Wishing on the Water (Water Series Book 1) by Elizabeth York

phone back down.
    The drunk man returned to his seat near me and smiled every few minutes, but had left me alone. I was grateful. I couldn’t take any more people telling me how sorry they were, or how great of a guy Chase was. I know it was the polite thing for people to do and say, but I had heard it enough.
    I ordered another drink as my phone lit up again. The same thing as before, just a message and nothing else. Maybe he was finally telling me off. My voice-mail only holds sixty second messages. I downed my drink and ordered another when a voice behind me told the bartender to cash me out.
    It took a few minutes in my alcohol riddled brain to realize I was not going to get my drink. I spun on my stool and came face to face with a detective with his badge around his neck.
    “ Why are you cut me off?” I slurred, in my drunken state while the room spun.
    “ Miss Carson, I think we should get some water into you.” The young, black haired, blue-eyed detective said, as he cloned himself in my vision.
    “ You don’t drunk me,” I spoke with my finger aimed at one of him.
    “ Miss Carson, I am Detective Mark Stone. You may not remember me. I worked with Chase on a few cases before he passed away.”
    “ I know you, but I don’t want to talk about Chase,” I slurred.
    “ I am not here to talk about it, but I am here to help you sober up and get you home.”
    “ Did the drunk guy call you?” I stated pointing at an empty bar stool. When did that guy leave? My brain was foggy and I couldn’t make sense of anything much.
    “ Something like that. May I join you?” Mark asked, as I spun and nearly fell off my stool. We then talked for about two hours, as the fog cleared from my head. He seemed like a good guy. He didn’t bring up Chase again or try to get in my pants, so he was A+ in my book.
    I was as sober as I was going to get, and my words were coming together better as exhaustion tore through me. Jet lag and alcohol are not a good mix when you have a meeting at 7a.m.
    “ I need to get going. Thank you for the water and conversation.” I muttered, as I tried to put my coat on. I watched as he texted something on his phone, then he stood and helped me into my coat.
    “ Can I walk you somewhere, or get you a cab?” Mark asked.
    “ You’re sweet, but I can manage,” I replied, and walked toward the door.
    “ Miss Carson, if you need anything while you are here, please don’t hesitate to call,” Mark stated, as he handed me his card. I took it and smiled at him. I didn’t know if he was just being nice, or if this was the code: that the brothers in blue took care of the wives and families after an officer was killed. I didn’t want to know, because I didn’t want to think about it.
    I stepped out to see that there was a snow and rain mix falling from the sky. I stepped out into it and, for one fleeting moment, I was home. I stood out and looked up at the night sky as the rain snow mix fell down on my face. I closed my eyes and made a wish on the water: that I would have the courage and strength to love, and recognize love, when and if I ever found it again. I didn’t want to wind up alone pining for a man who was in Heaven.
    When I opened my eyes again, I started toward the hotel. I must have missed the curb as I slipped and fell. Mark was behind me in a moment, helping me stand back up.
    “ Thank you,” I whispered, turning crimson from embarrassment.
    “ Don’t thank me yet. I was merely doing a favor for someone.” Mark nodded above my head.
    “ What are you talking about?” I asked, wondering just how drunk I still was.
    “ Hello, Candy.” A familiar voice called from behind me and shivers went down my spine. My stomach clenched and my body betrayed me as his voice reverberated through me. I turned around and faced the music of the song I had chosen to write.
    “ Hello, Jaxson.”
     

 
     
    My voice was barely a whisper as I spoke his name. He looked delectable in a pair of jeans and