Romance 101

Romance 101

Forty-two

Light, Sweet, Delicious, G-rated

Short Stories

by Jan Bono

Copyright 2012 Jan Bono

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Sandridge Publications

P.O. Box 278

Long Beach, WA 98631-0278

http://www.JanBonoBooks.com

DEDICATION

To all the hopeful romantics

who unfailing see the relationship potential

in every chance encounter.

INTRODUCTION

Boy meets girl.

Yes, it’s an age-old story, but every single one of those stories had its own special beginning. The planets aligned at precisely the right moment for the paths of two specific and potentially compatible people to cross.

But how? Where? When? Why? And what were the circumstances of their first hello?

The odds may have been stacked high against them, but nevertheless, they met. Where they go from here is anybody’s guess, but the opportunity for a loving and respectful relationship now certainly exists.

Boy meets girl.

I’ve always been intrigued by the magic that made a chance encounter possible. With millions of single people wandering about the world, is it luck or destiny that brings a new couple together?

I hope you enjoy these 42 stories, and I hope you are inspired to keep your eyes and heart open to romance.

Yours truly,

Jan Bono

http://www.JanBonoBooks.com

CONTENTS

Dedication

Introduction

A Puppy in Her Pocket

Donna serves Carl breakfast at the diner, and he gets more than just a good meal

Love is in the Air

Marie and James meet on their first helicopter ride

Love Birds

Abigail thinks love is for the birds until she meets David

Chapel of Love

Jenny finds Matthew while working at a wedding chapel

A Snowcapped Lesson in Love

Raquel falls for her snowboard instructor Marc—literally.

Planting the Seeds of Love

Amy’s Arbor Day gardening gets her hands dirty, and her heart hopeful

Better than French Fries

Zzalex serves Matt fast food and flirtation

Twelve Steps to Love

Jenna finds she and Ken have a great deal in common

In Perfect Harmony

Marianne gets in tune with Tom, the cabaret singer

Serving Up Romance

Darcy doesn’t let her injury keep her from making it to the finish line

Going Once, Going Twice...

Carly gets more than she bargained for after the radio auction

Playing the Part

Sylvia isn’t acting when she develops a crush on the leading man

Suited to a Tee

Marie takes some private golf lessons at the country club

Late-breaking News

Delia writes a human-interest feature about Gordy the Groundhog

You are My Sunshine

Denise discovers daffodils can brighten any day

No Roadblocks to Love

Susan is stranded when the only road home is washed out

How Sweet It Is!

Amy knew each of her customers’ favorite fudge by heart

The Color of Love

Sherry’s paint-covered face gave Del a reason to start the conversation

For a Good Cause

Nancy reunites with her former high school crush at the car wash fundraiser

A Slightly Hypothermic Christmas Eve

Sylvia goes to extraordinary lengths to surprise her boyfriend

Love as a Souvenir

Maria returns from vacation with a new sweetheart

Love Comes Knocking

Shelly gets extra-special service from the cable repairman

Making a Connection

Karen meets Greg when they compete for a power outlet in the coffee shop

Rooting for the Home Team

Janice and Landon have much more in common than a child on the team

For the Love of Goldfish

Shelia is replacing her daughter’s goldfish when she reunites with Paul

A Magical, Musical Christmas

Marlene finds more than a piano tuner for her Christmas Party

A Fine Pair

Betty concludes woodworking class with a pair of candlesticks

Stereotypically Yours

Leesa discovers she’s Eric’s new boss when they take a run on the beach

A Slam Dunk

Charlene hits the bullseye at the school carnival when she meets Robert

Meant to be

Marcia misses her plane and finds a man who will always be there for her

Say Cheese

Susan and Harold both enjoy a good French Brie

Seeing is Believing

Julie decides wearing glasses isn’t such a bad thing when she finally meets Roger

White Horses

Della finds Frank, her knight in shining armor, at the grocery store opening

A Fable for Modern Times

Rhoberta goes into business and takes Noglac along with her

Pure Poetry

Edie will have dinner with John only when she sells all her fundraiser chapbooks

Falling for Him

Jenna has a thing or two to learn from Smitty about hanging flower baskets

Behind the Scenes

Jeanie and Matt are playhouse ticket takers and cookie pushers

A Genuine Nice Guy

Flora is extra cautious when first meeting Thomas face-to-face

No Missed Connections

Marci meets Steve when her flight is delayed

A Heart-warming Evening

Suzanne’s power goes out, and Charlie finds a way to save her tropical fish

A Dog-gone Good Volunteer

Charlene is working at the Humane Society festival booth when she meets Tom

Skinny Decaf Mocha Latte

Arlene was sure David took coffee home to someone special—and she was right!

About the Author

Connect with Jan

A Puppy in Her Pocket

Carl took a window seat in the small diner and unfolded his newspaper. It wasn’t that he was anti-social, he was just shy, and new in town.

The waitress came promptly with a glass of water and his menu. Carl nodded his appreciation, and took the menu without looking directly at her. He briefly scanned the daily specials, and was thoroughly engrossed in the newspaper when she returned a few minutes later.

I’ll have the meatloaf special, he said, not taking his eyes off what he was reading.

And what kind of dressing on your salad?

Carl detected a little sniffle at the end of her question. He looked up, and into the most beautiful brown eyes, with the reddest rims, he had ever seen.

Ranch.

Anything besides water to drink? She sniffed again.

Carl couldn’t stand it. Miss? He peered at her nametag. Donna? Are you all right?

Donna shook her head, and the tears she’d been holding back began to flow down her cheeks.

