Sherry Kyle – Romantic Excerpt & Recipe for Romance – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Well Christmas is over. But wait, want to hold on to, make it last. Sherry Kyle shares a romantic exceprt and yummy recipe from her latest Contemporary Romance, Forever Yours This Christmas. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for an e-copy. Deadline: Jan 9th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Sherry:

This is an excerpt, starting in the middle of the chapter. My hero and heroine, Wes and Amy, are at an event to raise money for their town’s Christmas celebrations.

Excerpt from Forever Yours This Christmas by Sherry Kyle:

“I’m going to grab some fresh air.” Wes pointed to the opened French doors at the side of the room. “Meet you back at the table in a few.”

“As long as you don’t take off before the auction,” Kimberly said. “I need my partner to bid with me. You know how I sometimes go overboard at these events.”

“Sometimes?” Wes chuckled.

Kimberly folded her arms. “Yes, okay, more times than I’d like to count. That’s why we make a good team.”

His sister held the purse strings where Sunshine Builders was concerned, and he trusted her to make the best business decisions, but he was the one who held her back at public events.

“I’ll be back in time for the auction. Don’t worry.” Wes took off toward the French doors and the cool night air.

The second he walked out of the building, he realized he should’ve grabbed his overcoat. The air was crisp, and he could see the mist from his breath. He wrapped his arms around himself and tucked his hands under his arms. At this rate, his short reprieve would end before the song did. To his left, he spotted a brunette, maybe in her late twenties, wearing a cream-colored coat. Was she hiding too?

She turned to look at him. Her smile was friendly, warm. “Not a fan of slow music? Or is it the crowd?”

“Both. You?” Why was he talking in one-word sentences?

“I love music. It’s crowds I’m not a fan of—”

“What about dancing?” He ventured to ask.

“Dancing is good. You?”

Her echo of his one-word question put him at ease. He inched closer. “I like to dance. Used to do it all the time.”

“What’s stopping you now?” She lifted a brow. Her diamond earrings sparkled under the glow of the overhead porch light.

He glanced over his left shoulder, then his right. “You mean us? Here?”

“Oh, sorry, no, that’s not what I meant.” She held up a hand and laughed but just as quickly changed her tune. “Why not?”

Why not? Because he hadn’t held a woman in his arms since Lauren died. It wouldn’t be right.

Kimberly’s words from earlier in the evening echoed in his head. Any woman would be happy to get to know you, but you don’t give anyone a chance. Could he give this woman a chance now? He hesitated for a brief moment, then gave in. “You’re right. Why not.” He strode forward and lifted his arms.

The woman walked into his embrace, placing one hand on his shoulder, the other in his open palm.

He led her around the patio with slow, even steps. They fit together as if they had been dancing for years, not moments. And yet, they were strangers. Two people needing to get away from the crowd and yet wanting to be close to someone. Close enough to dance.

The song ended and over the PA system, the emcee called everyone back to their seats.

“Thank you. You’re a wonderful dancer.” She moved away from him, her arms dropping to her sides, her cheeks flushed.

“I can say the same for you.” A chill shot through him.

She bit her lower lip. “The auction is about to start. I should return to my seat.”

Wes glanced inside the banquet room. Kimberly was no doubt waiting for him.

The emcee held up a painting of a mountain scene. “Who would like to start the bidding?”

He turned back to the woman, but she was gone. He scanned the crowd, and when he couldn’t find her, a surprising note of disappointment settled in his chest. He wove through the tables to his seat.

“There you are,” Kimberly said. “Do you think that painting would look good in our office? Because I was going to bid—”

“No.” Wes held up a hand. “It’s beautiful, but I’m sure we’ll find something else to bid on.” He looked through his program. “What about this?” He pointed to a five-day trip to Hawaii. “We need a vacation.” 

“We don’t have time,” Kimberly said. “Remember, we have one more townhome to build on the empty parking lot.”

He did remember Kimberly mentioning the townhome, but was it at the expense of the consignment shop? The last thing he wanted was to make an enemy of the small-business owner. Of course, the money they would make from the sale of the townhome would be way more than what Second Time Around would earn. Besides, the county had determined that the parking lot was on their land.

In my book, Forever Yours This Christmas, Amy is known for her snickerdoodle cookies. Here is a recipe that is sure to make your mouth water. Enjoy!

Snickerdoodle Cookies

What you need:

• 1 ½ cups sugar
• ½ cup softened butter
• ½ cup shortening
• 2 large eggs
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon

What you do:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Mix together 1 ½ cups sugar, butter, shortening, and eggs in a large bowl. Add in the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.
3. Chill dough in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, mix 3 tablespoons sugar, and 3 teaspoons cinnamon in a small bowl.
4. Shape dough into 1-inch balls, and then roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
5. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet and place on a wire rack to cool.
6. Enjoy…and share!

Come back Jan 8th for Louise M. Gouge!