Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 11/10/2024 ~ The Christmas Pact~ An Old Friend Appears

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

Continuing on with a brand new novella just put up on pre-order: The Christmas Pact, a holiday novella that appeared a couple of years ago in an anthology. The idea for it was originally found in my All Wrapped Up flash fiction holiday anthology which you may have read. This iteration is a longer and much more satisfying telling of the tale of love at Christmas time. Hope you enjoy!

The Christmas Pact

BLURB:

Will a childhood promise lead them to true romance?

When Henrietta Price accidentally pummels a gentleman with a snowball, her instant mortification turns to delight when she discovers the young man is none other than her childhood best friend, Charlie. Though they haven’t seen each other in ten years, he still has the same vivid blue eyes, wicked laugh, and caring nature she remembers so well. Once he’d even vowed—at ten-years-old—to marry her, if necessary, to save her from a life of spinsterhood. And although she’s considering another man’s proposal, she can’t quite keep that long-ago promise out of her head…

Charlie Newkirk hasn’t stopped thinking about Hen since she stole a kiss from him all those years ago. Now he can scarcely believe the beautiful woman in front of him is the same girl whose braid he used to pull. Worse, he has no idea if she’s given her heart to the wealthy young marquess courting her or if she even remembers the promise he hopes to fulfill.

With their future happiness at stake, will Charlie be able to remind Henrietta of their Christmas pact and turn their childhood friendship into a newfound romance? Or will he forever remain just someone she used to know?

I’m continuing today’s snippet from where I left off last week, at the beginning of chapter 2, with a snowball fight between Lady Henrietta Price and her two brothers and what happens when Henrietta misfires a snowball. Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

“Charlie?” She searched his face, looking for the boy she’d grown up with. Surely it couldn’t be…

“Mr. Charles Newkirk, yes.” He frowned, peering down at her, then slowly his eyes widened. “Henrietta?”

“My gracious.” Henrietta staggered backward, and he caught her arm again. “Charlie!” Without thought, she launched herself at him, threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight.

And a little bit more…

He returned the hug then gently released her. “How wonderful to see you again, Lady Henrietta.” His gaze slid to the two boys gawking at them. “Or are you married now, my lady?”

Henrietta followed his gaze and shook her head, laughing. “These are my younger brothers. George, Henry, say hello to a very dear friend of mine, Mr. Charles Newkirk.”

“Hello.” The pair spoke in unison, as they were wont to do.

“Good morning, Master George, Master Henry.” Charlie stared at them, frowning. “They weren’t—”

“No, they were born after we left Haverhill.” Henrietta took his arm, almost afraid he would disappear if she didn’t keep him beside her. Imagine it being Charlie Newkirk, after all these years!

“After your father inherited the title.”

Nodding, Henrietta steered them to the bench the boys had used to ambush her. “Why don’t you boys build a snowman while I speak to Mr. Newkirk for a moment?”