#MFRWhooks Blog Hop - An Excerpt from CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE - I'm Done Waiting
Happy Wednesday! I've got an excerpt from CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE today. In this scene Drew comes to Celeste after having an argument with his sister Carrie. Carrie is in love with a man in a wheelchair, and at eighteen Drew is afraid she doesn't understand what she's getting into. I hope you enjoy the excerpt!
Excerpt:
He recounted his argument with his sister as he paced back and forth in Celeste’s compact living room. “I’m afraid she’s headed into a disaster with Ryan. How can I stand by and do nothing?”
“Carrie’s a smart girl, Drew. I’m sure she knows what she’s getting into.”
“She thinks she does, but imagination and reality are two different things.” Drew stopped pacing. “It gets worse. Ryan came to see me today, asking for my blessing. He wants to ask Carrie to marry him.”
Celeste knew they were serious, but she didn’t realize they were talking about marriage. “What did you say?”
“That Carrie was too young to know what she wanted and what she needed to be happy. And that she deserved a normal sex life.”
“Oh! You really went there?”
“I did. Damn it, I probably shouldn’t have opened my big mouth. But I couldn’t stand by and say nothing, either.” He shook his head, his expression filled with confusion and regret. “Selfishly, what I’m most worried about is losing her. I hate the thought of Carrie no longer being in my life.”
Celeste put the teapot and a couple of cups on a tray and carried it through to the living room. “You’re not going to lose her. I know you love Carrie and want what’s best for her.”
He gave her a wry grin. “Thanks for not saying I’m a controlling jerk.”
“You’re not a jerk. You’re a good brother.” Celeste set the tray on the coffee table.
“I’m pretty sure Carrie doesn’t think so right now.”
“I know that whatever you said, you said out of love and concern.” She didn’t agree he had the right to get involved in his sister’s relationship, but that wasn’t what he needed to hear right now. “Carrie knows that, too.”
“I hope that’s why I did it.” Drew bent his head and stared at the floor. “I hope I didn’t discourage them because of Ryan’s disability.”
“You didn’t,” Celeste said. “You’re not like that.”
Drew lifted his head and looked directly into her eyes. “How can you possibly know that? I don’t even know for sure.”
“Because I know you.”
Celeste hated that he questioned his motives, even his basic goodness. She couldn’t let him believe the worst of himself. Without thinking, she stepped close and placed her hand on his cheek, the stubble of his beard tickling her palm. “You’re the most kind, loving man. A man who goes out of his way to be kind to a little girl and to teach a hopeless driver like me how to parallel park. You’re a good person, Drew Barnes. Don’t ever forget it.”
He stared at her, his eyes wide with surprise. Then he turned his head and kissed the palm of her hand. A jolt of electricity extended from her hand to deep into her body.
“Celeste.”
His voice was a whispered plea, and she found she couldn’t ignore the attraction between them. She didn’t want to, not anymore. He lowered his mouth to hers, but hesitated, waiting for a sign from her.
She was done waiting.
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 season, a series of thefts 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. Since his mistake got him fired from his previous job, he’s lost confidence in his judgement. When thefts begin, he’s afraid his nightmare is starting again.
As Drew grows closer to Celeste, 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’s afraid to risk loving and losing again.
As Christmas approaches, 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 Buy Link: https://books2read.com/Christmas-at-Solace-Lake
BookFunnel Promo:
Check out the Small Town Christmas stories in this Promotion. CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE is included! https://books.bookfunnel.com/smalltownxmas/wsbah7g8u5
Book Hook Blog Hop:
I’m participating in MFRW Book Hooks—browse the current hop here:
Comments