I recently returned from a vacation, the first time on a plane in almost 3 years. And while flying isn’t what it used to be—no meals or movies—it’s still a lot easier than the way my characters moved around in the 19th century.
As he sat there, his friend Henrietta came through the
front door, followed by a dark-haired woman who could have been her sister. The
second woman, who hung back, stared his way in curiosity.
Reece hated folks staring at him, and pulled the brim of
his hat down lower. “G’day, Henrietta,” he
said as she reached his side. He
inclined his head toward the other woman.
“Kin of yours?”
“Yes, Chelsea just arrived.
I came out to see the latest invention, her bicycle.”
Reece made a face.
“Don’t see it taking the place of horseback, myself.”
Henrietta raised her brow in a way he took to mean Chelsea
was somewhat of a handful. “Reece, would you mind doing me a favor? When you get back from Yuma, could you swing
by the stagecoach depot? Chelsea left
her things there and I don’t have anyone here right now that I can send for
them.”
Reece grunted his assent.
He’d do anything for Henrietta and the other Masons, who had pretty much
saved his life when he first got here.
Shame it also meant helping out that woman who even now was watching him
with a calculating look in her eye.
Worse yet, she appeared to be planning to join them. He picked up the reins, anxious to be on his
way without appearing rude, but before he could signal the horses, Henrietta
had started introductions.
“Reece, this is my cousin Chelsea. Chelsea, Reece has
graciously agreed to fetch your things from the depot on his way back.”
“That’s so kind of you, Mr.—”
“Rawlings,” he said gruffly.
“Look at the flowers,” she squealed, raising up on tip toes
and peering past him into the back of the wagon. “I’ve not seen anything like it since I
arrived in the Americas.” Her English
diction was perfect, underscored with a husky South American accent that
stirred the hair on the back of his neck.
“Reece is a talented horticulturist,” Henrietta said.
“I can see that.” Chelsea subjected him to another
penetrating look before he drove away, conscious of those dancing dark eyes
boring into his back. What was the world coming to? A woman speaking so freely to a
stranger. Showing up here with a
bicycle. A woman like that meant
sure-fire trouble. Good thing he kept to
himself.
and check out the books
already released in the series here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09K7FP3SJ
6 comments:
Congrats on your upcoming release, Kathleen. Love the excerpt!
I can’t wait to read this!
Another one I can’t wait to read.
Wooo Hoooo..... it sounds so good.
Sounds like he won't be keeping to himself for long! Nice excerpt and interesting premise! Best wishes for CHELSEA'S CHOICE!
Thanks everyone for dropping by!
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