The Cat Lady’s Secret is out!!! Can you tell I’m excited?

I’ve been posting excerpts all week, Millie on Monday and Emily on Wednesday. The only main character left to introduce you to is Dr. Scott Barlow, Mr. Handsome himself!

We’ll catch him at Rita Barlow’s, just after mowing her lawn . . .

“You comin’?” his mother called from the kitchen window. “I swear, this chicken’s gonna grow feathers and start to cluckin’ before you get yourself in here!”

Smiling, Scott shook his head. “I’m coming.”

Washed and feeling a bit fresher, he sat to a dinner of fried chicken, homemade rolls, fresh green beans, and roasted new potatoes. The steam was still rising from the chicken’s crusty coat, so there was no danger of a miraculous poultry resurrection occurring tonight.

He took his mother’s hand and bowed his head. “Father, thank You for this food and for the jobs that helped pay for it. Bless Mom with good health—”

“—and Scotty with a wife.”

“In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, amen.” Scott rushed the words and then raised his brows at his mother. “Mom, I’ll get a wife in good time, in God’s time.”

“Don’t hurt none for me to want to hurry His time a little.” She passed the chicken platter. “How’re things goin’ with Emily?”

Scott sighed over his drumstick. “Not so hot. She keeps turning me down.”

“Well, Carol is back in town. Did ya know that? And she’ pretty as a spring flower. Still single, I hear.”

“That’s good to know. Can I have the potatoes?”

The chipped bowl passed from hand to hand.

“She’s going to set up shop in one of the old stores downtown. A little boutique of Texas things to sell to tourists.”

“Um-hm.”

“You can stuff your face and listen at the same time, you know.”

“I am listening. And it’s the same old chatter every week. I’ll get married when it’s time.”

“Past time, if you ask me,” she muttered. She cast him a sidelong glance. “Just think how great you’d be with kids.”

Scott speared green beans and shoved them in his mouth.

“You know, I’m not getting any younger. I’d like some grandkids before I get too old to play with them.”

“Um-hm.” A pineapple upside-down cake sat cooling on the counter, with its red cherries winking at Scott as if to invite him over.

“I can get Carol’s number if you’d like.”

He pushed his chair back and headed for dessert.

“Or Pat’s. She’s still single. And I know how you are with brunettes.”

“Just one brunette, Mom.” Just Emily.

I can’t tell you how much I love Scott’s interactions with his mother. My mom used to tell me to know how good a man you’ll have, watch how he treats his mama. I think Scott treats Rita great, even when she’s harping on him!

~~~

I was on Inkslingers Wednesday with a little story about how Billy surprised me on my birthday. If you missed it, I hope you drop by and see what he did! Today, I provide an explanation on the same site of why I write romance. But the quick answer is: How could I not?

I’m also a guest of Joanne Sher on her FaithWriters blog. If you’re an author, come see what tidbit of info we share there!

TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT! I join friends for the “Meet the Pelican Book Group Authors” giveaway party on Facebook. You won’t want to miss it!

Joining me will be:

Carla Rossi, fellow Texan and Writers on the Storm member, and the author of The Unexpected Wedding:

and Virginia Tenery, another fellow Texan, mystery writer, and author of Dead Ringer.

And of course, my new book will be up for grabs! Y’all come play with us. It’ll be a blast!

If you’re interested in joining us, let me know and I’ll send you a Facebook invitation. All are welcome!