Hi Everyone!
I’m late with my Book Quote Wednesday post because I was turning in my book! I’ve been head-down in the writing cave for a few weeks now polishing Lost Whisperer of the Seas. Somehow, I always have more changes to make than I thought. I turned the novel in last night after a marathon holiday weekend of editing that flooded over into Wednesday. Here’s a make-up post on this week’s featured word, #promise, something Coral doesn’t do lightly.
Excerpt from Chapter 7:
Its small tires easily swung around the tavern’s delivery area and the driver stopped. A fellow wearing a coal-colored shirt and black canvas pants stared at them. His thick, brown hair settled like a cape over his ears.
Meeting his silver-eyed gaze, Coral blinked in confusion. The new dairyman she’d met at the bakery? He cut the motor and remained seated astride the Vespa, but nodded to her. Spells upon her, it was. Ty. Now that the bandana and white clothes were gone, he looked completely different.
With a glance to Spike, she said, “Excuse me,” and stepped over to the scooter.
Ty lifted his chin toward the blond boy and in a low voice asked, “Spike or Lemon?”
“Spi—I mean Marlin. You shouldn’t be knowing the other name,” she hissed. Orb curse it, what else had he heard? Nothing she could afford to have repeated to Spike. She had to gain control. Her arms crossed automatically, but she managed not to frown. “What are you doing here?”
“I gathered from what you said to Piper that you’d rather not make the deliveries,” Ty said. “I have afternoons off and could make them for you if we can arrange a swap.”
She cocked an eyebrow at him. “I may be interested, depending. I’ll finish here and meet you at the shop.”
Ty cast a look behind her, to Spike. “I could take you back to the bakery.”
She eyed the motor scooter. That would make sure he wasn’t left here alone with Spike…and a trip on it might be fun. “Give me a minute.” She strode back to her handcart and tilted it onto the wheels. “My lift is here. I’m going.”
“Nay.” Spike grabbed the handle and dropped his voice. “When can we…you know?”
“Not this week.” Coral slid a sideways peek back to Ty. He was staring off to the ocean, but now she knew his ears were sharp. She leaned toward Spike. “I promised Manta a week of work. I cannot be put out of it.”
A grin spread across Spike’s face. “Are you admitting you might lose to me?”
Giving a snort, Coral ran her squinted gaze down his frame—curse it all! What was she doing? This act, her typical disdainful eyeing of an opponent, would certainly set the hook for Spike. “I’m admitting I won’t take the chance when my sister is relying on me.”
“Like that’s ever stopped you before.”
“Catch me next week.” She tugged on the cart.
He tightened his grasp. “Next week you’ll be gone.”
“We’re staying at anchor past Fest.”
“Then you have time—”
“Look, Spike.” Coral stepped closer and poked his chest. “I said not now. You’ll just have to get over me representing us at Fest.”
Red magic flickered in his eyes.
With a fierce glare, she yanked the handcart free and wheeled it to the scooter. Ty handed her a piece of cord and gestured to the chrome rack at the back of the seat. She should be shaking, having bluffed Spike with no magic to back her up. But she wasn’t. And if Ty’s swap was good, she wouldn’t see Spike again.
***
Click over to Lost Whisperer of the Seas book page for more.
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