Page 1 of Rekindled Heart

Prologue

Ricky

“Hello, beautiful! How are you doing today?”

My granny smiles at me and pats my cheek. “You’re such a smooth talker, Ricky, my boy. You’re coming to the dance tonight, right?”

I nod my head and push my hat back so I can eye her closer. My gaze narrows in on the satisfaction on her face. “You better not be planning anything, Granny. I told you already. I’m not looking for another girl. I need a break.”

She huffs and her lavender curls whiff above her head. “It’s been long enough, Ricky. You can’t live your whole life alone just because some slick little hussy broke your heart. Vera wasn’t worth the time you wasted on her.”

Glaring at her, I cross my arms over my chest. “I mean it, Granny. I’m not interested in finding a girl. I’m fine just as I am.”

“Whatever, Ricky. You need to get out. See somebody. Talk to people. You’re gonna turn into a rude, nasty old man before your time if you’re not careful.”

I chuckle. “You just want another notch for your matchmaking belt, Granny. I’m sorry to break your heart but I’m not interested.”

“Just come tonight,” she begs, her wise brown eyes narrowed on mine. “Make an old lady happy.”

“Fine. I’ll be there.” I point a finger at her. “But you better not be planning anything. I’m comin’ to spend time with you. No other reason.”

She nods her head. “Of course. I just want to see my grandson relax. But it’s not like it wouldn’t be a great idea for you to meet a new girl.”

“I don’t need a new girl. I’m fine as I am. I love you for worrying though.”

She reaches out one wrinkled hand and touches my cheek, patting it gently. “I will always worry about you. All of you.”

“I’ll be there. That’s all I’m promising.”

I walkin the door and immediately spot my granny frantically waving her arms. I can’t help but grin. You don’t miss Granny Margot and her partner in crime, Granny Louise. Both of them have permed lavender curls that float around their heads. Both of them love to throw on as much color as possible.

Tonight, the two of them are wearing hot pink western shirts and fitted blue jeans. When I glance down, they’re both wearing sneakers in eye-watering hot pink too.

Hiding my smirk, I walk across and kiss my granny’s cheek.

She pats my cheek and grins smugly. “There you are! I was starting to worry that you weren’t gonna show up!”

“I told you I’d be here.” I sit down in an empty seat next to her and eye the dancers on the old wood floor.

It’s been a while since I’ve been to one of these but it doesn’t seem like anything’s changed. The music is loud and boisterous, everyone’s smiling and happy and the people on thefloor are energetic. The people sitting around at the big banquet tables covered with plastic tablecloths are enjoying talking to each other and also having a drink of the punch and munching cookies.

It’s been like this for as long as I can remember. Nothing ever changes.

I lean back and cross my arms over my chest, my t-shirt tightening across my biceps as I rock backwards.

I recognize everyone in this room.

Even as I’m thinking it, my eyes catch on a curvy brunette off to the side, sitting with another woman and watching the dancers. She’s gorgeous! Long, auburn hair and silky pale skin. I can’t see her eyes from here but I can see the gleam of them in the dark as she laughs, throwing back her head. Her hair falls down her back like a waterfall and I swear I can almost hear the ripple of her laugh from here even with all the noise around us.

“What are you looking at?”

“Nothing,” I mumble, dragging my gaze away from her.

Give granny a little bit of leeway and she’ll have me over there like a shot, asking the girl to dance with me before I can even get a word out.

No, thank you! I don’t want any girl. And just to prove to myself how bad it is, I let myself remember Vera and how we first met.

I was on my way to school. High school was really kicking my ass. I was on the football team and having a hard time keeping my grades up enough to keep from getting cut.

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