“What are you doing here?” she asked. Her knees felt weak; she leaned against the wall for support. She wanted to get off at the next floor, flee the elevator, and put distance between them.
“I’ve been miserable ever since we had that fight. I miss you.”
Did she dare tell him how she felt? That she had missed him, too? Was it that easy? “I read that the kid took a plea bargain.” What an inane thing to say, she thought. I’m chattering. I’ve got to stop.
“Yes,” he replied. “I took your advice. I thought it through, and realized that you would not have said what you did unless you were quite positive.”
“You could have told me,” she said.
“I was on my way to do that right now. When the elevator doors opened and I saw you standing there, I thought it was my imagination.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry for what I said. Shall we start all over?”
“Start all over? I’d rather begin where we left off, except for our disagreement, of course. We were doing all right, don’t you think?”
“More than all right.” Cash pulled her away from the wall and swept her into his arms. His mouth came down on hers. She felt as though she was spiraling out of the universe. Her heart beat fast and she became light-headed.
“I love you, Christie. I don’t want you to walk out of my life again.”
“I love you, too.” She twisted her fingers into his hair and pulled his face back to hers. As the kiss deepened, the elevator came to a halt and the door swished open. Christie’s ears were assaulted with applause. She opened her eyes and looked over Cash’s shoulder at half a dozen smiling people. They were like a theater audience, applauding, rendering a standing ovation at a happy ending to a play. Although this was real life, Christie knew that happily-ever-after endings could come true.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I want to thank Ellen Mickelsen, former publisher of Avalon Books, and Lia Brown, former editor, for their belief in Silver Serenade. A thank you also to copy editor Sara Brady, whose suggestions made my book stronger. Thanks go to BFF Jackie Cathcart for providing a detailed description of San Francisco’s spectacular Cliff House; her luncheon experience became Christie’s. Last, but not least: I am grateful for my grandson Sean Ferraro taking me on a virtual hike to Big Sur’s gorge; and for my readers…I know you’re out there.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo by Kathleen Ferraro
Gerry O’Hara is a charter member of Romance Writers of America and has taught writing for publication seminars at Bay Area community colleges. She has penned several contemporary romance novels, including Emerald Sky and Race Against Love, and has also contributed articles relating to travel, adventure, and camping to publications such as Trailer Travel, Trailer Life, and California Camper. For over two decades she has taught writing to residents of a Silicon Valley retirement community, and in 2009 they honored her with the first annual Sunny View Volunteer of the Year Award. She and her husband divide their time between Monterey Bay and Lake Tahoe. In addition to enjoying the nature and scenery of both locales, O’Hara’s hobbies include photography, reading, crafting, and spending time with family.