Grounded for Love: A Reunion Romance Novella by Rebecca Talley

held hands and viewed the various sculptures. Some of them were quite intricate. “I love the juxtaposition of this one,” she said pointing to a detailed sunrise. “Usually people do sculptures of cold, wintery things.”
    After they explored all the sculptures, Colby suggested they go to a restaurant on 3rd Avenue. They walked past the familiar bronzed statue of a rearing horse and went inside. A hostess sat them toward the back.
    “You probably don’t see much snow in San Francisco.”
    “Not much.” She laughed.
    “I’d like to visit San Fran. See Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz. Go out on a boat.”
    “There are some really cool things to do and see. The Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street with all of its super sharp turns, the Museum of Modern Art, Chinatown, tons of delicious restaurants, the aquarium and rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences, the coast. I love living there.”
    “So what if I came out to see you?”
    She hadn’t considered he’d want to come visit her. Was this becoming more serious than just a few casual dates? “Sure. I could take you around to all the touristy places.”
    “I’d like that.”
    Was he serious? Could there be a future with them? This opened up new possibilities. “Let me know when, and I’ll set aside some time to go sightseeing.”
    He nodded.
    They continued to talk for a while and even ordered a big brownie drizzled with chocolate sauce for dessert.
     

 
    During the long drive, Graham had second, third, fourth, and fifth thoughts about going to see Serena. Was this the right thing to do? They hadn’t seen each other or talked in so long. Not until Denver. Yet there was still an undeniable connection between them—he felt it and he was pretty sure she felt it too. Maybe they were meant to be together. If not, though, this trip would be a total waste of time and energy, not to mention completely humiliating. I hope I’m not the world’s biggest idiot.
    Graham listened to some music as he drove through Ouray with its majestic mountains and evergreen trees. Snow lined the highway and he was thankful the roads were clear. He thought about what would happen once he got to Durango. What would he say to Serena?
    “Hi, I know I told you I had someone, but I still care about you and I think you care about me.” That sounded stupid.
    Maybe, “Hey, I was passing through town…” That was definitely stupid.
    He tossed it over and over again in his mind until he hit Durango city limits. He drove down Main Street, pulled over in a gas station, filled up his tank then found the map on his phone so he could locate his hotel. It was only a few miles away. Of course, he remembered that Durango was so small everything was only a few miles away.
    After he checked in his hotel on Camino Del Rio, he asked the older man at the front desk, “Where are some good places to eat?”
    “There are a lot of restaurants along Main. I think most of them are pretty good. I like one on 3rd Avenue about five blocks from here. You can park there or you can walk, if you don’t mind.”
    “Okay, I’ll try it.”
    “Has a horse sculpture in front of it. Can’t miss it.”
    Graham decided to walk, hoping to clear his mind and figure out what he’d say to Serena before he went over to her house later. He entered the crowded restaurant.
    “Must be a popular place,” he said to himself.
     

 
    “Wow, I’m full. That brownie was much bigger than I thought,” Serena said, feeling stuffed.
    “But it was delicious,” Colby said, putting his napkin on the table.
    They stood.
    “I need to use the restroom. Can I meet you out in front?” Serena said.
    After using the women’s room, Serena squeezed through the mass of people in the restaurant. A group was right in front of her, so she stepped around them then froze in place, unable to move any muscle in her body. It can’t be. No way. That is not who I think it is.
    As soon as his gaze locked on hers, her heart tumbled to