Still Forward

September starts this week, which means I need to finish figuring out the goals for the new month. Mostly, they're going to look like the goals for August, since I'm working on this new story, but I do want to do a bit of revising as well, on one of the short contemporary stories. I had a bit of a lazy day yesterday, and only got a couple things on the weekend list done while I spent most of the day reading. That means today has to be more productive. I have ticked off a couple things already today, and need to get a couple more done as well.

Before I get back to that list, I have a snippet for you this week from Light the Way Home.

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            He steeled himself when Hayden shrieked her name as he raced into the mudroom the next morning. He heard her low murmur when his son opened the door, then a quiet laugh. He’d spent half the night wondering what it would be like to really kiss her. It had been a long time since he’d kissed a woman. Not since Greta left.

            Maybe kissing Lucie wasn’t such a terrible idea. She wasn’t staying. He could give in to the urge, and then forget about it after she was gone.

            And dammit, he wanted to kiss her. Blowing out a hard breath, he rinsed Hayden’s juice glass and shut off the faucet as their footsteps neared. He glanced over and watched her cheeks turn pink. “Hi.”

            “Daddy, can we play outside later?”

            He blinked and turned his attention to his son. “I’ll try, buddy, but–”

            “I meant Lucie an’ me.” Hayden gave him a quick frown. “It’s sunny out.”

            “And I bet the grass is crunchy, too.” He met Lucie’s gaze, restraining a smile at her nod and his son’s subsequent down-turned mouth. “Maybe we can talk about it at lunchtime after I get some things done.”

            His son pursed his lips, blue eyes narrowed as he studied his father for a few seconds. “Okay.”

            “It’s actually pretty chilly out this morning,” Lucie said. “I had to get my really heavy sweater out. I’ll have to get my coat out soon.”

            Hayden looked up at her. “Really?”

            She tugged at the collar of the thick green sweater she wore.

            The little boy heaved a giant sigh. “Okay.” He released her hand. “I gotta get my bear.” He ran out of the kitchen.

            “Slow on the stairs, buddy!” Nate called.

            “’Kay!”

            Lucie winced while she listened to his footsteps rushing up the steps.

            Nate set the juice glass down and crossed the floor to where she stood. “I need to know,” he said, bending to catch her soft mouth with his.

            She made a startled sound, then set both of her hands flat on his chest, her lips parting.

            He’d been right. She tasted sweet. He slid one hand into her loose hair, ignoring the slight dampness to tip her head so he could delve deeper.

            She let him. God, she let him.

            He pulled back, his heart knocking hard against his ribs. Lucie’s eyes opened slowly, and he noted the way they had darkened. “Tell me I’m being stupid.”

            “Maybe we both are,” she said huskily, a faint smile curving her puffy lips. “I haven’t been stupid in a long time, and right now, I have no idea why.”

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Are you working on end of month things, too? Prepping for the new month ahead? Or having a lazy day to do some reading? I'd love to hear about it!