Picnics & Promises: Marion Ueckermann

Picking up on the Picnics & Promises highlight segment, today's guest is Marion Ueckerman, with her novella, A Courtship for Clover.  Welcome to Chirp 'N Chatter, Marion!

PICNICS & PROMISES: SIX DELICIOUS
SUMMER ROMANCES

About A COURTSHIP FOR CLOVER:

Top London chef Clover Blume has one chance to become better acquainted with Jonathan Spalding away from the mayhem of her busy restaurant where he frequently dines—usually with a gorgeous woman at his side. When the groomsman who is supposed to escort her at her sister’s New Year’s Eve wedding is delayed because of business, Clover begins to wonder whether she really wants to waste time with a player whose main focus in life is making money rather than keeping promises.

Jonathan lives the good life. There’s one thing, however, the London Investment Banker’s money hasn’t managed to buy: a woman to love—one worthy of his mother’s approval. Is it possible though, that the auburn-haired beauty who is to partner with him at his best friend’s wedding—a wedding he stands to miss thanks to a glitch in a deal worth millions—is finding a way into his heart?

But what will it cost Jonathan to realize it profits him nothing to gain the world, yet lose his soul?

And the girl.

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Excerpt from A COURTSHIP FOR CLOVER:

No croquembouche had ever made Clover’s toes tingle as they did right now, dressed in the gorgeous green Rose Blume masterpiece. Not that she looked anything like the French dessert with its triangulated choux pastry balls bound with caramel threads. She smoothed a hand over the soft skirt. These colored chiffon creations must make Rose’s heart swell with the same sense of pride as hers always did whenever a perfect profiterole stack was carried out of her kitchen on a silver platter.

Clover could only imagine what Maggie’s dress was like, for she felt simply…beautiful. Perfection and detail from head to toe, thanks to the hair stylist, makeup artist, and manicurist who had all been anxiously waiting for her to make it back to her room. And then had to wait some more while she took a bath. Thankfully Heather had already dressed and was over in Maggie’s room helping. As were all her sisters, no doubt. She wished she could have been part of the clamor that would be going on in the bride’s suite, but she’d had her own duties to perform today.

Clover was grateful for the undivided attention of the three ladies who went to work the minute she stepped out of the bathroom.

With only an hour to spare, they’d moved speedily—Brooke standing behind Clover blow-drying her washed hair then sweeping it into a perfect messy side-bun, if one could call a messy bun perfect; Zoe sitting in front of her applying her make-up; and Jemma on the side painting works of art on her nails. She would’ve needed a month of Sundays to look this good if she had to groom herself.

But sixty minutes later, looking like a Vogue centerspread according to Zoe, all Clover had to do was to slip into her bridesmaid’s outfit. Even in that, she had help. Finally, a few sprays of perfume—the last touch before stepping out of the room. Thankfully Maggie hadn’t insisted she wear a clover scent. She was rather partial to her favorite Calvin Klein fragrance, Reveal.

Speaking of revealing, what will tonight divulge about the handsome Jonathan Spalding? Was he as gorgeous as he looked with a personality to match and she’d fall madly in love with him? Or was he a total jerk and she’d count the hours until the wedding reception ended?

Clover set the perfume bottle down on the dresser.

“You look amazing.” Brooke grabbed the hairspray can. A few spritzes ensured any stray hairs would remain in place. “Green really is your color.”

“Thank you.” Clover smiled at the hairstylist. Brooke certainly had the right name for she’d babbled like one the entire time she’d worked on Clover’s hair. But one probably needed that kind of personality to enjoy the job. Not that Clover had minded her chatter. Her stories of styling high-profile clients’ hair at occasions such as this were interesting to say the least. And they kept her mind from wandering too often to a certain groomsman that was guaranteed to blend in perfectly at her side.

Clover glanced at her feet as she navigated the white high-heeled ankle boots with their lace overlay. The emerald chiffon skirt swirled as she walked. At her bosom, tiny ribbon-embroidered clovers peeked over the top of the white faux fur stole covering her bare shoulders and arms. She couldn’t wait to discard this particular item of clothing and show off that strapless sweetheart bodice with its satin trefoil decorating the top left of the bodice.

Brooke hurried in front of Clover and opened the bedroom door. Her sisters’ laughter spilled from the passageway connecting all the rooms.

Clover hastened over the threshold, anxious to see how the other bridesmaids looked.

One word… Stunning. Each of them “Spring in Winter.”

Holly hobbled toward her.

“Lift that dress a bit higher so I can see.” Clover couldn’t wait to get a peek at what Rose had created to disguise the CAM boot Holly’s foot was wrapped in. If she’d only torn those ligaments two weeks earlier, she could’ve been out of that orthopedic boot for the wedding. But accidents weren’t scheduled according to one’s calendars. At least Holly wasn’t still on crutches, and this wasn’t her wedding.

