The original drafts, Holidays, Inc. and Hope for the Holidays featured three main character points of view. During edits, I decided to cut the third character perspective to simplify the narrative.

In Holidays, Inc. Jill offers additional insight into her brother’s return and Dani’s renovation.

Want to download the exclusive ebook with the complete collection of eight scenes from Holidays, Inc. and Hope for the Holidays? Sign up for my newsletter for the FREE gift. Click here.

(c) 2021

Chapter Four

Fluffing her bangs for the third time, Jill sat in her car in the deserted parking lot of the Higginbotham’s motel. The show had been a success. After a few missteps, she helped Dani get everything under control. Her brother had finally seen reason and decided to take up the only legitimate job opportunity in town. With Holidays, Inc. on track, she could return to her three-part plan. Buy out the Higginbotham’s, transform the lodging into a charming resort, and do her part in the campaign to getting New Hope on the map. After months of questioning her next move, the opportunity appeared fully formed.

She lowered the visor once more to check her teeth for any stray poppy seeds from her muffin. Why hadn’t she confessed her plan for the money to Paul? Because if he needs me to buy him out, I will. Studying her reflection in the visor mirror, she pressed her lips together. She hated sharing any idea before she was sure of the results. Her dream still had too many unknowns to include other people. First, she needed answers and a plan.

Satisfied with her lip-gloss, she raised the visor and hopped out of her car. She stepped over the widening cracks in the asphalt and carefully picked her way over to the front door. The Higginbotham’s two-story motel was neat, but the tiny details—the cracks in the parking lot, faded awnings, and worn doorknobs—exposed their situation.

Like many people in town, the family enterprise wouldn’t survive to be inherited by the next generation. She opened the door a crack and paused. A sudden sharp pain pierced her side, and she sucked in a quick breath. She pressed her hands to her waist and breathed until the ache subsided. Every so often the loss of her family’s business hit her. She was happy to see Dani’s vision transform all of their lives. Losing the theater so change could happen, however, had been the hardest choice she ever made.

She plastered on a smile, fluffed up her bangs, and opened the door wide. She was greeted with a setting out of a sixties catalogue. Mod furniture, the kind that had fallen out of favor and been restored to popularity too many times to count, in bright colors grouped in a small seating area near a fireplace set off the shaggy cream throw rugs over the green linoleum tile floor. Along the back paneled wall, a walnut veneer front desk stood in front of bookshelves stuffed with knick-knacks.

Mr. Higginbotham stood at the desk.

Mrs. Higginbotham held a feather duster in hand and attended to the collectibles.

“Good morning, welcome to the New Hope Motel.” Mr. Higginbotham greeted like a cheery animatronic from a theme park.

With his shock of white hair and thick mustache, he looked like a friendly mall Santa.

Jill tugged the hem of her blazer. The professional garment was supposed to add a layer of professionalism. Instead, she wore her clothes like a costume. After listening to Shirley’s gossip and Rob’s encouragement, she decided to take an unsolicited chance. In the moment, she realized a presumption encouraged her to barge in, but she couldn’t leave without an explanation.

Mr. Higginbotham continued to smile in her direction.

Mrs. Higginbotham, her jet-black hair contrasting the deep wrinkles in her face, dropped her feather duster and joined her husband. “Jill Howell, is that you?”

Jill gulped.

The Higginbothams hustled from behind the desk and approached her.

“It is Jill, dear, you’re right.” Mr. Higginbotham nodded. When the pair stopped only a few feet away, he motioned toward the low back couch and two club chairs.

Jill crossed the room and sank onto the couch.

“I’m surprised to see you here with your busy theater schedule.” Mrs. Higginbotham settled on one of the chairs.

Jill opened her mouth.

“Dear, that was over a week ago.” Mr. Higginbotham waved off the comment. “But it is a long time since we’ve seen you here. Well, I don’t think it was since Larry took you to the prom.”

“Oh, yes, my dear.” Mrs. Higginbotham settled a hand over her heart. “Larry looked so dashing. How nice of you two to go together to prom. You were always such nice friends.”

Until he threatened to tell everyone we slept together. Jill swallowed and plastered a smile on her face.

“And now you’re here for a visit. This is so nice. We’ll have to be sure to tell Larry when we call him tonight,” Mrs. Higginbotham said.

It hadn’t occurred to Jill before how little she’d have to talk. She stalled her visit until Rob’s badgering became unbearable. Despite growing up together and being the last members of their high school class left in town, they hadn’t sought each other’s company since graduation. She’d known him forever, and yet he remained a stranger.

