The Meltdown Match (A Romance Novella) Read Online Free PDF Page A

don’t give up on it just yet. Maybe you could even think of today as fodder for your next book and write a story about a fisherman who talks to fish or something.”
    Courtney drew her lower lip into her mouth, as if seriously considering his suggestion. “A fisherman with a sixth sense who happens to know right where to fish every time. That’s actually not a bad idea.”
    Mitch raised an eyebrow. “Really? A guy who can talk to fish?” It sounded pretty lame to him.
    “Not talk,” Courtney said. “Feel.”
    He shrugged, still not seeing it. “Let me guess, he’ll fall in love with a mermaid.”
    Courtney shook her head. “I write magical realism, not fantasy. So no. She’ll be a journalist or a photographer—someone who’s heard stories about a guy that has never had a bad day of fishing. She’ll want to investigate.”
    Mitch still wasn’t sure about the idea. “Just promise me you’ll throw in some pirates or something.”
    Her lips twitched. “Like Swiss Family Robinson ?”
    “No, like Pirates of the Caribbean .”
    “I told you. I don’t write fantasy.”
    “What about a shark attack then?” Mitch said. “Or maybe the guy could get swallowed by a whale and have to talk his way out of it. That would be cool.”
    Courtney laughed. “Remind me to never come to you for plot ideas. They’re terrible.”
    “Hey, who suggested the fisherman idea?”
    “As a joke .” She smiled then leaned over the edge of the boat and ran her fingers through the water, probably working through plot ideas. Mitch took the opportunity to watch her and the way her nose turned up a tiny bit at the end. A breeze whipped her hair behind her, and with the lake and mountains in the background, the picture she made could easily work on a cover of Outdoor Life. Only Courtney didn’t need heavy makeup. She was a natural beauty.
    Mitch wanted to see that smile every day, make her laugh, and listen to whatever it was she had to say. He wanted to run his fingers through her silky hair, hold her close, and taste her lips. He wanted her in his life for longer than a few months out of the year.
    But ever since high school, her MO had always been come and go, come and go—something that had a bipolar effect on him. Whenever she showed up, Heimel became vibrant and exciting, like three-dimensional renderings of a construction design. When she left, it flattened back to a dull, lifeless two-dimensional line drawing.
    If only he could convince her to stick around.
    Courtney looked his way and caught him staring, and Mitch quickly moved to secure the hooks on both fishing poles. Then he started the small engine and steered the boat toward the small dock. It was time to do something else—something he knew she’d like.
     

Courtney accepted the helmet with a grin and put it on. She climbed on the back of the 4-wheeler, scooted close to Mitch, and wrapped her arms around his muscular waist, resisting the impulse to bury her face in his back and breath in the intoxicating outdoor scent that was all him. Hopefully this would be a long ride.
    “You good?” Mitch called as he started the engine.
    “Perfect.” She held on a little tighter just because she could.
    They spent the next several hours climbing trails, racing through meadows and pointing out moose, elk, eagles, and even a bear. Courtney hadn’t felt this content in a long time.
    When Mitch drove them to a peak that overlooked Heimel and killed the engine, Courtney reluctantly let go of her hold on him and climbed off to admire the spectacular view. The valley stretched out below them in a lush blanket of greens and browns. Birds chirped, and that raw, earthy scent she loved filled her senses.
    “Coming?” Mitch said.
    Courtney turned around to find him sitting on a blanket, patting the ground next to him. She smiled and sank down beside him, wishing she could snuggle up and rest her head against his shoulder. Instead, she accepted the sandwich he held out.
    “Thank