WANTED: Husband/Handyman: A Short Story

by Selma Martin

When her husband dies leaving her with two toddlers and a baby on its way, Mrs. Jon White puts a desperate want-ad in the newspaper. Days go by. And just when she's about to give up hope a man in a Stetson hat pays her a visit. What she gets is more than she bargained for.

18 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2019

Reviews

[Ksenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

WANTED: Husband/Handyman is such a beautiful short story.
A countryside. A widow with two sons is about to give birth to her third child. She refuses to go to the hospital, relying on her only helper — a handyman. This heartfelt story is so engaging that I read it almost in one breath. I loved it!

[Kim Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A courageous story

This was a courageous story as well as a sweet story about love. Grace a woman suddenly alone with child, other children to raise, and a homestead to maintain after the death of her husband.

Tim a lonely lost soul, drifting through life. Grace gave him the means; husband/handyman to rediscover his worth, and learn to live again. Tim and Grace saved each other and in the process found love.

This was a good short story. I enjoyed the handyman/husband angle.

[Amy Marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful Read on New Life

The cycle of life, ups and downs, and the power of loving relationships all shining brightly in this short read.

Am still smiling after reading it. My mind can’t help wonder... what happens next.

Thanks, Selma for birthing this story into the world.

[Sea Caummisar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is wonderfully written. I bought it knowing it was short (I think Amazon said 19 pages). And like with most shorts, I was left wanting more. The story itself is a beautiful one about a woman who lost her husband and put out an ad for a 'Husband/ Handyman'.
Even though short, the story demonstrates how people need each other and that loneliness is no fun.

[D.L. Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Wanted” is a heartwarming story about new love. Grace is a pregnant widow with two young children, who put an ad in the newspaper for a husband/handyman. Tim answered the ad, and it’s apparent they have developed feelings for each other. I love the moments between not only Grace and Tim, but Tim and her children. His devotion to making her life easier is sweet. When the time comes, he is prepared to deliver her baby. I can easily see this as a book and would love to know what happens next to this couple. Beautifully written, just like Ms. Martin’s poetry, I was charmed by these characters.

[Gwendolyn Plano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This unlikely story grabbed my heart within the first few pages. Grace, a pregnant widow with two young boys, advertises for a handyman/potential husband. The story begins with the handyman Tim and Grace in bed. Tim has fallen in love with her, and she with him. As the story evolves, we watch as tenderness is shared and finally a baby born. I loved the story, but I wish it had been longer. The characters deserve a full book and the readers deserve their blessing.

[Terrye Turpin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong Characters and a Sweet Story

A lovely story that reminded me of the Waltons television show I loved years ago. If you're a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder's stories you'll enjoy this tale of a farm family. I hope it's an introduction to more chapters in their lives.

[Julia Colbourn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is billed as a short story but it is really just a scene, with no beginning and no conclusion. The standard of writing is good but it leaves you wanting to know so much more about events leading up to the placing of the ad, about Tim and also what happens next. In it's present format it is very unsatisfying. If I paid for a book, scene by scene, it would cost a fortune! There is a foundation here for a good book, but the author needs to see the project through.