I hope you’re all enjoying a cozy autumn. In honor of the season, here is a short story you can read during a few minutes in your day (while you’re waiting for the tea kettle to boil, maybe). I’ve written short fiction for Woman’s World magazine, and I love writing these short romantic scenes.
If you need more to read this month, check out my Halloween romances. (The first book is current free!)
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Josie had injured her leg in August, and when fall came, she was still walking around on crutches. At first, the reminder to slow down and rest had been a surprise blessing. But now it was growing frustrating, especially as she watched the autumn leaves pile up in her yard without the ability to rake the colorful foliage into neat piles.
She could have asked someone, but she was stubborn and prided herself on being independent. She always told herself, Next week, your leg will be better.
But then one Saturday morning, she saw a man outside in her yard. A man raking her leaves!
It took her a minute to recognize him, and then she was even more surprised. It was her new neighbor, the one who’d moved in across the street not two months ago. She knew he lived alone, but other than a few polite nods and waves when they’d seen each other outside—her hobbling to check her mailbox, him sliding a grocery bag out of his car—they hadn’t spoken.
Now, through her window, she studied him. He wore a thick flannel coat, but she could tell by his movements it concealed strong muscles. His dark blond hair was covered by a hat pulled low over his head, making him look almost old-fashioned. She supposed his manners were old-fashioned, too.
She grabbed one of her crutches, opened the front door, and went outside.
“Hello,” she called. “You wouldn’t by any chance be raking my leaves?”
He looked up, pushing the hat back. He had warm hazel eyes, and, upclose, she really liked the look of him. “In fact, I am.”
Her eyes widened. He had a Scottish accent, which didn’t hurt his appeal one bit.
“Do people still do that these days?” she asked. “Do nice things for their neighbors?”
“I do,” he said. “I don’t know about other people.”
“I’d better bake you a pie, then,” she said, putting a free hand on her hip. “You know, just to be neighborly in return.”
“I guess you’d better.” He smiled and gestured to her leg. “I thought you might appreciate the help, with your injury.”
“It’s very kind of you.” A cool breeze blew, fluttering the leaves and bringing with it the scent of woodsmoke. Josie shivered and pulled her knit cardigan closed. “Would you like to come inside for a hot cup of coffee?”
“I’d love that,” he said. “Let me just finish out here.”
“By all means.” Josie went back inside and started the coffee pot as her new neighbor—her very handsome new neighbor—finished raking.
She was just pouring the coffee into two mugs when he entered. He hung up his coat and hat by the door in a move that seemed so natural, it was like he’d done it every day of his life.
In the kitchen, he took the cup from her and their fingers touched, a feeling of warmth spreading throughout Josie’s body.
“I forgot to ask your name,” she admitted.
“It’s Callum,” he said, his eyes locked on hers as he took a sip. This day was certainly turning out different than she expected.
“It’s nice to meet you, Callum. I’m Josie.” She smiled and shifted her weight, but of course her leg began aching.
At her expression, Callum pulled out a chair for her, and she gratefully took the seat.
“Thank you. Again,” she added.
He shrugged and took the chair opposite hers. “I like to keep busy and be useful.”
“Me too,” she said, picking up her coffee. “But since the injury, I’ve had to depend on others more than I’m used to.” She looked at him over the cup’s rim. “Not that it’s been an entirely unpleasant experience.”
He smiled and they spoke for a few minutes of the neighborhood, the weather, where they were both from. Josie hadn’t met anyone new in quite some time, especially someone she felt this connected to, like Callum was both strangely familiar and exciting.
Soon they had both drank their coffees, and Callum rose to collect their mugs and rinse them. But at her sink, he paused, his broad back to her. When he finally turned around, there was a vulnerable look of hope on his face.
“I told you I like to be useful,” he started. “How about I make us lunch?”
“I’d love that.” She smiled, her insides dancing. “Now I’ll need to bake you two pies, at least.”
As Callum busied himself in her kitchen, Josie watched through her window as more leaves drifted to the ground. Far from making her anxious, as they had before, the autumn sight filled her with the hope of new beginnings.
Enjoy this short romance? Check out my other stories here!
really good and I want more of their story