My ultimate Val’s date begins long before twilight. First sweetie and I plan a romantic dinner– surf and turf or something unusual we don’t normally treat ourselves to. We share the cooking duties, playing over shared chores. House is tiny, table is set with pretty cloth and candlelight. Music is a shared selection. When the meal is prepared, we slip off to slide into formal clothes, comb our hair and make an effort to look special. Dinner is served at a small table where we can stare into each other’s eyes and take turns feeding each other small bites. Afterward, we dance, holding each other like there is no one else in the world.

In lieu of all this, we could substitute a semi formal dinner at a waterfront restaurant with palms, tablecloths, and more candle light overlooking the water.

Next, we go out, to a movie, opera, broadway show. Somewhere again we don’t normally go to. If it’s a movie, it’s a romantic tear jerker or romantic comedy.  Afterward, we go for a stroll under the moonlight, along the boardwalk, where lights or stars twinkle softly. A carousel ride would be a bonus. Share ice cream? Sure, why not. We could walk barefoot along the sand, dancing under moonbeams and stardust.

Now, we return home, exchange our formal dress for casual attire.  I love a man who looks good in favorite jeans and bare feet. What a turn on. We make dessert–pudding, popcorn or something simple. The fireplace is lit. Music again is our only companion. We sip cocoa and share our dreams. Foreplay? Absolutely.

We’ve spent the day together, sharing all aspects of our relationship and our plans for the future. We’ve been friends first, so now we can  move on to be lovers.

Blurb: Kasey Griffin is determined to prove a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis isn’t going to ruin her life or define her expectations. She is dedicated to her pregnant sister, her pets and operating her bookstore, ‘The Next Chapter’. She has everything she needs to have a full and satisfying life–the daily challenges of her condition notwithstanding.

         Then hunky musician Ben Salem rolls into town. Ben’s subtle charm quickly reminds Kasey she is more than a woman with a disease, she is also a woman with a heart. And Ben wants it.

         Will Ben still desire her once he learns the terrible details of her condition?

Inspiration:

Many years ago I was driving home from work on Valentine’s evening. It was rainy and around eleven PM or so. In the middle of the residential road was a cellophane bouquet of red roses, complete with ferns and baby breath. It looked to be in fine condition. My mind turned over all sorts of scenarios of why it was lying on a rainy street so late at night. Lover’s quarrel? On Valentine’s—that seemed so sad.

The next day, while returning to work, I saw they were gone. The unanswered question stayed with me for several years. Finally, I wrote the story. First, it was began as therapy, with no intention of publication. I had been experiencing some physical limitations and my frustration was an all time high. To cope, I created a heroine and gave her a disease with physical limitations. And a love interest to challenge her. The memories of the roses in the road resurfaced and became a pivotal part of the story,

One more scene is the hero walking, with his guitar case and duffle bag, into town after his truck breaks down. Again, true story. I spotted a man walking into town from the expressway, with a duffle bag on his shoulder and swinging a guitar case.