Her Secret Valentine Part 6 by Missy Tippens

Her Secret Valentine Part 6

by Missy Tippens

Nancy looked at Garth Willowby’s business card. Looked at the man himself. Then looked at her best friend, an idea taking shape.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking,” Shanna asked with a laugh.

Nancy smiled and turned back to Mr. Willowby. “A P.I., huh? We’re trying to catch that man, too.”

“So you know him?”

“Well, honestly, I’m not sure. I think he could be my secret…uh…admirer.” Her scorching face must be as red as the three-inch spike heel in her hand.

His eyebrows lifted, and Nancy wanted to crawl away because laughter shone in his eyes. He was having entirely too much fun at her expense.

Shanna sidled up beside him and blessed him with one of her most winning smiles. A smile that tended to bring men to their knees. “Mr. Willowby—”

“Garth. Please call me Garth.”

Had Shanna just batted her eyes? Yes, she had.

Shanna batted them again. “Garth, could you tell us what you know about that man?”

The calm, cool charmer’s face suddenly streaked with red at Shanna’s attention. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. Client confidentiality and all that.”

“Then I’d like to hire you,” Nancy blurted. “To find that man who just ran down the street, the man who bought me vanilla biscotti.” A thrill shot through her. She might soon know the man who’d been wooing her with gifts and sweet words.

Sweet yet eerily familiar words. She sobered, thinking of the note that made her heart ache for lost love. Hadn’t it been him who always told her she needed to get out and enjoy life?

“Let me get this straight. You’d like to hire me to find your secret admirer?”

“Yep. Because the man’s note said Nancy's a natural beauty,” Shanna added in a sing-song voice.

The investigator’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I’d say you’re both natural beauties.”

Nancy wanted to snap her fingers in front of his face but refrained for her friend’s sake. Could a romance be blooming? “So Garth, can I hire you to locate this man?”

Without looking away from Shanna, he nodded. “As long as any leads I get on the man keep me in Cupid’s Corner, I’ll be glad to work with you ladies.”

Her Secret Valentine Part Five by Pamela Tracy

She hopped onto the sidewalk, one heel going into a crack and giving her pause.  What to do!  Usually, she would stop, carefully extricate the shoe, and be on her way.  Not this evening, though.  She was on a mission.  She attempted to yank her shoe free, but luck wasn’t feeling kind.

No, it wasn’t.

First, luck had been with the mysterious man who knew that the way to a woman’s heart was biscottis - he’d escaped.  Then, luck had sent a vicious sidewalk crack to reach out and grab Nancy’s shoe so that the heel came off.

Nancy tottered, but just for a moment.  A childhood of ballet lessons paid off.  She regained her balance, albeit with a somewhat clumsy twirl, and then found herself in a man’s embrace.

“Are you all right?”  Tall, with dark curly hair, and wearing a light blue button-down shirt plus khakis, a man she’d never seen before helped her regain her balance.

“I thought I knew everyone in Cupid’s Corner?” Nancy blurted.

“Not everyone,” the man said with a smile.

Great, just great.  Nancy didn’t know who her secret admirer was, and she didn’t know this man.  One thing she knew, he wasn’t the same man who’d disappeared down the street by the Cupid’s Corner Museum.  That man had been wearing dark pants and a light jacket.  

Plus, if this man had been at the cafe, Nancy had noticed him.  And, probably, Shanna would have noticed him first.

“Ahem,” came a voice.  Shana appeared next to Nancy, a smirk on her face.  “Are you going hug all night, or are you going to introduce me?”

The man released Nancy, not looking the least embarrassed.  

Nancy rescued the heel of her shoe from the crack, thinking that she had as much chance of figuring out who her secret admirer was as she had of ever wearing these shoes again.

The goodlooking stranger reached in his pocket, pulled out two business cards and handed them to Shana and Nancy.  

“I’m Garth Willowby, private investigator.  I wonder if you noticed a tall gentleman running down the street.  He matches the description of someone I’m looking for.”

