Against all Odds

The fire burned brightly in the old stone fireplace. She had lit it for warmth against the chill in the air from the early fall misty rainy weather. On the mantle was several vanilla scented candles of all sizes flickering casting ghostly shadows on the wall.

A table for two in the dinning room was covered in a white damask table cloth. Her delicate floral china was placed next to her heavy silverware and sparkling crystal wine glasses on it.

In the center of the elegantly set table there was a crystal vase filled with lovely red roses and candles placed perfectly on both sides. A bottle of Merlot sit waiting to be opened in celebration of his book finally being published.

She had a hard time earlier deciding on what to wear. After trying on several dresses she finally settled for her red dress that was an inch too short and that dipped a little too low in front. Tonight was special she could afford to be a little more daring she thought to herself.

It has been three months since she opened her Bed and Breakfast. A lady had called and made the arrangements for his stay and paid in advance. When they drove up she noticed the elegantly dressed lady was a few years older than him.

It didn’t matter to her at ththe time, they had paid and he was her first customer.

After her husband had suddenly passed away, she found out in his will he had left her an old house next to a river where she assumed he was going to surprise her sometime in the future.

So with her two boys, one 17 and the other 14, they fixed and decorated the run down house, making it a Bed and Breakfast.

He was the only one who stayed there said he needed to have a place to do his writings. He soon became a buddy to the boys and he fixed a lot of things around the house that would have been very costly. He was an excellent handy man, jack of all trades, and she was glad he was there to help.

His lady friend never came back, but when ever she called - she was pretty sure it was her she could see the look of attention in his eyes while he was on the phone and he often would rushed out of the house . Many times coming back in early morning hours. as she would hear him coming up the stairs.all his other time was spent for closed working on his computer-

They became friends and she began to enjoy his company. Especially after dinner when they would sit on the porch with the boys laughing and talking, watching sun sink below the horizon. Twilight turning into starry night skies with a watchful moon.

He had this afternoon got the exciting news that his book was going to be published. He was so excited that he picked her up and swirled her around in his arms. She was so happy for him.

She told him that she would cook diner for him. It was perfect for the kids were spending the week-end with their grandmother.She put the steak, hot buttered rolls, vegetable and baked potatoes on the table. As he was coming slowly down the stairs dressed in one of his stylish suites, watched her lighting the candles on the table., and couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she looked.

You looked lovely, he said to her as he came closer.

Why thank you, she said as she smiled back at him.

He went over to the table and picked up the champagne bottle.

My favorite —

Yes and mine also! She replied.

That was the first thing we discovered on your first night here.

No other wine has such a rich mellow taste! She said.

Right! He agreed.

He opened the bottle of wine and poured it into the glasses. He gave her one and with the other he raised it to hers.

They clicked both glasses together and both took a sip staring deeply into each other’s eyes.

The song, “It’s just one of those things,”was playing on her iPad.

He graciously took her wine glass and put both glass on the table. Pulled her into his arms. They both laughed out loud.

She suddenly felt the wine making her a little mellow and the sensuous smell of his cologne, the romantic candle lights, listening to the cozy fire cracking and seeing the misty rain splashing on the window panes, she knew her feeling for him had evoked into something more than friendship.

She looked into his eyes, and she knew he felt the same. He pulled her closer and his face came closer to hers—- then his cell phone ringed.

He stopped dancing, released her and took his phone out of his pocket. Excused me, he said.

Sorry- I have to take this.

Feeling disappointed, she forced a smile and replied.

Of course!

She went over to the table and sat down.

Would he leave? she thought.

She knew it was her—

He paced back and forward in the other room while he was talking to whoever it was on the phone.

Then he came back into the room. He looked down at her sitting at the table-

She was prepared to agreed with him that he must go.

When he suddenly pulled her into his arms and began dancing again with her.

He looked her in the eyes.

It’s over- you never have to worry about her again.