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For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been sharing from my upcoming contemporary western romance release, Heartstrings. Today, we meet Emily Ritter, fourteen year old daughter of Abby, one of Seth Kendall’s biggest fans and inspiring singer. In this scene, Seth shows up for dinner at the ranch home of Frank and Carolann Ritter, the parents of his childhood best friend and Abby’s ex. They love Seth as if he were their second son and have no idea their son Mike and Abby, who they love as a daughter despite the divorce, has lied to them about who their granddaughter’s father really is.
She swung the door open, and the shock turned into the biggest and brightest smile he’d ever seen. The force of it hit his solar plexus like a fist.
She held out her hand. “I’m Emily Ritter. Hi.”
He swallowed the lump in his throat and painted on a smile. “I’m guessing you already know who I am.” He looked at her hand, and a million different feelings tumbled through him–fear, joy, amazement, excitement and so many more, he couldn’t keep track. He doubted a blind man seeing a sunrise for the first time could feel this happy. Trembling, he encircled her warm fingers with his big hand.
You’re my little girl.
The baby he’d tried for fifteen years to forget about and never quite succeeded. Her grip was soft and cool and her fingers trembled. Good, maybe she didn’t feel just how badly his shook.
When he let go, she balled her hand into a loose fist, held it over her heart and giggled. “I’d have to be blind, deaf and dumb not to know who you are. But that wouldn’t be an excuse in my family. Please come in, Mr. Kendall.”
Can you imagine what this dinner will be like?
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Great excerpt. I definitely want to read more.
Wow! Such an emotionally packed scene. And you’re right–this dinner might rival the one in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner! Great snippet!
That’s a great peek into a hugely compelling situation, Sara. It raises so many questions. Makes me want to read more!
Love this, Sara!
And Crap! I forgot to sign up this week!
Wow Sara, how to pack a wallop into a few short lines. Love it!
Love getting to see this first meet through his eyes!
Great excerpt.