“What’s that book you got?” “It’s a historical account of senate meetings.” He accelerated, and the momentum pressed Sara into her seat. “The Roman Empire, huh?” “Boring, I know. I’m putting a case together and want to make a certain point.”
Happiness
They drove through the last of the dying light, brushing along the coast before turning away from the sea and driving uphill. Hannah, her elbow in the open window and a mild breeze ruffling her curls, didn’t ask where they were going. She didn’t question their destination; she trusted Alex to take care of her, her mind still lingering on the way he had looked at her in the parking lot. Soon, their car pulled into a small parking lot, tires crunching on gravel as they parked. Hannah smiled. “It’s a vineyard! What a view!” She had been to other vineyards in the area, but none as charming as this one. The last light was fading into the lavender-blue of a velvety night, casting a soft glow over the sweeping hills and valleys that spread before them. Row after row of vines covered the land, their branches carrying luxurious clusters of red, purple, and green grapes. “Their wine is great, but the food is even better,” Alex promised. “Come on, gorgeous. Let’s see what they have for us.”
They got out of the car, and Hannah, still tingling from being called gorgeous, deeply inhaled the warm, fragrant evening air. The aroma of sun-ripened grapes mingled with the delicious smells of a charcoal grill, and she suddenly realized how hungry she really was. When the breeze carried the aroma of rosemary and thyme, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes sizzling in olive oil to them, Hannah’s stomach growled. She laughed. “Oops.” “Don’t worry.” Alex smiled at her. “Same.” They started walking toward the vinery’s roofed terrace. A band at the far end was playing jazz music, and many of the tables were already taken, the soft chatting and laughter of the vineyard guests as welcoming as the view and the fragrant air. A party of four was just leaving, and a young server seated Hannah and Alex at their table by the railing. “Couldn’t have picked a better spot,” Hannah said gratefully. The day had been jam-packed with mixed emotions and complicated feelings, old conflict and new resolution. But now that she was here, with Alex, she felt safe, comfortable, and happy.
“Good evening.” A new server brought menus, and her face lit up with recognition. “You are Hannah! Aren’t you?” Hannah looked up. She’d seen the young woman before, and it didn’t take long for the penny to drop. “Zoe! From the restaurant in Mendocino Cove!” “Yes, the Mermaid Galley.” Smiling, Zoe pulled out a notepad and pencil. “I work here too. I’m trying to scrape together the money to buy a bakery.” “I’ll be your first customer.” Hannah beamed. Zoe nodded. “I always wondered how you were doing.” “Much better than when we last met.” Impulsively, Hannah stood and pulled Zoe into a hug. “You were the first one to give me a hand when I needed it most. I’ll never forget it.” “Nah, no worries.” Flushing with pleasure, Zoe hugged Hannah back before letting her go. “I’m glad to see you again.
So, what can I get you?” “Wine?” Alex smiled at Hannah. “I think you deserve a glass of something good. Maybe we can get a recommendation?” “Yes, please. Wine sounds great.” “I’ll bring you something nice to go with dinner.” Zoe thoughtfully tapped her pencil against her lower lip. “I highly recommend the ribeye steak and the grilled halibut with a creamy herb and citrus sauce. The kitchen has outdone themselves with those tonight.” Alex slid his menu back with a satisfied look. “Steak works for me.” “And I’d love the halibut, actually.” Hannah handed her menu back as well. “You had me at cream sauce.” A man in his fifties, with tan skin, silver hair at the temples, and laughing eyes, stopped on his way past the table. “Did I hear someone order the halibut?” “And steak.” Zoe smiled. “This is Jon Donovan, the owner of the vineyard,” she introduced him. “Jon, these are Hannah, of Mendocino Beach, and…um…” She looked expectantly at Alex. “Alex Shaw,” Hannah repaid the favor of introduction. “He owns the bookstore in Mendocino Beach.” “Really!” Jon held out a hand. “I remember the last owner; he was a friend of my dad’s.” His lips curved into a smile. “If I remember right, you look an awful lot like him.” “He was my dad.” Alex stood and shook Jon’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Jon.” “Good to meet you too. I heard something about his son being in the military, is that right? I’m glad you found your way back home. We should catch up sometime soon. The vinery’s doors are always open for old friends.” “Ex-military. Would be my pleasure.” Jon smiled at Hannah. “Do you enjoy Mendocino?” “I love it,” she replied sincerely. “I grew up in Mendocino Beach and just returned to live here. I’m hoping to get our old family home back.” “Ah. Best of luck. My wife, Jenny, also returned here not too long ago.” The look in his eyes softened when he said her name, but then he smiled. “Let’s get you settled for dinner. For the steak, I’d say the cabernet sauvignon. It has notes of dark berries and cedar. Works well with grilled meat.” “Sounds great.” Alex nodded and sat back down. “And for the grilled halibut…” Jon turned to Hannah. “I’ve got a very nice sauvignon blanc. It’s crisp, with light citrus flavors. The perfect match for the halibut.” “Sounds lovely.” Hannah smiled back. She was getting used to having people in the know decide what would be the most delicious food and drink for her, and she liked it very much indeed. “I’ll get to it. Enjoy.” Jon knocked on the table and left.
