The Best Time of the Year

Yes, I'm still in my 'autumn is my favorite season' mode. That'll change again when spring comes back, but for now, I'm really enjoying fall at the moment. Clear, sunny days, chilly overnight, beautiful leaf colors everywhere. What's not to like? Even the rainy days mean snuggling up indoors with a good cuppa or cocoa and a book to read (or, in my case, to revise or write). Here, it's also soup season, which I love. Or I can throw some yummy fall veggies into the crockpot or the oven to roast, which is what's happening here today...potatoes, cabbage and acorn squash. So yummy.

We're also refereeing cats this afternoon. Hubby was going out to meet a friend earlier, and Pippi flew inside when he opened the door. Since Pretty Girl doesn't like Pippi in her house, we supervise when they're both inside. I'm still hoping we can eventually get Pretty Girl to figure out there's room for both of them inside. We'll see. This would be a lot easier if I was still working from home instead of in an office, and I could get them both inside more frequently. Until then, we just keep a close eye on them. Right now they're napping on opposite ends of the sofa, with hubby in the middle. Haha.

I do still have some weekend chores left to wrap up while he's overseeing the cats, so I'll drop in a snippet now from Light the Way Home for you this week, before I get back to The List.

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            Nate schooled his expression to neutrality before turning around. Hayden’s chin jutted stubbornly, and his blue eyes narrowed. “I’m saying Lucie might be busy right now,” Nate said evenly. “Maybe we’ll see her outside tomorrow.”

            “I can knock on the door.” His son crossed his arms on his chest, covering the spotted blue dog graphic. “She said we’d play later, and it’s later.”

            “We can check, but, buddy, you have to promise not to be upset if she’s busy. Plus it’ll be suppertime soon, so we’ll be busy here, too.”

            Hayden’s chin jutted out further.

            “Just don’t get your hopes up,” he said, trying to keep his tone from dropping in defeat.

            Hayden bolted for the back door.

            Nate followed more slowly, picking up his son’s jacket from the chair inside the door. By the time he reached the bottom step, he heard his son’s voice, then Lucie spoke in reply, though he couldn’t hear the words. When he cleared the lilac bushes, he expected to see Hayden’s shoulders droop.

            He was a little surprised to see the two of them walking into the middle of the neighboring yard while Lucie bounced the big yellow ball on one hand. Huh. He would’ve bet on her putting Hayden off. He paused at the open gate between the yards to watch them. They’d stopped, and she crouched in front of Hayden, who chattered a mile a minute. She nodded as she rose.

            Hayden jogged backward a few steps, grinning, then held out both hands.

            Lucie gave the ball another bounce before she tossed it to him.

            His son caught it, giggling. “Too easy,” he shouted. He jumped once, then moved a few more steps away from her. “Ready?”

            “Ready!” She leaned forward and held out her hands.

            Nate wished he could see her expression.

            Hayden lobbed the ball at her, and she caught it before it hit her in the face. He smiled and shook his head when his laughing son danced backward a couple more paces. “Throw it again!”

            “You sure you can catch it so far away?” The tease in her voice made Nate relax. Lucie Russo might be a nice woman. Mindi and Harry trusted her, which meant she was okay.

            But she seemed to be enjoying his son, genuinely enjoying him. Maybe she had nieces or nephews–she was comfortable, chatting with Hayden as they played catch.

            He leaned on the fence to watch.

            “Daddy, come play with us!”

            Lucie straightened and looked over her shoulder, eyes widening.

            Nate felt a little kick in his gut at the appealing image–pink cheeks, green eyes that tipped up at the outer corners, full lower lip dropping a tiny bit. Lucie Russo was pretty.

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I just realized earlier, too, that we're heading into the last week of the month, which means it's time to work out my November writing goals. I swear October just started, and once we hit November, then the holiday season kicks off unrelentingly until we get into January. Plus we'll be hoping to see you in Wyomissing, PA on November 21 (to to the Events page from the link at the top for more info) for the Yuletide Bookish Market. Lots of great authors in a really nice venue. Come out to join us if you can!

Now I need to get to those last couple things on the weekend list before I call it a day and sneak in some reading time. What are you all reading this week? I'd love to hear about it!

Until next week, happy reading!