Something More
ROMANTIC SHORT STORY WRITTEN BY ROSEMARY HAYES
Was it the handsome stranger stirring up my emotions, or just the excitement of the wedding preparations?
The wedding dress was gorgeous. Scooped neckline, three-quarter sleeves, soft, elegant. Perfect for me… except that I wasn’t the one who was getting married.
No chance of that, since I wasn’t even dating anyone. I hadn’t wanted to since I became a widow ten years ago. My adult children, job, friends and hobbies filled my life. Yet lately, I couldn’t help feeling that I wanted something more.
I put the lovely outfit back on the rack. I was waiting for my youngest daughter, Ellie. Her wedding was weeks away, and she still hadn’t found the perfect dress.
“Mum! Sorry I’m late. I was making arrangements to meet Jarrod after we’re finished here. You’ll join us, won’t you? It’ll be a chance for you to meet Jarrod’s dad before the big day.”
“Oh, that’s unexpected. I didn’t know he had arrived in town already.”
“We weren’t expecting him so soon either,” Ellie said. “But he said he didn’t want to miss out on the pre-wedding fun. After all, Jarrod is his only child, so he won’t have the chance to do this again.”
I didn’t know much about Jarrod’s father. Only that his name was Mark, his wife passed away five years ago and he had a career in the building industry. It was great he’d arrived early to support his son. Family first. I felt the same.
“Well – if you don’t find a wedding dress soon, Ellie, there might not be a wedding.” I held up a gown that fell in soft folds which I knew would suit her.
“I love that,” said Ellie. “I’ll try it on.”
When she walked out of the changing room, tears filled my eyes. She looked stunning. Ellie had found her dress.
Twenty minutes later, we were in good spirits as we entered the café. The attractive grey-haired man seated next to Jarrod had a lovely welcoming smile as we approached.
Jarrod made the introductions.
“This is my dad, Mark. Meet Ellie’s mum, Sandie.”
“Hello Sandie, lovely to meet you.” Mark stood up and clasped my hand. Even after he let go, the warmth of his touch lingered. “I’ve heard so much about you, and by all accounts you are an amazing woman.”
“Don’t.” I waved my hand. “Stop… no, seriously, don’t stop.”
He laughed at my joke, and when our eyes met, I felt a flutter which had nothing to do with the wedding. The feeling didn’t go away during lunch or when he handed me his phone number.
“This isn’t just if you need any help with wedding plans,” Mark said earnestly. “If you’d like to catch up for coffee or dinner, call me.”
Did I want to call him? Date again? What would my kids think? I knew it was my choice, but their feelings mattered.
I told Ellie when we arrived home.
“Mum,” she said. “If you decide it’s time for you to share your life with someone again, then I’m happy for you. And I know that Jarrod gets all his good qualities from Mark. So you can’t go wrong there.”
“I’m not trying to jump the gun here, but say that Mark and I date, fall in love and get married? That would mean you and Jarrod would become step-siblings.”
I thought Ellie would be horrified at the prospect, but she laughed.
“Mum, since we’re not blood-related in any way, it wouldn’t be an issue.”
It meant a lot to have Ellie’s blessing. Yet still I hesitated before slipping Mark’s number into my pocket.
I’ve found over the years that cooking helps to calm me when my mind is in overdrive, so I pulled out ingredients to make a stir fry.
I’ve always enjoyed inventing recipes. A bit of this, a sprinkle of that. Aromas drifted from the pan, and I’d taste test every so often. Too sweet, too salty.
Soon it was definitely edible, but it needed something more.
Then it hit me.
My life was the same. It was fine the way it was, but hadn’t I already been thinking I needed something more?
Could Mark be that something? Or did I just need to take up line dancing?
The more I thought about it, the more confused I became until I recalled the moment I saw him for the first time and my hand touched his. I had to stop thinking and let my heart make the choice.
I pulled out Mark’s number. That night he joined me for stir fry.
Many dinners followed, right up until the wedding day when we watched Ellie and Jarrod marry. After vows, dinner and speeches, it was time to dance.
Mark walked over and stretched out his hand. As he held me close, I gazed into his eyes, and in that moment I knew for sure I’d found my something more.
Read more romantic short stories:
Read Take A Little Time, See You In My Dreams, Back In The Day, plus many more in our archives.
