Please enjoy this special scene between Jasper and Callie from FAR FROM BROKEN and I'll see you in the new year!
Callie
finds Jasper in the salon early one afternoon. “What are you doing?”
He steps
aside, revealing a neat little metal square on the floor, about the size of a
large gift box. “A present? From who?”
“It came
express. I think it might be from the general.” He frowns. “Which means it
might not be entirely safe to open.”
She
chuckles. “There’s only one way to find out, I suppose.” Stepping closer, she
kneels down in front of it. It’s plain. Just an ugly gray metal box. “How does
it open? It looks seamless.”
Reaching
out, she picks it up. It’s heavy, but Jasper kneels with her and together they
tip it over. “There,” he says, pointing. “A button.”
Looking
into one another’s eyes, they share a spark of childlike excitement. Callie
smiles. “Who gets to push it?”
“Shall we
shoot for it?”
She’s
been practicing with his Tesla gun, but knows she’s still no match for Jasper. Shaking
her head, she holds out her gloved hand. “Arm wrestle?”
He breaks
out into laughter, knowing there’s no contest in that. Her mechanical hand has
the strength of ten men. “Why don’t we just push the button together then?”
He reaches
out, but Callie stops him by leaning in for a kiss.
It starts
sweet and soft, but soon becomes hot and deep, and he’s lost himself in her.
She
breaks away suddenly, leaving him breathless and reaching out to pull her close
again, but then he catches the glimmer of mischief in her eye, and the grin
that curls her swollen lips. “Don’t you dare—”
But she’s
already pushed the button, laughing joyfully. He shakes his head, but inside he’s
pleased. Every day she grants him a smile is a gift, but when she actually laughs
aloud he thanks God for miracles.
The box
starts to rumble, and they both turn their attention to it. It shakes across
the floor. Standing, he pulls Callie up and they step a few feet back. The box
is unfolding itself. As it opens, they see that inside is a kaleidoscope of
greens and reds, silver and gold.
“Goodness,”
she says. “It’s so beautiful!”
“But what
is it?” He peers closer. The box is no longer a box. As it continues to shift,
he’s still not quite able to pinpoint what it is.
She grabs
his arm, and looks up at him with stars of wonder in her eyes. He’s completely
captivated. “A tree! Jasper, it’s a tree. Complete with Christmas decorations.
Look!”
And then
he recognizes it too. The box has indeed transformed into a kind of tree. Made
of metal tubes shooting every which way, it’s both the oddest looking and most
unique Christmas tree he’s ever seen. On its limbs there are small rings, and
each ring holds a pretty little ornament. Some are gold, some silver, and some
red.
Once it’s
fully formed, the room falls silent. They stand together. He takes her hand,
and she leans into him. “It’s lovely,” she whispers.
He
agrees. “Whoever put this together is a genius. I wonder if—” He reaches out to
touch it, and as soon as he makes contact, the whole tree lights up. Light
shoots out the ends of each of the metal tubes until it is completely enveloped
in a golden glow.
“Oh,
Jasper.”
He turns
to his wife. The woman who held his heart and warmed his soul. “Merry
Christmas, my darling.”
She looks
up at him with a teasing grin. “It’s no sprig of mistletoe, but I still think you
should kiss me.”
He
smiles. “I think after this, the response should be more than just a kiss, don’t
you?”
© JK Coi 2011
FAR FROM BROKEN now available from Carina Press
Colonel Jasper Carlisle was defined by his work until he met his wife. When the prima ballerina swept into his life with her affection, bright laughter and graceful movements, he knew that she was the reason for his existence, and that their love would be forever.
But their world is shattered when Callie is kidnapped and brutally tortured by the foes Jasper has been hunting. Mechanical parts have replaced her legs, her hand, her eye...and possibly her heart. Though she survived, her anger at Jasper consumes her, while Jasper's guilt drives him from the woman he loves. He longs for the chance to show her their love can withstand anything...including her new clockwork parts.
As the holiday season approaches, Jasper realizes he must fight not just for his wife's love and forgiveness...but also her life, as his enemy once again attempts to tear them apart.