“When we move, dear,” Mr. Higginbotham said.

The deep cadence cut through Jill’s thoughts. She lifted her gaze to the couple.

Mr. Higginbotham wiggled his eyebrows at his wife.

Jill frowned and pressed together her lips, refreshing her glass. She missed several exchanges in her reverie and couldn’t squander another second. She was here on a mission. “You’re moving?” She jumped into the conversation with both feet and widened the tiny gap in their nonstop talk.

“We are thinking about it.” Mrs. Higginbotham said. “Nothing has been decided on yet. Even with the shows coming to town, we don’t see many guests.”

“It is still early days.” Mr. Higginbotham nodded his head and smiled.

The gesture didn’t quite reach his eyes. He was paying lip service and not buying into Dani’s vision. If they didn’t see the value in what Dani brought to town, Jill could get the motel at a cut-rate price.

Mrs. Higginbotham reached for her husband’s hand. “We are ready to retire, finally.”

“Are you selling the motel?” Jill swiveled her head between the pair.

They clamped their mouths shut.

They exchanged the kind of significant glance she’d seen hundreds of different couples make thousands of times before. Their secret body language left her on the outside. She’d been on the fringe of deeper conversations her whole life. She refused to lose confidence and raised her chin. Thirteen years ago in this very room on prom night, she shoved their son, Larry, to the ground and explained consent in simple terms. If she found strength to stick up for herself then, she could dig deep now. She cleared her throat. “What I mean to ask. Will you be considering bids to purchase the motel?”

“You mean, locally?” Mr. Higginbotham frowned.

“Yes. Locally. Specifically me.” Jill poked a finger into the center of her chest. “I’d like the chance to make an offer to buy the motel.”

Mr. Higginbotham rubbed his chin. “We’d be open to hearing your bid.”

“We’ll need more than that.” Mrs. Higginbotham crossed her arms. “I like you, Jill. I like the idea of keeping this motel going after we’ve left town to live closer to Larry. But I don’t want to see what happened to your Dad’s place, rest his soul.” She paused to make the sign of the cross over herself.

Jill winced. Her father was the least religious person she’d known. Dad’s exposure to organized religion was restricted to the funerary rites executed at his request. A priest oversaw his service and buried him next to her mother. If he was watching this conversation from somewhere above, she knew he was chuckling.

“I know Ms. Winter has big plans over in town with the theater. If we sell this property, I want to see it remain a motel.” Mrs. Higginbotham leaned back in her chair.

“I would, of course, keep it as lodging.” Jill nodded but kept her words vague. She didn’t want to commit to anything, especially not without chatting with Rob. She clasped her hands tightly in her lap. He encouraged her idea but wasn’t business partner. The sooner she remembered the enterprise was hers alone the easier his inevitable backing away would be. Without a big project needing supplies, they’d never cross paths. After she bought and overhauled the motel, she’d probably never see him. Their lives would return to normal. She’d go back to being the sister of his high school best friend who tutored him junior year.

“We’ll tell you what.” Mr. Higginbotham stroked his chin. “Larry is coming to visit over Labor Day weekend to discuss this with us. If you can get a business plan together, we’d love to have you present your proposal to all of us then.”

Jill stood and dusted her hands on her jacket. Seeing Larry again? She fought a shiver.

The Higginbothams stood.

Crossing the carpet, Jill shook hands first with Mr. Higginbotham then Mrs. Higginbotham. If she focused on her plan, she could ignore the looming specter of their slimy son. “That’s a deal. Thank you for the opportunity.”

“Absolutely.” Mrs. Higginbotham clasped her hands around Jill’s. “Larry will be so happy to see you.”

Shuddering, Jill kept her smile in place. She wasn’t the scared teenager their son tried to shame into acquiescence and then silence. Forced to make hard choices, she was a person on the rise. She pulled back her shoulders and studied Mrs. Higginbotham with an unwavering gaze. “I’ll be prepared.”

Romance readers expect every story to end in either a happily ever after or a happily for now. This is the promise authors make by writing the genre. (Psst: if a book doesn’t? It’s not a romance but might be fiction with romantic elements)

Tropes are the beloved set-ups used in romance novels. Utilizing tropes is how we can appeal to specific readers. While “some” people outside of the genre find this to be predictable, they miss the whole point. Romance novels are about growth and how love changes someone from the inside out. Finding a favorite set-up doesn’t make the discovery of the story any less satisfying.

