The beginning of a love story

Prologue and chapter 1

Dear Reader,

How have you been this past week? I am excited to share a couple of things with you.

First, a fellow romance author Alex Chrisco has a new book that is coming out next month. It sounds very adorable. Check it out and pre-order if you are interested.

Book Blurb:

Abbie Collins has lived her entire life in the small town of Watford, Washington. Five years ago, she had plans to marry her high school sweetheart and inherit her family's business. Then her mother died of cancer, and the love of her life left town without a trace. When the town council asks for her help with putting on a summer festival to revitalize the local economy, Abbie jumps at the chance to put Watford back on the map.

Connor Harvey only has one regret: leaving the woman he swore he would love forever. He joined the military to run from his own demons and escape a past he's unwilling to face. Having returned to Washington State after retiring from active duty, he now works at Winding Road Recovery with his best friends, a non-profit focused on getting veterans the help they need.

The chance for Winding Road to sponsor a local event forces him to confront everything he's spent the last five years running from.

Because now, he's going back to Watford. Back to her. And there's nowhere left for either of them to hide.

In order to move forward with their lives, they must first face the past - and their complicated feelings for each other.

Under Pink Skies is a sweet, small town, second chance romance with a happy ending and no spice. It's the first in the Watford Sweethearts series, which is best enjoyed in order.

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Now on to what I am excited to share the Prologue and Chapter 1 of My First Kisment Christmas. I am putting finishing touches on it and then it will be up for pre-order with a release in December. As an FYI if you are a long time reader, this story was sent out as a Christmas gift in 2022 for a limited time. Now on to the story.

Prologue 

Judy 

Present Day Christmas Eve 

Katie handed Erin a box of Christmas ornaments. 

“This is so cute!” Erin pulled out a handprint wreath that the children made for me when they were in elementary school. She held it up in the direction of Kaleb, my firstborn, and her fiancée. 

He nodded. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips and his neck reddened under her gaze. “It was Kurt’s idea.” 

All the women in the room turned to Kurt, the second oldest. He lounged in the Lazy Boy chair.  He shrugged and pulled his fiancée, Lindsay, closer into his lap. “Ma was so happy with us when she opened the box.” 

“We did something similar for my mom.” Erin hung the ornament on the tree. “We painted pinecones with glue and rolled them in glitter to give to her. She wasn’t thrilled.” She dug in the box for another ornament. “She vacuumed glitter out of the carpet for months.” 

“I know the feeling,” I said. 

“It’s only because we weren’t into glitter, Ma.” Kade, my youngest son, handed me a cup of hot chocolate. 

“I’m thankful for that.” I smiled at him. He winked back before distributing cups of hot chocolate to the rest of the family.  

“Erin, what’s your family doing today?” Tim, my husband, stood behind my chair. He dropped a hand onto my shoulder, squeezing it gently. 

She placed an angel on one of the top branches. “Mom said that it’s supposed to snow buckets overnight.” 

“Snow.” Kaleb shuddered. 

“It isn’t that bad.” Erin grinned at him. “It was just a dusting at Thanksgiving. Anyway, Mom is baking pies and Dad is getting the tractor ready.” 

“Ready for what?” Katie, my youngest and only daughter, draped tinsel over the branches. 

“The snow. He digs all the neighbors out and delivers Mom’s pies on Christmas Day. They do it every Christmas.” She stepped back from the tree. 

Katie hung the last bit of tinsel. She put her hands on her hips and tilted her head. “We just need the star on top.” She pulled it out from the box. “Daddy?” 

“That’s my job.” With a smile for Katie, Tim took the star and placed at the top of the tree. 

“Perfect.” I clapped my hands together. It was a perfect. Tim and I were home from our mission trip. Our children were all there with their significant others. My house and heart couldn’t be more filled. 

“Ma, Erin hasn’t heard your Christmas story, yet.” Katie folded herself into sitting position, leaning back against her husband, Levi’s legs.  

