Christian Fiction Blog Hop 3/13

My Romantic Comedy Challenging Miss Valentine has been sold to Astraea Press/Clean Reads.

 

From Chapter 2

Ella shook her head. No, she was not going to go embarrass herself by approaching some strange guy in a diner. She glimpsed at him again. Something seemed familiar about him. Had he visited their church in the past? She smiled to herself. Wouldn’t Leah flip to see her step out of that comfort zone and go talk to this stranger? It might be worth it just to see the look on her friend’s face. Maybe then she wouldn’t be after her to put herself out there all the time.

It was now or never. Never. Yes, never sounded perfect. Her feet didn’t seem to be listening to her head. Before she knew it, she’d taken a turn to the right instead of the left and headed in the opposite direction of the table she’d been sharing with Leah.

When you’re a twin, you grow up always having a partner in crime at your side. A cohort, a confidante, a friend. Losing George represented more than an emotional separation. She felt abandoned...lost. Even four years later, it was hard to define who she was as an individual. She missed the closeness they’d shared which had never been replaced with another human being. But Leah was right about one thing. In the past, she used to take chances. Somehow, along with George, she’d lost that adventurous spirit. 

She pressed her index and middle finger into her necklace. Okay, George, this is for you. If you were here, you probably would have dared me to do it just as much as Lana’s words had.

When she stood mere steps away from the table of the dark haired stranger, her courage began to wane. Each step felt like her shoes stuck deeper and deeper into a pit of quick sand. It was a stupid idea. She should just forget it. No, she needed to do this if only to get Leah off her back. Putting on a disinterested expression, she faced him as she came up beside his table.

Up close, she realized he was better looking than she had at first thought. The realization made her stomach dip. What had she gotten herself into now? Casually, she observed his face with a scruffy two-days of beard growth and deep, dark eyes—dark syrupy ones you could get lost in—drowned in. He wore faded blue jeans and a brown leather jacket over a white t-shirt. He was cute all right with just a hint of the dangerous.

Her courage receded again as he met her glance with a smile revealing the most perfect set of teeth she’d ever seen. His parents must have spent a pretty penny on that grin.

“I…I was just…” She was just about to lose it, that’s what. Every coherent thought flew out of her head. Needing to regroup, she closed her mouth, took a deep breath, and pressed her lips together. She was being ridiculous. The quicker she did this, the quicker Leah would be appeased and then this whole scenario could be put to rest.

She set the glasses on his table. “I hate to bother you, but I was just wondering if I could borrow some…some sweetener…yes, sweetener for, um, my tea.” She’d hoped to sound calm and sophisticated. Epic Fail!

She wasn’t a pro at starting conversations with strangers and this was the first time she’d ever attempted to chat up a strange man. What was she doing?

He smiled out of the side of his mouth as if he thought her an idiot. Was that a snicker? Time to retreat and fast. Well, her stab at spontaneity had ended in a blaze of glory. She was like all those British pilots aced by the Red Baron in World War I. Taking a step backwards, she felt sick in the pit of her stomach. She had to get out of his sight before she lost her dinner right in front of him.

Taking a wobbly second step back, her heel slid on the slick tile flooring of the diner. Her feet flew out from under her and she landed down on her back in a matter of seconds. This couldn’t have been more embarrassing if she’d planned in every detail the best way to make a total fool of herself in front of complete stranger. Then she connected with his amazing eyes as he looked down at her.

“Are you Okay?” He offered her a hand up, but she could tell he held back a smile. Great! He thought she was as much of a klutz as she did.

“I’m fine.” With his help, she came to her feet. Then she brushed off the back of her black dress pants. 

“You are sure?” His voice was as dreamy as the rest of him—low and smooth with just a trace of teasing. “Maybe I should check your eyes for a concussion.” His dark eyes danced with his restrained laughter.

“Are you a doctor?” She played along.

“No, I just always see them do that on TV.” He grinned. “Here.” In his hand, he held a packet of sweetener. “You wanted some of these, right?” His gaze wasn’t mocking as she’d thought earlier. It was more like curious and amused. 


Christian Fiction Friday is a weekly blog hop where authors post snippets from their current Works in Progress. It is hosted by Alana Terry and Hallee Bridgeman.