Writing a Novel Backwards

Have you ever had one of those inside out days? You know, the kind where you walk out of the house with one black sock and one blue sock on? The kind where everything seems to go backwards or in the entirely wrong direction?

When I wrote The Wyoming Heir, I intentionally wrote my story backwards. No, that doesn't mean I began with chapter twenty something and worked my way down to chapter one. It means that when I planned the story, I went about reversing some of the usual norms for a novel.

You see, after writing my first novel, which is set during the French Revolution, I wanted to try something set in the United States. And what better way to set a novel in the US but by writing a story about a cowboy? After all, cowboys are about as American as you can get, right? But therein lay my problem. It seemed like everyone was writing a story about a cowboy. Numerous cowboys stared back at me whenever I walked down a book aisle or browsed various book lists on the web. So if I was going to write a story about a cowboy, how was I going to make it different enough to stand out?

That's when I decided to reverse my novel. Instead of having the fancy eastern woman go West where she falls in love with a rugged cowboy and gets an education as to how much fun rustic living can be, I decided to have my cowboy come East, where he gets an education about the importance of women's education (along with a few other things) and learns how much fun citified folk can be.

The Wyoming Heir turned out to be a fun story to write as I could take some elements of the classic western-era novel and completely flip them around. (For more information, I've got a book description and excerpt up on my website.)

As for the ending of the story, I won't comment one way or another about whether my cowboy and school teacher end up in Wyoming or New York. You'll have to read the book for that. ;-)

What about you? Have you ever taken a trend and intentionally bucked the norm? Did you feel a bit out of place doing so? How did your experience end up? I'd love to hear your stories in the comments below.

You're gonna hear me roar--Let's talk about strength--Lenora Worth

Hello, my lovely readers and fellow writers. I've been as quiet as a church mouse lately but I'm staying out of trouble. I've signed on for eight or nine more books so I've had my nose to the grindstone and my brain locked into fantasy land. I must stay on task and I must stay strong.

Which brings me to the topic of today's conversation. I found a word for this year--Strength. I've never been one of those who has to search for a word but this one found me. It kept popping up in everything from the quote of the day to my daily devotionals to television commercial to yes, even a popular song sung by someone young enough to be my daughter, maybe even my granddaughter!

 

Sometimes, things sneak up on us. So I decided to just go with it. Strength--I want to be strong in my faith, in my work, in my health and in my authentic self. (Yes, I can use catch phrases to become strong.) It doesn't take a rocket scientist to make me figure out the formula to getting stronger. My only superpower is the power to always find a shoe sale, no matter the city or universe. But that power does help me to be strong. I have my workout shoes, my business shoes, my fuzzy slippers and my boots--which are made for walking. I consider all of these shoes as part of putting my best foot forward in strength and in confidence. At times, however, I do have to slink away and just go barefoot on the beach to regain my strength.

 



But the point is--I can only be as strong as my mindset. It all begins there--in my head. I have doubts, I have concerns, I have regrets. But I also have a new chance to get it right with each new day. New years can be a challenge, but a new day is always a joy. We have to find that joy in the morning in order to make it through each new challenge. So I'm going to take the word "strength" to heart and become stronger in my mindset, too. From the feet up--(just heard that in a popular movie) all the way to my brain cells, I hope to grow strong this year. Do you have a word that guides you? Are you walking barefoot right now? Well, put on your big girl shoes and get back to it. Let us hear you roar :)



The Wyoming Heir Interview

How exciting to have Luke Hayes the hero from The Wyoming Heir written by Naomi Rawlings a January 2014 release from Love Inspired Historical.

1. Luke Hayes, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

Nothing much interesting about me. I’m a rancher who loves my ranch and wants to get back to it. Instead I’m stuck out east in Valley Falls, New York, trying to untangle the mess my grandfather left me when he died. Unfortunately, there’s a feisty little mathematics teacher who thinks she knows just what I should do with my inheritance. Trouble, I tell ya. It’s nothing but trouble.