Zoe picked up the menus. “Be right back with a breadbasket.” She left, returning her notepad to the pocket of her black half-apron. The jazz music slowed into a new melody. Several couples rose to dance in the center space of the terrace, while others stayed seated, eating and laughing with friends and family. “I love the fireflies,” Hannah said dreamily, propping her chin in her hand and looking out at the rolling hills. “Look, Alex.” She pointed at the rows of vines. The last light of the sun had vanished, replaced with the twinkle of string lights under the roof and the silver glow of a waxing moon. In the grapevines, the dry yellow grass, the branches of the old oaks, and the shadows sparkled and flashed the lights of thousands, if not millions, of fireflies. “Isn’t that pretty?”
“Beautiful.” Alex smiled, but his gaze was on Hannah, not the sparkling hills. When she noticed it, she smiled back, butterflies stirring in her stomach. “No, really, Alex. Look.” “I am looking. I thought I’d seen enough when I came back from the war, so I kept wearing the eye patch. But I don’t need it anymore, not now that you are home. I want to see you with both eyes, Hannah.” He stood and extended his hand toward her. “I can’t remember the last time I danced. Will you do me the honor?” The invitation startled her. Hannah couldn’t remember the last time she had danced either. Evan had never… She blinked, stopping herself as she rose. It no longer mattered what her ex had or had not done. Hannah’s past had no hold over her here, in this beautiful night, in the company of this man. Smiling, her heart beating a little faster, she gave Alex her hand. “I’d love to dance with you, Alex Shaw,” she said softly, marveling at how alive, happy, and safe she felt with him. He led her to the dance floor and gently took her into his arms. Protected by the strength of his embrace, Hannah relaxed completely. Not caring what anyone thought, she closed her eyes and rested her cheek against his shoulder.
“You smell of roses,” he murmured, his arms tightening as he guided her steps to the music. “The yellow roses that grow at the bookstore.” “And you smell of books and coffee.” She smiled softly. “I didn’t know you could dance.” Something brushed her hair. His chin—or his lips? “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Hannah.” She lifted her head to look into his blue, starry eyes. “There’s also a lot you don’t know about me, Alex.” He tightened his arms even more, pulling her closer. She again rested her head on his shoulder. “I hate that you are married,” he whispered, his voice so low she could barely hear it. “Only in name. Everything else—it’s all over. I’m divorcing him. Or maybe he’s divorcing me. It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“Are you going to let him have your house?” “Why?” She smiled. “Because it’s yours. Because you belong in Mendocino Beach. Unless you want to leave again?” “No,” she whispered. “I want to live here. I’ve always wanted to live here.” “Really?” He stopped and gently lifted her chin with his finger. “Do you mean that?” His gaze held hers captive. “Tell me what you really think, Hannah. I don’t play. That’s one thing you don’t yet know about me.” She reached up, burying her hands in his hair. It was soft and full despite its short length, and she ran a finger along the silver strand at his temple, smiling at his earnest face. “I know you’ve been hurt before. But just so you know—as far as I’m concerned, I’m no longer married and I’m staying in Mendocino Beach. Do what you think is right, Alex.” Another song ended, and the music faded. The surrounding guests erupted into applause, the jazz musicians acknowledging the break with quick sips from their wine glasses. And yet, in that moment, it felt as though Hannah and Alex were the only two people in the moonlight on the terrace. “If that is really how you feel…” His chest heaved with a deep, steadying breath. He gently cupped her face, his thumb brushing against her cheek. “But I know how hard it can be to let go of the past. A divorce is one thing. But opening your heart to love again? That’s another thing, Hannah.” His eyes searched her face. “With you, I don’t want just a taste and a trial. I don’t want half-hearted.” “What do you want?” she whispered. “I want it all. Are you ready to give love a second chance?”
