Stormy Night

Star was curled up in her most comfortable chair in front of the fire, reading one of her all time favorite books for the umpteenth time. A small lamp illuminated the corner with just enough light and on the small table a half full glass of wine, rested just within reach.

It was the perfect weather for reading as it had been raining for most of the day. The radio had said earlier that there was a possibility of a thunderstorm. A very strange occurrence for this time of year. It was already the middle of November, and normally there would be a light covering of snow on the ground. This year had been exceptionally mild.

She had made sure to have candles and an oil lamp at the ready so as not to be left in the dark. Storms at this time of the year could be quite intense and wandering around blindly in the dark, was not her idea of fun. Her shins would attest to that.

She loved storms. Her favorite pastime, when it was stormy, would be to open up the curtains, place a few candles around the room and just lay and watch the spectacular light show that illuminated the sky. Sometimes the whole house shook with the thunder that followed. It was truly amazing what nature could do.

Star lifted her glass of wine and took another sip, as she turned the pages of her book. She had always loved reading the "Outlander" series by Diana Gabaldon. They had everything a hopeless romantic could want. Great romance, lots of love, great sex scenes, a good plot and wonderful characters. A great book to get into on a night like tonight.

As she looked up and out the picture window, she could see the distant sky being lit up with the occasional flash of lightning. It wouldn't be long now before the storm would hit. Getting up and making sure she had matches close at hand, she checked the lamp again and lighted one candle. Just then the lights flickered briefly, but did not go out. Yet!

Star got back into her chair and continued to read her book. About fifteen minutes later the storm started to intensify as the flashes got brighter and brighter. Suddenly there was a loud crash of thunder and the lights went out. At the same time there was a loud banging on the door.

She wondered who in their right mind would be out on a night like this, as she got up again and answered the door.

Standing before her was a very wet male. She ushered him in the door and quickly shut it, the man thanking her profusely. He was a very striking looking man with the most intense green eyes.

"Thank you so much,' he said, "I wasn't sure if anyone would open their door on a night like tonight."

"No problem," Star said, "but what on earth are you doing out on a night like tonight? Didn't you hear the forecasts?"

"Yes, I did, but thought I would have enough time to make it back to my car." the man said. "Oh, by the way, I am Roy."

"Well, glad to meet you. I'm Star and welcome to my humble abode. Here let me take your coat and hang it by the fire to dry. It won't take long and it will be more comfortable for you."

"Can I get you something warm to drink? Coffee, tea, hot chocolate? or would you prefer to join me in a glass of wine?"

"Oh, no problem with that, I have the fire going and I always have a kettle of water on it. It helps to keep a bit of moisture in here. It can get pretty dry in the winter months." Star explained. "One cup of coffee coming right up."

Star went and lighted a few more candles, then the lamp as she headed into the kitchen to get what she needed. As she was puttering around putting the coffee things on a tray, she turned her head to look at the man now sitting on the couch.

"Well, actually, I was out looking at some property on the other side of the lake," Roy explained, "and the next thing I knew, the storm was on top of me."

"Well, actually, it's not for sale yet, but I was hoping that I could talk the owner into parting with a piece of it. I used to come to this area when I was younger and I have always liked it, so I thought I would take a look around."

"It is a nice area. I've been here for about 10 years now and I just love it. No noise, other than what nature provides," Star said laughing as another burst of lightning and crash of thunder interrupted, "no traffic jams and not too many people around."

Roy took a look around the room and took everything in. The heavy wooden kitchen table and matching chairs, the braided carpet beneath. The Indian corn hanging over the kitchen window. In the one corner of the room was an old roll top desk, obviously in use as he spied a laptop sitting on the surface with papers scattered around. The furniture was well worn but comfortable and not too much of it either. Just a few pictures adorned the walls with a few knickknacks on the shelves.

"Well, I do most of my work from here. I only go into the office when necessity demands it."

"I am a Romance Novel Writer. " she explained. "I have the luxury of being able to work here at home, I guess I'm lucky."

