Deleted Scene from The Space Between Time

“For where all love is, the speaking is unnecessary.” ~ Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

“When I look at my life and the lives of my female friends these days – with our dizzying number of opportunities and talents – I sometimes feel as though we are all mice in a giant experimental maze, scurrying around frantically, trying to find our way through.” ~ Elizabeth Gilbert

In celebration of the fact that I have now finished another round of revisions of The Space Between Time, I thought I’d post a small section that I liked but had to remove because it no longer fit. I got this idea from Diana Gabaldon, the author of the Outlander books. I follow her on Facebook and every once in a while she will post a small segment of the book she’s working on, or maybe from one of her previously published books. I think it’s fun to read the snippets and try to figure out the rest of the plot from that one little section.

To set this up, Jenna Holden has recently suffered several losses. Her fiancé, Sam, broke off their engagement on the same day that her mother died. She lost her job and suffers other threats to her happiness, but one ray of hope is Miles Jackson (Jack) Spade, a detective in her hometown. He comes along just as Jenna is beginning to put her life back together. So here goes. I hope you enjoy this little section.

Seeing the distress on Jenna’s face, Jack hugged her and said, “I can tell you they’ve had a hard time finding anybody who believes you are guilty and I’m not sure the evidence jives either. Then the incident with your car threw them for a loop. They’re tight lipped but they were very interested in our suspect. The captain offered to help them. They, of course, gave the usual, we’ll-call-you-if-we-need-you response. One good thing, the captain doesn’t see anything wrong with my continuing to see you. That is if you want to.” The look on his face was one of boyish hope.

Jenna smiled, “Sure, if you don’t mind dating a suspect. I’m getting to like you Detective Spade.”

A big smile spread across Jack’s face, “And I you, Miss Holden.”

“Now let me finish getting ready. Have a seat. I’ll hurry.” Her hair was still wet from her shower and she was only dressed in her robe.

“Oh just throw on some jeans. We can have dinner at my place, if that’s okay. I’d like to cook and have an intimate dinner with you.”

“I’d love that.” She gave him a peck on his mouth and ran upstairs. When she came down in her old jeans and a T-shirt that read, “Save the Spotted Owl,” she put her hand on her hip as if she were walking the runway at a fashion show.

Jack laughed, “You look great. Love the T-shirt. Do you like Mexican?”

“Love it,” she said.

“Good. I make great chicken enchiladas.”

Jack and Sam were complete opposites. With Sam she had to look like a fashion plate at all times. Jack cared more about who she was inside rather than her outward appearance. It felt good to know she didn’t have to play a part to be with Jack.

“You’re beautiful.” he said, reaching out to brush her face with a finger, sending shivers down her spine.

Who can resist a man who cooks? I hope you enjoyed that little teaser.

Thanks for reading. Have a meaningful Memorial Day weekend remembering the loved ones who have passed. Their love lives on.