2.  What do you do for fun?

Have you ever hopped astride a horse and gone for a ride at sunset? With the wind in your hair, the sun slipping behind the mountain peaks, and miles of prairie grass in front of you? It’s one of the best feelings in the world.

3.  What do you put off doing because you dread it?

This, actually. As in coming east to claim my inheritance. You might think being handed a slew of money would make me want to claim it. But the truth is, I’ve got money enough to run my ranch in the Teton Valley, and these eastern folks are proving to be nothing but trouble.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

Well now, if I told you that, I might just give away half the story. But let’s say I haven’t always made the best decisions, and going back to face some of those wrongs would be mighty uncomfortable.

5.  What do you want out of life?

To work my ranch and to bring my sister back home before my ma dies of consumption. They need to see each other again one last time. And of course I want nothing to do with that mathematics teacher my sister is so close to. I already told you that woman is a heap of trouble!

(And just in case you happen to meet Miss Elizabeth Wells around town, I recommend you call her just that, a mathematics teacher. If you mention something so simple as ciphering, she just might bite your head off and eat it for breakfast.)

6.  What is the most important thing to you?

At the moment, collecting my money from New York and getting my sister back home where she belongs. My ma and Samantha sure do need to see each other again. Maybe if I told the mathematics teacher about Ma dying, she’d think a little more kindly about me taking Samantha out of school.

Maybe. Then again, I’m not sure that mathematics teacher has a kind thought in her head about me.

7.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

The way I responded after my twin brother, Blake, died. I was grieving mighty fierce and did some things I’m not very proud of.

8.  Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

No pet for me. I don’t even have a horse stuck in the east, but I sure am itching to get back west where I can have my cattle and horses and trail dogs again.

9. Can you tell us a little interesting tidbit about the time period you live in?

Though much of the west has been settled by 1893, the two valleys surrounding the Teton Mountains are largely uninhabited. There’s not even an actual town where I come from, though it seems like a few new settlers trickle in every year. And I have to say, I’d like to keep things that way. Nothing but the wide open prairie before me and the mountains at my back. Who needs a bunch of highfalutin city stuff when he can have prairie and mountains?

FEATURED BOOK: THE WYOMING HEIR BY NAOMI RAWLINGS

Given a choice, Luke Hayes wouldn't ever leave his Wyoming ranch. Yet when his estranged grandfather dies, leaving him everything, he'll travel to Valley Falls, New York—but only to collect his sister and his inheritance. He won't be roped into saving a floundering girls' school, no matter what mathematics teacher Elizabeth Wells says. 

Elizabeth has defied social convention and her own family for the sake of her beloved Hayes Academy. Luke is pure rancher, from the tip of his Stetson to the scuff on his boots, yet he's also becoming her unlikely ally. Only he can help save her job and school…but how much will she lose when the time comes for him to leave?

Her Secret Valentine Part Four

 Part 4 by Barbara Phinney

"Okay," Shanna started, plunking herself down into the chair opposite Nancy. "So, Ted apparently got hitched this Christmas in the Caribbean. It was a whirlwind courtship." Her grimace turned to a sly smile. "How dare he send you roses and chocolate!"

"Oh, stop it! We both know it isn't him." Nancy scolded. They were sharing a small table in the local cafe. She rarely went out this late in the evening, but Shanna had insisted they meet to discuss this secret admirer. "But who is it?"

She tossed a furtive look around at the patrons. Oh, to be so gregarious that you could just slip out and meet friends and laugh and talk and enjoy life! Nancy was half-scared she'd stick out like a sore thumb, or say something foolish, or laugh too loud.

"Let's go to the next guy on the list, then," Shanna was saying as the waitress set down Nancy's decaf and a beautiful tray of vanilla biscottis, the cafe's famous and most expensive creations. Nancy looked up at her. "I didn't order the biscottis."

