Three Wishes

Lisette Rivera

Being burned out didn't happen all it once. There weren't any quick-tempered episodes. I didn't break down or have random crying spells. I had always stayed on track, even when my world was falling apart. Maybe that was why my burnout happened exhaustingly slow. It was like silently begging for oxygen when none was available.

The achy feeling in my chest was emotional pain and physical exhaustion. I had acquired, accomplished, and saved enough, but the grind wore on me. My long-term relationship went from lovers to coexisting. Breaking up with him wasn't hard, but leaving someone so familiar was. I was on my own, again. My destination, Silvestre. A month at a luxury resort will put things into perspective.

A new life?
Maybe.

A reset?
Definitely.

Arriving during a snowstorm wasn't the best situation, but I didn't expect to meet Barrett Hale. His calm voice was a different kind of comfort. A spark. Our chemistry started with an incredible spark. Barrett felt it too. He asked if I had three wishes what would they be. My answer was to be safe and warm with hot cocoa. We couldn't count two of the three. Reason being, I was in my beautiful cabin, cozy and safe.

Barrett granted my first wish by pouring gingerbread cocoa, and that was the start of something wonderful.

Silvestre felt like a world away from everywhere else. Going from city life to a slower pace was a huge change. My routine turned into easy conversations over hazelnut coffee on snowy mornings in quiet woodsy spaces. My second wish came after a winter's kiss in newly fallen snow. My time was winding down in Silvestre, and I wanted my third wish.

Maybe Barrett Hale would grant that too.