Romance Month
Whether you’re on your first date or your twentieth year, a little romance can brighten any love story.
This month, I’ve joined forces with other romance writers to bring you some brilliant date ideas, straight from the pages of our books.
Date Idea: Exploring Historic/Abandoned Locales
Here’s an excerpt from my novella, A Love for All Seasons. And, yes! It’s a real place.
A Love for All Seasons
Claire fidgeted in the front seat of Tucker’s baby blue pickup truck. She focused on the gleaming chrome features on the dash. He must spend hours polishing the thing. Every time she shifted, the dark gray vinyl seat groaned. Despite the truck being half a century old, the updated interior gave off a “new car” smell that made her dizzy.
Either that, or despite her hesitation to the contrary, she was on a date with this man. “Not even a hint of where we’re going?”
“We’re headed north.”
“We’ve left civilization behind. Wheat fields as far as the eye can see. I’m at a complete loss.”
“There’s more than wheat fields. Look there, when was the last time you saw the northern half of the Oregon Cascades?”
“Honestly? I don’t think I’ve been this way since I was a little girl.” And the entire scene made her heart light. Something about the serenity and vastness of the open space soothed her. “It is a remarkable view. But come on, tell me—”
“I want it to be a surprise. Do you have a guess?”
“Unless you’re planning to hang out in a grain silo? None.”
He slowed and turned onto a dirt road that cut a swath through the golden hillsides.
The truck lunged and bumped along the uneven earth. Clear blue sky dotted with frothy white clouds were better than any postcard. The truck crested a small rise and the first signs of habitation—albeit from the last century—came into view. A small copse of trees and a deteriorated grayish building.
Claire held onto the handle above her head as the truck tilted to one side. “Are you sure this is safe?”
“Completely.”
“I don’t believe you.” Another bump and she knocked her head on the window.
“Road’s torn up a bit since I was out this way. Probably the spring rains.” Tucker slowed and shifted into a lower gear.
“Likely.” She pressed a hand into the seat to help her balance.
“Either way, we’re here.” He turned into a narrow gap that may have been a driveway some time in the past.
Warm sunshine penetrated the windshield, soothing the tension she’d allowed to build.
Tucker pulled into the shade of the trees. A withered patch of overgrown grass ran from the ancient grove to a lopsided portico. A halo of light backlit the building, bringing the outline of a bell tower and the cathedral arched windows into relief.
“It’s a church.” Way to state the obvious.
“Historical. Abandoned.” He sounded self-satisfied. “I thought you might add it to your collection.”
“My collection?”
“Of abandoned places. I noticed the maps when I was at your house.”
“But—they’re topographical.”
“It wasn’t too difficult to figure out your system.”
* * *
Claire shivered and stretched her legs. Earlier, they’d walked the property, explored the old building, and Tucker surprised her with a blanket and cooler filled with sandwiches and watermelon. Sunset settled around them. The light dimmed, and the warmth of the sun faded. They should head home, but she didn’t want the day to end.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“You’re doing it again.”
“Hey, even I’m chilled. I know you’re feeling it.”
He dashed to the truck and returned with a second blanket, plopped it on the edge of their little oasis without saying a word, and settled next to her.
Despite a lingering wash of blue above their heads, the sky behind the church blazed orange and red. She wrapped her arms around her bent knees. The sun streaked the loose hair framing her face. “Imagine the lives that were touched by this place.”
“There are at least two more churches in Oregon with a similar steeple design, but little to no information about who designed the building. No remaining church records, other than the fact the church closed in the mid-forties.”
“The war?”
“Not long after.”
And then, as if in response to their shared awe, the colors of the sunset amplified.
Tucker moved to his tripod and adjusted the settings on the camera.
A chill ran down her arms and the ever present pain in her hands and upper arms heightened. Accepting the blanket he’d left for her seemed to be a concession of her independence. But he offered it generously. She clinched her teeth and wrapped up in it. She joined him at the edge of the tall grass.
He offered a smile that seemed to say, “I told you so.”
“Don’t be smug.” She tightened the wool blanket over her shoulders, hands fisted around the warmth. Some of the ache in her limbs eased.
“Never.” He concentrated on his camera and captured the sunset over the old church.
She lingered beside him. Content.
“People ask if I tire of it.”
“What’s that?”
“Taking pictures. Trying to capture the glory of creation.”
“And do you?”
“Not possible. Every sunset, every day, every season looks different. And even if I took a hundred shots of the same scene, I could never capture all the nuances of God’s beauty.” He waved her over. “Compare this shot with the view.”
“It’s incredible.”
“But incomplete. I can’t capture the field mouse or the sound of that barn owl watching from the rooftop. You can’t see the insects crawling on the blades of grass or burrowing into the soil. Every picture is but a fraction of a moment. Kind of like when I look at you. Every time I do, I see something more. I learn something new. But I see what you want the world to see. Claire, I want—”
“You don’t understand what you’re asking.”
“For more days like today?”
“What if I don’t have it in me?”
“Then we’ll snuggle up on the couch and read a book.”
She stared at him, eyes narrowed.
He met her gaze.
“You? Your entire life sparked with adventure, living on the edge, doing the next great thing.”
“And an almost equal amount of time sitting and waiting for the perfect shot, recovering from injury, or simply worshiping amid creation.”
The owl cried out, swooped down into the field, then came up empty-handed. She watched it circle wide and land back in the same spot on the rooftop.
It felt like a metaphor for her life.
Want more ideas?
Tomorrow, look for another date night idea from Megan Soja.
Or if you’re just joining us, go back in time and visit Aminata Coote’s date night idea from His Perfect Choice. Then be sure to follow subsequent links for all the ideas!