I thought it would be fun to share some of the tropes I used in my 2020 releases. I don’t always literally interpret each trope. It’s fun to twist and change the expectation. If you read these books, you’ll know what I did 🙂

Here’s what you can expect from the next installment in the Finding New Hope trilogy, Hope for the Holidays

The original drafts, Holidays, Inc. and Hope for the Holidays featured three main character points of view. During edits, I decided to cut the third character perspective to simplify the narrative.

In Holidays, Inc. Jill offers additional insight into her brother’s return and Dani’s renovation.

Want to download the exclusive ebook with the complete collection of eight scenes from Holidays, Inc. and Hope for the Holidays? Sign up for my newsletter for the FREE gift. Click here.

(c) 2021

Chapter Two

If her fool brother could get out of his own way, he might not wreck the best thing to happen to them—and this town—in the last century.

Sitting at her usual booth in the back corner of the Come Again Diner, Jill Howell pushed her glasses up her nose and brushed her bangs with her fingers. The gesture was a tick from a lifetime with the same haircut. The look suited her just fine. She always shied away from makeover friends who wanted to curl her hair, put her in a dress, and force lipstick on her. She liked herself, her life, and the town as they were, thank you very much. Until Dani strolled into town, no one ever asked.

Now Paul’s back at the worst possible moment.

She reached for her iced tea and drained the glass. The kick of sugar and lemon reenergized her.

The bell over the front door jingled.

Half fearing her brother was about to thunder over and storm down on her like the rain cloud he’d turned into, she jerked up her head.

Rob waved and his smile stretched from ear to ear.

Standing a couple inches over six feet, Rob Carroll had always been the tallest guy in town. As a nearly six foot tall woman, next to Rob she could stand up straight and not stand out. Growing up, Rob was recruited to play every sport. Over the years, he excelled at physical activity and morphed from a skinny kid to a solid wall of muscle. Nearing thirty, he didn’t have an inch of excess on his strong frame. With his smooth, baldhead and big cheeky grin, he was hard to miss.

Jill wanted to turn and glimpse whose attention he wanted. When he approached her booth in a few quick strides, she sucked in a sharp breath and her mind blanked. No matter how long she’d known him, or how strictly platonic their friendship, her heart skipped a beat at his nearness. She might have outgrown the awkward adolescent hiding in her brother’s shadow, but she’d never given up her crush on Rob. The star athlete and the most charming guy in their grade, he’d always been a big deal to her. After he chose to stay in their falling apart town, he lost some star quality in others’ opinions. His decision, to take over his parents’ hardware store after college, elevated him further in Jill’s mind.

High enough to be safely out of reach. “Hi, Rob.” Her voice cracked. She cleared her throat. “How are you?”

He slid across the booth opposite. “I’m fine. I’m checking up on you. How’s it going with your brother?”

Of course, he wanted to check up on what was happening with Paul. Rob was nothing if not solicitous and kind. No wonder she’d projected feelings onto him he’d clearly never reciprocate. She couldn’t help herself. “I don’t know. I’m trying to get him to help out at the theater. He’s resistant.”

Rob chuckled.

A waitress dropped off a tall glass of water.

He sipped the cool drink.

 Jill tried, and failed, not to catalogue his every tiny gesture. She’d seen Rob at his best and, very seldom, his worst and still, she couldn’t shake the flutters in her stomach in his company. One day she’d like to wake up and have moved on from Rob. “I’m just frustrated.” Jill shook her bangs out of her eyes. “He isn’t being fair. He wasn’t around to help make the hard choices. I don’t deserve his scorn for my decisions.”

“Don’t let him make you second guess anything.” He stretched his hand over the invisible center boundary line dividing the table.

If she inched her fingers forward, he might take her hand. Her skin tingled from the phantom touch. She took in a deep breath and drew her hands to her lap. When she could trust her heart to stop leaping into her throat at even the hint of a touch between them, maybe, she’d hold his hand. She’d been battling against her ridiculous one-sided crush for as long as she could remember. She’d keep up the fight.

“Your brother has never done well with rules or expectations.” Rob rubbed a hand over his head and crossed his arms on the table. “Even his own. He probably came back expecting something different and when faced with the reality, he’s lashing out.”

“Don’t I know it.” She broke from his gaze to study the water rings on the table.

He chuckled and shook their little booth.

She grinned despite her intention to be in a sour mood because of Paul.

“How can I help? And don’t say you don’t know.” Rob rested his forearms on the table and leaned forward.

She nibbled her bottom lip and rested her chin in her hand. The trouble was, she really didn’t. As the theater got up and running, Dani and Jill were operating with a small staff. They had enough work to keep them at the building twenty-four hours a day. Dani insisted they couldn’t stay overnight and remain sane. Jill didn’t want to fail Dani or New Hope. The theater had to work.