"Very much so. This is my favorite time of year too. There are times that I just sit here and look out my window down at the lake and if I'm really lucky I'll see the odd deer or two just grazing or taking a drink." Star tells them.

"It does seem like the idyllic place to live, doesn't it?" he commented. "I would love to have a place that I could come to and just get away from everything. I too, enjoy storms, provided I am not out in one." he laughed.

"Well, I'm just glad that I could help you out. Come on, let's move the couch closer to the window and we can enjoy the show that Mother Nature is putting on for us."

The two of them get up to shift the furniture. Star then handed Roy a refill and they sat companionably and watched out the window.

A while later the storm moved on and the rain started to abate. The candles were getting low and just as Star was about to get up to replenish them, the lights come back on.

"Well, I really should get back on my way." Roy said as he looked longingly over the rooms. "I have intruded on you long enough as it is."

"Oh nonsense. I would have done exactly the same thing, so you didn't intrude at all. It is nice to meet up with someone who has the same feelings about storms that I do."

"I can't thank you enough for your hospitality," Roy said as he glanced around again, "you really do have a lovely home here."

"Thank you. Come back and visit again if you want. I always enjoy company. Hang on and I'll get you my card." Star rummaged around in one of the desk drawers and finally found what she was looking for and handed it to Roy. "Just give me a call and I'll throw something together and we can have a nice repast!! I can cook, rather well if I do say so myself. And I just love to bake. I have some very old recipes that were handed down to me from my mother and her mother."

"Wow, that sounds great, Star. I just may take you up on that." Roy answered as he shrugged into his now dry coat. "Thank you again."

She turned from the door and got back into her comfortable chair and picked up her book to take up where she left off. As she read she could picture Roy in the lead male role which brought a smile to her face.


