Welcome to the Just Romance Me Summer Solstice blog hop.
Here’s is a fanciful short story of love during the summer solstice. Besides the prizes already available, I’ll give away a choice of ebook from my backlist for the best title.
Remember, connect with http://justromance.me/ to get all the blog links. You must stop at each blog to be eligible for the fantastic prizes.
And let’s see what unique titles you come up with.
It was the day of the summer solstice. The day the Earth tilts just so on its axis and nearly stands still. The beginning of the heat and joy of summer. The traditional moth for weddings. If you had someone to marry.
Lia had always anted a June wedding, maybe out in the meadow behind the big house, with the sun soaring overhead, the meadowlarks singing and the sweet perfume of summer flowers just beginning to fill the air. She even had a vision of what se would wear, a flowing dress of soft linen and a simple veil. All that was missing was the groom.
No, not exactly missing. Just not here. Living on the other side of town with a woman he’d married after only know her for three days. It hurt so very badly to think that all the things between them hadn’t been real after all. At least for him. While she’d been opening her heart and building dreams, he’d been immersing himself in a dark-haired gypsy beauty. He hadn’t even had the guts to tell her himself. Sent a note with his best man.
Two months later the pain had only dulled slightly.
This was the longest day of the year, midway between the spring and autumn equinoxes. But every day had felt this long to her. Endless.
She climbed to the top of a low hill and found a flat rock to sit on, stretching her legs out in the sun. Hoping it would melt the ice around her heart. She knew everyone from the Celts to the Ancient Romans celebrated this day with festivities and love, but she had nothing to celebrate about.
Lying back and pillowing her head on her arms crossed behind it she closed her eyes. She hadn’t meant to drift off but that must have been what happened because suddenly she a deep voice beside her.
“I’ve come to heal you, sweet Lia.”
She sat up abruptly, knocking her elbows on the rock. Crouching beside her was the most magnificent man she’d seen in her life. Long sun streaked hair fell carelessly to his shoulders. Eyes of coffee brow stared at her from beneath darker lashes. And his smile. Oh, dear lord. It could melt the heart of a rock.
He reached for her hand to help her to her feet.
“Who—who are you?” she stammered, mesmerized by his eyes and his touch.
“Why, don’t you know, sweet Lia? I’ve come to celebrate the solstice with you and bring you the love you longed for. Come.” He tugged her along with her. “Tonight is a night of celebrating, and I’ll give you one beyond belief.”
She was sure she was crazy but as she let him lead her into the sunlight she felt the ancient priests around her, blessing her. Melting the ice in her heart.