Sunday Snippets 3/8

Another excerpt from Andrea & the Five Day Challenge. In this scene it's Spirit Week and they are dressed up as Superheros. Andrea has just arrived at her locker with her friend Amy. Sticking out of her locker are a few fresh daisies and a mysterious note.

 

"Well, looky there.” Amy lifted her glasses and peered down the hall before returning her specs back to her nose. “Is it me or does Luke look like a mild- mannered reporter type?”

I glared at her.
It was as though she’d read my mind.
”It’s you,” I snapped back. Seven thirty-eight in the morning was way too early for all my synapses to be able to process this information. I was being rude and didn’t even know why.

“He’s like your Romeo in cargo pants.”

“He’s not wearing cargo pants. And don’t compare him to Romeo. That story is way too depressing.”

“OK, then he’s Mr. Darcy come to sweep you away from your mundane existence.”

“Amy, seriously, it’s time to lay off the romantic fiction. Besides, didn’t you tell me that crushes were for immature adolescents?”

“Crushes maybe, but Luke might just be the one for you. You know, the One.” She did the quotes in the air thing to emphasize her statement.

“Are you missing your macaroons or something? I’m only sixteen.” I must have been missing mine because I hadn’t used that expression since sixth grade. I covered my face with my hands.

“Whatever, Andi. Here he comes. If you ask me, he’s trying to woo you. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She tapped my shoulder before she traipsed away.

I barely took notice of her absence because I had mere seconds before Luke Ryan arrived. He didn’t even give Stephanie a glimpse as he passed by her down the hall. His gaze remained focused on me. I swiveled my stance to face my locker and pulled out the daisies, forming a half-dozen bouquet in my hand. How did he know daises were my favorite? Had I mentioned it?
More importantly, was Amy right?


Could Luke really be trying to woo me like some totally romantic gesture straight out of medieval, courtly love? I must have accidentally inhaled window cleaner or something because that just wasn’t possible. His note had only been meant as a thank you. Yes, that was it. He’d even said just that.

Sneaking a peek out of the corner of my eye, I could see he was almost upon me. My evil, impossible heart did a somersault in my chest. Oh, my gosh! Did I remember to put on deodorant this morning, because I was really starting to sweat. As if suffering from some horrifying form of hysteria, I stuffed my books into my locker as fast as I could. I had to get out of this hallway before he caught up to me.

“Hi.”

Too late.

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Excerpt from New Release: Snow Kissed

I'm getting excited! My next release--Snow Kissed--will be available November 6th which will be here before we know it. I thought I'd drop a little bit of an excerpt today.

Blurb:

Today is one of those days Logan Reilly wished he’d stayed in bed. Not only does he have to deal with the annoying Winter Wonderland Carnival but his close friend, that whimsical lover of snow, Holly Armstrong, is leaving town forever. The question is why didn’t she tell him and why today, of all days, does he realize she might be more than a friend?

Holly can no longer stay in town knowing the man she loves only sees her as a friend. It’s time to move on; besides she has other career prospects.

As the carnival unfolds, watch God work in amazing ways. Can He change Holly’s mind and make her stay? Can He help Logan see beyond the friendship? Only time can tell.

Excerpt:

“Yes, Logan.” Holly tried to smile, but it was futile by the way he stared at her.

“I—I…would you like to dance?” He broke eye contact and pointed over at the activity above them.

His offer to dance couldn’t have been more surprising if he had expounded upon Bach’s harmonic chord analysis. Logan didn’t dance. Holly wasn’t even sure he could dance. The music playing was slow and romantic with the words sung in Italian by an awe-inspiring baritone. To dance in the muted light to such a song was way too romantic a gesture for Logan.

“You hate to dance.”

“Yeah, I know.” The smile he gave her was subtle as always, yet so darn adorable. Her legs went a little weak at the sight. Lord, help me. Seriously, Lord. Help! The last thing I need is to go head over heels—figuratively and literally.

****

How infuriating was this? Not only was he flubbing up all this with Holly, but now he’d roped himself into dancing. Not just dancing, but dancing in the gazebo at a major town function. Logan could just imagine the look on Muriel Potter’s face if she spotted them. He grabbed Holly’s hand and raced up the steps. No use in prolonging the inevitable.

