An Unexpected Kiss by Susan Hatler

An Unexpected Kiss
    by
    Susan Hatler
     
    I’d never been so excited about a first date in my entire life, or as nervous. Maybe my mixed emotions were because I’d met Dave earlier in the day right after I’d decided that finding the ideal man in my small mountain resort town of Whitefish, Montana, might be a lost cause. Or maybe the flutters in my belly had to do with how much I already liked him.
    Either way, it didn’t help my nerves one bit when my mom called as I was getting ready and I’d (foolishly) told her about my unexpected date. She’d given me an earful that made me want to kick myself for answering my cell.
    “What do you even know about this guy, Holly? He could be an axe murderer and you’re walking right into his clutches.”
    “He’s not a criminal, Mom. He’s a web developer.”
    She scoffed. “That’s what he says. . . You’re taking separate cars to the restaurant, though, aren’t you? I’ve always told you to never get in the car with a stranger.”
    “Mom, I’m twenty-nine. Not fifteen.”
    “You’re never too old to be cautious, dear. I don’t want you to jump into anything without thinking just because there are no other single men in your tiny town.”
    And the lecture went on, let me tell you. I’d never been so happy to get off the phone in my life, but thankfully I had to leave for my date. My mom’s words had shaken me, though, and I wondered if I should tamp down on my excitement that Dave could be the perfect guy for me.
    As I drove along the highway in my modest sedan, I glanced over at the lightly rippling sapphire blue water on Whitefish Lake. The lake’s peaceful beauty usually calmed my nerves, but right now the picturesque view seemed to mirror the joyful possibilities this evening might bring. Not good, Holly. Not good.
    I parked my car in an available spot near Danica’s, the restaurant where Dave and I had agreed to meet. I’d suggested Danica’s since it had an amazing view of the lake, the service was fabulous—my friend Michele was a waitress there—and the food was heavenly. The perfect combination for our first date.
    I turned off the ignition, then let my breath out slowly, trying to calm my racing heart which was galloping at high speed. Unsuccessful, I stepped out into the cool evening air, shut my car door, and promptly checked my reflection in a store window.
    Although I rarely wore make-up, tonight I’d put on a layer of black mascara that highlighted my hazel eyes. I’d left my natural chestnut curls wild around my head, and fortunately they rested playfully against my shoulders instead of going all frizzy. My lipstick had already faded, so I swiped another layer across my lips and sighed.
    If my mother could see me right now she’d warn me not to put a whole lot of effort into what I looked like, nor get too excited about a first date with someone I barely knew. It annoyed me that I heard her warning voice in my head everywhere I went. She could be a tad smothering at times, but since my dad had died four years ago we only had each other now. Plus, I knew she meant well. She just didn’t want me to fall hard too quickly. Too late!
    Could I help it if Dave had the most beautiful blue eyes I’d ever seen? That with our short conversation at the Falling Leaves Festival this afternoon he seemed to be the first guy to get me? Finally I’d met a man I seemed to connect with who shared the same love for this rocky mountain town and its glorious outdoor beauty.
    Dave had also zeroed in on my favorite bracelet in the booth display for my beaded jewelry business, Treasured Creations, and purchased the piece as a gift for his mother—so sweet! He’d even seemed to enjoy the story that had inspired my selection and placement of the stones for the bracelet. Swoon.
    Oh, man. I had it bad.
    Maybe I was a bit too eager, since I’d just arrived outside the agreed-upon restaurant fifteen minutes early and Dave was nowhere in sight. I smoothed my skirt