Greetings, my friends! Hope you’re enjoying a lovely, relaxing (or productive, if you so choose) weekend thus far! As promised, I’m pausing with the Steeped in Love excerpts to make room for snippets from the sequel, Learning to Love! 🙂
Ready? Here goes!
“Why does it smell like a damn pumpkin patch in here?”
Rebecca Ledgerwood tore her gaze from the computer screen and turned toward the door. Her co-worker’s burly frame barely squeezed through the opening of their shared office. He raised the collar of his shirt over his nose as he stomped toward his desk, as if he preferred his own body odor to the warm, inviting smell of autumn.
Shrugging, she finally answered, “Pumpkin spice air freshener.”
He rolled his eyes. “This is a sickness. You know that, right?”
“Hey, it’s better than the sweaty gym socks alternative.” She was used to the usual unpleasant aromas that came with working in the Phys. Ed. department at Kendal High School, but the boys this semester were a particularly ripe bunch.
Here’s a quick blurby-blurb that needs major editing:
Rebecca Ledgerwood is a Physical Education teacher who’s ready to invest some sweat equity into a lasting romance. On a whim, she has her palm read before summer vacation ends, and she’s told she’s an old soul who’ll find happiness with a younger man.
William Whitney leaves an unfulfilling career to pursue teaching and gets placed at Rebecca’s school for his Physical Education practicum. He’s desperate to make a difference, convinced that the choices he made in the past contributed to his younger sister’s death. Kendal High School is nothing like the prep school he attended as a teenager, but he’s determined to make the most of his time there, especially if that makes Rebecca notice him.
Though they come from vastly different backgrounds, there’s an undeniable chemistry that sparks between the two. They resist, as they must, until his practicum ends, but when he’s offered a teaching position at his former prep school, will he take the easy way out, or fight for what’s right in front of him?
Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors!
I’m going on a hot beverage date today, so send me all your good romantic vibes, peeps! Wishing everyone a fantastic final week of November! And if you’re NaNo-ing, here’s hoping you cross the finish line with flying colours! 🙂
Award-winning romance author & PE teacher who plays sports, sings, juggles, dances, has a sneaker obsession, & lives on PB! 
Cute snippet. Even though I can’t stand the taste of pumpkin, I do love the smell of pumpkin spice.
Thanks, Jess! I have one slice of pumpkin pie a year, and that more than meets my pumpkin-spice-whatever quota. 😀
I like their interaction. Especially, “This is a sickness. You know that right?” Good stuff.
Thanks, Tommie! So glad you liked it! 🙂
Delightful as always, Julie.
Back atcha, Charmaine! <3
As much as I hated to let Steeped In Love go, I’m instantly enchanted with this new story. Love the dynamics already.
Aww, that’s wonderful to hear, Nancy! It’s hard for me to let Steeped go, too, but comments like this make it much easier. 🙂
So glad I never had such an office mate! Of course, I don’t teach PE, still, this is a rude little SOB in my opinion. Glad he doesn’t like her Pumpkin Spice! Grin and bear it. Nice snippet!
Hee! He’s just a little blunt, but these two have been colleagues for years. There’s a certain comfort in being able to say what’s really on your mind. 😉 Thanks, Jenna!
A Phys Ed teacher, however will you know how to write about that subject? It sounds like it will be a cute story. have fun writing it.
I know. It’ll be quite a stretch for the imagination, but I think I can swing it. 😉 Thanks!
Hmm Eau de gym socks or pumpkin spice??? It’s a tough call, but a lovely whiff of good things to come!
😀 Thanks, Ms. Wells! You flatter me!
I have to argue that a pumpkin patch doesn’t smell like pumpkin spice. It doesn’t smell like much of anything. That said, I do find the spices overwhelming at times. Great snippet.
Thanks, Kimberly! I appreciate the comment! 🙂 The ‘pumpkin patch’ line was meant to be facetious more than anything, but now I have no desire to visit an actual pumpkin patch. lol
I’m no fan of pumpkin either, but I prefer that over B.O. 😉
LOL, same here! Thanks, Amy!
Glad to see you’re straight in with one of the underused senses in writing, yet the sense of smell is so powerful.
Interesting contrast in workplaces I noticed in moving from the UK, back there the office was a rich tapestry of perfumes, aftershaves, and air fresheners. Here we have strict “no scents” policies because of the number of people with allergies.
That’s an interesting point. I’ve worked in many places that have strict ‘no scent’ policies, and I definitely find that it’s something I miss. Thanks so much for commenting! 🙂
Good snappy dialog as always! It’ll be interesting to see where the story goes…enjoyed the snippet!
Yay! So happy to hear that, Veronica! Thank you! 🙂
Wow, sounds like an awesome story, full of all sorts of twists and turns! Can’t wait to become acquainted with these new characters. Laughed at her office mate pulling his collar up over his nose to avoid the pumpkin spice stench. (Not that I feel that way, I love the scent of Autumn!) I also think it’s most clever of you to have tea leaves first, and now palm reading!
A hot beverage date, huh? That sounds…a little generic? Hope it turns out to be a fun time, with or without whipped cream!
I’m so happy you’re already invested in the story and the characters! Music to my ears!
Lol maybe generic in theory, but it was definitely a standout kinda date! 😉
Love the spark in your work, Julie. 🙂
Thanks so much, Dana! I appreciate it! 🙂
I’m disappointed not to read more from Steeped in Love, but this is really cute. Best wishes.