Release Day Excerpt - Accompanied by a Waltz
Happy Valentine's Day!!! Today is also the release day of my latest novel Accompanied by a Waltz and I thought I'd share an excerpt with you. I hope you like it. And remember to give your loved one a kiss on this special day.
Blurb:
Jonathon Pfister’s life has settled into a maudlin existence since the death of Greg, his lover of seventeen years. But Greg’s daughter Jeana has decided she’s had enough, so she rents a small apartment in Vienna for him as a Father’s Day present. Jonathon agrees to go, against his better judgment.
Surprisingly, Jonathon finds the change of scenery refreshing, and he even makes a young friend in Hans, his landlady’s son. Then Hans’s older brother returns home, and Jonathon begins to truly awaken. Fabian touches something inside him, especially when the younger man takes it upon himself to woo Jonathon in full Viennese style, with a waltz. But shadows of the past and expectations for the future loom over them both and will have to be banished for their lovers’ dance to stay in step.
Purchase from Dreamspinner Press
Excerpt:
It took a while to get through the tunnels and out of the city, but soon the dense population gave way to suburbs, and then woods and fields. “I love the car,” he told Greg. “It drives like a dream.” His answer was a soft snore, and Jonathon smiled as he continued driving. Around Albany and then further north into the Adirondacks, Greg remained asleep as they continued north, past lakes and through forested roads where the trees grew together overhead.
“Where are we?” Greg stirred, stretching within the confines of the car.
“Almost there,” Jonathon answered as he made the final turn onto Route 8. “We’re only about twenty minutes away.”
“I slept that long? You should have woken me.”
“It’s okay. You know I love this drive, and you needed your rest.” Jonathon reached across the seat, stroking Greg’s leg, and felt his lover’s hand take his. They rode in silence—words weren’t needed—and Jonathon could feel the muscles in Greg’s body relax the closer they got to the lake and the farther they got from civilization. Greg’s cell phone chirped softly, and he turned it off; there was no cell phone service at the lake. Making the last turn, Jonathon drove into the small village and parked the car. Getting out, he stood by the door, breathing deeply, letting the scent of the woods and lake fill his senses. “Let’s go into the store.”
“You just want doughnuts for tomorrow,” Greg teased, but he followed right behind.
Pulling open the screen door, they walked into the general store and were instantly transported back in time. The shelves were wooden, probably built in the forties, canned goods standing on them in small pyramids, wooden floors scuffed with the feet of generations of Raquette Lakers. The entire place was steeped in the smell of freshly made doughnuts with cinnamon sugar, as well as cookies and bread. They’d definitely left the city behind, and damn if it didn’t feel good.
“Hey, Jonathon, hey, Greg, how long are you staying?” the girl behind the counter asked as she walked to the doughnut case.
“Just through the weekend, Lila,” Jonathan answered with a smile. “How’s the weather been up here?”
“A little cool. You’ll need a sweatshirt or jacket after dark, but otherwise it’s been darned nice. You want your usual half dozen?” She inclined her head toward the case.
“You bet, and a few of those cookies your mother makes would be great too.” He looked over at Greg, who was picking up sweatshirts. “You need one?”
“Yeah, Boo, I do.” He brought one over and placed it on the counter.
“Is there anything else?”
“Not right now, but we’ll see you for more goodies.” Jonathan paid, and after saying good-bye, they headed out.
At the docks, Jonathan removed the cover from their small boat. When they’d first bought the cabin, they had just had a fishing boat with a motor. After the first time they’d gotten caught in the rain, Greg had bought a larger boat with a Bimini top. After transferring their gear from the car to the boat, Greg parked the car while Jonathon started the boat motor, and soon they were skimming over the surface of the water, Greg at the wheel, Jonathan sitting next to him.
Greg took his time, like he usually did, keeping the speed down and letting the peacefulness of the lake, trees, and sky work their magic. A few homes could be seen, but most of them sat back far enough that most of the lake looked like the trees came right to the water, like they were in the middle of nowhere.
Almost at the far north end of the lake, Greg slowed the motor and eased the boat against the dock. Jumping out, Jonathan secured the craft, and Greg cut the engine. The sound echoed for a split second and then faded away. There was nothing to replace it except the slosh of the water on the shore and the birds calling from the trees.
The sun was already starting to set by the time they’d hauled everything up from the dock to the four-room log cabin. Outside and in, the place was rustic domesticity at its best. Carrying the suitcases inside, Jonathan placed them in their bedroom, the larger of the two. He loved this room, with its log walls, pine plank ceiling, pine windowsills, and rough beams.
“Would you like me to unpack in here while you check out your kitchen?”
“Okay,” Jonathan answered, “but I’ll meet you on the porch in twenty minutes.”
“Deal.”
Jonathan checked out what had been provided and smiled when he saw fresh steaks, chicken, and a foil packet marked “use first” in rough script. “Looks like lake trout for supper.” God bless their caretaker, Winston, a lifelong laker and their neighbor one cove up.
Grabbing two beers from the fridge, Jonathon carried them to the porch, setting them on a table before standing at the birch-branch railing, looking out over the water. It wasn’t long before a pair of arms snaked around his waist and a head rested on his shoulder. “When you asked to buy this place ten years ago, I didn’t understand why.” Greg’s breath tickled his ear.
“Do you know now?” Jonathon leaned into the touch as a loon called to its mate from the lake below.
“The peace and quiet gets into the soul. I didn’t know how much I needed it.”
“That’s why I bought it, but not why this place is so important now.” Jonathan turned in Greg’s embrace. “This place is important now because when we’re here, you’re mine and mine alone.” Jonathan couldn’t help hugging Greg tightly. “There are no phones, no office, no kids, no courts, no lawyers,” he whispered in his lover’s ear, “and before you say it, you don’t count. You’re not a lawyer when you’re here. You’re just my lover. That’s why this place is so important. I would have sold everything I owned to have a place like this with you.” Jonathon felt a hand on his hair, petting softly. His emotions were very close to the surface, and he didn’t look up.