Holly hitched up the dark Christmas-green chiffon skirt and extended her booted foot. “Ta-da.” Lace matching the bridesmaids’ boots covered the entire CAM boot, from the tips of her toes to where it ended close to her knee.

“Nice.” A grin spread across Clover’s face. “Good thing our heels are almost the same height as that boot.” She pointed toward Holly’s injured foot.

Holly’s mouth curved down on one side. “Almost, but not quite. I don’t limp too badly, do I?”

Clover shook her head and gave Holly a reassuring smile.

“Good.” She leaned closer and whispered in Clover’s ear. “Because Myles has offered to carry me if it’s too difficult to walk, and I really don’t want him to think I’m struggling in any way. I mean…what would Christopher think?” She released a sigh. “I wish he could’ve been here tonight.”

“So do I. I want to meet this priest of yours.”

“Reverend,” Holly corrected. “I’m anxious for you to meet him, too. He’s gorgeous—inside and out.”

Clover started as Jonathan stepped beside her and extended his left arm, linking it in hers. Where had he been hiding?

“Sorry to interrupt, but I believe this vision from heaven is with me.”

Holly giggled. “Speaking of gorgeous… Who. Is. This?”

Holly! Couldn’t the ground open up and swallow her whole?

Jonathan held out his free hand. He pressed Holly’s fingers in his then, raising her wrist, planted a soft kiss on the back of her hand. “Jonathan Spalding.”

Holly’s eyes brightened. “Ah, the MIA best friend. You made it.”

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Only just.”

“Well, looking at you, one would never know,” Holly said.

“He cleaned up well.” Clover was at a complete loss for anything more intelligent to say whilst trying her best not to stare.

Stupid. He didn’t have anything to clean up. He’d looked perfect in his casual clothes, too. But, wow, no denying he was even dreamier in that tux.

“So did you, Clover. Way beyond what I had dreamed or imagined.” Jonathan offered her a bold smile that released the butterflies in her stomach.

He’d been thinking about her?

Like a teenager, heat rose to her cheeks at his words. Or was it because of the appreciative glint in his eyes?

She breathed in a long, slow breath, closing her eyes for a moment to savor the woodsy fragrance assailing her senses, every inch of her body set on high alert. Oh man, I shouldn’t have done that.

“You must be Holly. What happened to your foot?”

Jonathan’s voice drew Clover from her heady experience, and her eyes flew open.

Holly laughed. “I am. And the foot…it’s a long story.”

“Short version?” he asked.

“You could say I fell for my man. Literally.”

“Myles is one lucky feller.”

Holly burst into laughter. She shook her head. “Heavens, no. Not Myles. I’m talking about Christopher Stewart.”

Jonathan’s eyes narrowed. “I’m confused. Why are you partnered with Myles, then?”

“Because Reverend Stewart has only recently started working at St. Stephens,” Clover explained. “And he has to do the watchnight service in Robin Hood’s Bay tonight. Plus, his elderly father only had hip surgery a week ago, so he’s still on the mend.”

“Hip surgery, huh?” Jonathan’s gaze flicked to Holly’s feet. “Are the two incidences related?

Holly chuckled. “No.”

“Too bad he couldn’t make it.” He turned to look at Clover, his gaze lasering hers. “I’m glad my partner is here tonight.”

Oh, sizzle. I think I might enjoy getting to know you after all, Mr. Best-Friend-Come-Lately.

Ready to start reading? Get your copy of this collection.

About Marion Ueckermann:

USA Today bestselling author, MARION UECKERMANN’s passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. Marion and her husband again live in South Africa, but with two gorgeous grandsons hanging their hats at the house next door, their empty nest’s no longer so empty.

Please visit Marion’s website for more of her books:

www.marionueckermann.net

Picnics & Promises Collection: A Pocketful of Wishes (Mary Manners)

My sweet friend, Mary Manners, has released yet another awesome novella as part of an exciting 6-book collection: Picnics & Promises. I'll be highlighting the entire collection here on Chirp 'N Chatter over the next couple of weeks...starting with Mary's book, A Pocketful of Wishes. Enjoy!

