It's been freaking freezing here for a while now, so we've been cozying into the house like it's already winter, and now we're about to have a few days of relatively warm (in the 50s) temps, so Mother Nature isn't quite ready for winter here. Whether she's ready or not, I am. I've been keeping my tea kettle busy, so busy I need to replenish my teas, and I've done some tidying up here in my office, though that's a never-ending task. It's been good weather for reading, though, which is nice, especially since I have so many books in my TBR pile(s). There's also been a lot going on here day-job-wise and book-wise, so I'll have more to share on those in the coming weeks, I think. For sure on the book side.
Today's cozy-up task, though, was making a quick batch of almond-butter cookies. Having the oven on warmed the kitchen even more than the sun in the windows, and now the house smells really good. Plus it's just a small batch, so I won't be making myself sick eating too many. Haha! But now I have clean-up to do, and dinner to prep, so before I go back in the kitchen, I have a quick snippet for you this week from Light the Way Home.
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Nate schooled his expression to neutrality before turning around. Hayden’s chin jutted stubbornly, and his blue eyes narrowed. “I’m saying Lucie might be busy right now,” Nate said evenly. “Maybe we’ll see her outside tomorrow.”
“I can knock on the door.” His son crossed his arms on his chest, covering the spotted blue dog graphic. “She said we’d play later, and it’s later.”
“We can check, but, buddy, you have to promise not to be upset if she’s busy. Plus it’ll be suppertime soon, so we’ll be busy here, too.”
Hayden’s chin jutted out further.
“Just don’t get your hopes up,” he said, trying to keep his tone from dropping in defeat.
Hayden bolted for the back door.
Nate followed more slowly, picking up his son’s jacket from the chair inside the door. By the time he reached the bottom step, he heard his son’s voice, then Lucie spoke in reply, though he couldn’t hear the words. When he cleared the lilac bushes, he expected to see Hayden’s shoulders droop.
He was a little surprised to see the two of them walking into the middle of the neighboring yard while Lucie bounced the big yellow ball on one hand. Huh. He would’ve bet on her putting Hayden off. He paused at the open gate between the yards to watch them. They’d stopped, and she crouched in front of Hayden, who chattered a mile a minute. She nodded as she rose.
Hayden jogged backward a few steps, grinning, then held out both hands.
Lucie gave the ball another bounce before she tossed it to him.
His son caught it, giggling. “Too easy,” he shouted. He jumped once, then moved a few more steps away from her. “Ready?”
“Ready!” She leaned forward and held out her hands.
Nate wished he could see her expression.
Hayden lobbed the ball at her, and she caught it before it hit her in the face. He smiled and shook his head when his laughing son danced backward a couple more paces. “Throw it again!”
“You sure you can catch it so far away?” The tease in her voice made Nate relax. Lucie Russo might be a nice woman. Mindi and Harry trusted her, which meant she was okay.
But she seemed to be enjoying his son, genuinely enjoying him. Maybe she had nieces or nephews–she was comfortable, chatting with Hayden as they played catch.
He leaned on the fence to watch.
“Daddy, come play with us!”
Lucie straightened and looked over her shoulder, eyes widening.
Nate felt a little kick in his gut at the appealing image–pink cheeks, green eyes that tipped up at the outer corners, full lower lip dropping a tiny bit. Lucie Russo was pretty.
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Have you been settling in for the frigid season, too, or have you been too busy prepping for the next round of holidays? Are you getting any reading time in? I'd love to hear about it.
Until next week, happy reading!
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