It didn’t take long before they were face-to-face in one corner of the dance floor. He stepped closer, her profound blue eyes staring him down. She didn’t think he could do this. Her smile was almost a dare; it was definitely playful. He pulled her into his arms and began swaying in time to the music. Holly followed his lead without question as if they had been made for this moment in time, each movement fluid and together.

“You’re good,” she said, with a laugh.

“Surprised?” He gave her a slow spin.

“Yes!” she replied with energy when she faced him again.

“For that I just might make you dance again.”

“Threatening me now?”

“Is it a threat?” He tightened his hold around her waist and she pulled her perfect, sweet lips up into a radiant smile.

As they continued the slow dance, she rested her head on his chest and his heart began to thump rapidly. He lowered his head near her ear. “Why didn’t you tell me, Holly?”

She raised her head abruptly, an expression of surprise and remorse mingled in her features. It made him feel a little better to see the emotion on her face. To watch her breathing come in fast gulps and her eyes grow large as they stared back at him. She started to back out of his grasp, but he held her firmly in place, continuing their dance.

“I’m sorry, Logan, I should have told you. I—I wanted to…”

“Yes, you should have. Who do you think you are to leave without letting me know?” He tried to smile convincingly, as if he was only playing with her, but he had to admit to the sting he felt in his heart knowing she hadn’t told him when she had evidently told others.

Snow Kissed, will release with White Rose Publishing (the new imprint of The Wild Rose Press) November 6^th.

New Release: Dilemma of the Heart

My Inspirational historical, Dilemma of the Heart, released this month. I’m very happy to have this one out in the world. It was my first contracted historical even though The Heart Never Lies actually released sooner. Dilemma will have a sequel, Emancipation of the Heart-a full novel. The antagonist in Dilemma will become the hero in Emancipation. Stay tuned for more on that. Below I've posted a couple excerpts. It is available now at The WIld Rose Press.

Excerpt #1:

Placing her hat on the bench, she removed the golden charm from around her neck and held it in the palm of her hand. She opened it and admired the lock of lovely golden brown hair held inside. She touched the strands of Frederick’s hair, the softness causing deep emotions to stir within her. A hand came to her mouth to stifle the sob forming in her throat. With him, she had formed all her hopes and dreams. All that was gone. Now the future only seemed to spread before her like an empty, desolate land.

Lord, why? Why did you allow Frederick to die? Why did he have to leave me? Why? Huge tears began to tumble down her cheeks.

Snapping the locket shut, she shot to her feet as her hands bunched into fists. These thoughts were a poison to her soul. It was as if she was determined to make herself continue in perpetual grief. Her life had become a vale of tears and she was tired of it. She had to let him go if only to allow her heart to rest. She knew that would only come by allowing God to heal her pain but she couldn’t. If she permitted herself to stop hurting over Frederick, it would be like admitting she had forgotten him.

Excerpt #2:

“Cass, what are you doing here?” Frederick said quite casually, breaking the silence between them. He set the comb in his hand down on a bench and then tousled a hand through his sun-lightened brown hair. Though his eyes revealed no displeasure at her sudden appearance, he seemed unsure of her intent. At this point, she wasn’t sure what she was doing there either. Her stalwart resolutions back at home seemed to be disappearing into the inky dark night. If he had come home hoping to marry her as they had promised, then he sure wasn’t trying very hard to see that come to fruition.

“I…I’m not sure why I’m here.”

A slight smile curved in the corner of his mouth, the type of playful expression which commonly appeared on his features when they were younger. “It’s not like you to be indecisive, Miss Huddleston.” He said her name with a smirk as he leaned against a stall and crossed his arms.

Cassandra closed her eyes and tightly grasped the sides of her dress, trying to maintain her temper. “Will you please cease with the Miss Huddleston. It is becoming quite tedious, Mr. Adair.” She uttered his proper name with as much derision as she could muster.

He began to move toward her, his strides determined and sleek. “And how shall I address you when you’re married?” His voice drawled into a low and provocative tone, making her heart give a little leap.

She made the mistake of gazing into those deep, wonderful eyes of his and forgot to breathe as his eyes, no longer playful, seared into her, down to her beating heart. When she was finally able to gulp some air, her lungs began to pump again. “You may call me Cassandra as you always have…I hope.” Her voice came out breathy and weak.

