Sizzling First Encounter from an Amateur AGAIN

by | Jul 6, 2010 | Christian authors, England, inspirational fiction | 18 comments

Okay – so  it’s my favorite story I’ve written so far. And I HAVE to post the first encounter. I love it.

But before I do, I just want to brag a moment about my friend, Sherrinda. Tomorrow, she’s my guest and her first encounter scene is very sigh-worthy. It’s a must read. So please, oh please, drop in to check it out. Wonderful.

So, if you guys aren’t TOO tired of my Eisley/Wes story, Here To Stay, I’ll introduce you to their very first encounter. (snicker – me and my characters have such a fun time together)

The basic gist: Eisley Barrett is a single mom of three who is traveling to England to research her geneology. Her goals: research the story, then pair up with her dying uncle to write about it before it’s too late; and steer clear of eligible men. Her ex-husband left her heart broken and untrustworthy. But temptation comes in the well-packaged form of Wes Harrison.

Btw, Eisley is staying with Wes’ parents while she’s visiting. Here’s Wes and Eisley’s first encounter. (And I see Eisley as Amy Adams and Wes as Richard Armitage) Plus, I’ve included a few pics of Derbyshire that I took while I was there.  The first half of the novel takes place in Derbyshire, UK.

*******

Eisley sighed. “I’ve never been good with guys and the whole flirting thing. All those subtle nuances and cues, well I’m clueless.” A pout pulled at her bottom lip, but she pushed it away. She would not think of her failures in that department. It hurt too much. “So I guess we’re taking a taxi to the hotel or maybe the Tube?”

“Actually, my son is to drive us. Wes is quite capable. He lives on the West End.” Mr. Harrison nodded toward the doorway. “And, here he comes now.”

Eisley followed Mr. Harrison’s gaze across the expanse of the meeting area, past the red bucket chairs and rows of people, and right into the eyes of a Greek god.  

A taller, younger version of Mr. Harrison, complete with black hair and captivating gray-blue eyes, walked toward them.

His gaze blazed through her. Immediate attraction. She held in a whimper. Lord, really? Are you joking?

She tried to adjust her expression. The last thing she needed was to look like a three-year-old in a candy store. Too much eye-candy is bad for a healing heart. Very bad. It might lead to thoughts of hope or worse, possibilities. And false hope was the last thing she needed. Step away from the candy and no one will get hurt. Remain calm, distant – and consider running away, as soon as you can.

She stumbled to a stand and bent to help Mr. Harrison.

“Eisley,” he whispered, “It might be wise not to mention the falling incident.”

Eisley jerked her gaze to his. “What?”

“Wes.” Mr. Harrison stepped forward and greeted his son with his other hand. “This is Eisley Barrett. Our guest for the next few weeks.”

Wes’ gaze trailed over her, leaving a splash of warmth on her face and a knot in the pit of her stomach. Calm. Distant. Glacial. The dutiful son offered his hand, somewhat reluctantly. “A pleasure, Ms. Barrett.”

His hot-fudge smooth voice swept all words right out of her head and melted any images of icecaps. She stifled a sigh. The perfect combination – fascinating eyes, a British accent, and chocolate. This could be love, okay, at least infatuation. Healthy infatuation – the safe, look-but-don’t-touch kind. Like on television.

Eisley mentally slapped herself. Pull yourself together, woman. No man is worth an Eric-sequel.

She peeled her tongue off the roof of her mouth, took his hand, and pushed all the giddy, junior-high feelings down to her pinky toe. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Wes looked at her pink luggage and kept a taciturn expression. Unapproachable. Very Mr. Darcyish – wait wrong thought direction. “I assume this is your baggage?”

“Pink is easier to find in the baggage check.”

“No doubt.”

Sarcasm? Daggone it, that just made him more attractive. Oh what a pickle. Why here and now? She’d been dodging men for years and now inchworms could escape faster. Obviously there was no mutual infatuation. He looked annoyed, maybe a bit bored, and definitely not as close to hyperventilating as she was. What was wrong with her? Jetlag?

Wes lifted her bags and started toward the doors. “Well, Ms. Barrett, I know very little about you.” A look passed between the two men and Eisley stepped back from the glare. “You are from Virginia, yes?”

