Excerpt of Through the Fog by Karina Harris, guest post

Today I’m pleased to welcome as my guest Karina Harris. She’ll be sharing from her second book of the Elements of Change series, Through the Fog.

In book 2 of the Elements of Change, Jake Holland fears he will never be happy again now that the woman he loves has married another man. In an effort to escape the agony of her nearness, he takes up a new profession, as a sheriff’s deputy. Now he is determined to learn the skills it takes to keep his town, and those he loves, safe from the ever growing threat of lawlessness.

Suzanna Chamberlin is in no hurry to find a husband. She is content to stay in the confines of her loving family and friends. But when Nathan Ford gets hired on to take Jake’s place at the General Store, she begins to rethink her priorities.

Neither is ready for the adventures or danger headed their way. In a wild land filled with even wilder men, will Jake find the strength to protect the town from rustlers and thieves? And when faced with a choice, will Suzanna take the step to find true love or be fooled by charm?

Suzanna stood straightening the fabric table when the doorbell dinged. As she turned to see if it was a customer entering or exiting, a surprised smile crossed her face.

“Jake!”

He winced and looked around the store. Suzanna lowered her voice as she walked over to him. “How are you? Is the training going well? Is there something in particular you needed today?”

Jake’s eyebrows rose at the barrage of questions, and Suzanna pressed her lips together. Why in the world was she babbling?

“Hello, Suzanna. Training is going well. Tough, but not more than I expected. I came in because I need to purchase a few things. I know where everything is, if you need to help someone else.”

Suzanna blinked. Was he trying to brush her away? Or was he simply being polite, because there were several other customers in the store? Before she could say anything else, however, he continued.

“It looks especially busy in here for a Tuesday. I noticed the sign on the door for a new handyman. Have you managed to hire anyone yet?”

Suzanna shook her head. “Three men have applied, though. Ella is interviewing them this afternoon. She should have a decision made by the end of the week.”

As he continued to glance nervously around the store, Suzanna finally decided to ease his mind. “She’s in the kitchen right now, taking a short lunch break.”

“Oh. Well, that’s fine. Look, I’ll just gather up what I need and let you get back to work.”

Suzanna wanted to shake him as he turned around and made a beeline for the back of the store. Just because he didn’t want to see Ella didn’t mean he had to treat her curtly! Suzanna managed to keep a pleasant expression as she turned at the tap on her shoulder. Then all thought vanished as her gaze met the very dark eyes of Nathaniel Ford. Her hands suddenly became moist and she clasped them behind her back, afraid he would notice.

He took off his hat, and Suzanna noted again that his hair was as dark as hers. In fact she wondered fleetingly if he might have some Spanish blood in him as well. But she couldn’t just stand there staring at him. He would think she was some sort of dimwit.

“Good afternoon, Miss. I apologize for not introducing myself properly yesterday. My name is—”

“Nathaniel Ford. Yes, I know. I’m Suzanna Chamberlin. I work here with Ella—Mrs. Chamberlin. She’s my sister-in-law. Are you here for the interview? I thought those were going to be later on this afternoon.”

His teeth gleamed white against his tanned skin as he smiled at her. And Suzanna wondered if he thought she was babbling as inanely as she did. She blinked and reminded herself to breathe. And stop staring.

“Yes, ma’am. I know I’m early. But I also needed to purchase some items. I’ve just recently moved to town and find myself in need. Do you carry men’s clothing?”

Suzanna never remembered blushing before, but certainly this was what it felt like. Her face seemed to be on fire as she nodded and lifted her arm in the proper direction.

“It’s right this way.”

He stepped aside to allow her to precede him, and Suzanna ran her hand lightly across her hair, checking to see if any strands had come loose. As they reached the back of the store, Suzanna almost groaned when she realized Jake was still there as well. Why she didn’t want these two men to meet, she wasn’t sure. But he turned to her with a question, ignoring the customer behind her.

“Suzanna, have you moved the buckles? I don’t see any.”