“Oh, no, I don’t believe that would be proper.” He stepped right in front of her face and touched his forehead to hers. In that moment, it felt as if a dozen butterflies had been released inside her stomach. He grabbed her around the waist, but before he had the chance to kiss her, she returned to her senses. Pushing off from his chest, she moved down toward the stalls, keeping her back to him as she held a hand over her galloping heart.

Available Now at The Wild Rose Press!

Sunday Book Excerpts

Make sure to read and comment today and you might win a copy of one of these books.

Blurb:
Her mother’s ridiculous idea to gift her with 'a man' for Christmas is driving Angie Bellini insane! Every bachelor and his brother in Noelle are asking her to save them a dance at the upcoming wedding of Santa Claus Holloran’s daughter. What’s a girl to do to keep her sanity and thwart a scheming mother? Date the one man in town her mother despises, of course.

Wes O’Connor doesn’t like the plan Angie has coerced him into for two reasons: 1) He’s still paying for the last time those big brown eyes made him do something stupid and 2) He doesn’t want to 'pretend' to date the beautiful baker, he wants the fairytale to turn into a real happily-ever-after.

Their ending may not be so happy, though, when they discover they aren't the only players in their little game of make-believe.

Excerpt:
Wes shifted in his seat, clenching and unclenching the steering wheel. This is not how it was supposed to go. Sure, at the bakery, after seeing those beautiful brown eyes flare from friendly to frustrated to hopeful all in a span of fifteen minutes, he knew he wanted to get to know her a little better, again. Maybe pick up where his youthful mishap had detoured them. But this was not how he pictured getting the date.

He glanced sideways at her cute little nose scrunched in contemplation—of him.

She played with the zipper on her jacket. “A-are you dating someone?”

“No but—”

“Engaged?”

“No but—”

“Married?”

“No!” Geez, let a guy get a word in edgewise here.

But she didn’t. Instead, she spun on him, leg back up on the seat as comfortable as if she’d ridden in the truck a thousand times before.

“Then what is it? Is it me? You find me ugly, repulsive?”

“No, Angie, come on!”

In truth, her position grazed her knee against his hip, sending a distinct tightening to his groin. Repulsive? Not even close.

He focused his attention on the mid-morning street, counting the huge snowflakes to cool himself down. How did a simple delivery job get so complicated? Now he realized why he let his father handle this end of the business. Ian O’Connor was a people-person, Wes preferred the uncomplicated company of the farm.

Slender hands latched onto his upper arm effectively melting the snowflake theory.

“Please. I need help and you’re all I’ve got at the moment.”

With tight lips, he stared at her hands then turned back to the road.

“For old times sake, Wes. Please.”

He made the mistake of glimpsing the dark eyes, big and round and rivaling any kicked-puppy-dog-look he’d ever seen. His jaw ticked tight, and he felt himself caving.

Be strong this time, Wes, he warned himself.

The hands around his arm pulled in small, pleading tugs while her lips quirked in a mischievous tilt.

“I’ll bake you a special batch of chocolate chip cookies...” she coerced. “Three batches...no a dozen!”

No use, he was a goner the minute she batted those lashes at him. The only choice left was to chuckle and shake his head in defeat. “Dad likes them too. Make it a dozen and you got yourself a deal.”

“Oh thanks, Wes,” she squealed. “You’re a real pal.”

His smile twitched to a wince as she turned away. Being her ‘pal’ was least on his list at the moment. They’d picked up right where they left off in high school—big brown eyes messing with his good sense. And by this mornings events at the bakery, he wasn’t finished paying for the first time.


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Blurb:
The perfect road trip: 2 strangers, 1 truck, and 1500 miles to fall in love.

Detective Justin Hatcher and Cameron McAlister are in a hurry to leave North Carolina—for totally different reasons. He wants to confront his family about a five-year-old betrayal. She wants to escape the remnants of a failed marriage.

Thrown together as unlikely and unexpected travel partners, their trip is filled with both dramatic and humorous situations along the road. But, with God’s constant hand in their journey, can Justin and Cameron discover that…

Yes, you can go home again…especially at Christmastime.



Excerpt:
Tears sprang from her fern-colored eyes. “Look I just need to get to Oklahoma City as soon as possible,” she choked. “Can I join you for a while or not?”

”Are you in such a hurry because you’ve committed a crime?”

