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

particular.
    At the front desk, he signaled for the receptionist. He wanted to talk to her away from prying ears. Not that he expected anyone to be listening, but he insisted on discretion even when they weren’t busy. “Is Trish Cassidy working tonight?”
    The overnight receptionist, a college student who used the quiet hours to study for exams, rubbed her eyes. “Trish? No sir, Mr. Monroe. I checked the moment I saw Bruce walk in.”
    Jake nodded. He trained his staff to be discreet, but not stupid. Bruce Garrison was overly possessive of his girlfriend, Trish, who waited tables for the hotel. “I’ve got my cell on. If he even sneezes too loud, you call me first. You got it?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    He turned to head back to his office, shaking his head. Small towns and their drama. He could never escape it, whether from his staff or now his family. On a whim, he stepped back to the front desk. “Has Melanie Olson checked in yet?”
    The college student stifled a yawn then blushed. “Sorry, chemistry exam on Monday.” She shrugged. “Did you say Olson?”
    “Yeah, would’ve been in the last half hour or so.”
    “No one’s checked in since I came on duty about two hours ago.”
    “Okay.”
    “You want me to let you know when Ms. Olson checks in?”
    He shook his head. “No, that’s okay. Actually—” He paused. “Yes, do let me know. And do me a favor. Put her in the king upgrade room.”
    “Yes, sir. Anything else?”
    He smiled. “Yes. Ace that chem test.”
    Jake walked back to the bar and sat down at the end closest to the kitchen door. From here he had an unobstructed view of Bruce Garrison, who was nursing a beer. By the looks of his bloodshot eyes, it wasn’t his first. Jake smiled to himself. It was only a matter of time before Bruce got himself in trouble, and Jake would be here to handle it. If he couldn’t release his frustration with Melanie, he’d just have to release it the old-fashioned way.

Chapter Eleven
    Melanie calmed herself down enough to get dressed, but by the time she made it out to the barn, her embarrassment had turned to fury. Jake had no right to be angry at her, to jump to the obvious conclusion that he did. But she was ready to give both him and Raymond a piece of her mind. Only about half of the guests remained in the barn, most of them paired off and dancing to 1960s music piped through a small stereo in the corner. Neither Jake nor Raymond was among those still enjoying the festivities. She found her father and told him she was heading to the hotel for the night.
    “You sure, sweetie? There’s plenty of room here, and Evelyn really wants to get to know you better.” The dejection on her father’s face was evident.
    Melanie flashed her father a telling smile. “Oh, Daddy, it’s your first night as man and wife. You should have the house to yourself.” She winked at him and tried not to laugh when he blushed. “Besides, I feel a migraine coming on, so it’s probably best that I go crash for a while. How about we all meet up for lunch tomorrow afternoon before I head back. Say around 12:30?”
    “Better make it 1:00. The preacher has gotten long-winded in his old age, especially in his Sunday morning sermons.” Her father rolled his eyes playfully. “We’ll meet you at the hotel restaurant.”
    Melanie hugged her father quickly before Aunt Rose hauled him back onto the dance floor.
    During the drive to town, Melanie tried to take stock of the weekend so far. Absolutely nothing had worked out the way she had planned. Raymond was not only married, but she was finally able to see him for who he really was. What bothered her most was that, deep down, she always knew he was less than ideal. He could be incredibly charming when he wanted something, but he hadn’t wanted to share in her life, hadn’t wanted to celebrate her successes. He hadn’t wanted her.
    Not until he thought that Jake wanted her.
    Jake was something else she had not counted on. She knew that