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Category: Romance/Fantasy
Description: A young woman is invited to go hiking with an old flame, but already made other plans. The following week, when she discovers the man was killed, she struggles with feelings of guilt and remorse and finally begins to let these go when his ghost appears in the window of her parents' home. What unfinished business does the spirit have with her and can she find peace?
eBook Publisher: eXtasy eBooks/Devine Destinies, 2011 2011
eBookwise Release Date: December 2011

Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [68 KB]
Words: 13045
Reading time: 37-52 min.

Chapter One

Stephanie Mills walked into her favorite coffee shop, sat at her usual table, and sipped her mocha coffee. The rush of caffeine flooded her brain and she smiled.

"Stephanie?"

Deep in thought, Stephanie pulled her attention from her iPhone and glanced up, not recognizing the gorgeous guy who stood at the edge of her table. After a second, her face lit up, she couldn't believe her eyes. "David?"

"Yes," he beamed.

Her eyes did a onceover. He still had the same firm body, bright smile and glittering eyes she remembered. "My God, how are you? How have you been?"

"Better now I've run into you." His intense gaze hadn't changed much over the years.

She lowered her eyes, chuckled. "Wow, I haven't seen you in..." She counted in her head. How long had it been?

"One year, two months and..." he checked his phone. "Sixteen days."

Her cheeks flushed. "You kept track, huh?"

"I did." He stepped closer, rubbed his forehead against hers, lowered his eyes. "I've never forgotten you."

At first she wanted to back away, but the feeling of David came rushing back. The tender moments they'd shared, the intimacy. It was hard to remember why they didn't work. She backed away, chuckled. "Sit down."

His eyes were focused only on her as David sat. "Thanks."

Stephanie didn't want this now. She was enjoying her freedom and lack of complication. Seeing David here today brought up too many mixed emotions and long buried feelings she'd sooner forget. She tried to lighten the mood with trivial conversation, hoping to forget the rush of emotion that just transpired between them. "So, what's going on with you lately?"

"I'm going camping this weekend."

"Sounds fun."

"Wanna come?"

She rolled her eyes in response.

"Well? What d'ya think? We can hike, cook out..." He raised his eyebrows.

She sighed. "I don't know."

"It'll be fun..." He spoke in his usual taunting tone and now she started to remember why they'd broken up. David had no sense of responsibility, future, ambition. True he was sexy as hell, but for a long term partner, he wasn't what she wanted.

"I can't."

"I thought you told me you liked spontaneity."

Oh boy, now we're gonna get into it. "I do, but--"

"Isn't that one of the reasons why we broke up? You didn't think I was spontaneous enough?"

Spontaneity was one thing, responsibility another. David was neither. "Yes, but--"

He shrugged and waved his arms open. "Here I am, trying to do what you want."