Heartbreak
The Worse April Food's Day Joke Ever!
Because it Wasn't a Joke!
Actually, it was Hannah's birthday which was Worse!
The moving truck is not going to get here today, Hannah.” Evan set his phone on the car dash as he stared at the pretty seaside cottage in front of them. Confused, Hannah unbuckled her seat belt and brushed back an unruly corkscrew curl threaded with the first strands of silver. “Was that a text from the company?” After months of planning and arranging their move from San Jose to Mendocino Beach, she’d expected things to work smoothly. That included having the truck get to her mother’s old cottage before she and her husband arrived. “They said they’d be here for sure.” “I know. I know they did.”
He turned to her, a wary look in his eyes. “Hannah. Sometimes, things change. Sometimes, things don’t go according to plan.” “It’s my forty-fifth birthday today, honey,” she said cheerfully. “I’m no spring chicken. I’m well aware things don’t always go according to plan. But I’m okay. You know me. I’m always okay.” She smiled and, for a moment, cupped his smooth cheek in her hand, giving her husband her undivided attention. To her, it had been a pleasant drive. But Evan’s shirt was crumpled, and he looked sweaty and hot. Maybe navigating the bay area traffic had been more stressful than she’d realized. All the long drive over the mountain range, he had barely talked. Feeling a surge of love, Hannah hummed reassuringly, caressing his cheek with her thumb. Evan was taking the move hard; that was something else she hadn’t expected. He had agreed to it readily enough when Hannah’s old childhood home in Mendocino Beach had come on the market for the first time in decades. Hannah had been beyond excited to see the listing. Her heart had hammered almost painfully hard in her chest when she rushed into her husband’s office, a print-out of the listing in hand. He’d studied the listing distractedly first, then more interestedly—Hannah forever told him stories of the happy years she’d spent there as a child. His bare tolerance of her excitement had turned into questions and interest, and finally a light dawned in his eyes that told her all she wanted to know. They would have a new beginning by the sea! The next day, Evan had called the listing agent and put down an offer; when it was accepted, they celebrated with laughter, champagne, and sushi.
But now, looking wary and disheveled, Evan frowned. His eyes roamed her face as if he was searching for something he’d lost. “Are you all right?” His voice was quiet, almost as if he was asking himself, not her. Hannah tipped her head, not sure what had changed. Evan grew up in San Jose and loved the bustling bay area. Was he suddenly worried that Mendocino was too out of the way after all? She’d have to make sure that he was comfortable in the beginning. Luckily, he still had his frequent business trips to San Francisco. He could stay an extra week here and there, to catch up with old friends. “Of course I am all right,” she replied lightly. “Look at how beautiful it is, honey. Who cares if the truck and our things are a little late? How can I mind not having a sofa when we have all this?” He drew back, pulling away from her. She dropped her hand on her lap. “Maybe tonight it’ll be a little annoying. But now? Just look at the sea.” She turned to the view and spread her hands to make her point. The cheerful white cottage stood on a sweeping bluff, surrounded by a sprawling garden full of blooming flowers. Beyond the garden twinkled the sparkling Pacific Ocean, with sandy paths running down the bluff to the famous beach that gave the small town its name. “Smell that, honey?” She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. The sea breeze streaming through Hannah’s open window was sweetly fragrant with the scent of honeysuckle and roses, beach daisies and lavender. But best of all was the wild undercurrent of salt and seaweed, of wide-open blue water and golden sand, of crashing waves and screaming gulls, of foggy mornings and sunbaked afternoons. “It’s gorgeous,” he admitted absentmindedly.
