Love and Romance is Everywhere

Buy Starting Over HERE

by Starla Kaye

I was trying to figure out what to write this time and then decided to go with my favorite topic: Love and Romance. Duh, it’s what I read, write, and enjoy observing in the world around me. And I’m pretty sure I have that in common with the readers and Decadent authors, who handle the subject so well.

As a long-time observer of people, I have witnessed so many beautiful romantic moments. Those “ahhhh” moments that stick with you. Yes, there are a lot of sad moments in life, too, but I prefer not to dwell on them. I’m all about that HEA (Happily Ever After) or even the HFN (Happy For Now). My two stories with 1 Night Stand, Maggie’s Secret Wish and Starting Over, are examples of special people finding their HEA. Starting Over could possibly be a HFN story, but I prefer to see my guys as living happily together the rest of their lives.

Sometimes I let my mind wander and think about how my characters could continue on with their lives together, go through the ups and downs of life, but stick together on into their older years. Or sometimes I write short stories strictly abut older relationships and that special love few younger people take the time to consider. It is easy to think romance and romantic relationships only revolve around people in their 20s and 30s, because most romance books focus on that. So not true. There are some amazingly beautiful older romances.

As an example of this, I want to share part of one of my older romance stories, “A Special Night.” I hope you enjoy it and I hope it reminds you to look a little deeper at the relationships around you.

Ted glanced with frustration out the picture window in the living room. Dark clouds tumbled across the sky as they had done for most of the day. They had spit snow off and on as well. If any night was made for staying in where it was warm and toasty, it was this one. His seventy-five-year-old body wasn’t really up to getting out in this mess.

He shoved the thought aside and yelled, “Are you coming, Marie? It’s almost five o’clock.” Not that it was such a late hour, unless you were used to settling in for the night about now.

“What’s your hurry, old man?” his beloved wife called back, using the “endearment” she used when he tested her patience. He smiled fondly at the notion. They’d tested each other’s patience for a whole lot of years and he hoped to be doing that for a whole lot more.

“Just dab on your lipstick and let’s go.” He knew she’d be rolling her eyes at him for that.

Any other night Ted would just as soon have stayed home, tucked into his well-worn recliner, TV tuned to whatever ballgame was on that day. But tonight was different. When Marie had gone next door to visit their neighbor earlier, he’d set the DVR and called Trombolli’s Restaurant, the best Italian food in town. He’d even arranged for one of their special corner tables. He was darn proud of himself for all of it, too. Mr. Romantic, he was not. Today was different, though.

She stepped into the living room doorway. “Usually I have to practically drag you kicking and screaming out any time after three in the afternoon.” Her expression mirrored confusion. “What’s up with you? Not that I’m opposed to going out.”

Patience. A man had to have patience with a woman, and didn’t he know that well after all these years. “What’s to understand? I said we’re going out tonight and we are. Now, get your coat and hat. It’s cold outside.”

The urge to question him more flashed across her time-wrinkled face. A face he loved to look at any time of any day. He didn’t even really notice the wrinkles she complained about. All he saw was the woman he’d married fifty years ago, the one who still took his breath away.

She shook her head, smiled in resignation, and moved to where he had her black leather coat with the big fur collar that she loved so much draped on the arm of the sofa. For a second, he missed the woman who had once seemed to challenge him over every little thing. Her spirited Italian temper had mellowed over the years, especially this last year. She’d started forgetting things more, too. Her health had gone downhill as well. His heart ached with the knowledge that they might not have a lot of time left together.