Page 1 of Spring Awakening

Chapter 1

Ivan

“How are you liking Montana? I hear the winters are like Russia.”

“Moscow, yes. Siberia, no.” I smiled as I heard my cousin laugh. Since marrying, Konstantin Baranov has laughed more than ever before. Being the Bratva Pakhan was never easy, but his little Italian wife brought joy into his life.

“Then, can I hope Aunt Sonya is happier than she was here?”

“Much. The residents of Wintervale have welcomed her warmly, and the weather is perfect for her.”

“What about you?”

“You know me, as long as Mama is happy, that’s all I need. I’m still available if you need me. There is a private airport nearby with a charter service. The paper trail is all under Mama’s maiden name, Roloff.”

“A new safe house is a great bonus. If things get ugly with the Cartels again, we may need to send the women to you.”

“Of course. We would make sure they are well cared for and protected. Mama and I have talked about this. It is why we’ve purchased such a large property. It’s back away from the road with lots of extra space for family. We’re also installing a safe room to cover the ‘just in case’.” I knew my cousin and pakhan would appreciate everything we are doing. We’re family, and family takes care of each other.

To add a bit of levity to our conversation, I added, “Besides, the view is beautiful… both of the nature and female kind.”

I could hear the smirk in his voice as he commented, “So there’s hope that you may find a wife yet.”

“There is always hope, Mother,” I laughed.

“Ouch. And on that note, my wife is calling. We’ll talk soon.”

I chuckled as we hung up, and I picked up my coffee, taking a drink as I looked out the window towards the one house close to us. Multiple females lived there, and by the research I’d done, they were sisters. I occasionally saw a man with the youngest sister, her fiancé, Mama learned through the latest gossip, and passed on.

As I continued to drink my coffee, I noticed a beautiful woman leaving the house. As she glanced towards my house, I took her in. She seemed more mature than the other sisters, so my gut told me she was the oldest, Dina Johnson. Even from this distance, I could see the heavy load of responsibility sitting on her shoulders.

My thoughts took me by surprise. I found myself wanting to help her with that load. I hadn’t even spoken to her, and already I was more than interested. Maybe Wintervale would bring me the love I was destined for.

Chapter 2

Dina

“First customer!” My sister, Myka, called out.

I dusted the coffee grounds off my palms. “Starting early this morning,” I respond to her as she walked past me toward the back, having just unlocked the door a moment ago. She grunted in reply, and I sighed at her less than personable mood that appeared every morning that she opened the diner with me.

Turning to the door, I pulled in a breath to greet the customer, but my lungs caught. The man striding through the doorway was the same man who moved in next door to our house. He was tall, broad, and looked like sex on a stick in his blue jeans and long-sleeved shirt. It was casual, yet there was something purposeful in how he looked. In a suit, he’d be deadly to every girl who crossed his path.

The idea of other girls desiring him had me scowling. This wasn’t my man, why did I feel jealous? My man. That absurd thought was enough to get my mouth to pull into a smile at my insanity.

“Good morning!” I said brightly to the man. “Pick a seat and I’ll be right with you.”

His grin was immediate. “Mornin’.”

The closer he got to me, the more my breathing stuttered. There was an energy around him that warned he was dangerous. At the same time, I realized I wasn’t scared of him. It was like my instinct told me that I’d always be safe with him.

“How’re you doing today?” he asked with a smile as he found a seat at the counter.

I smiled at him, “I wasn’t too sure, but with you as our first customer, the day is already looking better.”

His chuckle wrapped around me with an incredible warmth. “Why, Ms. Neighbor, are you flirting with me?”

The question threw me off. Was I flirting? “A handsome new stranger in this small town? Expect that a lot.” I winked at him in my least awkward way, praying I didn’t look like an idiot. His answering chuckle once again put me at ease with him.

---