This week in our critter chronicles, Sarah, our beloved bunny, was feeling under the weather. But don't fret, she's bouncing back to her usual sprightly self!

In other news, our Maremma Sheepdog, Sadie, turned into quite the escape artist - twice! It seems every time our son Ian pops by, she looks for an adventure. We're still scratching our heads trying to puzzle out her Houdini act during Ian's visits, but it's a mystery.

Meanwhile, Farmer Joe has been waging his annual battle against the falling leaves. He's pretty much got everything outside the pastures looking spick and span (I think there might be a touch of leaf obsession there, but who's judging?) 🍂🐰🐕

“Now that we’re alone, tell me more about the camping trip?”

“It was physically demanding and emotionally draining.”“Care to elaborate? I expected the first part, but not the second. What made it emotional?”

“Chaz Buchanan.”

“My brother-in-law. Interesting! I knew you two were acquainted, but is there something going on between you?”

“I don’t know. Probably not.” She frowned.

“Knock, knock.” It was Chaz. Margie didn’t need to look up when she heard his voice.

“What can we do for you, Chaz?”

“Came by to talk with Margie.”

Connie grinned and looked at each of them in turn. “I’ll leave you to it.” And before Margie knew what was happening, her new friend had ditched her.

“What are you up to?” he asked.

“Baking cookies.”

“You left the barn in a hurry.”

“Umm hmm.”

“Did I do something to offend you?”

“Not at all. Why would you think that?”

He frowned and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Maybe it’s my imagination, but it feels like you’re avoiding me.”

“Am I?”

Chaz let out a deep sigh. “Margie, I know I rushed off when we returned to the barn.”

She stirred the mixture in the bowl with more force than necessary. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”

“Then what is this?”

“It was clear I was reading too much into your kindness, so I backed off.”

He leaned against the kitchen island, and his eyes bored into hers. “Knock it off.”

“Knock what off?”

“The silent treatment. Then pretending nothing is wrong. We’re adults here, there is no reason to play games.”

“I’m not playing games, Mr. Buchanan.”

“I asked you to call me Chaz.”

“Seems to me you should reserve that privilege for your friends the same way you did back in Freedom.”

“Our kids are married.”

She kept her gaze trained on him, refusing to give him the satisfaction of looking away from his intense stare. “Is that why you were being nice to me. For Casey?”

“Stop it.”

“Stop what.” She stuck out her bottom lip.

His gaze moved to her lips, and he placed his hands on her shoulders. She was surprised at the gentleness in his touch. The harshness of his words left her expecting something else entirely. “You probably shouldn’t wear an apron with a blatant invitation on it unless you mean it.”

“Maybe I do.”

He leaned in closer and brushed the hair off her face. “Maybe I want to find out for sure.”

Grave Secrets has been out for a month, and I'm overjoyed to see it's being warmly received – perhaps more so than any of my previous books. There's always a hint of anxiety with each release, wondering if it will be embraced by readers. Thankfully, this story seems to have hit its mark.

As Wooing the Widower makes its debut, I'm filled with the same blend of hope and anticipation. 

Since finishing Wooing the Widower, I've taken a brief respite from writing. However, the call of new stories is ever-present, and I plan to resume the journey in the next couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to new adventures in storytelling and praying they resonate with you as deeply as they do with me.