I was driving into Providence several years ago, flipping through the radio stations when the voices on a morning show caught my attention. They were in the middle of playing a game (I can’t remember what they called it), but the idea was to connect two people who had passed one another in some way in life. At a gym. Directing traffic. Walking down the street. I’d heard it before, and while I often rolled my eyes at the dramatics of the radio game, I also couldn’t help but listen, either.
That day, a woman called into the radio station, searching for a man who had paid for her coffee in a drive-thru line. She thought he was cute. Obviously generous, too, and she wanted to know more about him. I listened, fascinated, as the man did indeed call into the station. The DJ’s went wild. They had a connection.
As the woman who had called spoke with her mystery drive-thru man, I couldn’t help but be excited for her. He sounded like a really sweet guy who was big on random acts of kindness and building other people up. Wouldn’t it be nice if they found true love from a simple act of generosity?
But then the man from the drive-thru seemed to grow hesitant. “I’d be interested in a date, but there’s something you should know about me.”
“Okay,” the woman said, her guard up.
“I’m in a wheelchair. I can’t walk.”
Wow. Didn’t see that coming. But still, what did it really matter? The guy was a peach. Come on, lady! Have a date with him. (By this time, I was clenching my steering wheel in anticipation.)
But the woman’s pause spoke volumes. “Oh, wow. That does change things…”
What? No–no, it didn’t!
“I’m sorry. I think it might be better if we don’t go out,” she finished.
The man laughed, but it lacked cheer. “Sure. Sure, I understand.”
My heart broke for the man, but I was already giving him a big pep talk in my mind. He could do better than this woman, anyway.
I would write him another story. I would give him a different ending.
And here it is. Where Love Grows is now available! And while I’m so enjoying writing The Orchard House Bed and Breakfast Series, this one may be my favorite so far! I hope you enjoy, dear readers!