It's February! What better time for love stories? So, as Rebecca's Camp Connection concludes (Kudos, Rebecca. I loved your story ), I thought I'd start posting one I've been working on. Sorry...it's long again. I couldn't write a short story if my life depended on it...I think I'm too wordy. (Even this intro is too wordy. Lol)



Everybody's heart aches
every time it opens...
You don't know if you'll win or lose
You have to just let go...

Maybe It's Love by Trisha Yearwood



Chapter One

August, 1999


“Here we are, Sweetpea...our new home.”

Nora gently lifted a sleeping Matthew from his car seat adjusting him on her shoulder, then placed her purse strap over her other shoulder. The sea air ruffled her hair making her feel a freedom she hadn’t felt in months...since the evening Lindsay Rappaport had revealed her secret and destroyed her perfect life.

She was miles from Llanview, Pennsylvania, the city she had called home for nearly eight years...miles from family...miles from friends...miles from work...from stress...and from Bo. She and Matthew were making a new start; and he, at six months, was sleeping through it all.

Wisteria Bed, Breakfast, and Cottages the sign read. It was as lovely as the photographs Nora had perused when trying to choose a destination. An ornate old Victorian home sitting atop a bluff by the sea. The wisteria for which the bed and breakfast was named was in full bloom climbing arbors and trellises along the porch and walk. Just beautiful, Nora thought as she approached the ornate wooden doors and rang the bell.

The door was opened by a petite, round lady with curly silver hair.

“Hello,” she said with a smile.”Welcome to the Wisteria. You must be Nora.”

“Yes, Nora Buchanan,” she said extending her hand.

“So nice to meet you, Nora. I’m Sally. And who is this?” she asked indicating the sleeping baby.

“This is my son, Matthew.”

“Aww, so sweet. Well, I’m glad you’re here. Come right in.”

Nora followed Sally to a parlor where she was offered some iced tea. “No, thank you,” Nora said. “I’m anxious to get settled in our cottage.”

“Well, of course you are. I’m sure you’re ready to relax after all that driving. We’ll just go over the rental agreement and you’ll be on your way.”

Sally and Nora were reviewing and signing the lease when the door opened. A tall man with blonde hair entered. He wore a nice tan and a dimpled smile.

Sally introduced him, “This is my son, Kyle. Kyle helps me run the B&B and the cottages. If you have problems with anything, let me know and I’ll send Kyle to fix it. He can fix anything.”

“I’ll remember that, thank you,” said Nora. “Nice meeting you, Kyle.”

“And you,” Kyle replied smiling.

“Nora and her son will be leasing Cricket Cottage,” Sally told him. I need you to give her the tour.”

“Be glad to,” Kyle said, “whenever you’re ready. You’ll love the Cricket. It’s secluded and has a very private beach area.”

“Sounds perfect,” Nora replied. “I can’t wait to see it.” Then, after signing on the dotted line she said, “Lead the way.”

* * * * * * *

Nora loved the cottage and decided it would be perfect after it was infused with a little paint and personality. It was painted white, one story, with a wrap-around porch on two sides. The porch had white posts and rails and old wooden screen doors that squeaked as they opened and snapped shut noisily. There were wicker chairs covered with flowered chintz, a double-seated glider, and a hammock as well. Steps led straight from the porch into a small area of beach grass and then into the sand.

Inside she discovered there were five rooms: a large space with kitchen area on the left and living room on the right. At the end of this space,a hall extended off the center wall leading to two bedrooms and a bath. The entire house had hardwood floors with scatter rugs here and there. She particularly liked the living room area which had long paned windows on either side of a small stone fireplace and bookshelves on the back wall. The furnishings were in good shape. Kyle told her they had replaced them before the last renter moved in.

“I love it,” Nora told Kyle. It’s exactly what I was looking for...but...would there be any objection to me doing some painting...just to make it more like home to me?

“Not at all,” Kyle answered. “The walls could use a new paint job. Do you plan to hire it done, or do it yourself?”

“I think I’ll be doing it myself. Sounds like a fun project for me...something I haven’t done in a few years.”

“Well, if you need any help, let me know. Be glad to assist you in any way I can.”

After Kyle left, Matthew began to squirm on Nora’s shoulder.

“Time to wake up, Sleepy Head,” she told him rubbing his back, “and take a look at your new home.”