She looked at him as though he’d just sprouted spaghetti for hair.

“Okay, then. How old are you? You look like a kid in that get-up.”

“I’m twenty-five. Would you like to see my ID?”

She pushed a shaky hand out the end of her sweatshirt sleeve and started fishing in the pocket of her jeans. Wadded tissues popped out and tumbled to the ground. A tearful squeak escaped her lips as she hurried to pick them up.

He had no business taking on a passenger. Not even a cute redhead. Not even an intelligent woman who clearly had great conversation potential. Not even until the next major city.

“Get in,” he grumbled and reached for her bag.

She jumped in the cab and secured his thermos between her feet on the floor while he checked the side mirrors and started the engine.

He put the truck in reverse and placed his arm across the back of the seat.

She pulled her hat off and shook her hair loose, then brushed away the last tear. She turned to him and smiled. Really smiled. Smiled in such a way it rivaled the first sun of the morning now creeping into the eastern sky.

“Thanks for the ride.”

With one click of the seatbelt, Detective Justin Hatcher knew he was in for the most complicated ride of his life – and he didn’t even know her name.

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Saturday Book Excerpts

Make sure to read and comment today and you might win a copy of one of these books. And remember to come back tomorrow for the final day of the White Christmas Book Jubilee!

Blurb:
Railroad conductor Lee Donovan has struggled to raise his nine-year-old son Alex since the death of his wife and twin toddlers. He is fed up with the busybodies and school personnel who refuse to believe a single father can be a capable parent.

As the second anniversary of the Christmas Eve tragedy approaches, Alex grows increasingly agitated, insisting that his siblings' spirits want to take him to their mother. Lee grudgingly admits that he needs help and turns to Bethany Parks, the school librarian with whom Alex has developed a bond—and whose earlier offer of help Lee had curtly rebuffed.

What follows surprises them all, but brings wonderful gifts: the healing power of forgiveness and the promise of love.

Excerpts:

A burst of raucous music reached Lee's ears. Chuck Berry? A librarian and three maiden aunties listened to rock 'n roll? Lee followed the sound and drew up short when he found her.

Laughing, oblivious to her audience, the mousy Miss Parks flipped herself away from a sewing mannequin in a surprisingly good imitation of a jitterbug. As he watched, she bent at the waist, tossed her hair--her long, gloriously wavy and loose hair!--in a circle. The lamp behind her threw a burnished halo through the blur of hair as it whispered to a frothy halt all over her shoulders. She giggled and swung herself around the mannequin with a swoosh of her plaid skirt. Her eyes met his; her mouth formed an appalled 'O' and her joyous step out of character came to a dead stop. The mannequin did a few last happy circles before spinning helplessly onto its side.

Lee couldn't help it. He smiled at her. Without his permission, his hand reached toward her and his lips moved. "Need a real live partner, Bethany?"

Eyes wide, she clutched her skirt in bunches.

Hell. Good girls don't dance with bad boys. Lee lowered his hand just as Bethany breathed out, "Yes, please."

She looked as though she wanted to run. Lee almost turned and ran, himself, but he'd offered; she'd accepted.

Now he had to... no. He wanted to.



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Blurb:
As a child, Simone Littleton adores the European folktale that animals are given the gift of speech at midnight on Christmas Eve. She makes a wish to talk to animals “forever and ever” and, when her pet Dalmatian asks her for a biscuit, she discovers her wish has been granted. Now Simone is all grown up and she uses her unique gift to rehabilitate unwanted horses. When racehorse trainer Chet Wallace rolls into San Antonio, with chocolate eyes and dimples blazing beneath his black Stetson, romantic sparks fly. He is immediately drawn to the beautiful woman who has a mesmerizing affect on both his horses and his dog, but his less than enthusiastic response to Simone’s claims threatens their budding romance. It takes a scheming Jack Russell terrier and a dose of Christmas magic to convince Chet she just may be telling the truth.

Excerpts:

“So this is why all your animals are named after artists.” Her gentle voice washed over him, soothing his nerves.

He turned and there she was, hair full of hay like always. She looked particularly welcoming today, though, wearing a soft pink sweater that hugged her curves. Her hair was on top of her head in a ponytail rather than her usual braid. He had to press down the urge to loosen the fastener and let it tumble over her shoulders in thick, blonde waves.
He gulped. Hard. Just looking at her was almost enough to take his breath away. “Happy Thanksgiving, Simone.”

