The Fake Engagement

She didn’t entirely know why Preston had to leave Westcliffe Heights, but without him, she wouldn’t have a job, nor would anyone else.

He was an amazing man.

They walked all the way into town. Every time they met someone, Marsha gripped her arm and introduced her, adding on at the end that she was the one engaged to Preston. It wasn’t long before the town would get the word out that the most eligible bachelor was now taken.

She expected more judgment from everyone, but so far, all she’d experienced was friendly faces.

They walked into town where most shops had Boone within the title.

“Preston told me his family was a big deal in town,” she said.

“Greg started to earn his money at a young age. He was big into investment. What he earned from the stock market, he somehow found the way to double, then triple. He’s always had a keen eye. Knew when to take his assets and when to invest. The town struggled in our early days. Where we live now, it didn’t even have a house on it.” Marsha smiled. “We were married young, did Preston tell you that?”

“He did.”

“Yeah, Greg and I, since we were kids, knew we were always going to be together. I had no doubts, and neither did he. Our first home together was a tent on the land. He promised me before Preston was born that he’d build me a house.” Marsha laughed. “My water broke as he picked me up, straining mind you, and carried me over the threshold. There is nothing that man won’t do for me.”

Eliza laughed. She was so happy to hear Marsha talking about her love. This was the kind of love she always wanted. Ever since she was a little girl, she wanted to be with a man who made her heart sing.

“It is rare to find that kind of strength in love,” Eliza said.

“Tell me about it. Greg and I were just babies, but we knew without a shadow of a doubt. We knew we were soulmates, and no one could come between us.” She sighed. “It will be a life you and Preston will have. If there is one thing I know about my son, it’s that he has a soft spot in his heart for love.” Marsha sighed.

“He is a good man.”

They walked toward a diner, and a small, round woman came out, glaring at Marsha. “I heard the news, Marsh, why ain’t I met her?”

Marsha chuckled. “Eliza, I’d like you to meet Melinda. She believes she is the town’s matchmaker,” Marsha said. “She is also one hell of a cook.”

“Give me your palm, girly. I wants it.”

Eliza frowned, not exactly wanting to give the woman her palm. Her hair was pulled back into a hairnet, and the apron she wore had a great deal of grease stains.

“Why do you want my palm?” Eliza asked.

Westcliffe was no different from her hometown. She’d grown up in a tight-knit community, where everyone knew each other and people took care of each other. If she’d been asked to give her palm back home, she would’ve given it, no questions asked.

The city had made her stop trusting people.

“Melinda believes she knows how long a person is going to be together. Who their mate is, and who their soul mate is. She has a gift.”

“You ladies can mock me all you want, but I steered you all right, didn’t I?”

“She sure did,” Lydia said. “She told me Roger and I would have a rocky beginning, but it would be true love by the end, if I just followed my head. I did, and now we’re happily married with three kids.”

She had yet to meet all the children.

This was bad.

If Melinda’s gift was in any way real, then she and Preston were screwed.

The woman held out her palm.

If she made a big deal out of this, would they suspect?

She couldn’t exactly say touching strangers was uncomfortable to her, seeing as she shook each of their hands.

Slowly, she placed her palm into Melinda’s hand. The other woman had soft skin. “Ah, yes, I see. You’re a little tense, honey. Meeting the Boone clan can be a real testament of strength.”

This made her chuckle.

“I see. I see. You and Preston, it is so new. Too new.”

Her heart started to race.

Melinda closed her eyes, running her fingers down the contours of her palm. She felt sick to her stomach of what she was going to reveal. None of this was good.

None of it.

Biting her lip, she waited.

Melinda’s eyes opened and then she placed a palm against her stomach. “Your relationship will start with trouble. He or yourself will hurt each other. It will shatter an illusion, but from it, the greatest of joy will come. You will be the next one.” The woman smiled. “I feel it.” She nodded her head, winked at Marsha, and then went right back into the diner.