Excerpt!
When I open the back door to the parking lot, I practically walk into someone. “Sorry about—” With my mouth still hanging open, my dog whines as I search the beautiful woman’s eyes before me saying, “Rochelle, hey! Did uh, did you get my text last night?”
“Excuse me, can we get by?” An elderly man asks.
“Yes, of course. Sorry about that.” I state while Beau and I step to the side, holding the door for him and a woman close to his age before moving so we don’t block anyone else.
“Hello, Jesse.” Rochelle locks eyes with me, appearing a bit nervous. “Uh, sorry, but I didn’t notice your message until I dropped the kids off at school.” She glances at my dog.
“It’s okay. This here is Beau. Can uh, can you sit with me for a few minutes?” I ask raising a brow.
Rustling my dog’s ears, she looks around and says, “I guess so.”
As we go back inside, Bridgette cuts her eyes at us from behind the coffee bar. Smiling at Roe, she says, “I think there’s a table open by the fireplace, if that works?”
My eyes lock with Rochelle’s as she concedes, “Sure, that’ll work.”
Bridgette smirks at her and leads the way to our table. “Here we go. Would you like some coffee?” She asks while I point to the floor near the wall for Beau to lay down out of the way.
“Yes, please.” We answer at the same time grinning.
Following a few minutes of silence as we stare out the front window facing the park, I turn and say, “Thanks for agreeing to sit with me. I um, wanted to apologize for not responding to your message. It took me by surprise since I hadn’t heard from you for so long and—”
“No, you don’t need to do that. If anyone apologizes, it should be me. There’s something I have to tell you so please bear with me.”
She starts blinking as if she has something in her eye, but I see a tear making its way over her perfect cheekbone. Why is she crying?
“Hey, what’s wrong? Are the kids okay?” I lay my hand on top of hers gently squeezing it.
Nodding, she explains. “It’s my Mom. She was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. She had to have a double mastectomy and go through chemo.”
Scooting my chair next to hers I tuck Rochelle under my arm holding her for what seemed like hours. When I feel her relaxing against me, I kiss the top of her head.
“I can’t begin to express how sorry I am for your mom and for what your family has been through. If only I had known, I would have been there for you.”
It was then when she lost all composure and slowly melted into me. At that moment two became one and the crowd around us disappeared and nothing else mattered.
After my husband died overseas in an ambush, our kids became my world. He was my one and only—I could never meet anyone who makes me feel the way he did.
(Rochelle)
Needing a fresh start last year, I took my kids to Twinkle Falls for Christmas, but meeting Jesse was never part of my plan. When my best friend introduced us, this retired police officer’s charm and infectious smile started breaking down my walls.
Me and the kids agreed to make Twinkle Falls our forever home at the end of our three month break—but something went horribly wrong after returning home to pack up our things.
(Jesse)
After losing touch with Rochelle once she stopped all communication with me, I knew I’d been ghosted. Roe was the one person I could imagine a future with when my ex left me once I became an amputee.
With my buddies trying to fix me up, I decide it’s time to move on from the past.
(Rochelle)
Nine months after our planned move, me and the kids arrive in Twinkle Falls with everything we own after purchasing a home. Feeling horrible the way I left things with Jesse, our friends agree to let me be the one to tell him we’re here once me and the kids get settled.
Now ready to share the news, I texted Jesse asking if we can talk, but days go by with no response.
While having lunch with my friends I glance around the restaurant and my jaw drops. I see why Jesse didn’t respond to my message—he’s found another woman—the one whose hands are all over him.
Can a Christmas wish intervene and seal this couple’s fate?
Author bio:
Freda Ann is fondly known for her sweet/clean, HEA RomComs. Her loyal fans and reviewers have compared several of her books to Hallmark movies. Many have hit #1 in multiple categories after release.
She writes relatable, faith and family based love stories which include kids and adorable dogs. Her writing style appeals to people of all ages. Her books will take you on an emotional journey with likable characters, and dreamy settings you'll wish you could visit.
After retiring from a career in the law enforcement field, Freda feels blessed to be able to write and self-publish her stories for everyone to read. She adores her large family, 5 children and 9 grandchildren, and hosts monthly family gatherings.
To hear about new releases, please follow her on Amazon and also on Goodreads.
Giveaway!
The Christmas Wish in Twinkle Falls Blitz
