Yes, it's Valentine's Day later this week, but my own 'busy' is more from other things. Like finishing my prep for the booksigning on Saturday. And getting something bigger ready for this month, as I promised in the last newsletter I emailed out last month (if you want to be sure to get the news, scroll down to sign up for the newsletter!). And working on revisions on the first couple books in the short contemporary series I've been sitting on for a while. And, you know, all the usual day-to-day things, like day-job, household chores, and sneaking in some reading time, too.
Right now, there's a big vat of chili on the stove and lemon almond bread in the bread mchine, so the house smells really good. I still have to figure out my own dinner since the chili is purely for carnivores. I guess there's a football game on later--don't freak out, but I couldn't care less about football, so if it's going to be on our tv, that means I get more writing and reading time this evening, and I'm okay with that.
If you're near enough to southern Pennsylvania to join us, you should head to Mechanicsburg this Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 12-3pm at Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouse for the annual Love Is In the Air event. Twelve authors, mostly romance, lovely warm greenhouse, and some friendly greenhouse cats. Doesn't get much better than that on a Saturday in February. We've love to see you there!
Before I get back to my checking off my weekend to-do list, I have a snippet for you from Freeing Medusa (yes, again) this week.
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Finally, Hunter sat back in his chair when he’d polished off his lunch. “Okay. Hit me.”
She blinked at him. “What?”
“Give me your best argument.”
That wasn’t what she’d expected. She frowned again, pushing her empty plate aside and resting her forearms on the edge of the table. “I shouldn’t need to convince you,” she said after a moment. “You saw him. You heard how determined he is. And there are more like him. Lots more. All on the hunt, and because he found me, more of them will be looking specifically for me.” She brushed her fingers absently over the smooth surface of the table. “My best bet right now is to hook up with one of my cousins or their husbands who’ve dealt with the Harvesters before. Then you’ll be safe.”
“You can’t muster up anything better?”
Katharine glared at him, more annoyed when he just continued to smile at her. Only half a day ago, that look would’ve killed him. Now it didn’t even make her feel better to know that. “I shouldn’t have to convince you you’re unsafe as long as you’re with me.”
He shrugged. “I’m not the Medusa. They’re not interested in me.”
True. She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. My cousin Philomena, who was the Medusa before me, had Harvesters target her family to try to reach her.”
His shoulder jerked. “I’m not family. They have no way to connect me to you.”
“Except for the one who saw you Monday.”
“But he doesn’t know who I am. I didn’t introduce myself while I had him at gunpoint.”
Her pulse quickened. “That doesn’t mean he didn’t wait around to see you leave so he could follow you or try to track you down.”
Hunter shook his head. “Didn’t follow. And he definitely didn’t stick around after I made him ditch his knife.”
Her frustration level jumped up. He wasn’t understanding. Why wasn’t he understanding?
Why did it matter? She was an adult and could do what she wanted.
“Don’t even think it.” His tone was mild, but something in his eyes made her hesitate.
“I’m not going to stay here and put you in danger,” she said finally, working to keep the edge out of her voice. “I’ll call my cousin and get some advice from her husband, then get out of your hair.”
Hunter’s smile disappeared. “No.”
She covered her face with her hands.
“I’ll talk to your cousin’s husband, get his take, but you’re not going off on your own.”
She dropped her hands. “I can defend myself just fine, at least for the next four weeks,” she pointed out.
“I’m sure you can. I’d rather keep you where I can see you.”
“Why?”
His expression softened a little. “I know how to deal with guys like this. And I’ve already gotten you to safety. Oh, I have the new code to your alarm system, but you can’t go back.” He dug a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it across the table.
Katharine sighed. “You’re going to be difficult about this, aren’t you?” She took the paper and unfolded it, staring blankly for a few seconds at the numbers. She swallowed, wishing her brain was functioning more quickly. The residual effects of three days of painkillers hadn’t yet dissipated.
“You’d better believe it.” He set one hand over hers on the table, his fingers warm. “I’m in this thing now, Kat.”
That’s what she was afraid of. She looked away, her gaze catching on the fruit plate where the green grapes contrasted sharply with the whitish flesh of the apple slices.
“So,” he said at last, giving her fingers a squeeze, “which cousin are you calling? Didn’t you say there are two now who used to be the Medusa?”
Katharine rested her face on her other hand, shutting her eyes, and sighed. “Yes. Andi’s husband is the one who was a Harvester, and Phila’s husband owns a security firm.”
“Really?”
She opened her eyes to find his gaze had sharpened with his tone. “Yes.”
“I’ll want to talk to him. Between us, we can come up with something to keep you safe.”
She shook her head slowly, noting the stubborn set of his jaw. “You’re serious.”
“As a heart attack.”
Katharine couldn’t think of anything else to dissuade him. Maybe later, after the painkillers were completely out of her system and her head was clear...
But his expression told her he wouldn’t be dissuaded. She swallowed. He couldn’t keep her prisoner here. He had to go to work sometime. Then she could leave.
To go where?
She frowned at the thought and picked up a slice of apple. It didn’t matter where, just somewhere safe. Away. Somewhere the Harvesters wouldn’t find her. Or Hunter. She didn’t want him in danger because of her.
He touched the back of her hand.
She looked up, wary.
“I want to help you.”
“I appreciate that,” she said after a second, slowly. “But you don’t need to endanger yourself for my sake.”
One dark brow lifted.
Katharine inhaled deeply. She didn’t want to argue with him.
“I can see the wheels turning in your head,” Hunter said with a crooked smile. “You aren’t ditching me.”
She set her jaw.
His mouth hitched a little higher on one side. “I know it’s what you’re thinking.”
She exhaled carefully. “Just because you had the misfortune to–”
His smile vanished. “To what? Meet a really beautiful woman? To have seriously hot sex with her?” He leaned forward, and she realized he was still holding her hand. “I don’t have any expectations here, Kat. I just don’t want you killed when I can keep you safe.”
Katharine met his blue gaze, debating with herself. “Can we fight about this later?” she asked finally. “I’d rather be able to do it with a clear head.”
Though his mouth quirked faintly, his eyes remained somber. “I don’t want to argue with you about it at all.”
She couldn’t think of anything to say that wouldn’t simply encourage him to continue the discussion.
“But we can wait until you feel more clear-headed to figure out details,” he said, giving her fingers a light squeeze.
She frowned, tugging her hand free and linking her fingers in front of her on the table. “Thank you.” It was terse, and she knew it, but she didn’t care at the moment.
The man might be the sexiest thing she’d ever seen up close and personal, but he had a stubborn streak at least a mile wide, and she was pretty sure she didn’t like it.
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Yes, that says 'Coming Soon!'. Just like I promised in the last newsletter I sent out, and this is the week I get to share the 'when'. I'm so excited. I can't wait to share the pretty cover with everyone!
What does your to-do list look like this week? Do you have big plans, too? I'd love to hear about it! Until next time, happy reading!
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