Mending Hearts

By Zaria Sky

Melissa Myers came to the small town of Willow Creek with one goal in mind: train hard enough to win the Maxis Cycle Climb and start a charity in honor of her best friend, who died in a riding accident. She doesn’t have time for distractions, much less romance, but she gets both in the form of Ethan Clarke, a man with some serious biking skills, disarming sweetness, and unexpected compassion. It doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes, either.

The last thing Evan expected when he met Melissa was to fall for her, but she intrigues him like no woman ever has. She has determination, passion, and a drive to succeed that thrills him. She also has a terrible sadness eating away at her, one that he may not be able to soothe. Should he tell her that he’s falling for her when he knows she’s only here for the race? Does her heart have room for anything other than sorrow?

Can he convince her of his love before it’s too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Shorts
• Release date: Jan 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9781094424606

Book preview

Chapter One

Melissa

Melissa released a long sigh as she leaned back in the driver’s seat. What do I do now? she asked herself under her breath, her eyes darting between the parking lot and the B&B she had planned to spend the next three weeks in.

The B&B, a large cottage, looked the same as it had online. The light-gray exterior with white accents around the windows and on each corner made her smile. It reminded her of a dollhouse she used to have when she was younger. She could relax here, right? She hoped so.

Choosing to hide out in Willow Creek wasn’t an easy decision. But it was necessary. At least she could kill two birds with one stone. She smiled, but it was short-lived. Yes, she would get to train for the annual Maxis Cycle Climb and she would get some time away from her family and friends. But the only reason she needed to get away was that she was tired of people asking her how she was.

Did they expect her to have good days? Did they expect her to be happy?

Sighing, Melissa closed her eyes, forcing the tears back.

Not now, she thought. Please, not now.

A few minutes later, she wiped her eyes, making sure they were dry. She opened the door and got out of her SUV. The cool air kissed her cheeks and she took a deep breath.

Just focus on winning, she told herself, and forced a smile. But it felt uncomfortable. No, it felt wrong.

Her shoulders slumped as she pulled the passenger door open and took out her suitcase and small travel bag. When she closed the door, her eyes quickly drifted over the bike secured to the back of the SUV. She didn’t want to drag it along to her room, not until she knew where it would be. And she was tired, so she left it there.

Melissa pulled her luggage up the stone walkway to the B&B entrance and stepped into a cozy lobby. There was a little sitting area with a coffee table stacked with magazines, the wall behind it filled with pictures.

Her eyes landed on the host then, her green eyes welcoming and a smile on her lips as Melissa approached. Her gray hair fell around her face in short curls.

You must be Melissa, the woman greeted her.

Yes, I am, Melissa said. It’s very nice to finally meet you.

Cecelia looked just like her picture on the website, and that made Melissa relax a lot more. It was her first time visiting Willow Creek, and she was starting to believe that everything would go as expected.

You too, my dear. I love seeing new faces around here, Cecelia said, smiling warmly, her eyes glinting. Please have a seat.

Cecelia pointed to a nearby couch and Melissa sat down, pulling her luggage to a stop near her feet.

Would you like something to drink? Cecelia asked. "We have an assortment of juices, and water of course.

Maybe some water, Melissa said. She wasn’t thirsty, but she didn’t want to be rude either. I just want to get settled as soon as possible. It was a long drive.

There was a lot of information about the town online — a bid to increase the population, she guessed. It was written up as a quiet, family-oriented community, where visitors were treated with familial respect and everyone was helpful. She’d never really experienced that, and as a professional cyclist, she had traveled to quite a few places. But she was hopeful. If it was as peaceful as described, she could focus on her training and let everything else fall into place.

Cecelia nodded understandingly and disappeared for a moment, returning with two bottles of water.

Thank you, Melissa said as she took them. She opened her small travel bag and dropped them both inside.

I just need to confirm your ID and booking, Cecelia said.

Sure. Melissa reached into her bag for her ID and waited as Cecelia walked over to a cabinet and unlocked it. Retrieving a tablet, she returned and took the seat across from Melissa.

I will take a picture and then have you sign, okay?

Yeah. Melissa nodded.

Cecelia took the ID and looked it over before taking a picture. You will be here for three weeks, right? she asked.

Yes, Melissa said. It seemed a long time to hear it out loud, but there would never be time enough, and no place far enough for her to go. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, forcing her mind to focus on Cecelia.

Breakfast is included, Cecelia said. But we can make arrangements for other meals as well. There are some great places in town that you can try. Petey’s has always been a favorite of mine. There is a brochure in your room with some places of interest, and you can always look them up online.