Picnics & Promises: Six Delicious
Summer Romances

A Pocketful of Wishes by Mary Manners

As childhood neighbors, Jenna Palmer and Carter Stevens discover first love. When a cross-country job transfer separates them, they promise to one day find each other. Years go by and they lose touch until an accident causes their paths to once again cross. Can their promise stand the test of time, or will time crush their promise…and their love?

~~~~~

Enjoy the following excerpt from A POCKETFUL OF WISHES:

Leavenworth.

It sounded like one of the bad words Mom and Dad forbade her to use. How ironic that this new town her parents were determined to drag her to shared the same name as a prison. Because Jenna might as well be going to prison. Her parents were ruining her life.

Especially her dad, with his new job. That’s all he’d talked about for weeks now. He didn’t even have time to talk about school anymore, or come to her softball games.

When she was still playing softball. Which she couldn’t do anymore, because they were moving to Leavenworth.

Just for spite she rolled the word around on her tongue and muttered.

Leavenworth…Leavenworth…

Tears welled in her eyes as she lifted her gaze to find Carter. Dark, shaggy hair spilled over his forehead, highlighting the dusky pallor of his cheeks. In another month his skin would glow bronze from hours spent in the sun while he helped his dad with their lawn care business. He’d worked beside his father since the summer he’d turned nine. He was fourteen now—nearly four months older than Jenna.

Carter swiped the tumble of hair away, revealing eyes the color of rain-slicked river rock—gray with specks of russet along the edges. She’d always loved his eyes. They were one-of-a-kind.

Carter closed the trunk and turned to face her.

“Don’t cry, Jen.” He grinned ruefully as he jammed his hands into the pockets of his favorite pair of faded jeans. She knew they were his favorite because he’d told her last week while they were eating sundaes together down at Miller’s Ice Cream Parlor following an afternoon of swimming at the community pool. Carter had said the pants probably wouldn’t fit much longer, since he’d launched into another growth spurt, but he’d make them last as long as he could. His folks would be tight on money until the mowing season cranked up to its full stride in a couple of weeks, maybe a month. “Everything’s going to be OK.”

“How can this ever be OK?” Jenna’s lower lip trembled and she caught it between her teeth. “I might as well be moving to Mars.”

“It’s not that bad. You’ll see.” He shrugged, trying his best to lighten the moment. But his tone told her he was just as miserable. “You can write to me and fill me in on all the fun places on your side of the country.”

That sounded forever apart.

“I don’t think there are any fun places in Leavenworth.” How could there be, with a name like that? Suddenly her belly roiled like it had last weekend, when Carter jumped from the pool’s high dive and then dared her to do the same. She’d climbed the ladder and inched out to the end of the board. Then a glimpse down into the water had stars dancing in her line of vision as she suddenly felt like she’d pass out. But Carter had gently coaxed her from the pool’s edge, his voice low and raspy, making her believe she could do it. So she did believe, and she squeezed her eyes shut tight and jumped. For a beat of time the breath lodged in her throat, then her squeal could probably be heard into the next county. The adrenaline rush was so cool that, following a congratulatory fist bump from Carter, she went back five more times.

But this whole idea of moving cross-country didn’t feel cool. It just felt…awful. She didn’t want to go. She wanted to stay right here, with Carter.

“Of course there are fun places.” Carter’s eyes betrayed his words. Jenna had known him since they were both in diapers, and right now his forehead was knitted into a frown, his eyes stormy-dark. “You’ll find them. Then you’ll write and tell me all about them.”

“Like pen pals?” She placed a hand on his forearm. His skin warmed her chilled fingers. “Sort of like passing notes in class except we have to send them through the mail instead?”

They’d done a lot of note passing over the years without getting caught. They were both good at it. Really good.

“Yes, like that, only better because we’re already…” He glanced down at her hand resting easily on his arm and offered a sort of lopsided grin. “Best friends…and even maybe more.”

“More?” Jenna’s pulse did the same weird sort of leapfrog against her throat as it had when Carter asked her to dance the last slow song at their end-of-school dance. “Do you really think so?”

“Um…yeah, I do.”

“Me, too.” Jenna’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Will you write back?”

“You know I will, Jen.”

Carter drew his hands from his pockets and fidgeted for a moment, as if he wasn’t quite sure what to do with them. A mockingbird ran through its litany of calls as he took a step closer to her and skimmed his thumb ever-so-gently over her cheek.

Jenna closed her eyes and sighed. This was one of his gestures she loved. Her insides dipped and scrambled as if she’d just plunged over the first huge crest of the Screaming Banshee coaster that she and Carter had ridden together at last year’s Labor Day fair.

“I don’t want to go,” she murmured on a sob as she opened her eyes again to focus on him. “I really don’t.”

“I know.” His lips trembled. “I don’t want you to, either. I’m going to miss you so much, Jen.”

“This can’t be happening.” Jenna gulped back the lump in her throat as tears spilled over to trail down her cheeks. “Tell me it’s just a bad dream, Carter.”

“I can’t.” The words were anguished now. His voice cracked, as Jenna knew it tended to when he got upset. “I can’t because it’s more real than a heart attack.”

