Summer Rain (Lightning Strikes Book 3) Read Online Free
Unfortunately, his father was waving him over. "That will have to wait. It's show time."
* * *
The ceremony was more personal and touching than Dani had expected. She'd thought it would be a simple ribbon cutting, a few short speeches by community leaders and that would be that, but Harris Kane, a handsome and eloquent man, spoke at length about his wife Jackie, her love of family and friends, and her devotion to the people in her community and the state of Texas.
The stories about Jackie's life were inspiring. Like Jackie, Dani wanted a political career. It wasn't going to be enough for her to be someone's staffer; she wanted to be more. And it wasn't just the title of congresswoman or senator that she wanted, although that would be great; it was the idea of being able to do something that mattered. She wanted to make a difference in the world, the way Jackie Kane had made a difference.
When Harris finished speaking, his son Patrick stepped behind the podium.
Her stomach clenched as she realized Patrick Kane was the man she'd caught staring at her when she first arrived. She'd felt his gaze on her even before their eyes had met. And the look that had passed between them had been unsettling—intense, deep, a little dark—as if some important, meaningful moment had just occurred. But that was a crazy thought.
Patrick was a very attractive man. He was over six feet tall, with broad shoulders and an athletic grace. His dark hair was thick and wavy, and his compelling brown eyes demanded attention. He spoke in a smooth, husky male tone that made her nerves tingle and thoughts of hearing that voice in the dark of the night, his lips inches away from hers, sent an unexpected wave of desire through her.
She wanted to look away. In fact, there was a part of her that felt like she should walk away, get as far from this unsettling feeling as she could.
She had a plan for her life, one that was all about career goals and milestones. It had taken her a long time to get to DC. She wasn't going to let anyone or anything distract her.
She blew out a breath, wishing for a cool breeze, something to wash away the heat, but the humidity, the threatening clouds, showed her no mercy. She just had to hope that Patrick's speech would end soon.
In the meantime, she forced herself to look away from him, her gaze moving to her hands, where she'd been subconsciously playing with the gold ring on her finger—the wedding band that had belonged to her great-grandmother, the ring she'd worn at Alicia's insistence, the piece of jewelry she couldn't seem to take off. Last night, the band had felt too small for her finger. She'd tugged at it, but it hadn't budged, so she'd left it alone. Now, the ring seemed looser, moving easily around her finger, feeling almost as if it could slip off at any moment.
Why, oh why, had her great-grandmother given her the most personal piece of jewelry she owned? And why had Mamich thought that it would bring her strength that she would need one day? Just more superstitious mumbo-jumbo , she told herself. Alicia and even Jake might be convinced that her great-grandmother had been imbued with some sacred magical powers from her Mayan ancestors, but she just couldn't go there. She didn't believe in magic or the universe or fate. Those just seemed like too-easy explanations for random events or chance meetings.
Life was made up of coincidences. They didn't always have to mean anything.
The crowd broke into applause, and she looked up, realizing that Patrick's speech was over. Congressman Parker said a few words and then turned the microphone over to the mayor, who also spoke. Finally, the ribbon in front of the park entrance was cut. A crowd of children ran immediately into the playground, followed more slowly by their parents.
Dani waited for her opportunity to speak to the Kanes on behalf of Senator Dillon, but the line was long and never-ending, so she decided to take a walk around the park. Two
* * *
The ceremony was more personal and touching than Dani had expected. She'd thought it would be a simple ribbon cutting, a few short speeches by community leaders and that would be that, but Harris Kane, a handsome and eloquent man, spoke at length about his wife Jackie, her love of family and friends, and her devotion to the people in her community and the state of Texas.
The stories about Jackie's life were inspiring. Like Jackie, Dani wanted a political career. It wasn't going to be enough for her to be someone's staffer; she wanted to be more. And it wasn't just the title of congresswoman or senator that she wanted, although that would be great; it was the idea of being able to do something that mattered. She wanted to make a difference in the world, the way Jackie Kane had made a difference.
When Harris finished speaking, his son Patrick stepped behind the podium.
Her stomach clenched as she realized Patrick Kane was the man she'd caught staring at her when she first arrived. She'd felt his gaze on her even before their eyes had met. And the look that had passed between them had been unsettling—intense, deep, a little dark—as if some important, meaningful moment had just occurred. But that was a crazy thought.
Patrick was a very attractive man. He was over six feet tall, with broad shoulders and an athletic grace. His dark hair was thick and wavy, and his compelling brown eyes demanded attention. He spoke in a smooth, husky male tone that made her nerves tingle and thoughts of hearing that voice in the dark of the night, his lips inches away from hers, sent an unexpected wave of desire through her.
She wanted to look away. In fact, there was a part of her that felt like she should walk away, get as far from this unsettling feeling as she could.
She had a plan for her life, one that was all about career goals and milestones. It had taken her a long time to get to DC. She wasn't going to let anyone or anything distract her.
She blew out a breath, wishing for a cool breeze, something to wash away the heat, but the humidity, the threatening clouds, showed her no mercy. She just had to hope that Patrick's speech would end soon.
In the meantime, she forced herself to look away from him, her gaze moving to her hands, where she'd been subconsciously playing with the gold ring on her finger—the wedding band that had belonged to her great-grandmother, the ring she'd worn at Alicia's insistence, the piece of jewelry she couldn't seem to take off. Last night, the band had felt too small for her finger. She'd tugged at it, but it hadn't budged, so she'd left it alone. Now, the ring seemed looser, moving easily around her finger, feeling almost as if it could slip off at any moment.
Why, oh why, had her great-grandmother given her the most personal piece of jewelry she owned? And why had Mamich thought that it would bring her strength that she would need one day? Just more superstitious mumbo-jumbo , she told herself. Alicia and even Jake might be convinced that her great-grandmother had been imbued with some sacred magical powers from her Mayan ancestors, but she just couldn't go there. She didn't believe in magic or the universe or fate. Those just seemed like too-easy explanations for random events or chance meetings.
Life was made up of coincidences. They didn't always have to mean anything.
The crowd broke into applause, and she looked up, realizing that Patrick's speech was over. Congressman Parker said a few words and then turned the microphone over to the mayor, who also spoke. Finally, the ribbon in front of the park entrance was cut. A crowd of children ran immediately into the playground, followed more slowly by their parents.
Dani waited for her opportunity to speak to the Kanes on behalf of Senator Dillon, but the line was long and never-ending, so she decided to take a walk around the park. Two
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