I’ll do that, Melissa said, her smile lopsided. She wanted to get to her room, where she could allow her emotions to take over for a while before she shoved them in a box. But she didn’t want to be rude. She would be here for three weeks, so starting on the right note was a necessity.

But the way Cecelia tilted her head… it was clear that she sensed something.

Let me show you to your room, Cecelia said, gesturing toward a doorway that seemed to lead to the dining room.

Melissa got up and followed Cecelia, pulling her luggage along.

This is where breakfast is served usually, Cecelia said, her voice soft and welcoming still. But you can have it in your room or outside if that’s what you prefer. It doesn’t matter, really.

Melissa only nodded, taking in the dining room and the kitchen, which looked very homey and clean. She imagined the scent of cookies that filled the air to be a normal occurrence, and she wondered when she would be in the mood to bake again. She hadn’t done anything enjoyable since the accident. Why should she when Andre couldn’t? She felt her emotions sting her eyes, and blinked a few times to force the tears back.

Cecelia led her through the kitchen and stopped before a door that opened to the outside.

Your private suite is only a short walk away, she said, holding the door for Melissa.

She followed behind the older woman, pulling her bags along another stone path until they were standing before a brown door with Lily etched in gold letters.

This is the Lily Suite, Cecelia said. If you need something else to make your stay more comfortable, you can just let me know.

Well, there is one thing, Melissa said softly, clearing her throat to make sure her voice was strong enough. I brought my bike with me.

Oh, yes. Cecelia chuckled. We made arrangements for that, too. I had a space cleared in the shed over there for you. She pointed. Will that work?

It’s perfect. It wasn’t far away and there was a lock on the door. Considering how dirty her bike could get on trails, it was a good idea to not store it inside her room. And it needed to be sheltered from the elements.

That’s great. There’s a key on here for the shed, too. Cecelia jingled a bunch of keys before handing them to Melissa, who opened her palm to accept them.

Thank you, Melissa said.

Cecelia smiled at her, but the silence between them stretched a bit longer than necessary — at least that was what Melissa thought. Did Cecelia see her sadness? Was she going to comment on it? Melissa hoped not. She didn’t want pity; that was why she’d chosen to be around strangers.

If you don’t have any other questions, Cecelia said suddenly, her voice loud after their awkward silence, I’ll let you get settled. It’ll get dark soon, so you may want to think about dinner. If you want to join me and my foster daughter, just let us know and we’ll set a place for you.

That’s very kind of you, Melissa said. But I think I’ll be okay. She didn’t want to intrude, and she was afraid that she would lose control of her emotions in the presence of strangers. It had been a long day and she needed to be alone.

Okay, Cecelia said, stepping away from the door to give Melissa better access. I hope you enjoy your stay.

Thank you.

Cecelia left, the sound of her footsteps slowly decreasing, and Melissa released a sigh. She pushed the key into the lock and turned it, pushing the door open and stepping into her suite with her bags behind her.

Whoa, she said. The room was amazing, and a lot cozier than the pictures had prepared her for. It was roomy with huge windows. There was a queen bed, a work nook fitted with a large desk, a chair, and a desk lamp, and a large closet. There was also a TV, but she imagined she wouldn’t need it. She’d never found the time before anyway, and she had plans to stay busy while she was in Willow Creek. It wasn’t by chance that she was here, and it wasn’t for fun either. The prospect of ever having fun again sent a shiver through her. The idea should not have even crossed her mind.

Melissa pulled the drapes closed and kicked off her shoes before shedding her jeans and jumping into bed. Her phone in hand, she skimmed the messages and sighed, closing her eyes for a second to prevent tears from falling. Her mother was reaching out again, and so was Athena.

Not now, Melissa thought. I don’t want to think about it now.

But it was too late, because it was all she could think about. Losing her friend. Seeing his charred body, his eyes closed, and his wonderful life drained from him.

She put the phone on the nightstand and leaned back onto the pillows, her breathing ragged. She covered her face with her hands, closing her eyes as tight as she could as the memories flooded her.

I’m sorry, Andre, she whispered. It was all my fault.

She pushed her hands up to grab clumps of her short red hair, pulling on it gently before turning on her side and curling into the fetal position. With her eyes closed, she kept seeing flashes.

His smile.

The way his lips curled when he was upset about something.

She heard his laughter. And she missed him.

I’m sorry, she muttered.

Melissa sniffled as tears rolled down her cheeks, her green eyes puffy with grief and her heart reliving the ache that had been plaguing her for months.

You would be alive if it wasn’t for me, she whispered, willing sleep to consume her so she didn’t have to remember anymore.

Chapter Two