Unintended Love: A contemporary romantic novella by Harley O'Riley Page A

interpret it.
    “Yes.”
    She didn’t really have an errand to run, but to kill time went into the drugstore across from the news station. She browsed through the magazine racks, taking one down at random and flipping through its pages. The title of the first article she came to read: Fear of Falling- don’t let the fear of being hurt again ruin your life. She closed the magazine and hurriedly put it back. Suddenly, she had a strong desire to call her mother.
    The interview went smoothly and although it was very short, Melanie felt she’d made her pitch well enough, and most importantly, had managed to get the information about the website that was now set up to take donations. Then before she left the studio, Cary came up to her and handed her an envelope.
    “Just a few contributions from the folks around here,” she said.
    Melanie thanked her, feeling that if she had been able to touch people at the news station, she might get a good response from the interview.
    When she got home, she went to her computer and found that ten people had already made small contributions on the website.
    The urge to talk to her mother persisted and after a light dinner of pasta and salad, she poured herself half a glass of white wine, curled up in the leather armchair and got out her cellphone. While she was searching through her contacts the phone rang. It was her mother.
    “I was just calling you.”
    “Well, I’ve been thinking about you all afternoon,” Dalya answered, as if that fully explained the coincidence. “How are you, dear?”
    That one question opened up the floodgates, and the story of Alex poured out of Melanie. Her mother was an experienced listener, encouraging her with small gentle noises and thoughtful questions. She hadn’t told anyone all these weeks what had controlled her thoughts and feelings since the first day she’d spent with him, and to do so now, left her feeling actually physically lighter. The tight feeling in her chest had loosened somewhat as well.
    Finally Melanie grew quiet and after a few moments, Dalya spoke.
    “It sounds like you may be in love.”
    Melanie started to cry. “Oh Mommy, I think I am.”
    “It’s not really a bad thing, sweetheart.”
    “But what about what I told you? He has a freaking race car! He rides a freaking motorcycle. He flies a damn plane!”
    “Melanie! Please watch your language. It sounds like he’s adventurous and exciting. He really likes to live his life to the fullest. It’s probably why he’s attracted to you and a big reason why you’ve fallen for him.”
    “But, he’s lovely otherwise too. He’s intelligent and funny. He’s kind and really giving. I would care about him without all the rest of it.”
    “If you love someone then you have to accept the whole package. You don’t get to pick and choose, and it’s usually a disaster to try and change people.”
    “I don’t think I can handle the whole package.”
    “You should think about it though. Meeting someone you can love like that doesn’t come along that often. I should know.”
    “Thanks, Mom.”
    “I have some news of my own, Melanie. I’m seeing someone.” 
    “What did you say? Seeing someone for what?”
    Dalya laughed. “You are so silly! Remember that man that I told you about? You know- the one I thought I could...”
    Melanie understood her mother’s awkwardness with the subject of her deepest feelings and tried to help. “Love?”
    “Yes, that’s the word, I guess.” 
    “Oh wow, that is news.”
    “He lives on the Island. I used to see him a few times a year, just in passing, and I always wondered... well, when you were lost I called him.”
    “You called him when I was lost?”
    “Yes, yes. I thought he might be able to help somehow.”
    Melanie was confused but she was more curious about the relationship between her mother and this man, so she stayed quiet.
    “Anyway, I’ve seen him almost every day since then.”
    “You never said anything all these