SECOND CHANCES is now available. This story is near and dear to my heart as I have had the struggles of raising an autistic child, much like Kira's son in this book. This book is available for the month of April at the .99 digital price to celebrate Autism Awareness Month. It is also available in print via Amazon or an autographed copy directly through myself.
I am also teamed up with a local artist, Todd Aubertin, who is carving two wooden spoons to be given away to a random new newsletter subscriber. To enter, simply sign up for my newsletter between now and the end of the month. The drawing will be held May 1st. Sign up
here.
Below is an excerpt of Second Chances:
Kira Nichols pushed back her shoulder
length light brown hair as the crisp salt air blew it across her face. As she
walked up the path to the cul-de-sac, her sneakers left small impressions in
the soft sand.
She sprang into a run when she
heard the rumble of a sports car that was going too fast for a street where
small children liked to play. She arrived at the cul-de-sac just as the vehicle
skidded to a stop in front of the empty lot across from her house. Then she
caught her breath as a lean man with rugged features got out of the car. He
flashed her a smile that probably caused most women to melt at his feet.
As the man moved across the lot
toward the foundation, which had been capped over and abandoned for about a
year now, Kira squared her shoulders and approached him. He was at least six
feet tall, and she felt minute beside him. She willed herself to appear calm, but
she could feel her cheeks begin to flush.
“Grant Rutledge.” He paused and extended
his hand to her. His deep voice, like a shot of brandy, was warm and soothing.
She swallowed hard, her anger at his reckless driving temporarily forgotten.
Then it flared back, and she ignored his hand.
“Do you know there are children
in this area?” she demanded, planting her hands on her hips.
“My apologies if you felt I was
going too fast.” He gave an exaggerated glance around. “There aren’t any
children about now.”
He offered that smile again, and
in spite of her anger, her heart softened for a moment. His hand was still extended,
so she shook his calloused fingers. Tingles shot up her arm, and she struggled to
keep herself from yanking her hand away. Heat flooded her face. She prayed he
couldn’t tell.
“Again, I apologize. I hope you won’t
think I have no regard for children.”
Kira turned to go. She gestured
absently at his car and said, “I just know the type.”
As she forced herself to walk
slowly toward her house, she could feel his eyes on her back. She felt both
foolish and thankful that she had stayed in shape.
The solitude of the cul-de-sac
was one of the reasons she had always loved this spot as a child whenever she
had visited her grandfather. Her house, which she had inherited from him, had
been the only one in this two-lot area for years, but it looked like they were
going to pick up the pace across the street again. She hoped the new
construction company would limit their work to business hours, particularly the
hours when Jared would be in preschool.
She thought back to the long
hours the last group of workers had kept when they put in the foundation. Jared
had been unable to sleep due to the noise and disruption of his routine.
Hopefully this time around the noise wouldn’t disturb him. He was just beginning
to sleep through the night.
If only she could.