She came closer, ponytail swinging, and stood next to him. Close enough so he felt almost intoxicated by the orchid fragrance. “Happy Thanksgiving. I can’t believe you painted this. It’s breathtaking. When I close my eyes and picture Buttercup in my mind, she looks exactly like this.”

It was a nice compliment. The special gleam in Chet’s eye came not from her kind words, but from the fact Simone stood close to him and looked at him in the way Ted had observed in the kitchen the night before. Yes, there was something between them all right. He felt it in every nerve ending in his body. “Thanks. It’s just a hobby really.”

“You are quite the Renaissance Man, Chet.” She punched him playfully in the shoulder. “You’re just one surprise after another. What am I going to find out about you next?”

“Well, if I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise now, would it?” His gazed locked with hers and he winked.


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Friday Book Excerpts

Make sure to read and comment today and you might win a copy of one of these books.

Blurb:
For Molly Scott, everything bad in her life has happened during the Christmas season, from training bras in her stocking to being jilted by her fiancé. This year is no exception.

Ten days before Christmas, she arrives at work to find her department closed down and everyone laid off. Desperate, she takes a job for a singing telegram service and, dressed as Mrs. Claus, meets the man of her dreams--who turns out to be a nightmare--in a broken-down elevator. The Christmas Curse is right on track.




Excerpt:
With a smile of thanks, she jogged toward the elevators. The one on the left was just closing, so she hollered, "Hold the door!" and leaped forward, slipping her arm between the doors and taking a step that jammed the stiletto heel of her boot right into the crack where the elevator car met the floor. She teetered unsteadily, praying she wouldn't break a bone.

The doors lurched open and, as they did, she lost any hope of staying upright. She tumbled inside, heard the snap of her boot heel breaking, and then tumbled onto another occupant, knocking them both to the barely padded floor.

"Oh no, I am so sorry!" She rolled to one side before sitting up to see who had cushioned her fall. The best-looking man she'd ever seen lay on the floor, grinning up at her, making no effort whatsoever to get to his feet.

"My pleasure." He propped his arms under his head. "Truly."

She jumped to her feet, forgetting she'd lost a heel in the door, lost her balance and fell again. At least she managed to land on her hands and knees above him, like a bridge, and didn't squash him.

"Sorry." She crawled to the door and wiggled the broken heel back and forth until it came out, wondering why the doors hadn't tried closing on her fingers. She glanced over her shoulder to find the man sitting up with his finger on the Door Open button.

"Thanks."

"No problem. What floor?"

"I need the penthouse, please."

"That's where I'm heading, too."

She pivoted away from his lopsided grin and nearly stepped on a rather small, ashen-faced man leaning in the corner. His body shuddered when the doors closed and the car started to move.

"Oh-kay...." She was stuck between Drop-Dead-Handsome Man and Pasty-Faced Man and had to figure out how to do her routine with a broken-heeled boot. She tucked said heel into one of the many pockets in her slicker lining and left the coat hanging open. She hoped the boot could be repaired, but because it was only a week before Christmas she doubted she'd have any luck with that.

It was a little like the time, eight years before, when she'd performed an aria for the school Christmas program unaware that two buttons on her dress were undone, thereby flashing the front of her ancient white bra complete with holes and safety pins.

"So, you were invited to the party upstairs?" Handsome Man broke into her thoughts. He climbed to his feet and moved to stand beside her.

Molly nodded.

"I wasn't aware it was a costume party."

She crinkled her nose and shook her head. "I wouldn't know. I'm only the entertainment."

"Ahhh." He reached out a hand and flipped the bells on her collar. "So, Mrs. Claus, is the mister showing up tonight? Because, to be honest, I haven't been very good this year."

She had opened her mouth to speak when the lights cut off and the elevator ground to a halt. Oh, dear heavens, she'd done it again.

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Blurb:
Jake Coburn’s antique shop is barely surviving, so the last thing he should do is buy costume jewelry at a price that won’t turn much profit. Then again, it’s Christmas, and he hasn’t been able to say no to Loral Evans since the first time she entered his shop almost a year ago.