 

"They're a gift from another patron," the waitress said, pointing to the edge of the tray. "There's a note tucked underneath."

Nancy pulled it free and unfolded it. "Vanilla, a delicate flavor so as not to overpower your natural beauty. It's nice to see you out enjoying life."

She looked up at the waitress. "Who sent these? It doesn't say. Point him out to me."

The woman scanned the cafe. "Well, he was here a moment ago. He paid cash for them at the counter. Oh, there he is!" She pointed outside. "He's just leaving."

Nancy caught sight of the tall, strong frame of a man dashing across the street. "I've missed him!"

Shanna jumped up. "Let's go!"

Nancy looked mortified. "Oh, I don't think so. After what happened with Ted..." And what happened even before that, with him, back in Georgia... oh no, she wasn't about to risk embarrassment again. "Besides, I just ordered coffee, and what about these biscottis?"

"We'll get them to go but come back for them! This is an adventure, Nancy. Live for the moment!"

In that breath of time, Nancy decided Shanna was right. This was an adventure. And it was fun. She nodded, thanked the waitress for her patience, and dashed out of the cafe, even setting aside her caution with her new shoes. "You're right," she called over her shoulder to Shanna, "but we need to know where he went."

 "To take a creative writing course I hope," Shanna called back. "His note was really cheesy."

Nancy slammed to a stop and glared at her smirking friend. "Well, I liked it! It reminded me of-" She cut off her words. No, it didn't remind her of him...

She searched the street, past those just lounging on the bench or window shopping. Evening had fallen completely, making it more difficult to see, but...there! Turning down the street where Cupid's Corner Museum stood, disappearing from her sight-

Nancy quickly looked both ways before dashing across the street. She was going to meet this man, or else!

 

Her Secret Valentine, Part 3...

Her Secret Valentine (a Craftie Ladies Continuing Valentine Romance)

Today’s Installment by Teri Wilson

The bell above the door of Cupid’s Corner Creamery chimed as Nancy crossed the threshold. Butterflies swarmed in her stomach, which was ridiculous really. She’d thought about Ted a few times since the bowling alley outing, but it wasn’t as though she’d been pining away for him or anything. He hadn’t even been to the church singles group since before New Year’s Day.

Still, it would be nice to know if he’d been the one to send the gifts. As secret admirers went, he would be a nice one. Not that Nancy knew a thing about secret admirers. She’d had one for all of two days.

“Hi, welcome to Cupid’s Corner Creamery!” A woman in a frilly pink apron greeted Nancy from behind the counter. “Can I help you?”

Nancy’s cheeks grew warm. She hadn’t expected an employee. Every time she’d set her designer-clad foot in the ice cream parlor, Ted had been the one to scoop up her ice cream.

The woman smiled at her and waved at the colorful selection of ice cream in the freezer with a Vanna White-style flick of her wrist.  “We have over a dozen flavors to choose from today, along with two sugar-free, fat-free varieties.”

Fat free.

Nancy sucked in her stomach before she even realized what she was doing. Good grief, she was a nervous wreck.

She glanced at the choices and couldn’t help but notice the ironic lack of spumoni.

“Mint chocolate chip, please. Just one scoop.” She smiled and took an exploratory glance around the shop while she waited for her ice cream.

“Here you go.” The woman handed her the cone.  “I’ll ring that up for you.”

Nancy took the ice cream and gnawed at her bottom lip. She was running out of time. It wasn’t as if she could stand around ordering cone after cone until Ted showed up.

She took a deep breath. “Is Ted here?”

“Oh no, I’m sorry. He’s not here right now.” The woman smiled.

It was then that Nancy noticed her nametag. Mint chocolate chip ice cream began to melt down her hand while she stared at the name emblazoned on it.

Donna Spumoni.

Surely that didn’t mean what she thought it meant.

“Perhaps I can help you instead.” Donna Spumoni smiled again. It was a nice smile. A pretty smile. Nancy couldn’t help but wonder if she could bowl, too.  “I’m his wife.”