Hannah was itching to get out of the car. But her husband clearly needed a moment. “It really is gorgeous,” she encouraged him. “We’ll make do until the furniture comes.” “Hmm.” She took another breath. “Right now, all I want is to stand in the garden of our new home and admire the view! Come on. Let me show you everything.” Butterflies fluttered in her belly and tickled her throat as she opened the car and got out. Even though they had to sell their apartment in San Jose to afford the cottage, the house had been cheap compared to other places. The reason for the relatively low price was the seller’s condition that they’d buy the small house sight unseen and in as-is condition. The agent had reassured them that it was only because the owner didn’t want to be disturbed and that the house was in fine condition. Hannah could no longer wait for her husband; she had to stand in the garden right now, just as she had in her childhood. She ran ahead, right into the midst of the colorful riot of blossoms and flowers and petals and leaves. Evan’s door slammed shut, and his footsteps came after her.
“Hannah. Wait.” The sun was hot on her naked arms and neck as she turned, and she felt radiant with joy and excitement. “Darling, really, I don’t mind. We’ll sleep on the floor tonight, like two young lovebirds who just bought their first house!” Hannah beamed at him. That’s exactly what she wanted—a new beginning. A second chance at love and happiness and togetherness. She couldn’t remember the last time they’d slept with each other. Two months ago? Maybe three? Evan’s job had gobbled up his time and energy in the last year, and she’d not wanted to add to it with demands for intimacy. Of course, the many years of unsuccessfully trying to conceive a baby had not added joy in the bedroom. It hadn’t been long before sleeping together had become a chore, an item on the to-do list, an embarrassing necessity rather than an act of love. But tonight would be the night when Hannah would be brave. She’d rekindle her husband’s desire once and for all. She held out a hand, blinking into the bright sun. “Shall we go inside and explore our new home?” According to the agent, not much had changed since Hannah’s mother had to sell the house. And Hannah couldn’t wait to show her husband everything, to remember her happy, sunny childhood in this house that she still loved so much.
Standing between the golden poppies that swayed in the warm sea breeze, Evan ran a hand through his hair. “Hannah.” Hannah shaded her eyes to see him better. He was being weird. “What, Evan?” He pushed his hands into his pockets. “We’re not going inside.” Confused, she dropped her hand. “We’re not? Did you forget to pick up the key from the agent?” “No.” A breath blew up his ribs, and then he exhaled in a rush. “I’m sorry, Hannah.” “Sorry about what?” The joyful butterflies in her stomach dropped like little cold raindrops, one by one. She put a hand to her belly, hating the feeling of anxiety sneaking into her happy new start. “What’s going on?” Evan moistened his lips. “I can’t do this, Hannah. I can’t… I just can’t do it anymore.” “Do what anymore?” The butterflies didn’t turn into raindrops but ice. Her insides froze as the frost glazing her stomach crawled toward her heart, her throat, her voice. “Be with you. I’m done. I’m—Hannah, I’m done. I’m sorry.” “You’re done?” Her words were whispers, whisked away by the breeze before they reached her husband. “I’ve been done for a long time.” He spread his hands to underline his words. “I tried. Believe me, I tried. I wanted this to be the new…but it’s not. And I can’t pretend any longer.” He dropped his hands in a final gesture of giving up. “I want a divorce, Hannah.”
