Romantic Friday Writer__A Magical Homecoming

Romantic Friday Writers is a blog fest every Friday. Many thanks to L'Aussie and Francine Howarth for creating this fun event. Click on the icon at the end of my post to check out other great writers participating today or join the blog fest. A winner is awarded the recognition of being this week's featured author.

Today's challenge is to show 'Coming Home' in 400 words or less. My favorite coming home scene I've written is from my upcoming fantasy romance series, Enchanted Bookstore Legends.  In this excerpt, Lyra, a thirty-something divorced college professor, arrives outside her deceased aunt's Lake Huron cottage before Christmas. Now without any family, this is a painful moment for Lyra. Also in the scene is her boyfriend, Cullen, who is an indie bookstore owner doubling as a wizard...or a wizard doubling as a bookstore owner (depending on which of two worlds he is in).

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            Steering around the corner, she expected Jean’s cottage to be a dark, dreary reminder of her grief. She held her breath, afraid of what emotions would wash over her during this first time back since the funeral.

Her mouth dropped open. White lights draped the bushes and wrapped the trees under blankets of sparkling ice crystals. Downstairs windows glowed with soft, yellow light. The place looked warm and inviting. Cullen had a key to keep watch on the place, but didn’t know when he could return from his work in Dragonspeir—apparently not quite the truth.

She parked in the drive and cautiously stepped out to stretch her legs. Ice covered only the lights and not the pavement or the neighbors’ houses. Lovely magical crystals. The cottage appeared ready for winter with the front porch swing raised up to the ceiling and screens taken down. She grinned. He’d worked hard to welcome her. Goosebumps rose along her skin from the cold breeze. She grabbed her overnight duffel, locked the car, and stiffly walked to the door. After a quick knock, she stepped inside. 

            From the foyer, the rich smell of beef and vegetables roasting in thyme greeted her. “Hello!” she called out with a smile in her voice.

            “You’re here!” Cullen responded from the kitchen. He raced out to meet her and swept her up into a hug. “You’re here at last! You feel cold. Come in.” He led her into the family room where flames crackled in the fireplace.

            Lyra wrapped her arms around his neck. He’d let his hair grow past his shoulders. Her fingers played in the light brown waves. “What a wonderful welcome.”

            “No…a wonderful welcome home.” He pressed his lips to hers.

            “This is home, with you and memories of my family.” She buried her head against his shoulder, enjoying the warmth of his wool sweater and strong arms surrounding her. “I thought I’d come back to a gloomy, cold house. Thank you.”

            “I wanted to see you smile.” He lifted her chin. “That’s the smile!”

WC = 341

 

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Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. She is the author of the novel, TEARS ON A TRANQUIL LAKE, the first in a trilogy. Part two, TORTUGA TREASURE is contracted for release in January, 2012. Look for her first of an epic fantasy romance series, SEEKING A SCRIBE: ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGEND ONE, to be available late autumn.