Loral’s mother is a cancer survivor, and much as they don’t want to sell their family heirlooms, surgery and prescriptions aren’t cheap. Jake’s offer of one thousand dollars for a dragonfly brooch that Loral knows is fake stings her pride, especially since he knows she can’t afford to walk away.

Selling the brooch, which is more than it appears, turns out to be a blessing in disguise. During a season of giving, Loral learns there’s a big difference between pride and dignity, and Jake’s determination to do the right thing brings rewards beyond what either of them ever dreamed of.

Excerpt:
A lump formed in her throat. She swallowed it down and increased her stride as fat, wet snowflakes began to float down around her. Turning the corner, she saw the blue bus at the end of the block, accelerating away from her stop.

“No!”

She ran faster, but it was no use. The taillights grew smaller and smaller until they became a blur, blending with other vehicles and the Christmas lights twinkling along the street.

Loral came to a defeated halt, lungs burning, her breath pluming out to mingle with the snow as she braced her hands on her knees. Another bus wouldn’t come for forty-five minutes, and given the fact that she needed every dollar in her pocket, a cab wasn’t even a consideration; she’d have to wait.

Headlights flashed behind her. After a quick glance at a black sedan driving toward her, she straightened and shoved her hands into her pockets.

She’d wait, just not out here on the street. Walking briskly down the block, she waited for the car to pass. Anxiety rippled along her spine with the realization that it’d slowed to keep pace with her. Her numb fingers curled around the can of pepper spray at the bottom of her coat pocket.

“Loral? What are you doing?”

Jake’s disapproving voice made her spin around. Her heart pounded loud in her ears. Not wanting him to see she was cold, she hugged her arms across her middle to stop her shivering as she peered into his car. He watched her from his leather seats with the street light above casting light onto his head through the moon roof. Great—nothing like adding insult to injury.

She resumed walking. “What does it look like I’m doing?”

The engine of his car revved as he caught up with her again. “Did your Tahoe break down? Do you need me to call someone?”

Okay, just shoot me now. She glanced in the direction the bus had disappeared, and lifted her chin while keeping her voice indifferent. “I sold it two months ago.”

“You’re not walking home, are you?” The tone of his voice conveyed his disbelief. “It’s below freezing.”

A snowflake caught on her eyelashes, she blinked it away. “I missed my bus and the next one isn’t until eight. I can hardly just sit here and wait.”

“Can’t you call someone?”

She didn’t answer, unwilling to explain further. Like she needed more of his pity tonight.

“No family?” He paused. “A boyfriend?”

She shook her head sharply, still walking as he idled alongside.

“Let me give you a ride, then.”

Two years ago she would’ve gladly accepted, following her desire to spend some time with him. Now she forced a smile to her stiff lips. “Thanks for the offer, but I’ll just wait for the next bus. There’s a coffee shop a few blocks from here.” A horn blasted behind them. Loral flinched, and then waved Jake away. “Go. Seriously, I’ll be fine.”

Jake stepped on the gas and his sleek black car surged forward. She fought disappointment until he swerved sharply into an empty parking spot halfway down the block. Her step slowed as the impatient driver zoomed past. Jake swung from his car and strode toward her with those long legs of his that made him tower over her five feet five inches.

“That coffee shop closes at six,” he told her. “Not enough evening traffic.”

Just her luck. The unfairness of it all threatened to overwhelm her, but she forced it down. Things wouldn’t change until her mother was better, and until then, she’d just deal with missed buses and closed coffee shops.

She lifted her head to meet Jake’s gaze, noticing how quickly the snow gathered on his dark hair. Her own hair must be covered. She reached up a hand to brush it off, and then wished she hadn’t as the moisture made her fingers even colder and frigid air rushed under the bottom edge of her coat. A shiver shook her shoulders.

Jake muttered under his breath, shrugging out of his black leather jacket. Before she realized his intent, he stepped forward and draped it around her. Immediate warmth permeated her somewhat threadbare coat, lethally combined with the scent of leather and man. Her senses sharpened even as the rest of the world faded away, leaving her unable to do anything more than stare up at him.

He stood close enough to make her knees weak, a hand on either lapel, tugging the jacket tight so she was wrapped in a cocoon. His eyes reminded her of the warm caramel her grandmother used to drizzle over ice cream.

“Let me take you home, Loral.”


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