Divorce. The word echoed around the garden and the sky, bouncing from the tufts of lavender to the cotton puff clouds in the bright blue sky and back. Hannah grabbed at an old rhododendron bough to steady herself in a reeling world. “You want a divorce.” She didn’t need to ask. She knew her husband well enough to know he was serious. “I’m sorry. I guess this comes as a shock. I should’ve… I thought I could make it work. But I have to stop living a lie.” “A lie?” Something like anger curdled in her icy stomach. “Our life is a lie to you?” She knew he meant what he was saying. And yet, Hannah couldn’t believe her ears. “I should have told you before. I understand that, Hannah. I really hoped I could fix this. But I cannot. It’s over.” Hannah didn’t know where to start. After staring at him for too long, she held out her hand. The ice inside her was melting, giving rise to a wave of nausea.
“Give me the key, Evan. You can go back to San Jose. We’ll talk tomorrow.” Evan took another deep breath. “Well…the house is in my name, Hannah. I bought it with money I earned from working hard at my job. So…I’m the one who is staying. You can go back to San Jose. Take the car and the contents of the missing moving truck.” “I can…what? I can take the car and the furniture?” He nodded, avoiding her eyes. “It’s mostly your books and a few filing cabinets, actually,” he said. “The other furniture is already in the house.” “Why? Why, Evan?” At first, she thought he wasn’t going to answer. But then he cleared his throat. “You read your little stories to seniors and kids, Hannah,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “For ten years, you’ve mucked around with board books while I worked my pants off to pay the bills. It’s only fair that I get the house.” Hannah blinked. “I mucked around with board books? I’m a librarian, Evan. Even if I didn’t earn as much as you, I worked too.” A year ago, her position had been downsized when funding was cut. But she’d still worked the same hours, volunteering her time to the library and the community. “Go back to San Jose and stay with your friend Amanda until the divorce is sorted.” Defiant, Evan raised his head to meet her eyes...
!!!
Maybe if one’s husband had checked out four years ago—five? eight?—the period of grief after divorce really was just extremely short…
I had to do it! On April Fool's Day, 2025, I wanted to spotlight both the good and bad of men--the jerk and the friend...
Let me be Honest... This is a wonderful women's fiction of the best kind. The setting is in a small town, where an owner of a bookstore has returned recently after being hurt in the service. He has come back to Mendocino to grieve his father as well as take over as owner of a bookstore that has been in town for decades. But there is a secret that he has carried from his early age that is about to explode back into his life! But first let's talk about the jerk!
May I use an older name for such a man--He's a male chauvinist pig! Just how much so readers will learn throughout this story--one that is simply unbelievable, except that we know it is happening, right now in real life...
No, there are no cats in this story, except that I, a single childless cat lady who is "miserable" being childless according to our VP even though enjoying my life writing about the single worst administration even in the history...of the world... has a cat mother and daughter now preparing for kittens and the first one has gotten as close to me as she can to ensure I'll be around to help her... The mother already knows that... Anyway, think Jerk=Vance LOL BTW, since Vance has a nonwhite wife, with two biracial children, I can't quite figure out how he was picked for VP - Maybe Dark Money!??? What Else?!
So, a little back story, Hannah, who is really the main character, is a librarian by profession. During her early life, she and her mother lived in a beautiful little cottage in Mendocino that had to be sold at one point, but Hannah had always hoped to return and own that same small cottage. She had seen that it was up for sale and immediately began to plan for something she had been dreaming about her entire life. Returning to Mendocino to live... She brought up the fact that it was now available to her husband, Evan, and slowly got him interested... Hannah, and readers will be both shocked when they actually buy the cottage, drive there, and stop in front with Hannah swinging her car door open, wanting to run and just...enjoy! Home!
She never got that far... The Jerk told her, among very hurtful things, that he wanted a divorce...she could have the car...!!! During that last conversation Evan more or less told her, just like Vance, that she was barren, in a job that did not bring sufficient money to the family...and he couldn't take it any more--he had tried!!! At that point, I and most other women will realize that Hannah had no idea just what kind of man she had married. Or, even if she was happy, the very authoritative man who was her husband, had beat her down so badly that she had accepted his disappearances, his long hours, as well as his pulling entirely away from her romantically... She was hoping to start anew in the Cottage...
