If you've been following me, you know I've been aiming to write my novella due to release next February. Well, I got it written! It definitely needs a polish, but it feels so good to have those 20k words down on "paper." Since you all helped me name my hamster in this story, I thought you might like a sneak peek at how it starts. See what you think. ![]() Trey Jones would do just about anything for his sister. Standing here, hamster cage in hand, his hyped-up six-year-old nephew beside him, and a room full of heart-shaped balloons ahead, he might have reached his limit. Was it Valentine’s Day? Of course it was. He knew the date. The significance had just slipped his mind, not having anyone to shower with gifts on the over-commercialized holiday. “Uncle Trey, look!” Rylan hopped from foot to foot. Trey placed his free hand on Rylan’s shoulder. “I see.” Though, considering the insane amount of pink and red before him, he might not ever see straight again. Even the petite woman, going from seat to seat tying the balloons in place, wore bright pink overalls over a red shirt. Her hair was done in two braids and crowned with a headband with spring-y hearts bouncing on top. “Ms. Winters!” Rylan shouted, even though she couldn’t be more than five feet away. She sprang up, eyes wide, the balloon slipping through her fingers and bumping against the ceiling. “Rylan, you’re back.” “And guess what.” Rylan reached over and grabbed Houdini’s travel cage from Trey’s hand. “I brought my show-and-tell since I was sick last week.” Ms. Winter’s eyes widened for a split second before she controlled her expression once more. But Trey had noticed. Apparently, bringing a show-and-tell item on a day when it wasn’t scheduled hadn’t been in the plans. Of course not. She obviously had a whole day of Valentine’s craziness prepared. Maybe Trey should offer to take the pet home again for today. “Wow, Rylan. Um, what is it?” Ms. Winters took a few steps closer and leaned forward to peer into the plastic box. Then, she jerked back, hand to her heart. “Is that a … mouse?” “No.” Rylan giggled and lifted the box higher. Ms. Winters inched back. “It’s my hamster, Houdini.” This time there was no denying the expression of slight terror that raced across the teacher’s face, followed by a big gulp. Her voice was barely audible as she said, “Oh.” “I apologize.” Trey stepped forward, hiding part of the cage with his arm. “In the chaos of Julie having me pick Rylan up, I didn’t realize he wasn’t supposed to bring Houdini today.” Ms. Winters’s attention turned to him. “I haven’t met you before. You’re Rylan’s dad?” “Uncle.” Trey held out a hand. “Trey Jones. Rylan’s dad is serving overseas right now. And his mom caught the nasty bug Rylan had last week.” Her grip loosened in his. “She’s not coming today?” “Only if you want her to bring the flu with her.” She pressed her fingers to her forehead. “Okay. It’s going to be okay.” “Was she supposed to come in today for something?” Trey frowned. Julie hadn’t said anything about needing to be at school today. Just that everything Rylan needed was in his backpack. “Julie was the room mom who signed up to help with the Valentine’s activities today.” Ms. Winters offered a half smile. “But it’ll be fine. I mean, I don’t have a helper in here most of the time. I can handle it today too.” Yet, something in her voice said she was on the verge of panicking. Trey stifled a groan. How had he ended up in this predicament? He’d agreed to drop off his nephew at school on his day off. Not spend the day herding kindergarteners. Never had he ever imagined offering to do something like that. Even on the days he was assigned to visit a group of children to talk about fire safety, he let the other firefighters do the talking. So, why was he standing here, contemplating giving up his day of rest to hang out in this wonderland of pink and hearts? For Rylan? No. He wasn’t worried about his nephew. It was for this cute little woman all bedecked in holiday splendor. Could he be a calming force in this spring tornado of changes he’d wrought on her carefully laid plans? He could help her out. He was a firefighter—walked into fires and emergencies all the time. How much harder could this be? “I’ll stay.” Trey shrugged. “I told Julie I’d be her today. If that includes being room mom, I guess that means I’m here to help you too.” Even though you'll have to wait a little bit before you can read the rest of this one, I hope you enjoyed a glimpse behind the curtain, so to speak.
And watch soon for a cover release for my novella collection releasing this October, A Match Made at Christmas! Are you excited?
1 Comment
5/21/2024 07:48:40 am
Sounds like a really fun Valentine’s Day book. Rylan’s teacher may be having a premonition caused by the hamster’s name! Houdini may be an expert escape artist!
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