Sunday Snippet: New Year's Promise

November is continuing the crazy weather tradition. Warm a few days then frigid a few. The whiplash roller coaster is in full force. Please keep arms and legs inside during the ride and make sure you've got plenty of allergy meds and mucus relief tablets on hand.

Had a somewhat light work week and got to focus on writing, which is kind of great considering it's Nanowrimo month.

Also got some decent screen time this week. I didn't do a double rotation, but I did make a full run through of all my shows with a little overflow.

I caught two episodes of Agatha Raisin. Season two is a bit different with longer episodes and different titles. So far, I'm enjoying the fallout from the aborted wedding … and the mysteries of course.

Watched the second half of Silent Witness and started a new two-parter. I'm enjoying the kind of messy storylines. Considering this series has been around for twenty-three years, it's interesting to see how much it's changed from the beginning.

Enjoyed two episodes of Death in Paradise and finished out season three. Kind of nice to see Humphrey's wife and get an actual end to their relationship. Also great that neither really ended up being the bad guy.

Caught another episode of Only Murders in the Building. Loved how the trio finally got to work together … sort of. That might be the only thing that really sticks out as being a little off for me this season. Otherwise, I'm enjoying the mystery.

Enjoyed another episode of The Batman. I like seeing the villains kind of double up and then double cross each other.

Got another episode of Classic Rugrats in and remembered both vignettes. Thoroughly enjoyed both. It's so much fun going back to this show and thinking about watching when my kids were little.

And that's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from New Year's Promise, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the miniblurb:

Long-time couple, Kay Holt and Trevor Wolfe, makes it official when Trevor proposes on Christmas Eve. Kay wants a small ceremony and dreams of a New Year's Eve wedding. Trevor surprises her and arranges for them to say I do at midnight during a holiday getaway with their best friends.

And a snippety peek…

Kay Holt admired the Christmas tree taking pride of place in the corner by the fireplace. "Oh … it's gorgeous." All sparkly with blues, silvers, and greens.

She turned toward her best friend, Marin Bucher, tugging her forward.

Marin made the appropriate sounds of agreement. "Trev went all out, didn't he?" She fingered one of the glittering bulbs.

Kay grinned. "Never let it be said a Wolfe man can't dress up the house for the holidays." And she loved Trevor for taking the task on.

Her schedule between Halloween and Christmas didn't slow down. Working in the event planning industry kept her busy. Trevor's slowed down in the winter months, his work as an outfitter for the family company gave him time to indulge in the holiday decorations.

Which he mainly did for Kay.

Abbot Payne, Trevor's best friend, snorted. "You know his dad and brother suggested using fishing lures for the tree, right?" He shook his head.

Marin gasped. "They did not." Her eyebrows arched and she glanced toward Abbot. "Did they?"

He draped an arm around her shoulder. "They did. When Trev said he wanted to use blue, green, and silver, they had a whole conversation about how many lures use those colors." He chuckled.

Kay laughed. "Who knew my favorites were so popular with fishermen?" At least they didn't suggest neon orange and cammo, which she wouldn't put past them.

Then again, Trevor said they decorated the trees in the small office with product, so the orange-cammo combination could be a thing.

Trevor walked with a tray of mulled wine. "Mom said to drink up. She's got plenty of this on simmer." He handed everyone a mug then wrapped an arm around Kay's waist.

She smiled at him. "She wouldn't let me help. Said I should enjoy the fire and the tree and let someone else do the heavy lifting tonight." Frankly, Kay welcomed the break.

Trevor grinned. "I told her how exhausted you were after chasing down the venues for the three corporate shindigs you got this week." He pressed a kiss to her temple.

She had been beyond tired. Last-minute planning gave her headaches. And they always had at least one large group that wanted to put a holiday fete together at the very last moment. Three nearly did her in.

Trevor's mom, dad, and brother came into the living area and nodded. Linda held up her phone. Trevor flashed a huge smile.

Abbot lifted his chin. "It's time, isn't it?" He eased Marin to the edge of the space.

Trevor turned Kay to face him. "I have a very special ornament I want you to put on the tree." He reached up and retrieved a carved wooden box from the mantel of the fireplace.

Opening the lid, he held the box in front of Kay.

She met his eyes with a questioning gaze. "It's gorgeous." She carefully withdrew the silver ball from the velvet cushion it rested on. "Oh … it's got a clasp. Does this … open?" The round surface had a lacy filigree in an ornate pattern that hid the hinged side.

Trevor's head bobbed. "It does. Let me show you." He handed the box to Abbot and slipped the clasp to open the ball.

A beautiful solitaire sparkled under the lights from the tree.

Trevor got down on one knee. "I love you, Kay. Please say you'll marry me."

Kay's mouth dropped open. "Oh, I'll definitely marry you." She sank down with a happy laugh.

Trevor took the ring and slid it on her finger. Kay hauled him close and caught his lips in a quick, hard kiss.

Linda made a happy mom squeal. "Did you guys see everything okay?" She walked closer and revealed a FaceTime on her phone … with Kay's parents.

Kay's eyes welled. "Hi, guys! I got engaged." She held her hand up to show them the ring.

Kay's mom, Sarah, got a little misty-eyed. "We're so happy for you two. And we're sorry we had to miss it." She nudged Kay's dad.

Frank smiled. "I would pick this year to take your mom to Scotland for the holiday." He leaned closer to the screen. "But we'll be home on the thirtieth and we can watch the videos Mark and Shawn took."

Kay's head whipped around. Sure enough, Trevor's dad and brother stood at opposite ends of the room with their phones recording everything.

Kay put her arms around Trevor. "I can't wait to see you guys. Have a terrific Christmas Day tomorrow. Wait, I mean, I guess it's already Christmas there. What time is it?"

Frank chuckled. "Just after midnight, so Merry Christmas from Scotland."

Trevor hugged Kay and grabbed his mug of wine. "Merry Christmas. We'll see you soon."

Linda turned the phone around and took a few moments to say farewell and end the call.

Kay shook her head. "I can't believe you pulled this off. I'm so happy!" She got to her feet and glanced toward Marin. "Did you know?"

Marin gave her an impish grin. "I did. And I managed to keep it under wraps, and you know how hard that is for me."

Abbot hugged her close. "Which reminds me. I have to reward you with something, don't I?" He took her hand and danced her over to the door leading to the kitchen where a sprig of mistletoe hung.

Marin laughed and tilted her chin upward, waiting to claim her prize.

Trevor got to his feet then helped Kay up before pulling her into his arms. "I know it's early here, but Merry Christmas."

Kay cupped his face. "Merriest Christmas ever." Leaning in, she gave him a long, lingering kiss.

Pretty sure this is going to be the opening scene of the book. I'm very pleased with how it came together.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin