WeWriWa: Not Just a Visit . . . A New W.I.P.!

Geez, I’ve been gone for so long I feel like a visitor! Well . . . life happens. and even when we can’t really DO much of anything, time just slips by too quickly . . . especially when you’re starting a new book. But I’m finally back with my Warrior buddies to post another snippet from my contemporary romantic suspense. You might recall from the opening scene last shared (hangs head) about month ago, U.S. Marshal Jimmy Redbone has finally shown up at the front steps of his wife Willamina’s ranch after no contact for six weeks. He’s still living and working in San Antonio while she’s moved to the family horse ranch out in the wilds of West Texas after her father’s death. Their relationship is . . . complicated since it started out with her as the witness he was protecting. She’s spoiling for a fight when he finally rides up to the door.

When the animal was reined in, Willa set her shotgun aside, gestured for Django to stay, and took the front steps down to parched earth. The horse’s wicker of greeting invited a rub of the damp velvet nose and a cooed, “Hey there, handsome fella,” before she looked up at his rider to demand in a not so friendly voice, “He carry you all the way from San Antonio?”

Lightening blue eyes targeted her from beneath the tipped brim of his dusty hat. A slow, wide smile flashed bright against dark, days old scruff surrounding a strong jaw and the soft mouth she remembered too well. The husky timbre of his voice set everything inside her shivering when he replied, “Woulda if I’d asked him, but I trailered him as far as Roscoe’s. Knew he wouldn’t want to miss a chance to stretch his legs and come home for a spell.”

Just a visit, not a destination. The whisper of longing disintegrated as she snapped, “What’s your business here, Jimmy, cuz pleasure isn’t happening?”

His solar flare smile faded slightly. “Do I need a reason to come home to you, Willamina?”

Ooo. Not such a warm welcome so far. But they’ve got more than just their relationship to worry about since the man her testimony put in prison just got released on a technicality. The plot thickens . . .

I don’t know about you, but it’s seems like my calendar has never been so full with all the TV binge watching and Zoom meetings with my critique and writers groups. I’ve had to actually wear makeup! I’ve discovered that virtual holidays may be a necessity but are just not all that much fun. Sigh. After not putting up Halloween decorations or cooking the Thanksgiving meal, I’m wondering if Christmas can revive my lack of enthusiasm. I did just hang the live wreath on the door. Maybe I’ll just take a peek at all those red and green tubs stored in the basement as soon as I finish visiting your blogs . . . Is that Christmas music I hear? If only it could be as magical as last year. 

Hope you all are managing to scrounge up enthusiasm on the computer screen. I’ve been busy plotting as I go (a first for me!) on this new project and am moving happily into Chapter Twelve. Looking forward to sharing more with you and to catching up on what you’ve been doing!

Glad to be back, Fellow Warriors! Write On!!

Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.

Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.