“It’s been years since I’ve heard it, too,” said Kade’s wife, Delilah as he stood behind her. 

Tim smiled at me. My insides warmed at his look. Over thirty years together and he could still make me feel like the first time I met him. 

“As long as your dad will help,” I said. 

“Of course, darling.” He sat next to me and draped his arm over my shoulders. “Do you want me to start or you?” 

“I always like how you start the story.” I turned my face towards his. 

He kissed my lips gently. “Alright then.” His eyes pulled me in until it was just the two of us all those years ago. 

Chapter One 

Tim 

December 22^nd Around thirty years ago 

Bang! Pop! Hiss! 

The noises came from under the hood of my truck. It shuddered and white smoke billowed from under the hood. 

“Pete’s sake,” I muttered. “I don’t need this right now.” 

I slapped the blinker on and gently pulled the truck and horse trailer to the side of the highway. The colts stomped and neighed in the trailer, rocking it from side to side. 

This was just what I needed. My father bought these young horses and wanted them picked up today. Unfortunately, the pump for one of our wells went out and he was needed at home. I was designated to go in his place. 

I turned the key, shutting the ignition off. Climbing out of the cab, I walked to the hood of the truck. Once it was opened, more of the white smoke came out. Something dripped out on the ground. 

“Just perfect.” I ran my hand through my hair. I wasn’t a mechanically inclined at all. 

I stomped back to the trailer and looked inside. The four horses danced in their slots but appeared fine. A bale of hay sat in the bed of the truck along with other odds and ends from the farm. I cut the strings on the bale and gave each horse some more hay. The stomping settled down. 

“Now what to do?” I scanned the horizon for any sign of people. 

It was the stretch of highway where there was nothing but cacti, jackrabbits, and rocks. No people, no houses, no gas stations, nothing. The nearest one I remember seeing was about forty miles back. It would take me forever to walk there and I couldn’t leave the colts. None of them were broke to ride and Father paid a pretty penny for them. 

I climbed into the bed of the truck, searching for anything that might help. The toolbox held fencing supplies, a coil of rope, and a warm six pack of beer. I chuckled at that. One of the ranch hands must have driven this truck last. None of it was going to help me. I sat down on the tailgate and decided to wait. Someone was bound to come along at some point. 

Forty minutes later, headlights shone in the distance. Then, a purr of an engine reached me. A little red sports car zoomed into view. I jumped down from the tailgate and walked to the back of the trailer. Raising my arms above my head, I prayed they would see me and stop.  

The car slowed down and pulled over in front of my truck. The driver’s door swung open. 

“Thanks for stopping. I thought no one would…” The words caught in my throat at the woman exiting the car. Her red hair gleamed in the sun, floating around her shoulders. 

“You’re welcome.” She smiled at me, and my heart leapt into my throat. The smile faded as she took me in. She gasped. “No way. Tim?”  

I nodded, feeling dazed at the vision before me. 

“Who would have thought?” Her smile returned, beaming out at me, filling me with warmth. 

“Judy White?” I stepped toward her. “What are you doing in Texas?” My hands reaching for hers. 

She grasped mine. A bolt of electricity shot through me, jump starting my heart. I slid my hands up her arms to rest at her shoulders. 

“It’s been so long.” My voice came out in a whisper. 

“Yep, almost ten years.” She nodded. 

I wanted to hug and kiss her, but the time span from when we were high school sweethearts to now prevented that. 

“You’re a sight for sore eyes.” I stared into her eyes, transporting me back to when I was eighteen years old. 

She snorted. “Sure. Did you even look at me?” 

My gaze tore from her eyes to traverse her face and then traveled down her body. Her hands went to cradle her burgeoning belly. 

“You’re pregnant?”  

“It looks like it, doesn’t it?” The corner of her lips pulled up. She rubbed the sides of her belly. 

I stared at her. 

“It was a joke, Tim.” She rolled her eyes. She nodded toward the truck. “What’s going on?” 

