Romance is in the air – and on the ground

by donalee Moulton

It’s Cupid’s month, and it seems only fitting that I share a romantic interlude. I’m not a romance writer, but a little heart fluttering somehow finds its way into my pages. Below is an excerpt from my newest book, Melt.  First, let me catch you up. Three capable, quirky women balance yoga, friendship, and crime-solving to help a young man falsely accused of drug trafficking. One of them is kidnapped at gunpoint. It may be the best thing that’s ever happened to her.

Woo Woo feels the arms wrap around her before she sees who owns them. Terrell is holding her. He’s crying. Tears cascade down his eyelids, his cheeks, his chin. They pool on his upper lip, his nose, his lashes. Woo Woo takes her hand and wipes away a tear. It takes a second for her to realize her hands are free. That doesn’t seem important now. She looks at the tears on her hand, at her hand on Terrell’s face. I’ve never seen you cry before. I’ve never touched your face before.

That is what is important.

Terrell is trying to de-tape Woo Woo. It isn’t easy. He can’t stop crying and he refuses to let go of her. Her hands are finally free of duct tape. Then her ankles. Terrell reaches down to help Woo Woo stand. She wobbles. Terrell holds her tighter. Woo Woo straightens.

“Are you okay?”

Terrell is clasping Woo Woo close to his chest. He whispers three words in her ear. Woo Woo wonders if she has ever felt so wonderful.

“I’m so sorry.”

Woo Woo looks at this man holding her for all he is worth and never letting go. What does he have to be sorry for?

“I should have asked you out. I should have told you how I felt. It shouldn’t take a crisis for me to tell you I love you.”

Woo Woo continues to look at this man holding her for all he is worth and never letting go. She wonders if she is going to faint. She lifts a hand to Terrell’s face. She wipes away another tear. Holds it on her finger. Opens her mouth to speak. Nothing happens. Terrell holds her closer. Woo Woo melts into his chest and lets herself acknowledge the terror of the last two days.

Woo Woo looks again at this man. This man she loves. Woo Woo begins to cry. And cry. And cry.