Falling For Him Contemporary Romance Series Book 7) by Jessica Gray Read Free Book Online Page A

Dean didn’t even pause at the warning sign, she assumed he had one of the coveted permits.
    She was so absorbed in watching him and his every move, that she didn’t pay close attention to the trail. Suddenly her feet slipped out from underneath her and she saw herself in slow motion as she fell to the soggy ground. She sat on the ground for a moment, staring up at Dean, who’d quickly come towards her, a worried expression on his face.
    “Melissa! Are you okay?”
    Melissa blushed, grateful it wasn’t very bright outside. “I’m fine.” She laughed a bit, “I don’t know what happened.”
    “Here, let me help you up.” Dean reached down and pulled her to her feet.
    Once she was back on her feet, she realized the ground had not only been wet, but muddy as well. She was wearing shorts, awaiting another hot summer day, and now her bare legs and the backside of her shorts were covered in mud!
    Looking down at herself, she said, “I’m a mess!”
    Dean looked at her and for a moment she spotted disappointment in his face. It quickly faded into worry. “You sure you’re ok? We can leave. You have to be horribly uncomfortable.”
    “Don’t be silly! So I’m a little wet and dirty. Haven’t you been waiting for years to find that missing link?”
    Deans face lit up; “Well yes, but if you want to get changed, I can go some other day.”
    She shook her head; “And take the risk of not spotting that elusive dragonfly? No way. Or do you think I’ll scare it away looking like that?”
    He laughed at her in surprise, “You look gorgeous, Mel. Even covered in mud. It’s just, that any other woman I know would be making a scene and demanding to go back.”
    “I’m used to playing in the sand and mud with Happy, remember?” The fall had broken the ice and Melissa was excited about the rest of the morning and suddenly wanted to talk.
    “Where are we going?”
    Dean looked at her in that loving way again that turned her stomach upside down. “Mel, please don’t be offended, but we need to remain silent throughout the walk. Otherwise we do scare the insects away.”
    She nodded her head without saying another word.
    He smiled at her and continued walking. They trod on in silence, keeping pace beside each other, until he softly grabbed her arm and gestured over to the reeds. Melissa looked to where he was pointing and barely stopped from gasping out loud. There, amongst the reeds, were half a dozen dragonflies!
    She was taken aback by the sheer beauty of them. They look like fairies. Good fairies . Should she make a wish, just in case? What would she wish for? They dazzled in all the colors of the rainbow, reflecting the rising sun over the like. She listened closely and could hear a slight humming noise as their wings fluttered back and forth.
    Dean took out his camera and patiently lied down. Melissa slowly lowered herself to sit beside him and watched. Click. Click. Click. He took dozens or even hundreds of pictures. He was enthralled with what he was doing, and as the time passed, Melissa had lots of time to think.
    She looked around and marveled at the fantastic scenery. The sun coming up over the lake, being reflected in all its yellows, oranges, and reds. The dazzling insects she’d never before stopped to appreciate. And the man she loved lying next to her in the mud. Loves? Do I really love him? How can I know after just a few days?
    When he’d finished snapping pictures, after what seemed like an eternity, he turned his head and looked at Melissa. She watched his eyes stare at her, unseeing for several minutes, before he blinked and the light of recognition lit his eyes.
    He whispered, “Mel, I totally forgot about you. When I’m working I tend to shut down everything else.”
    “It was a pleasure to watch you. You looked like a kid eager to learn something new. You have that enthusiasm all over your face.”
    Dean smiled lovingly at her, “Nobody has ever said that to me. Most people think I’m