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Kelly, our heroine, is dismayed to learn Dan, our hero, has never carved a jack-o-lantern. And even though she's having trouble figuring him out, one thing she's sure of. No one should miss out on one of Halloween's most classic traditions.
Dan opened the door to the biggest pumpkin he’d ever seen. From behind the massive gourd came Kelly’s voice. “Want to give me a hand here?”
He took a brief moment to appreciate her long, slim legs covered in faded denim before taking the pumpkin from her arms.
“Thanks. Take that inside. The kitchen table should work. I’ll be right back with the rest.”
“The rest?” But she was already halfway down the sidewalk.
A heavy weight, present since he’d walked away from her in The Corral’s parking lot last night, lifted from his chest. He placed the enormous pumpkin on the kitchen table. Finding her on his doorstep was a pleasant, if unexpected, surprise.
The front door opened, then closed. Booted footsteps thunked on the hardwood in the hall. Kelly appeared in the doorway with a cardboard carton in her arms. She set the box down. “Whew. I’m glad you have
a ranch.” She nodded toward the pumpkin. “Good. You have a table. I wasn’t sure if you had a galley kitchen. That would have made things tricky.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, because I’m glad to see you, but what are you doing here?”
She flashed him a grin that was at once impish and sexy. “We’re going to carve a pumpkin.” She brandished a wicked looking knife from the box.
His breath caught. His light-as-air heart beat faster. She’d listened. He swallowed the lump in his throat. "That sounds like fun."
Halloween at The Corral makes its worldwide debut on October 5.
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
I think I need a lesson from her too, as I have never ever carved a pumpkin!
ReplyDeleteOh you definitely do!!!
DeleteIs Halloween big over on your side of the pond or no? It's kind of a big deal here, what with the dressing up and 'begging' for candy.
'Commercialism' is making it more popular here with lots of Hallowe'en stuff in the shops, but until recently our Bonfire Night on Nov. 5th had a much higher profile.
DeleteMy grandkids just each claimed the pumpkins I grew for them this summer. The pumpkins need to turn fully orange still, but they are impressively large. The four-year old wants a spooky face on his. He remembers his mom baking the salted seeds. He's excited for Halloween already.
ReplyDeleteGreat memories can start young, but it's never too late to begin.
Dan is about to begin!
Yep, Dan and Kelly are sure to make many, many memories from here on out!
DeleteI always go for cozy and cute jack-o-lanterns rather than spooky, but all are fun!
Love this! And carving Jack-o-lanterns too!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love a cozy Halloween!!
DeleteI had a smile on my face reading your excerpt. How exciting it sounds. We don't celebrate Halloween in such a big way here although it is getting more popular.
ReplyDeleteGlad I could make you smile. :)
DeleteIt is interesting how trends change in various places.