I shrugged. “I could use a ride to a gas station.” I rubbed the back of my neck as I looked at my truck. “Find a phone and call the ranch.” 

“I could look at it for you.” She walked past me to the trunk of her. 

I frowned. “No, that’s okay.” 

“I’m serious.” She opened the trunk to her car. “I’ve got enough to jerry-rig almost anything back together.” 

“I’ve so many questions.” I peered over her shoulder. Bottles of motor oil, antifreeze, and hydraulic fluid were lined up in crates along with several various sized toolboxes. 

“Well, cowboy, you’re in luck. I’m a certified mechanic.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. 

“A mechanic? I’d never imagined it.” 

“I needed a job I can do anywhere.” She shrugged and pulled out a toolbox. 

“Why?” I took the toolbox she handed me as she reached for another. “You could’ve been a nurse or a teacher or…” 

“Something more girlie?” She planted her free hand on her hip, challenging me. 

“Um…” 

She raised an eyebrow. 

“Um…I guess. But that’s not what I meant.” 

“Then, tell me Mr. Kisment, what did you mean?” She turned to my truck. 

“Just that I’d never met a woman mechanic before.” I followed her. 

“Ding-ding, winner winner, chicken dinner.” She put her hands on the frame and leaned into the engine. Her belly pressed against the metal of the truck. She maneuvered herself sideways to see further in. “Give me one second.” She studied the engine. 

A mechanic and pregnant. What had happened to her since we said goodbye after high school? Was there a man in the picture? Or was she in trouble? The sports car was well taken care of but not a new vehicle. She was dressed nice in a flowing dress that hid some of her belly with sandals. What was she doing here in the middle of nowhere in Texas? 

She reached for a rag in her toolbox and wiped her hands. “Not the end of the world. I can get it up and running so you can make it home. But it will need to be fixed proper before heading back out.” 

“What do you need me to do?” 

“I’m glad you asked.” She smiled at me. “You get to be my hands. I can’t reach that far in or lay on my back on the ground to fix it from underneath.” She handed me a wrench. “I’ll guide you.” 

Thirty minutes later, I slid out from under the front of the truck. She helped me up and handed me a rag. Our fingers brushed each other’s. Tingles radiated up my arms, aching to draw her in for a hug. She cocked her head to the side. A smile played on her lips. 

“Let’s see if it runs, before you hug me.” 

“How did you know?” I slid the key into the ignition. 

“You have a look.” 

“You remembered a look?” I turned the key. The engine roared to life, before settling down to a rough idle. I blew out a sigh of relief while Judy cheered. 

“Of course. One doesn’t forget their first love.” 

I stepped toward her. “Can I hug you now?” 

She nodded. 

My hands found her arms, sliding up them to her shoulders. I brought her closer to me as my arms wrapped themselves around her. She drew close, tucking her head under my chin. Her heart beat hard against her chest as she hugged me back. 

In that moment, I was transported back to a time when I was eighteen. The last hug she gave me felt like this, right before she broke up with me and said goodbye. I pushed away the feelings. I had no right. As far as I should be concerned, we were two almost strangers. 

She patted my back before she drew away. “I’ll follow you home to make sure you get there.” 

The loss of her body heat hurt, and I wanted to bring her closer. The colts in the trailer stomped. The trailer rocked with the motion. 

“Alright. Will I see you again?” 

She lifted a shoulder and twirled a loose strand of hair. “I’m spending Christmas with my aunt and uncle in Sunnydale.” 

I caught the hand twirling the hair. “Perfect. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I kissed the back of her hand. “Thank you, Judy. I’d still be stuck here if it wasn’t for you.” 

“You are welcome,” she whispered. Her eyes grew dark as she watched my lips. “Looking forward to tomorrow.” She slowly drew her hand away. 

“It was great to see you.” 

“I know.” She called over her shoulder as she walked to her car. 

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Author’s Note: What did you think about the story so far?

See you next week! Hugs,

Allie