Title: Boxing Day: A Romance Novelette
Author: Catina Noble
Genre: Romance/Mystery
Book Blurb:
This Christmas season hasn’t been working out all that great for Becca but it seems that somebody has a special surprise in store for her. Something she’s been missing: icing on the cake.
Excerpt:
It was a Wednesday, during the first week of December, and Becca was at work debating when she and Jeremy should put up the Christmas tree. At the same time, she wondered if Boxer would be attracted to the tree. They would have to keep an eye on him. She hoped it wouldn’t be an issue. Becca would have to remember to put any breakable ornaments on the top half of the tree, just in case.
She heard the ding of the center’s front entry doors. She looked up, bagged to see Shawn and immediately dropped her pen.
Shawn quickly sauntered over to the front desk where Becca was now standing.
Shawn practically spat the words out. “You need to stay clear of Chad. He’s dangerous.”
Becca’s eyebrows rose. This would fall into the category of odd, for sure. “It’s over with him, Shawn. Whatever’s going on between you two and Zoey, that’s on you. It’s none of my business so keep me out of it.” She sat again and picked up her pen. The conversation was over.
“You don’t understand.” Shawn began packing back and forth in front of Becca’s desk. “We went out the other day and I’m pretty sure he put something in my drink. I think he tried to kill me.”
Shawn had her attention now. What the heck was he talking about? This wasn’t making any sense. “What?” When did this happen?”
“The other night. I hadn’t seen him for a few days, even though I asked him repeatedly to get together. I wanted to apologize for the phone call to you. I’m sorry you got hurt. But I’m not sorry I told you about Chad and me.”
Pen in hand, Becca waited. “Okay, and…”
“Anyway, he kept ignoring me because he was upset. Which I don’t blame him for. I just thought you had a right to know. I admit it. I was jealous. As soon as Chad started dating you, he barely had time for me anymore. I had to do something. I was desperate. That’s why I called you. Oh. I’m rambling on here. He sent me a text and invited me over to order in Chinese and watch a movie tougher. Of course I jumped at the chance.”
“Have a seat, Shawn. I can’t leave the front desk right now, so we need to talk here. Do you want a cup of coffee or something?”
Shawn was looking more frazzled than she’d ever seen him.
“That’d be great. Thanks.” He sat in the closest chair.
Becca looked up as the coffee teased down from the Keurig to see the front doors open once again. It was a delivery man she’d never seen before. The regular guy must have been off sick.
“Cheerio, looks like donations of extra supplies for the center.”
She quickly put the creamer carton and container of sugar on the desk beside Shawn and motioned for him to help himself. She walked over to the delivery man.
Rogan was what his name tag said.
“Thanks.”
“There’s more. I’ll be right back.”
Becca returned to the desk and watched as Shawn took a couple of sips of coffee.
“Whatever he put in my drink, it knocked me out. I’m telling you he tried to kill me. I was out until the next day. I have no idea what happened. Oh my god, maybe he took videos or pictures of us doing something.” Shawn was working himself up into quite the state. “Oh my god. What if Zoey finds out? What if he posts them on the Internet?”
The front doors open again. Becca almost didn’t look up because she figured it was the delivery man returning, but her training had taught her to always be sure.
It definitely was not the delivery man.
Chad stormed into the center, stopping in his tracks when he saw Shawn who immediately stood up.
Becca didn’t move. This wasn’t good.
Rogan entered once more and slowly unloaded the boxes. Was he watching the scenario? What was taking him so long? It wasn’t like there was precious cargo in them or anything. Then again, maybe it was better to have someone else in the center now that both Chad and Shawn were facing each other, creating a potentially explosive situation.
Chad glared at Shawn. “What are you doing here?”
“Telling her to stay away from you.” Shawn’s energy seemed to be slowly draining.
“You know what? You’re the one who needs to stay away from her. Or else!” Chad took a few sips to close in on Shawn.
From the corner of Becca’s eye, she could see Rogan standing there pretending that he was doing something instead of just watching the events unfold.
Then Shawn seemed to catch a second wind. “Or else what? You going to drug or kill me again? Or maybe both?”
Chad took another stope forward and repeatedly poked his index finger into Shawn’s chest. “I said stay away or you will regret it.”
Shawn clenched his hand into a fist and swung at Chad.
Rogan seemed to appear out of nowhere.
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What makes your featured book a must-read?
It is short and sweet. Grab a cup of your favourite hot beverage and escape with this sweet romance in one sitting.
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Runs December 16 – December 31, 2024.
Winner will be drawn on January 2, 2025.
Author Biography:
Catina Noble is a Canadian, multi-genre writer. Her work is eclectic and provides something for everyone. She has over two hundred publications including her books, short-stories, poetry and articles. Her work has appeared in several publications, including, but not limited to; Chicken Soup for the Soul: Your 10 Keys to Happiness, Woman’s World Magazine, Bywords Magazine, Y Travel Blog, Canadian Newcomer Magazine, The Prairie Journal, The Mindfulword, Perceptive Travel and many others. In 2013 her poem, You Can’t See Me, won first place in the Canadian Author’s Association (NCR) poetry contest. Four of her books Finding Evie, Vacancy at the Food Court & Other Short Stories, I’m Glad I Didn’t Kill Myself and Everest Base Camp: Close Call have won the Reader’s Favourite silver seal of approval. She has a B.A. in Psychology from Carleton University and a Social Services Worker Diploma from Algonquin College. She currently writes, works full-time as a Community Integration Worker and is enrolled in the Addictions & Mental Health Program and the Creative Writing Certificate program at Algonquin College. Her favourite place to write is at a local coffee shop. Sometimes her dog Aspen, and cat PJ, supervise the creative writing process.
Social Media Links:
Instagram: @catina_noble_writer
X: @CatinaNoble1