Saturday Snippet: What Are You Doing Here?

 The following snippet was taken from 

Nissa

Widows of Wildcat Ridge series, Book 3

by Zina Abbott

  

          At the sound, Birdie Templeton, her eyes wide with surprise, spun around to see who joined her on the boardwalk. She sucked in an exclamation as she recognized Hal. “What are you doing here?”

          Next, she turned to look down Gold Street that ran in front of the mercantile. She used her free hand to slide her spectacles down her nose as she squinted to study the boardwalks on either side.

          Hal followed her gaze. The man who had left the bank first appeared as a speck in the distance. They both watched as he entered a building. He turned toward Birdie. “Mr. Crane is gone. Hopefully, he’ll keep himself busy for a while. I don’t think you need to worry about him for the evening.”

          Birdie released a visible sigh of relief and continued walking. “You didn’t answer my question, Mr. Winters,...oh, I mean, Summers, isn’t it? Why have you sought me out now? The dance isn’t for four more days.”

          Hal tamped down his disappointment the woman had struggled to remember his name. “Yes, Mr. Summers. Hal Summers. Since I met you at the bank, I had a run-in with some men who acted like they might be up to no good. After telling my boss about them, he shared that it sounded like the same bunch that harassed the laundress who works next to the hotel. I came to walk you safely home.”

          “Walk me safely…Mr. Summers, Thank you for your offer, but I assure you, I do not have far to walk. I have walked safely home from the bank for years.” Birdie nervously glanced around before turning back to Hal. “It is important that there is not even the appearance of a man taking an interest in me. I…I don’t mean to imply that is why you are here, but…I can’t risk my job at the bank. If you’ll excuse me…” Birdie turned and continued walking.

          Keeping his distance, Hal questioned her. “How would my escorting you home risk your job, Miss Templeton? Are women bank tellers in the same position as women teachers—they aren’t allowed to associate or be seen with men, because those that hired them are afraid they’ll fall in love and run out on their jobs to get married?” 

Nissa is currently on sale for 99c as part of a multi-book special, 

Romance in March

You may find the link to Nissa and other books by CLICKING HERE.

Abilene Gamble is now available for sale or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. It is also available as a paperback.

It is part of my own series, Gamble on Judgment.

To find the book description and purchase link, 

 please CLICK HERE.

 

 

 Book 2 in the Gamble on Judgment series, Indianapolis Justice is on pre-order. To find the book description and pre-order link, please CLICK HERE. 

 

 

 

The box set, Hannah's Lieutenant, is now available in ebook and in print. To find the book description and link, please CLICK HERE.

 

 

Historical Fiction New Releases March 2022

Includes my ABILENE GAMBLE and INDIANAPOLIS JUSTICE

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Historical Romance Pre-orders and New Releases includes my ABILENE GAMBLE and INDIANAPOLIS JUSTICE, but also information about other new historical romances. Please CLICK HERE.

Squeaky Clean February/March Romance Releases includes my ABILENE GAMBLE and INDIANAPOLIS JUSTICE, also romances in several genres. Please CLICK HERE.