Helen Brenna - Along Came a Husband (Harlequin Super Romance #1640)

I VE ALWAYS LOVED A GOOD thunderstorm, Missy Charms murmured as lightning crackled outside the front windows of her gift shop and thunder rumbled over the roof of the historic brick building. Theres nothing like early summer rain to settle the heat and wash away the dust and grime.

So says the quintessential earth child. Sarah Marshik jumped as another bolt of lightning momentarily brightened the early evening sky. Me? I cant stand em.

I think theyre cool. Brian, Sarahs young son, went to stand beside Missy near the front of the store.

Together, they peered through the droplet-spattered windows overlooking the center of Mirabelle Islands old-world quaintness. Other than an odd tourist or two caught unprepared in the sudden downpour and running from under one green-and-white awning to the next, the cobblestone streets were deserted. Slim, the black, short-haired cat Missy had rescued many years ago, rubbed against her leg, and she scooped him up.

Another bright and fiery flash lit the sky, and Brian grinned at Missy. That was awesome!

Totally. It means were going to have lots of wind tonight, she predicted, scratching the cats ears. And a hotter than normal summer.

How do you know? Brian asked, his eyes wide and round and oh, so innocent.

I just know. She winked. Where would be the fun in explaining her predictions came straight from Zuni weather lore?

Missy can predict the future, Sarah said, grinning.

Tell my future! Brian held out his hand. Read my palm. Please, please, please!

Missy glared good-naturedly at Sarah. Sarah may have beaten Missy to Mirabelle by a few months, but it seemed the two had been destined to become best friends. Not only were their businesses located side by side on Main Street, but, most important, theyd both seemed lost in the world. That is, before theyd found Mirabelle and each other.

Bri, hon, Missy said, shaking her head, no one can tell the future from someones palm. Shed learned that the hard way.

You can. Ive heard you talking about it with Mom. Theres a life line and a line that tells you how rich youre going to be and

Okay, already. Missy laughed. Setting Slim back down, she took the little boys hand and ran her fingers along his palm, pretending to concentrate. I seehmm, thats interesting.

What? What?

Oh, shes pretty.

A girl? I dont want to know about girls. He cringed. I wanna know if Im going to be a pitcher for the Twins.

Baseball? She shook her head. Trust me. Loves more important.

Brian pulled back his hand and rolled his eyes. Nothings more important than baseball.

If only that would last. Sarah shook her head. Do you want us to stay and visit with you while you eat?

Given the bad weather, Sarah had only one or two customers shopping for flowers the entire day, so shed closed up a little early to be with Brian. As the island wedding planner, Sarah was smack-dab in the middle of her busiest time of the year. Even so, knowing Missy was stuck alone in her store until closing, shed dropped off a tomato mozzarella salad from Duffys Pub.

You and Bri take off, Missy said. I dont want you to be late for your movie.

Youll be okay here?

Itll be quiet. She smiled. A good night to get some things done.

She could make several chakra bracelets or dust a few shelves or simply sit and enjoy the thunderstorm with a cup of herbal tea. It would be lonely, but Missy had grown used to being alone. At least thats what she told herself every day. She glanced at Brian and the ache that had steadily grown stronger over the past several years pierced her heart like a jagged spear.

As if Sarah had read Missys thoughts, she gently touched her son on the shoulder. Brian, go use Missys bathroom before we take off. After the little boy had dashed toward the rear of the store, Sarah cautiously asked, Any news on the adoption front?