Welcome back to my First Kiss Friday blog. I’m so happy you’ve stopped by. My guest this week is my friend Ruth A. Casie who has an excerpt from her story The Ghost of Whispering Hollo that’s appearing in the Hearts Through History anthology, The Spirit of Love. We hope you enjoy this first kiss scene. Happy reading, my lovelies!

The Story – The Ghost of Whispering Hollow

In the haunted hollows, love dances with destiny.

Amidst the moon-dappled oaks of Blanefield Manor, where ancient secrets whisper through time, James returns from war—a soldier scarred by battle and longing. Elizabeth, his childhood friend, has been his solace through ink-stained letters. But as they unravel a family curse impacting both their lives, they face a haunting love, and Whispering Hollows reveals its true magic. In a dance of shadows and moonlight, their hearts reignite—a love that defies both time and spectral secrets.

The Set Up

Nestled at the western end of Loch Morlich, deep in the Scottish countryside, lies the picturesque village of Glenmore. This quiet community is home to Whispering Hollow, a haunted pumpkin patch, and Blanefield Manor, the grand residence of Edward, Duke of Blanefield, and his family.

For two decades, Glenmore has harbored a dark secret, one that remains unsolved. But on this day, October 31, 1786, destiny may finally reveal its hand.

Nancy, the duke’s youngest daughter, carved a pumpkin instead of the traditional turnip for the annual contest and bonfire near the haunted patch. Sadly, her creation met an untimely end on the Manor’s foyer floor.

Meanwhile, her older sister Elizabeth eagerly awaits the return of her beloved James, who has been away in service for six long years. Despite the distance, their love has endured through countless letters. James is expected to return the following day.

Determined to find Nancy another pumpkin, Elizabeth ventures into the haunted patch, only to lose her way. When she falls and cries out, it is James who comes to her rescue, having arrived a day earlier than expected.

The Excerpt

“My foot’s tangled,” she stammered.

James released her hand as he crouched next to her and worked to free her foot.

Her words hung in the air. Elizabeth’s gaze traced the familiar contours of James’s face—the boy she’d known, the man she’d imagined through ink-stained letters. Six years of longing, of written secrets and endless waiting. Now, he knelt before her, an arm’s length away. The sudden sight of him sent a rushing warmth through her veins.

“You’re here…” Her heart beat quickly as a tide of relief washed over her.

“Yes, I am here. You haven’t changed a bit.”

She gazed at his profile and noticed his determination softened by a hint of familiar mischief. He wore his neatly groomed, dark hair longer than usual. She found it becoming. Her breath caught when she glanced at his lips. Elizabeth wanted to—

“Still getting into trouble and needing to be rescued.” He cut the vines that held her foot captive. Still kneeling, he tilted his head toward her. “Seriously, what are you doing in the grove?”

“Nancy carved a pumpkin for this evening’s celebration. Somehow, it slid from her hands and smashed to pieces on the floor.”

“So you came here to gather a pumpkin for her. She must be twelve years old by now.” James pulled the last of the vines from her foot. He stood holding out his hand. “Can you walk?”

She gave him her hand. Elizabeth stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him.

“You’re home,” she whispered into his chest.

“It’s best we leave this place and give your sister her prize.”

“I don’t want to let you go.” She nuzzled closer.

He kissed her forehead and then, with the crook of his finger, lifted her chin. “Me neither, but we can’t stay here.”

She pulled away. “I’m to meet the family at the gate.” Elizabeth looked around and then at him. “I tried to find my way out, but with the dense mist, I couldn’t. I only went around in circles.”

James gave her his most dashing smile, the one that curled her toes.

Amidst the cool forest evening, Elizabeth and James stood—two people filled with longing but afraid to take what they wanted. His touch, tentative yet sure, traced the curve of her jaw. And her heart raced. She didn’t need to see his smile for her toes to curl. Their lips met, and a whispered promise was made.

Time ceased to matter as the years apart dissolved. They were no longer the hesitant correspondents of ink-stained letters. James’s arms encircled her, pulling her closer, and she melted into their warmth. He kissed her again, deeply, passionately, and she thought she would burn up. As they pulled away, breathless and smiling, Elizabeth knew this kiss had decided their fate.

Buy Link: Amazon

About the Author:

RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author. She writes historical adventures from the shores of medieval Scotland to the cobblestone streets of Regency London. Within the pages, you’ll discover ‘edge-of-your-seat’ suspense, mind-boggling drama, and heart-melting emotions featuring strong women and the men who deserve them. She currently has four historical series: The Druid Knight, The Stelton Legacy, and The Ladies of Sommer-by-the-Sea, and she participates in The Connected World of The Pirates of Britannia as well as The Lyon’s Den Connected World. 

Ruth lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms, and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at a major international bank where she was a product/marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now—writing romance. Grab your favorite cup of tea, or an ale if you prefer, and join her heroes and heroines as they race across the pages to find their happily ever after.  Ruth hopes her stories are your next favorite adventures!

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