HOW'S EVERYONE DOING? By Kathleen Lawless @kathleenlawless

Tomorrow marks the day Steel and I were supposed to attend a Rolling Stones Concert, which means today we would have been on our way to the city where the performance was scheduled. 

I must confess I don’t really love big concerts the way I once did.  These days I prefer a more intimate venue with comfy seating, and perhaps a bottle of nice wine.  But hearing the Stones in person has been on my bucket list since I first spent my allowance on a Sticky Fingers album with a working zipper on the jeans.  As neither I nor the band are getting any younger, it was now or never. 

When the concert might get rescheduled, and if we'll be able to attend . . .   Such is the stuff of these uncertain times.

One thing that’s for certain is that romance continues to bloom.  It’s just over five years since my very own hero, Steel, went down on one knee and asked me to become his wife.  We were vacationing on a tiny island in the Caribbean that had no cars, only scooters, golf carts and tuk-tuk cabs.   Somehow, he convinced the restaurant to open just for us on a night they were normally closed, and cook us lobsters.  That evening was more romantic than anything I ever could have written, and a total surprise, right up to the moment when he was actually kneeling on the towel from our finger bowls, so he didn’t cut his bare knees on the shale rock floor.

 Steel, being a true hero, understands that I write romance novels with larger-than-life characters and situations.  He knew that a special moment like the one he spent months planning had to be over-the-top extraordinary.  And it was.  The man “gets” me.  He understands what I want and need, often before I do.  I count myself extremely lucky. 

We’ve yet to formalize things with a wedding ceremony.  When we do, it will be an intimate event, most likely on a beach in the Caribbean, attended by family and a few close friends.  With uncertain travel being part of the foreseeable future, I’m glad we didn’t choose 2020 as the year.  I know a lot of people have had wedding plans derailed, and I hope they have come through it to make their romance continue to bloom despite global changes and uncertainty.

Being a sucker for weddings and bride stories, I’m really excited for the June release of Mail Order Olivia, Book 17 in the popular sweet western series: Widows, Brides and Secret Babies.  Here’s a sneak peek at my secret baby, second-chance romance.    

               

          As the train slowed to a stop, Olivia rose, settled her wiggly daughter on one hip, and reached for her valise, which was light enough to lift with only hand.  Because she had left Philadelphia in a hurry, she had packed only the bare necessities for Chloe and herself.

          She waited as passengers jostled past her, impatient to disembark.  No need to wonder if she would recognize Robert; she would know him anywhere.  When she stepped from the train, she spotted him instantly on the far side of the platform, talking to a plump, dowdy-looking woman.

          Pushing aside her fears and uncertainty, she covered the ground between them and reached the pair just as the other woman fisted some money Robert handed her, and rushed off. 

          Olivia knew exactly what had happened.  Robert had changed his mind.   Again.  The same way he had when her left her high and dry in Philadelphia, in a family way.  That wouldn’t be happening a second time!

          “Robert!  Her tone was more shrill than she intended, but it got his attention.  As he turned toward her, a myriad of expressions crossed his face.  Surprise and delight quickly faded to wariness.  His steps were hesitant as he approached her.

          “Livie!  What are you doing here?”

          “Looking for you, obviously.”

          “I don’t understand!”  

          “Neither do I.”

          Olivia was vaguely aware that the platform had emptied around them as they stood, gazes locked. 

          “You look well,” he said finally.  “I see congratulations are in order.  Where’s Harry?”

          “Harry died a few weeks ago.  Stumbled blind drunk in front of a train.”  She stated the facts with no more emotion than she had felt at the time, except relief that Harry was out of her life.

          “I’m sorry to hear that.”  His gaze darkened with emotion, only to vanish as quickly as it appeared.  “If you came to me for comfort, you’ve come to the wrong place.”

          “Nothing of the sort.”  She had come to ensure she and Chloe remained safe. 

Pre-order Mail Order Olivia here.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086JFJ6YC

Check out the rest of the series here.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084WYL1QX

And don’t forget to enter this month’s Rafflecopter

 http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/21df08a237/

Till next month, stay safe and read lots.

Kathleen