What can I do to help? asked Carl.

My dog had puppies. All in a rush, Donna managed to choke out, and they’re six weeks old now and my landlord says I can only have one dog in my apartment and the puppies have to be gone by next Monday or he’ll take them to the pound.

What kind of puppies? asked Carl.

Donna reached down into her apron pocket and retrieved a small ball of black curly fur. The best I can figure is that they’re cocka-pomma-peeka-poo.

Carl burst out laughing. Even Donna managed a small smile.

You see? she offered the puppy to him. He has a cocker spaniel head, a plumy Pomeranian tail, stubby little Pekinese legs, and the curls on his ears and rear-end are definitely poodle.

Carl took the tiny dog from her and held it gently in one hand. A cocka…pomma…peeka…poo… Well, what do you know?

The puppy licked his fingers. He likes you, said Donna.

Do you think he’d still like me if he knew I worked for the Health Department? He handed her his new business card.

Oh no! Donna gasped and put her hand over her mouth. Please don’t report me—Carl, she pleaded, reading his name off the card. I don’t want to get fired.

Don’t worry, said Carl, stroking the top of the puppy’s head. I’m not at work right now, and I’m sure he won’t be here when I return tomorrow with my official ‘on-duty’ clipboard.

I promise, said Donna. You’ll never see him in here again! She reached out to take the puppy back, but Carl pulled him closer.

Does he have a name?

I call him Brutus.

Brutus? Carl laughed again.

But you can call him anything you want, said Donna hastily.

Whoa now! said Carl. I never said I wanted a dog.

Do you? Donna looked at him with her big brown eyes and Carl’s heart began to beat wildly in his chest.

Well, now that you mention it, maybe I do. He paused for a moment, thinking it over. I just moved here and my house does seem kind of empty… And the house has a big backyard and plenty of room for a dog to run… Especially a dog this size. He smiled.

Donna smiled back. Then you’ll take him?

On one condition.

Anything! said Donna.

How many puppies do you have left?

Donna lowered her eyes and sighed. If you take Brutus, I’ll have three more to find homes for.

Carl smiled. Then my condition is that I’ll take Brutus if you’ll let me take all four of the pups—just until you find good homes for the other three.

Donna’s grin stretched from ear to ear. Oh! she exclaimed, bouncing up and down in excitement. I could just kiss you! Then, realizing what she’d said, she blushed deeply. Well, you know what I mean.

Yes, Carl replied, graciously letting her off the hook, I know exactly what you mean.

He looked down at Brutus, who was curled into a small ball and apparently asleep in his hand. Donna? he asked cautiously, Are the other three puppies in the kitchen?

Good heavens no! laughed Donna, shaking her head. They’re still at home. I’ll take my break right away and go get them.

Uh… Do you mind if I get my dinner first?

Oh my goodness! exclaimed Donna. I forgot all about it!

That’s okay, said Carl, but I am getting pretty hungry.

Donna nodded. And you’ll need to eat to keep up your strength if you’re going to be chasing four puppies around that big backyard.

Yes, agreed Carl, meeting her eyes. And might you be available to come help me with that?

I might be, said Donna happily, turning toward the kitchen. "I just might be.

Love is in the Air

All morning her co-workers had been good-naturedly referring to Marie’s birthday as doing the speed limit. Personally, she thought it was more like hitting the big speed bump. Fifty-five! How in the world had that happened?

I got you something that will definitely cheer you up, said her best friend Alice, handing her an envelope during their lunch break.

I thought we agreed not to exchange gifts any more.

Oh, pshaw, replied Alice with a grin. I couldn’t help myself. Not when I knew it was something you really wanted.

Warily, Marie opened the envelope. Oh my! she exclaimed, reading the gift certificate. Oh my! Her eyes misted over. Alice… How did you know?

You shouldn’t leave lists like that out on your desk, replied Alice.

You read my bucket list?!

It’s not like I was snooping or anything. It was just lying there where anyone could read it. That’s how I knew this was a gift you wouldn’t refuse or exchange!

Marie sat looking at the paper in her hands. Scenic Helicopter Tours, she read aloud, shaking her head. "You’re right, Alice. This is something I’m definitely going to enjoy.

Saturday dawned bright and sunny. Marie drove to the airport humming along with the radio. Today’s the day, she thought. Today I’m going up, up and away!

We don’t take singles on any of our tours, the woman in the charter office told her. You’ll have to wait until we have another passenger or two.

Marie nodded. I don’t mind waiting, she replied. She stepped outside to take a few pictures of the small, bright yellow whirlybird parked nearby. It wasn’t long before another car pulled into the lot. A man and woman got out and went into the office.

The man soon emerged and approached Marie. I’m James, he said, extending his hand. Would you mind if I shared a tour flight with you?

Marie shook his hand. Not at all, she replied. Is your wife coming with us?

My wife? James laughed. I’m not married. That’s my sister, Karla. It was her idea for me to go flying today. He paused. I’ve never been in a helicopter before, and she thought it would be a good birthday present.

What an amazing coincidence, said Marie. This is my birthday gift from a girlfriend at work, and I’ve never been in a helicopter either.

James laughed again. Marie liked the sound of his laugh and the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. Seems we have a lot in common. He tilted his head and looked closer at her. Don’t tell me it’s on your bucket list, too?

Of course it is! Marie replied, laughing. And today, thanks to you, I get to cross it off that list.

Thanks to me?

They won’t do a scenic tour with just one passenger.

Then I guess I have you to thank as well. James took her by the elbow and turned her toward the office. "Now