Wishful Thinking: Fountain of Love

By Ava Catori

Laura's tired of dating losers. Will she ever find somebody special? When her grandmother mentions a magic fountain from her past, Laura wonders if it's another one of her Gram's tall-tales. Could it truly exist? Setting out on a road trip, Laura goes in search of the fabled fountain. Can Laura find the love she's seeking or will it all be a wild goose chase?

Bernie's loved Laura since the day he met her in middle school. Now about to finish college, he's all but given up on his dream of winning Laura's heart. When she admits something changed, he's forced to decide if it's too late since he just got back together with his ex-girlfriend. 

Will Laura and Bernie find they're better off as friends? Or can they find their way to a happily ever after? "Wishful Thinking" is a contemporary 'friends to lovers' romance with a fun detour in search of a little magic.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ava Catori Books
• Release date: Jan 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524226527

Book preview

Chapter 1

Lauren dropped onto the Adirondack chair and placed her drink on the side table. I’m not saying he’s not cute. I’m simply saying I’m not into Bernie that way.

He’s had a crush on you for way too long. Why not put the boy out of his misery? Erin rattled the ice in her glass and took a swig.

I’m tired of men. They all end up being jerks anyway. Besides, it’s not like they’re still into me when I bring them home. Once they meet my sister, they’re all drooling over how hot she is and I’m left looking like an old piece of cheese.

Oh, please. Bella Rae has plenty of her own guys. Erin clucked her tongue. You’re giving up way too easily. So you got another rotten apple. There are still plenty of men available, in fact, an entire orchard. You pretty much have your pick. She made it sound so easy.

If I’m lucky, I’ll meet somebody special one day. I’m just tired of all the frogs I’m finding first. Lauren stretched and shifted her short, stubby legs; the ones that weren’t nearly a mile long like Bella Rae’s were. Her sister got all the good family genes.

Hey, Gram, she said as her grandmother came outside with a crystal cut glass of scotch.

Hi, Miss Marjorie, Erin greeted. Laura’s grandmother had been a part of her life for as long as she could remember. Laura and Erin had been inseparable through most of school.

Good day, girls. What’s the topic of conversation today? She settled into one of the chairs.

Guys, Laura admitted, then groaned. Another bad apple. Where are all the good ones?

Always in such a hurry. If you really want to meet the right man, you need to go make a wish at the magic fountain. She winked as if she held a secret.

"Funny, Gram. I wish there was a magic fountain, Laura said. It would make life so much easier. Could you imagine? Just make a wish and poof, there’s Mr. Right."

Sometimes what we wish for isn’t what we need. Sometimes, you simply need to open your eyes. Gram took a long sip from her glass. She paused briefly, and then continued. I will tell you this, there is a magic fountain. I’ve seen it.

Laura cocked her head to the side, her curiosity growing.

That’s where I made my very own wish. I’d never have crossed your grandfather’s path if I hadn’t made that wish. Her face softened, thinking back on her husband. She missed him dearly.

Erin got sucked in. A real fountain? Where?

Well, if I tell you, then it wouldn’t be a secret, she teased.

Gram, Laura whined. Tell us more.

If I must, she said, pretending to be bothered. She smiled, hardly bothered at all. It was fun to talk to the girls. They were vibrant and fresh. She’d watched them grow since they were barely knee high. Well, Laura she’d watched since she was born, but Erin became a part of the duo from about elementary school on. Things had changed so much over the years.

Gram started her story. Remember, this was a long time ago. I’m not even sure it’s still around. I can’t make you any promises. At the time, I didn’t realize it was a magic fountain, but I’d heard rumors. I’ll tell you, I sure hoped it was real. And just like you, I thought the rumors were ridiculous. But I figured, why not? It couldn’t hurt to give it a shot. She smiled to herself. That was when I met your grandfather. He was such a good man.

The best, Laura agreed.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, I’d caught wind of a rumor. There was a magic fountain on a private estate. The estate only opened their gardens up once a year for a fundraiser. The fountain was on their property. Well, I was as poor as a pauper and couldn’t afford such a thing. I shouldn’t tell you this, but I was a rebel and snuck onto the grounds anyway. I just had to see it. She laughed, remembering her past. It was somewhere south of Amarillo and north of Lubbock. Not far off of the highway, but enough that you’d never find it without knowing its whereabouts. Nobody really knew much about the owners. The area was overladen with cattle and train tracks, so the house stood out in the barren area. The estate looked like it didn’t belong in the small town, but there it sat. After your grandfather passed, I went back looking for it, but the estate had grown over with vines. There were tumbleweeds, the trees and grass had all but died, and the fountain had gone dry. Such a shame, really; it was a beautiful area. I guess whatever family owned had moved on. Money came and went quickly in those days, and those that were wealthy would lose their funds, while those who were poor oftentimes made a fortune on some crazy idea.

She drifted, lost in her own thoughts.

You went back? Laura never knew about this. How had she never heard this story?

How could I not? She looked away, ashamed. Her face slackened. I wished I was with your grandfather, but knew I couldn’t do it myself. I could barely imagine living without him.

Oh, Gram! We all miss him dearly. Laura got up and hugged her grandmother. The thought of her being that lost and broken tore at her heart.

He was my life. She gave a small, weak smile. Gram cleared her throat. Anyway, the fountain was beautiful. I’m not sure where I first heard the rumor, but it bubbled about. People never knew if it was a way for the fundraiser to bring in more money, like a gimmick, or if it was true. I figured if I believed in it enough, it could be. I had nothing to lose. The estate was magnificent. They had landscaping fit for a king—their own lake, plants everywhere.  It was amazing to find such a beautiful circle of water in the dry grounds out there, but this was man made. I knew by how grass thrived and the plantings that they’d paid a pretty penny to keep things alive and green.

The fountain... Erin nudged.

Right, right. The fountain was large. Easily two or three tiers and set by their small lake. It was cement, you see, but they’d painted it. It looked like a white washed piece of stone. There was a walkway from the house that led out to the lake area, and right before you got to the lake you came across this breathtaking fountain. It was perfect for making a wish, whether it was magic or not. Oh, the money that was put into this estate must have been massive. I vaguely remember a white gazebo nearby. Though it’s been so long, I may have altered the details in my mind. An old mind like mine plays games time to time.

"I’ll bet