WeWriWa: Separation Anxiety . . . RomSusp WIP
Absence can make the heart grow fonder. But when weeks become months and more months without word, that separation can lead to anxiety . . . and worse things, like insecurity. When Willamina stayed in West Texas after her father’s funeral to handle the family’s horse breeding ranch while her U.S. Marshal husband, Jimmy Redbone returned to his job in San Antonio, she didn’t think there’d be trouble until separation stretched out into silence. When he shows up out of the blue expecting a welcome, she’s run out of patience and excuses. Here’s the final line from last week’s excerpt to pull you into today’s peek at my modern-day western romance: “Do I need a reason to come home to you, Willamina?”
Dayum, girl! You sure know how to make a fella feel right at home!
That question, issued in a low, almost caressing drawl, kindled her fraying temper, a match strike to dry scrub. “Apparently you do since you haven’t thought up any other excuse to make the trip for going on six months.”
He squared up in the saddle. “Been working, Will. You know that.” Weathered features tightened as he added more softly, “And you know why.”
Yes, she did, and that gut-twisting knowledge took some of the starch from her temper. Turning her attention from him, she gripped July’s bridle, smiling at the affectionate butt of his head. Her neutral tone gave nothing away as she spoke without looking up. “Step on down and wash off the miles while I see to this ole boy.”
(. . . and the rest of the scene . . .)
“You don’t have to do that.”
Those words rubbed the bristle of hair up on the back of her neck all over again. She all but bit off his head with her fierce, “I’ve got no reason to let this animal stand wet and hungry since he’s never been anything but faithful.”
The trail-worn lawman had nothing to say to that.
His failure to argue pierced a too long lonely heart as she wondered if the opposite had been true in his case.
At least, I’m feeling comfortable heading into Chapter Sixteen at 45K and am really enjoying the ride these characters have been taking me on – without a full synopsis to blaze the trail! I hope they know where they’re going!
After days of dragging out decorations, I’m finally feeling the holiday spirit (must be the sugar high from the Mackinaw Island fudge I ordered for the family!). As you might know, being OCD I’m an avid collector of anything that catches my ADD attention. For more than 20 years, I’ve been buying an annual Christmas nutcracker to add to my burgeoning collection. I didn’t think I’d find one to commemorate 2020 until I came across THIS perfect guy!
He’s the embodiment of my journey through these Stay-at-Home months in Michigan (I may have gotten some gray since my last trip for hair color, but I’ve got a long way to go to catch up to him – especially with that full beard!).
I’m off to see what you’ve been doing . . .
Happy fast approaching Holidays and Happy Writing, fellow Warriors!!
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