#MFRWhooks Blog Hop - An Excerpt from CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE - Baby, You Can Drive My Car
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
It's Christmas in July! Today I have an excerpt from CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE. In this scene, Celeste confesses to Drew that she doesn't know how to drive. And that's a problem since she works and lives at Solace Lake Lodge and it's ten miles from the nearest town. And it means Celeste can't do the things for her daughter Hope that she'd like to.
CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE is on sale for .99cents at Smashwords till July 31! Enjoy the excerpt!
Excerpt:
Hope pulled an envelope out of her backpack and handed it to her mother. “Mama, I got an invitation to Charlotte’s birthday party after school next Wednesday! Can I go? She’s having games and hot dogs and cake. All my friends are going.”
The look of distress that crossed Celeste’s face alarmed Drew. “I don’t know, Hope. I’ll have to talk to Maggie.”
“Please, Mama?” Hope appeared nearly as distressed as her mother. “I never get to go anywhere.”
“I said I’d talk to Maggie. But you know I can’t promise anything.”
Hope’s shoulders slumped as she stared down at the floor. “I know. Can I be excused, please?”
“Yes, of course.”
As Celeste watched her daughter head to her room, Drew watched Celeste. She blinked rapidly, and he was afraid she was on the brink of tears. “Celeste? You okay?”
She stared at him as if she’d forgotten he was in the room. Then she straightened her shoulders and attempted a smile. “I’m fine. Can I get you more coffee?”
“No, thank you. What did you mean when you said you had to talk to Maggie?” It was none of his business, but he felt compelled to understand what distressed both of them like this.
Celeste sighed and sat on the sofa once more. Drew took the seat beside her. “Unless Maggie or Luke can drive Hope home, she can’t go to the party. It’s what I mean by being dependent.”
“Because you don’t have a car?”
“Yeah.” She lifted her gaze to his, the frown between her brows marring her perfect complexion. “Don’t get me wrong. I love working at the lodge, and I’m grateful every day for the opportunity I’ve been given.” She swept out her hand to encompass the apartment. “And look at this place. It’s beautiful. Ethan and Harper have given it to me rent-free. It’s meant the world to me to have such a wonderful home to raise my daughter in.”
Drew sensed her frustration. “But…?”
“But the lodge is ten miles from Minnewasta. Brainerd is even further. Every time I need something, I have to bother someone, usually Maggie, for a ride, or ask her to pick up things for me in town. A couple of weeks ago, I missed Hope’s parent-teacher interview because I had no way to get to the school in town. I spoke to her teacher on the phone, but it’s not the same as a face-to-face meeting.”
“Have you thought about buying a car?”
“Yes, I’ve thought about it. But buying a car wouldn’t do me much good.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t know how to drive. I’ve never been behind the wheel of a car.”
Her confession shocked him. “Really? Never?”
“Never.”
Celeste looked embarrassed. Drew immediately regretted his words. “I’m sorry. I guess I assumed everyone could drive. But it’s not like we come out of the womb with a set of car keys in one hand and a gearshift in the other.”
Blurb:
Widow Celeste Bishop has made a comfortable life for herself and her nine-year-old daughter in the three years she's worked, and lived, at Solace Lake Lodge. But this Christmas, Celeste is unsettled by a series of thefts that has staff suspecting one another. Then Drew Barnes arrives, making her feel things she never thought she’d feel again.
An emergency brings Drew to Solace Lake Lodge. He’s sure that’s the only reason his uncle asked him to fill in as bookkeeper. No one in his family has believed in him since his mistake got him fired from his previous job.
As Drew gets to know Celeste, his feelings for her grow, and the pieces of his life tumble into place. He doesn’t care that she’s nine years older. But while he's falling in love, she's pulling away. She can’t risk loving and losing again.
Christmas approaches and the thefts increase. Drew is determined to stop the thief and redeem himself in his family’s eyes—and his own. But can he convince Celeste they deserve the gift of a happily-ever-after this Christmas?
Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/Christmas-at-Solace-Lake
CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE is on sale for .99cents at Smashwords until July 31!
I’m participating in MFRW Book Hooks—browse the current hop here:
" But it’s not like we come out of the womb with a set of car keys in one hand and a gearshift in the other.” Great line, Jana!
Great except! I can relate - I don’t know how to drive myself.
Poor Celeste. I hope Drew can help her.
I hope Drew offers to give her lessons. ☺️