Rob rubbed his chin. “How about if you text me the supply list, and I’ll drop off the order within the hour?”

“That would be really great.” She reached for her empty iced tea glass.

Shirley, the owner of the diner, approached the table.

With her shoulder hugging crunchy perm, Shirley looked like she’d come from casting for an eighties drama. Only on closer inspection did the deepening wrinkles give away her age. An institution in town, Shirley had a full staff of eager to work waitresses. Her appearance at the table meant she wanted to glean gossip, or she had some to share.

Jill shifted on the bench seat and set down her glass.

Balancing two pitchers, Shirley refilled Jill’s tea and Rob’s water.

Jill frowned at the older woman.

“Hi, Rob. Hi, Miss Jilly. Sweetie, is your brother back for good?” Shirley asked.

She didn’t miss a beat, jumping into the gossip pond with a cannonball. “I’m not sure, maybe.” Jill offered a noncommittal shrug.

“Huh. ‘n so? Well darn, I was hoping we were starting to lure people back. Seems we keep pushing people away,” Shirley said.

“Anyone we know?” Rob raised an eyebrow.

Jill wanted to mouth the words thank you but restrained herself. She’d never been comfortable spilling other people’s news or prying in their lives. She liked Shirley and appreciated the woman’s fundamental role in town as a matchmaker of sorts. Shirley connected people with information and opportunities. Still, Jill never made peace with the gossipy side of small-town life. She’d hate to know what her neighbors said about her and her family.

“The Higginbotham’s.” Shirley sighed and set her pitchers on the table. “They want to sell and move to Florida to get out of winter.” She patted her curls into place and retrieved her pitchers.

Jill sat straighter.

The Higginbotham’s owned the only lodging for fifty miles. Their painstakingly maintained roadside motel was a time capsule to the sixties. She hadn’t been by their place since the night Rob and Paul had gone to teach their son, Larry, a lesson about spreading rumors. She’d been desperate to stop the two of them from intervening and causing even more drama. The thrill of Rob’s surge of protectiveness towards her, however, never faded.

Rob studied her and widened his green eyes slightly. “Interesting, Shirley. I hope they can find a local buyer.”

“Me too.” Shirley nodded. “Alright you two, I’ll get Ted to flip a couple of burgers for you. But don’t take all day, I have plenty of other paying customers to serve.” She continued down the row of booths. Occasionally, she stopped to chat with other patrons and top off drinks.

Jill sipped her iced tea and waited until Shirley retreated to the cash register beside the front door. When she dared to meet Rob’s gaze, his expression was far too pleased for her comfort.

“Are you going to do it?” He arched an eyebrow.

He remembers?

For a time in high school, she’d tutored Rob. Neither one of them wanted the knowledge to be public, he told her he didn’t want to have to field questions from her brother. She felt the same. Ever since she caught Paul reading her diary the summer before sophomore year, she knew at least one other person was aware of her secret crush on Rob. She hated Paul for snooping until she realized he would never breathe a word. His discovery became a sort of open secret between them. Neither ever acknowledged what Paul knew, but every mention of Rob earned her a studied look from her brother. She gave up on journaling. Her secrets remained hidden away in her mind, shared with no one—not even a pen—anymore.

Except for one confidence, she had shared with Rob.

“I can’t believe you remember.” She fluffed her bangs. “We were like twelve last time I mentioned wanting to own a bed and breakfast.”

He crossed his arms on the table and leaned close. “Actually sixteen. And I remember a lot.”

She reached for her iced tea, her fingers slipping off the glass. Tightening her hold, she raised the drink and sipped the cool beverage, the chilly liquid cooling her too hot skin. If she was smart, she’d stop imagining anything other than friendship in Rob’s words. My feelings have nothing to do with reality. “I don’t know, Rob.”

“Maybe the motel is not quite the bed and breakfast you talked about years ago, but it is fully operational. You should look into it.”

Lowering the glass to the table, she gulped. He reached out and his hands enclosed hers. She jumped and met his gaze, captive to his intense green eyes.

“This is an opportunity, Jill.” His voice was low and steady. “Don’t overlook it, we both know how rare those are in this town.”

She nodded.

He slipped his hands.

She exhaled but couldn’t shake free from his words. He was right. To say the opportunity wouldn’t come again was a supreme understatement. The fact that the guy she imagined in her future liked the idea was mere coincidence. She’d never believed much in fate. Her life moved far too slow for destiny’s guiding hand. She only had one chance. Was she brave enough for the challenge?