Swept Away (Wildfire Lake #3) - Skye Jordan Page 0,17

and angels. Placebo effect or not, I feel lighter, and that’s half the battle.

I’m enjoying the sense of relief as I pull up behind another vehicle at the stoplight. The color strikes me first—a beautiful bright pink hue. I smile because Chamuel is represented by the color pink. But despite my sometimes-ethereal beliefs, I’m very firmly planted in reality. One pink van sighting isn’t going to change my mind about Xavier.

I glance out the window and take in the golden rolling hills and newly built homes in a nearby development. When I look forward again, more pink pulls my attention to the paint on my fingernails. Which then causes me to glance at my workout clothes—all pink.

A flicker of panic tingles along my neck. “Don’t toy with me, Chamuel. We both know Xavier and I aren’t a good fit.”

When the light turns green, I change lanes and glance at the side of the van, where the company name and logo make my jaw drop: Angel’s Posey Passion is flanked on either side with fluffy white angel wings. After a year in Wildfire, I’ve never heard of this florist and never seen one of its delivery vans.

I’ve been manifesting for years—my last book was all about cultivating daily miracles—yet I’m always startled when these messages come through so loud and clear. Obviously, it’s not telling me anything specific, but I believe I’m being heard. If I’m patient, his message will eventually emerge.

I turn the corner onto the road leading to the marina and look longingly at the van as it drives on, as if it will offer some additional message to clear up any confusion or doubt.

Of course, it doesn’t.

But when I return my gaze to the road in front of me, a crystal hanging from my rearview mirror catches the sun and casts sparkling pink light across the dashboard. Pinks in every hue between purple and peach dance through the interior as the crystal bounces.

A laugh bubbles out of me, then my logical brain kicks in. I can’t be seeing what I think I’m seeing. Crystals reflect a rainbow of light, not just one color. I look away, then back and the interior is still twinkling with ten shades of pink.

“Okay, Chamuel,” I say as I turn into the marina’s lot. “You’ve got my attention.”

I’m surprised to find the lot full. It appears some of the participants who signed up to come early have already arrived. There’s a line out the door of the market, where registration and boat assignments are made.

Excitement bubbles up inside me as I pull into my parking space. When I stand from the car, I feel lighter, and a beautiful breeze sweeps past, caressing my skin. I think of the three hundred people who will be attending the conference starting tomorrow, and I can’t wait. Some are coming in from the area, some have rented our houseboats, and some are staying in nearby hotels.

I’ve never been surer of my life’s purpose, and I head to my houseboat with renewed energy to tackle all that still needs to be done.

3

Chloe

By 7:00 p.m., Laiyla and I finish filling the welcome totes with swag from the marina and a copy of my bestselling book. There should also be a book from the retreat’s leader, Shannon Duncan—an unusual name for a man—but they haven’t arrived yet.

I’ve never met Shannon, He's a fresh face on the spiritual scene, and since I’ve been in Wildfire for the last year, away from the movers and shakers of the industry, I don’t know anything about him. But after checking out his corporation’s website and reading a little about his background, I’m looking forward to meeting him.

Laiyla’s phone pings with a message.

“It’s Levi,” she says, referencing her fiancé. “He says the books were just dropped off.”

“Oh, great. I’d like to finish these bags tonight.”

I was also hoping to start the book before I met Shannon. He and I will be doing a joint book signing after one of the dinners. The retreat coordinator also reserved my meditation and yoga services for every morning and evening of the retreat, and I plan to sit in on all the lectures and workshops.

“Levi’s going to bring them over.” Laiyla fusses with the tissue in the last bag, then stares at it a long minute, lost in thought. “Is that it? Are we done? My mind is shorting out.”

“Before you know it, this will all be second nature.”

She heaves a sigh and looks at me, brow furrowed. “Is