Hey y’all
I promise I’m editing furiously…and only have four chapters to go as of writing this. The Summer Solstice is tomorrow and since the Almost Like Magic series all take place on one of the sabbats—an equinox, a solstice, or one of the points in between—it seemed like a good time to send a quick update and a little extra as a thank you for your understanding and patience.
Against the Wind takes place during the week or so around the Winter Solstice and Stella throws one hell of a Yule party at Eight-Fold. Over the past couple of years as I worked on the story, I wrote SOOOOO MANY incredible scenes of her interacting with friends and family… And I simply can’t use all of them, so this one (sadly) got the cut. Mostly because it didn’t push the story forward or contribute to the overall mystery Stella is trying to solve. But also because the scene leading up to it changed and they no longer worked well together.
I’m sharing it with you because I do love it and hated to cut it! Jay, Xav, and Marcus are three of my favorite side characters and though I tried to find a way for them to be included in this story, the cast was getting complicated, and I couldn’t find a compelling reason to keep them around. For this book! I promise they’ll be back in the future.
I squealed, suddenly finding myself ass up and spinning in circles. “And how's my favorite healer on this wonderful night?”
“About to make you regret all your life decisions if you don't put me down, Jay!” I kicked my legs in the air until he set me down. I put a hand out, desperate to keep my balance, and he wrapped an arm around me. I hugged back, and within seconds I was sandwiched in a group hug with Xavier and Marcus as well. My favorite tracker trio. This here, for a few seconds, felt like old times. When we used to snitch beers and dash off to the barn to guzzle them in secret, then dare each other to find the most dangerous, outrageous monster ever and take it on solo.
“You good now, Doc?” Jay asked, “Or do you need me to keep a hold of you?”
“I seem to be fine now, no thanks to you.”
“Now that is a gods damn shame. Here I was hoping to hold onto you a bit longer.” A wicked grin creased his cheeks. His shaggy blonde locks stuck out from under what looked like a hand-knitted stocking cap.
Concerned I’d end up slung over his shoulder again, I hopped backwards and bumped into something. Someone.
“Dude! Ever look before you leap, princess?”
“And miss a chance to stomp on your toes? Not a chance. Jackass.”
Jay chuckled and held up his hands in surrender. “Sounds like the two of you picked up where you last left off, or did you finally call a truce?”
Cole raised an eyebrow at me and I smiled. “We figured it out. Happens when you save each other’s lives, I guess. Hell, I even kind of like him now.”
Xavier held out a beer to me and I shook my head. “Jay, man, you might have lost your chance with your little healer.”
Jay drooped his head in mock defeat, then nudged me with a shoulder. “So long as we’re friends, I’m a happy man.”
“BFFs for life,” I reassured him. Jay laughed, but wasn’t paying full attention to me anymore. I casually glanced over my shoulder and saw a redhead filling a plate with food. I nudged him with an elbow. “You better make your move fast. She's cute and the ratio of men to women is seriously in our favor.” When he hesitated, I shoved him toward the petite woman and gave him what I hoped was an encouraging smile.
Cole caught my hand as I walked away. “You seen Mikey? Think he’s still alive, or is he in a stupor in someone’s bed?”
“Last I saw, he was hanging out with Vann by one of the fires. And Koh. They’re over that way. My cousin apparently needs my attention. You remember Lucca, right? Apparently it’s time to get me all caught up on the family news. Like an in-person holiday card. Catch you later?”
“Oh, without a doubt. Heard talk of you leaping to my dad's defense against your dear cousin Lucca, and definitely need to hear your side of all that.”
“That happened like ten minutes ago. How did you hear about it already?”
“You of all people know how fast a good story spreads.” Cole grinned and bumped Xavier with an elbow. “Can you believe Stella would throw herself in the middle of a fight?”
Xavier pursed his lips in exaggerated surprise. “Our Doc? Never.”
I flicked both of them off as I backed away, glad Xav had worked out whatever issues he had with Cole, and vice versa. They'd been friends long ago, and renewed friendships was what this gathering was all about.
I hope you liked this glimpse into the world of Eight-Fold Acres. If you haven’t read Bad Company yet, the e-book goes on sale on Wednesday, June 21, for only 99¢!!! The sale only lasts a week so get it while you can. It’s also available in paperback and through the Kindle Unlimited program.
Against the Wind comes out NEXT TUESDAY!!! So I’d better get back to those last four chapters.
Thanks again for all your support.
Jill