Instead, looking into Evan's eyes, she knew he was making this decision himself! She got in the car... But she didn't start driving back to where they had lived before... She drove into town, pulled over, and sat crying... She sat there so long that a woman from a restaurant came out, asking if she was alright, and finally getting her into her restaurant, where she started bringing food and drink, telling her it would help...
She had one credit card, but was afraid to check--would there be any money in that account? She told the stranger that she couldn't pay and that, of course, didn't stop her from bringing food... That's what most women do, right? We help other women in distress and pain... She knew even if there was some money in the bank, that she could not afford to stay in a guest room somewhere. Finally, she remembered when she was young and, loving books, she remembered that every Saturday her mother would take her to the local bookstore and they would decide together which book she would get to take home that day... Now, Hannah remember that there was an apartment on the second floor of that store... Could it possibly be available? She had to at least find out or she would have to sleep in her car...
Now you all know me enough that when she opened that front door, it was a fictional God Incident! You see, the owner of the bookstore was now the owner's son, and he recognized "Hannah Banana" immediately. But Hannah didn't recognize the man. Of course, he now wore a patch over one eye which had been scratched by shrapnel... And, of course, she obviously was still in shock from what her jerk of a husband had just done to her! After all, she needed a safe, private place to...just...cry...
And, you are right, she got the apartment on the condition that she would have to clean it and prepare it to be lived in...No problem. That work helped her get through what had happened. At least she was still in Mendocino... And, within a very short time, she had found two new women in her life who also loved books and they planned to start the first book club in town. Actually, the actual reading of a book and discussing never really happened until the very end, because each of these women needed to have another female friend to talk to and they bonded immediately... They shopped together, ate lunches together, and even were there the day that Hannah was to receive an even bigger shock than being asked for a divorce! Seriously, a jerk who lies on top of cruelty and deceit just makes me think of what's happening to women, and others, in America right now! The only thought that comes to mind, again, that I know that God...is...watching...
And, yes, Alex, the Bookshop new owner, may not have been remembered by Hannah, but he soon started making a very favorable impression on Hannah Banana. By the way, there were others in town who soon recognized her calling her by that grade-school name! Hannah was Home! Highly Recommended! Will I continue on with this trilogy? Let me know if you want to hear more in comments below...
GABixlerReviews
“Thanks.” Hannah watched her husband step into the dim store, looking around as if there was something dangerous about the warm, flickering candlelight, the moon shimmer pooling on the old wood floor, the rows of books, and myriad stories surrounding their picnic. “What are you guys doing here?” His smile was as fake as his voice was nervous. “Book club.” Sara crossed her arms. “Why are you here? The store is closed.” He frowned. “Who are you?” Sara raised an eyebrow, ready for battle, when Hannah interrupted. “What do you want, Evan?” He looked at her, and the expression in his eyes became subdued. “Can we talk, Hannah?” “About what?” There was nothing they needed to talk about. It was all clear, brightly illuminated. What he’d done, what would happen next. “In private?” He smiled a smile she used to adore. An eternity ago, she would have done anything for a glimpse. Now, it had lost every last speck of magic. Hannah shook her head. “My friends can hear what you have to say.” A shadow flew over his face and his throat moved as if he wanted to say something, but then he only cleared his throat. “You know, the divorce… I was hoping we could talk about it.”
NOT!
Don't Get Fooled by Liars, Authoritarians and Misogynists!
Especially in Politics!
New babies here...and boy, did I need to help! They were stuck between a book shelf and my computer...! All but one survived--if I counted right 5 new babies...Wow! BTW, Mother of the young kitten who should never have yet been pregnant, heard the new kittens and decided to go outside...too much happening in here! You know, I have to add... Cats are encircled by male cats and they wait turns... We call that rape... Now, with the political climate of today, girls have no protection to that act of power, not love... There should be a difference between animals and male humans, doncha think?!
Gabby
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