“Yes, a teeny tiny place in the Blue Ridge Mountains with two stoplights and no Walmart. Which means it’s practically nowhere, but the area is beautiful. Rural, quiet. Home.”

Wes remained stiff as a hardbound book binding, but – Hark! Was that a faint light of interest flickering behind his dull expression? Well, she didn’t care. She liked him better as rude and unavailable. Maybe he was married. She took a quick glance at his left hand. Bare as a the Jenkins’ table after a meal.  Trouble. Deep trouble.

18 Comments

    • Pepper

      Edwina,
      Thanks for visiting and for the sweet words. I know where to come for a boost of confidence 🙂

      Reply
  1. Susan Mason

    Wonderful! I love all her funny thoughts. This book sounds wonderful.

    I have been doing my own family research and Derbyshire is a big part of one arm of the family. Thanks for the pic. It looks gorgeous!

    Take care & keep writing more scenes like that!

    Sue

    Reply
    • Pepper

      Sue,
      Derbyshire is one of the most beautiful parts of England (IMO). I loved visiting and plan to go back to the same place again…when I get publshed. That’s my reward – and even if I don’t get published, my best friend and I have a pact to go there before our kids start college (she has 5 kids too) – so we’re saving 🙂

      If you want to see more picks, I posted them on this blog in 2008

      Reply
  2. Sherrinda

    Sigh….I love this scene, Pepper. Eisley is such a great character. Quirky, sassy, fun. She is amazing!

    Reply
    • Pepper

      Thanks so much, Sherrinda.
      AND we get to meet some really cool characters tomorrow (hint) WOOHOO! Can’t wait to show off your excerpt

      Reply
  3. Casey

    Amazing and beautiful and fun and…. and… well just plain GOOD!! I want this book…sniffle. 😉

    Reply
  4. Julie Lessman

    WHOA, BABY … LOVED this!!! Talk about a great setup, Pep, you nailed it!!

    This is going to make a great book!

    Hugs,
    Julie

    Reply
    • Casey

      I love everything I have read in this story, Julie, can you believe she has yet to be contracted??? I think I need to have a talk with those editors. They must be on medication. 🙂

      Reply
      • Pepper

        Hey Jules,
        This is my favorite story that I’ve written so far. I LOVE the whole series, because the characters are so much fun to write. 🙂 And, of course, you know how easy it is to fall in love with heroes…sigh

        Case,
        You are awesome. I love your encouragement. Btw, I just keep singing, “Someday my prints will come.” And someday, Lord willing, God will turn this story into a printed, published book.

        Reply
      • Julie Lessman

        No, Casey, I honestly can’t, and I have never been more serious. Everything of Pepper’s that I have read has been wonderful, so I don’t get it. Grin … I think you may be right … medication is involved! 🙂

        Reply
      • Pepper

        Julie,
        You just earned about three more hugs in September. Oh dear – I just grinned until I caused a few more wrinkles.
        Oh well – at least it means I smile a lot.
        You are wonderful. Thank you.

        Reply
  5. audra

    Fantastic scene, Pep! I’d say our dear Eisley is smitten, LOL! But oh how she tries to talk herself out of it.

    And of course, I love everything British.

    Beautiful work. We’ve GOT to talk to those editors…

    Reply
    • Pepper

      Audra,
      Thanks SOOOO much. I love writing – and these characters kind of become a part of your life, don’t they? It’s such a blast – frustrating at times, but exhilirating too.
      Thanks for your sweet encouragement.

      Reply
  6. Myra Johnson

    Oh, my. You had me at “hot-fudge smooth voice”! What an image!

    And now I want to visit England more than ever!!!

    Reply
    • pepperbasham

      Myra,
      Thanks SOOO much. England is DEFINITELY worth a visit. The Peak District was fabulous! I even went inside the church Charlotte Bronte attended while she was writing Jane Eyre. Is that cool or WHAT!

      Reply
  7. Mary Vee

    Pepper,
    The panache and flow in this scene outclassed so many others I’ve read in published books. I didn’t see a single stutter, snag, or awkward sentence. When did you say this book was/is being published?
    Kudos to this work.

    Reply
    • pepperbasham

      Mary,
      What a sweet thing to say. Nope – no publication in sight…yet. Who knows what God might do, but this is certainly one that I love 🙂

      Reply

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