“Um. They should be in the same place, unless Ella or Mrs. Ferguson moved them. I haven’t been back here lately.” She turned slightly so she could introduce the two and found Nathaniel Ford standing directly behind her. Her skirts brushed his boots. But they were between two tables and she had nowhere to move to increase the distance to a more respectable space. And she didn’t want him to think she was a jittery schoolgirl, so she held her poise.

“Jake Holland, I’d like to introduce you to Mr. Nathaniel Ford. He’s new in town and is here for an interview.”

Jake reached across her to shake Nathaniel’s hand, and Suzanna imagined being squashed in the middle of these two large men. Thankfully Jake seemed to notice first and stepped back into a wider aisle, allowing Suzanna to move forward as well. She looked up at Nathaniel and said, “Jake is our newest deputy.”

The look that crossed his handsome features baffled Suzanna, but it was gone so quickly Suzanna questioned its existence at all. His smile grew wider as he looked at Jake again. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Holland. It’s always nice to know who the law is in a new town.”

Jake’s eyebrow rose and he nodded. The air seemed suddenly frigid.

“Well, if there is anything else I can help either of you gentlemen with, please let me know. Otherwise, if you’ll excuse me, there is a customer who is ready at the counter.”

Jake’s mouth curled into a half smile, and Suzanna fought the urge to make a face at him. But thankfully he made no comment on her formality, simply nodded.

Nathaniel Ford said, “Thank you for your help, Miss Chamberlin. I’m sure I can manage from here. I hope soon I will have the opportunity to return the favor, as a helpful hand here at the store.”

Suzanna smiled brightly as she headed to the front counter. Just as she was finishing Mrs. Green’s order, Ella returned from the kitchen. As serenely as possible Suzanna said, “Mr. Ford is here early. And Jake, as well. Both are back in the men’s section.”

Ella blinked. “Oh. Thank you for letting me know. Did you have a chance to talk with either of them?”

Suzanna kept her eyes on the box of merchandise she was tallying as she nodded. “Yes. I even managed to introduce them. Since Mr. Ford is new in town, they hadn’t met yet. Maybe they will get along well.”

She looked at Ella then and noted the slight blush on her friend’s face. Of course Ella blushed over anything, so it didn’t mean much to Suzanna—just that Ella was most likely anxious about speaking to Jake, or becoming nervous about the interviews. Either way, nothing Suzanna said would be helpful at this particular moment, with customers within earshot.

Several minutes passed before Jake approached the counter with his items. Suzanna stepped away to help another customer, allowing him and Ella to converse alone. But part of her was dying to know what they said. From the look on Ella’s face, the conversation stayed civil, though slightly strained. She must have refrained from berating Jake about his new job. Jake paid with cash and left with a tip of his hat in her direction.

“Are you two courting?”

Suzanna gasped as she whirled around, her face flaming once again. “Oh, Mr. Ford! You startled me. No, Jake and I have been friends for years. He used to work here you know, before he took on the position of deputy.”

Nathaniel’s dark brows rose slightly as he said, “So it’s his shoes I’ll be filling?” Suzanna crossed her arms. “Well, I don’t believe you have the position yet, Mr. Ford.”

Again he flashed his perfect teeth at her, as he nodded his acquiescence.

“I beg your pardon. You are quite right.” He leaned forward conspiratorially. “Do you have any suggestions on how I might make a good impression with your sister-in-law?”

Suzanna couldn’t help but smile back at him. “I’m sure you’ll be fine, sir. Just be honest. That’s most important to Ella—and me as well. Did you find everything you needed?”

He held up two chambray shirts and a pair of boots. “I believe my shopping is complete for the day. Thank you for your help.”

He winked at her, causing her blush to deepen, then sauntered to the counter where Ella stared at them curiously. Suzanna ducked her head, then excused herself and headed to the kitchen. She spent the next ten minutes there before she felt in control again. She still wasn’t sure what to think.

Karina Harris is a Reading and Writing educator in Albertville, AL, where she lives with her husband, two children, and a korat kitty named Gwenyvere.  Her stories weave threads of hope, grace, and love in the midst of trials.  For more information on all her novels, visit karinaharrisauthor.com.