	Stormy Night By: Kyara Caledonii Copyright February 18, 1996 *All Rights Reserved. Story cannot be reprinted/reproduced without Kyara's permission.* Star was curled up in her most comfortable chair in front of the fire, reading one of her all time favorite books for the umpteenth time. A small lamp illuminated the corner with just enough light and on the small table a half full glass of wine, rested just within reach. It was the perfect weather for reading as it had been raining for most of the day. The radio had said earlier that there was a possibility of a thunderstorm. A very strange occurrence for this time of year. It was already the middle of November, and normally there would be a light covering of snow on the ground. This year had been exceptionally mild. She had made sure to have candles and an oil lamp at the ready so as not to be left in the dark. Storms at this time of the year could be quite intense and wandering around blindly in the dark, was not her idea of fun. Her shins would attest to that. She loved storms. Her favorite pastime, when it was stormy, would be to open up the curtains, place a few candles around the room and just lay and watch the spectacular light show that illuminated the sky. Sometimes the whole house shook with the thunder that followed. It was truly amazing what nature could do. Star lifted her glass of wine and took another sip, as she turned the pages of her book. She had always loved reading the "Outlander" series by Diana Gabaldon. They had everything a hopeless romantic could want. Great romance, lots of love, great sex scenes, a good plot and wonderful characters. A great book to get into on a night like tonight. As she looked up and out the picture window, she could see the distant sky being lit up with the occasional flash of lightning. It wouldn't be long now before the storm would hit. Getting up and making sure she had matches close at hand, she checked the lamp again and lighted one candle. Just then the lights flickered briefly, but did not go out. Yet! Star got back into her chair and continued to read her book. About fifteen minutes later the storm started to intensify as the flashes got brighter and brighter. Suddenly there was a loud crash of thunder and the lights went out. At the same time there was a loud banging on the door. She wondered who in their right mind would be out on a night like this, as she got up again and answered the door. Standing before her was a very wet male. She ushered him in the door and quickly shut it, the man thanking her profusely. He was a very striking looking man with the most intense green eyes. "Thank you so much,' he said, "I wasn't sure if anyone would open their door on a night like tonight." "No problem," Star said, "but what on earth are you doing out on a night like tonight? Didn't you hear the forecasts?" "Yes, I did, but thought I would have enough time to make it back to my car." the man said. "Oh, by the way, I am Roy." "Well, glad to meet you. I'm Star and welcome to my humble abode. Here let me take your coat and hang it by the fire to dry. It won't take long and it will be more comfortable for you." "Merci." "Can I get you something warm to drink? Coffee, tea, hot chocolate? or would you prefer to join me in a glass of wine?" "Oh, coffee sounds wonderful just about now, but you have no electricity." "Oh, no problem with that, I have the fire going and I always have a kettle of water on it. It helps to keep a bit of moisture in here. It can get pretty dry in the winter months." Star explained. "One cup of coffee coming right up." Star went and lighted a few more candles, then the lamp as she headed into the kitchen to get what she needed. As she was puttering around putting the coffee things on a tray, she turned her head to look at the man now sitting on the couch. "So, what were you doing out on a night like this anyway, if I may ask?" "Well, actually, I was out looking at some property on the other side of the lake," Roy explained, "and the next thing I knew, the storm was on top of me." "Hmmm, I didn't know there was any property for sale around here. Where about is it?" "Well, actually, it's not for sale yet, but I was hoping that I could talk the owner into parting with a piece of it. I used to come to this area when I was younger and I have always liked it, so I thought I would take a look around." "It is a nice area. I've been here for about 10 years now and I just love it. No noise, other than what nature provides," Star said laughing as another burst of lightning and crash of thunder interrupted, "no traffic jams and not too many people around." Roy took a look around the room and took everything in. The heavy wooden kitchen table and matching chairs, the braided carpet beneath. The Indian corn hanging over the kitchen window. In the one corner of the room was an old roll top desk, obviously in use as he spied a laptop sitting on the surface with papers scattered around. The furniture was well worn but comfortable and not too much of it either. Just a few pictures adorned the walls with a few knickknacks on the shelves. "I notice you have a computer. It looks almost out of place in here." "Well, I do most of my work from here. I only go into the office when necessity demands it." "What is it that you do Star?" Michael asked curiously. "I am a Romance Novel Writer. " she explained. "I have the luxury of being able to work here at home, I guess I'm lucky." "Yes you are." "Very much so. This is my favorite time of year too. There are times that I just sit here and look out my window down at the lake and if I'm really lucky I'll see the odd deer or two just grazing or taking a drink." Star tells them. "It does seem like the idyllic place to live, doesn't it?" he commented. "I would love to have a place that I could come to and just get away from everything. I too, enjoy storms, provided I am not out in one." he laughed. "Well, I'm just glad that I could help you out. Come on, let's move the couch closer to the window and we can enjoy the show that Mother Nature is putting on for us." The two of them get up to shift the furniture. Star then handed Roy a refill and they sat companionably and watched out the window. A while later the storm moved on and the rain started to abate. The candles were getting low and just as Star was about to get up to replenish them, the lights come back on. "Well, that was perfect timing." she says. "Well, I really should get back on my way." Roy said as he looked longingly over the rooms. "I have intruded on you long enough as it is." "Oh nonsense. I would have done exactly the same thing, so you didn't intrude at all. It is nice to meet up with someone who has the same feelings about storms that I do." "I can't thank you enough for your hospitality," Roy said as he glanced around again, "you really do have a lovely home here." "Thank you. Come back and visit again if you want. I always enjoy company. Hang on and I'll get you my card." Star rummaged around in one of the desk drawers and finally found what she was looking for and handed it to Roy. "Just give me a call and I'll throw something together and we can have a nice repast!! I can cook, rather well if I do say so myself. And I just love to bake. I have some very old recipes that were handed down to me from my mother and her mother." "Wow, that sounds great, Star. I just may take you up on that." Roy answered as he shrugged into his now dry coat. "Thank you again." Star watched him as he walked down her driveway and out of sight. She turned from the door and got back into her comfortable chair and picked up her book to take up where she left off. As she read she could picture Roy in the lead male role which brought a smile to her face. The End.