Gray Matters

by Cherime MacFarlane

A novella about motorcycle riding in Alaska. For the first time in fifteen years he won't have a child to look after. After a long motorcycle ride and several straight shots of tequila, he is feeling no pain. But what will he do without his daughter over the winter? She is looking for adventure after having raised three kids to adulthood. Traveling to Alaska has been her dream for years. In a lodge several hundred miles from the big city these two people begin a conversation. He has an empty passenger seat, she is ready to ride. Do they have a future beyond this chance encounter?

ebook

First published January 16, 2014

About the author

Although born in New Orleans, I am proud to call myself an Alaskan. I have lived here for 37 years, I have survived -40 degrees, hauled water, made bear bacon and live in a cabin. I used a fish wheel to catch salmon coming up the Copper River. I was my second husband's chief mechanic's helper and only roadie. I cut firewood on shares, worked as a cocktail waitress, then as a paralegal for over 26 years. I hold the #80 press card as a reporter for the Copper Valley Views newspaper which ceased publication in the 1980s. I've been writing stories since junior high. Retired now, I can devote my time to what I love.
I came to Alaska by way of Arizona and California. I experienced the building of the pipeline up close. Then my second husband and I moved to Wasilla to get warm. It hardly ever drops past -25 in South Central Alaska. I never thought I would love it so much I never want to leave. The beauty of Alaska is a draw I cannot resist. I love the people and the history. I have been captured by a place I came to under duress. Life does play some interesting tricks on one. I lost my first husband to alcohol. My second husband, the love of my life died as a result of disease. We were not apart more than 24 hours for 20 plus years . I never wanted to be anywhere but with him. He was a man to run the river with.

Reviews

[Ellie Midwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story I enjoyed very much. It’s a story about how unimportant our age is and how one still can find happiness if they only take a chance to look for it. Scotia, or Scooch, after having raised three children after her husband died, decides to live a little for herself and visit places she’s never been to. However, she never expected that one evening she would come across a certain widower and a single father, who also found himself a little out of place after his daughter left for college. Yes, both aren’t young, and yet they soon find out that age is nothing when it comes to mutual attraction that immediately sparked between the two.
I very much enjoyed the quite exotic (for me, as a New Yorker) setting and the description of Alaskan lifestyle. And of course, both Mark and Scooch were such wonderful characters, it was simply impossible not to enjoy their playful dialogues and hope for a happy ending for both. A great read!

[S.E. Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

What a humbling story of finding friendship and excitement in later life. I loved the chemistry that Mark and Scooch displayed from the very first moment. Yet, despite the flaws that age brings, and the berating family members, it didn’t blight the passion. Wonderful storytelling.

[Ju Ephraime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gray Matters is a feel-good story about two people who didn’t let age and imperfections stand in their way of love and happiness. Scotia Diane Rammage (Scooch) was a widow who has raised three children, single-handedly, and Mark Raines was also a widower who did the same with his daughter. Sad at his daughter going away to college, he spent the night getting plastered, and Scooch left her family and is fulfilling a lifelong desire to visit Alaska. The last thing on Scooch’s mind was a relationship, but not only did she find a great partner, in and out of the bedroom, she finds a second chance at love in the bargain.
I like the way the author portrays the characters and her description of the Alaskan lifestyle. The dialogues was spot on, in the way of two mature individuals. This was a quick, fun, enjoyable read.

[Jess James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply adored this story - it was a lovely romance - about finding love when you perhaps think its no longer available.
At the start you have Mark, looking at himself, wondering where the years have gone, having just woken up with a lovely, older, voluptuous woman (they had slept fully clothed)... he'd somehow agreed drunkenly to take her with him on his bike. Yet unexpectedly love grows and these two become a really loveable match.

It certainly wasn't what I expected, it exceeded my expectations.
Thank you for the story - highly recommend

[David Boiani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gray Matters is a complex romance about how the magic of finding love is always present. Mark and Scooch are aging parents who have given their lives to making their children happy, but when they meet each other, all that changes and they realize they can still find romantic happiness for themselves. If you like romance, motorcycles or Alaska, this book is for you...