As if to prove the truth in that, Jenna’s parents shuffled from the house. Mom had a tote bag, stuffed full of magazines and knitting supplies, slung over one shoulder. Dad carried a pair of overnight bags. Unlike Jenna, they were both prepared for the journey ahead. It would take six days by car to travel from Maple Ridge to Leavenworth, considering the list of sightseeing detours Dad had tacked onto the trip.

Six days…a lifetime.

Her parents came down the short flight of steps and, instead of heading straight for the car, went to the side of the house. They disappeared around the corner to check on something. Their voices drifted on the breeze.

Jenna swiped at her tears. She had only a few minutes more with Carter. She could hardly bear the thought. Time sped up just as she wished it would come to a screeching halt. She was in a race car with no steering wheel, no emergency brake. The end of the track rushed up to greet her.

Why had her dad agreed to take the Chief of Police position in Leavenworth? Wasn’t the sergeant’s position in Maple Ridge good enough for him? She’d heard her parents whispering heatedly to each other behind the closed door of his office and knew there had to be some explanation, but as usual she stood firmly in the dark. Was it too late for Dad to change his mind and let them remain here, where everything was perfect, happy…familiar?

With Carter.

Jenna had begged and pleaded with her parents, but to no avail. The decision was final.

They were leaving.

Today. In a few minutes.

“Don’t forget me.” Jenna lifted her gaze to capture Carter’s and held tight as his face swam before her. “It’s going to be hard enough not seeing you every day. I couldn’t bear not talking to you, too.”

“I won’t ever forget you, Jenna. We’ll see each other again. I promise.” His eyes filled too,

and his chest heaved as he struggled with his emotions. “I’ll wait for you.”

“Write to me.” She swiped tears from her cheeks. “Every day.”

“And twice on Sunday.” He cupped her elbows and leaned in close. Sunlight cocooned them as a gentle breeze ruffled Jenna’s hair. His T-shirt held the scent of summer mingled with citrus from the dryer sheets his mom used. “Every Sunday.”

Carter dipped his head, his gaze suddenly softening. His fingers trembled along the nape of her neck as his breath skimmed her cheek.

Jenna’s pulse galloped as the universe shifted. Carter was going to kiss her.

They’d never kissed, never even really held hands except for the slow dance a few weeks ago. Or when he helped her navigate slick rocks to cross a shallow section of the river.

And there was the time they rode the Screaming Banshee together. Then he’d laced his fingers with hers and held tight. In that moment Jenna felt as if she could conquer the world.

She wanted to kiss Carter…had wanted to for the longest time.

She sensed he wanted to kiss her as much. He shifted slightly and his lips settled ever-so-lightly along her cheek, grazing the spot where his thumb had wandered only moments ago. His touch was so gentle and tender, that no words were needed to communicate all he felt…mirroring all she wished for.

A moment or two passed as Jenna held her breath. She tilted her chin and his lips skimmed lower to find hers. As his mouth melded to hers, the softest gasp billowed up from deep inside her. Her heart paused and then quickly recalibrated, turning everything bright and new as the sun burst into a million points of light. As he held her close she inhaled the blend of summer sunshine and fresh-mown grass on Carter’s skin. She bottled the scents that would forever brand him into her memory.

Carter.

She would experience only a single first kiss in her lifetime, and now that kiss belonged to Carter. No length of time or distance could ever take it away.

Forever sealed. Forever ours…together.

Her parents’ voices, drawing closer now, carried on the breeze to shatter the tender moment. She turned and spied them heading back around the corner. Reluctantly, she pressed a hand to Carter’s chest. As he stepped back, putting distance between them, an arctic blast sliced through Jenna.

“Jenna, it’s time to go,” her mother called. “Say your final goodbyes.”

Jenna shivered as another chill swept in.

Final…this is final.

“No, it’s not.” Carter had developed a knack over the years for sensing what she was thinking. Being next-door neighbors since birth did have its advantages. “This isn’t final. I’ll find you, Jenna, no matter how far away your parents take you. I promise.”

“I’ll find you, too.” She nodded stiffly. “I will.”

“That should be easy, since I don’t plan on going anywhere. I’ll be right here.” Carter delved a hand into his pocket to retrieve something. He pressed the small, cool object into the palm of her hand. “Take this. Keep it close and I’ll always be with you. Always, Jenna.”

Purchase the Picnics & Promises Collection


About Mary Manners:

Mary Manners is an award-winning author who has spent a lifetime exploring her joy of writing. She has two sons and a daughter, as well as three beautiful grandchildren. She currently lives along the sunny shores of Jacksonville Beach with her husband Tim.

A former teacher and intermediate school principal, Mary spent three decades sharing her love of learning. While growing up in Chicago Mary worked a variety of jobs including paper girl, figure skating instructor, pizza chef, lifeguard, and nanny. Many of these enriching and challenging experiences led to adventures that add a touch of humor to her stories. Mary loves long sunrise runs, ocean sunsets, and flavored coffee.

Connect with Mary at her website: www.MaryMannersRomance.com. “Like” her author page on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.