I don’t keep up with all the “social media” catch-phrases and hashtags. I know there’s a “Tuesday Teaser” as well as a “Tuesday Tales”, and of course, everyone knows about “Throwback Thursday”. I think I may have stumbled across a “Wicked Wednesday” once upon a time, and I’m sure someone before me has probably done a “Flashback Friday”. I don’t claim to be the first.
I’m excited, of course, about the upcoming release of “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not”. It’s the third book in a series of stories set in the fictional town of Sunset, Colorado. More specifically, it’s the love story of Emily Sue Phillips and Benjamin Brooks. These young lovebirds first met in “Not the Marrying Kind”, so I thought it would be fun to travel back in time and take a look at Ben and Emily in their younger days.
At the time they met, Ben was fourteen. Emily was a twelve-year-old brat. In the scene I’m sharing here, Emily is all dressed up in a new yellow frock when Judge William Howard Morse comes calling, along with his son, Willie. The judge’s visit is interrupted rather suddenly. Enjoy!
Excerpt from “Not the Marrying Kind”
Her words were interrupted by shouts from the yard. Morse, who stood nearest the window, responded first. “Good Lord, it’s Willie. And that other fellow, too. They’ve got themselves a fight going out there.”
“Benjamin?” Kat raced toward the window and peered out, shocked to see the wiry, red-headed boy straddling Judge Morse’s obese son. Benjamin’s fist plowed into the boy’s nose. Blood covered Willie’s white shirt.
Kat flew out the door. “Stop it!” she cried. “Stop it right now!”
She hadn’t noticed Joshua, but he must have been at her heels. He grabbed Benjamin and pulled him off his blubbering, tearful opponent.
All the while, Emily Sue watched, her face pale , her eyes bigger and rounder than ever , and a stream of tears streaking across her rosy cheeks.
“It wasn’t Benjamin’s fault,” she shouted. “Willie started it.”
By now, the entire family had come out to witness the fracas. Judge Morse grabbed his son and set about checking him over, assessing the damage done. Joshua, meanwhile, kept a firm grasp on Benjamin’s shirt collar, holding him back even as his arms flailed and his legs kicked in an effort to get away.
Kat’s father stepped into the fray. “What’s this about? What’s going on?” He cast accusing glances all around. Would Benjamin have courage enough to speak up?
Yes, indeed. Kat smiled, admiring the boy for his bravery, and for his chivalrous acts.
“He was calling Emily names,” Benjamin told the crowd of listeners. “Said she was a spoiled brat.” Benjamin’s fists were still doubled up. Kat suspected that if Joshua were to loosen his grip for even a second, the hot-tempered lad would be beating Willie Morse again.
Not the Marrying Kind
Book 1 – The Sunset Series
Some things never change. Here’s a little “sneak peek” from Book 3.
Excerpt from “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not”
Ben’s fist shot out, catching Willie on the jaw. The bigger man spun around, went down, and then stumbled to his feet, his movements surprisingly swift. He came up swinging, striking his opponent with a stream of wild punches.
“Stop it!” Emily screamed. “Stop it now!” She raced to the door, hoping to find someone who could break up the fight. Already men were rushing toward the office.
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not
Book 3 0f “The Sunset Series”
Available January 28 from Secret Cravings Publishing
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little flasback and that you’ll enjoy seeing Ben and Emily again now that they’re all grown up.
Christina Cole Romance 