Scene #6: The Great Debate Holiday Movies vs. Holiday Music.

Author Note: When you’re writing a novel, especially the first draft, you kind of have to fall in love with your own characters to maintain the dedication it takes to not only finish the draft but continue to edit, revise and eventually query your novel. This was the scene where I fell in love with Jack and Nina.

Nina looked up to find him standing in the entryway. “Help me?” She scooped up all of the remotes.

Jack smiled as he sat beside her and returned the remotes to the tray. “It’s a trick.” He reached under the sofa and retrieved a seventh remote. “Jason thinks if he hides the remote when he goes to sleep that it will still be on ESPN when he wakes up.”

“That is just cruel. I’ve been trying figure these things out for at least ten minutes.”

“Looks like I showed up just in time.”

“I thought you were asleep.”

“Who me? The night’s just getting started. How about a movie?”

“Sure.”

“This is my favorite part of the holidays, next to the food,” Jack stretched out his legs on the ottoman.

Nina loved the feel of Christmas. The music playing in the background while the aroma of pine, fruits, and nuts swirled in the warm and cozy heat of the fireplace. Angie had made sure every inch of her house exuded Christmas spirit, down to the poinsettia embroidered pillows on the sofa. “I like the music better than the movies. The holiday never seems big enough in the stories for me.”

“Oh come on A Christmas Story? That’s all about Christmas.”

“Nope. It’s about presents,” Nina said.

“Miracle on 34th Street?”

“The belief in Santa Claus.”

“Rudolph?”

“Story about an outsider.”

“That’s cold. I can’t believe you can hate on the red nose reindeer.”

“I’m just telling the truth.” Nina sipped some water.

“So…were you gonna eat anything today?” Jack said, keeping his eyes on the television.

“Are you my overnight nurse?”

“No, but if you pass out on my watch, your sister might slit my throat while I sleep.”

“Why do the two of you bicker so much?” Nina asked.

“I don’t know. She just doesn’t like me.”

To Nina, it seemed to be the other way around. She could still see Angie’s mouth drop when she came down the aisle to find Jason standing at the altar alone. Jack struck her as being more of a jokester than intentionally hurtful.

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Scene #5: Mistaken Identity

 Author Note: This was a scene I envisioned years ago before there was ever a Nina or Jack. I’d filed it away for a future story and when I started developing JINGLE MY WAY it was as if the puzzle was finally complete.

Angie and her spoiled ass, Jack thought as he finished his coffee. He poured another cup and was about to take it to Jason, who was shoveling the driveway, when the idea came to him that if he waited a few more minutes, Jason wouldn’t need his help.

Jack had a hard enough time dealing with Angie, and now her sister was coming. He hadn’t officially met her, but based on her pictures he was expecting a fat, older, and probably bitchier version of Angie to walk through the door.

“Thanks for the coffee,” Angie said as her arms wrapped around Jack from behind. “But I was hoping for something a little stiffer this morning.”

Jack’s mouth full of coffee went spraying all over the window when she grabbed his crotch. “I’m Jack!” he yelled.

She screamed.

The front door swung open and Jason rushed in half-covered in snow. “What? What happened?”

A tearful Angie feverishly scrubbed her hands and the window with a sponge.

“Get out!” she screamed.

“No one told you to come in here feeling on people.” Jack shook off the disturbing flashback.

“You what?” Jason asked Angie.

“I thought he was you.” Angie pointed to Jason. Her face bordered on purple. All Jack could do was throw up his hands.

Jason crossed the room and embraced his wife. “I told you not to drink out of my mug.”

“That’s bull. She couldn’t see it and shouldn’t your own wife be able to tell us apart?” Jack asked.

People confused him and Jason all the time, but it wasn’t like they were twins. Sure they had the same build and hair cut, but that’s where the comparisons stopped. Jack was the older, rugged outdoorsmen, while Jason opted for the preppy-tech-geek vibe. Plus, Jack was at least an inch taller.

“I want him out,” Angie whimpered as Jason coddled her.

“I bet you can tell the difference now,” Jack said as he took a sip of her coffee.

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Scene #4: PDA

Author Note: This is just one example of why so many readers have fallen hard for Jack Spears.  

Jack pulled her on to his lap when she tried to walk past him. “Don’t get all sad-faced on me now that the kids are sleep, because I will wake those little rug rats up.”

“I’m not.”

“You’re lying.”

“Okay, maybe I am, but I don’t know how to help it.”

“Nina, you’re gonna be all right. You know how I know?”

“How?”

“Because I’d never let anything happen to you. I have a couple of places you can stay, and I could really use some extra help around my office. If that doesn’t work I’ve got clients in high places. I’ll find you something.”

“Jack, that’s very sweet of you and I know it’s coming from a good place, but the last thing I need right now is a hero.”

Nina removed his arms from her waist before standing and pushed the stroller toward the exit. Jack grabbed her hips from behind, pulling her back against his warm body. “Why won’t you let me help you?” he whispered as his hand followed the curve of her hip.

Nina’s mouth dropped as he caressed her hips. “Can you not feel me up in front of all of these kids?”

“Answer the question and I’ll stop.”

Nina spotted two women giving her a shameful glare as he swept her hair over one shoulder and kissed her neck. “There are people staring at us.”

“Just answer the question. Or you can tell me to stop.”

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Scene #3: The Mystery Bells

Author Note: This scene still makes me laugh every time I read it.

Jack pulled off his coat and washed his hands before joining her in the kitchen.

“You’re just in time to whip,” Nina said as he walked up behind her. She turned right into his chest, sending heavy cream running down his sweater, there was a strange jingle coming from somewhere. “I am so sorry.”

The jingles continued as she grabbed a towel while Jack took the bowl.

“It was my fault for sneaking up on you.”

She patted his sweater dry, and Jack made no attempt to stop her. He liked having her close, even if meant having cream soak through his sweater.

“Where is that ringing coming from,” she asked spinning around.

Jack smiled as he grabbed her hips and the jingles stopped. He gave her hips a shake and the jingles started again.

“It’s coming from you. Do you have a piercing you haven’t told me about?” he joked.

“It’s not me,” Nina said, but when she bounced the jingles continued.

Jack reached inside her apron pocket and pulled out a handful of Christmas bells. “Must be a sign.”

“Or more like Angie and Jason.” Nina smiled.

“Those two are sickening.”

“I think they’re sweet.”

“Wonder if you’ll still think that when you look up?” Jack asked as he pointed over her head. Nina’s eyes held the distinct look of terror when she realized she was standing under the mistletoe.

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Scene #2: The Search for a Tree

Author Note: Jack and Nina had many warm moments throughout the book but this was one of my favorites:

“So you think being romantic means being a fool?” Nina asked.

“No. It’s alright for some people.”

“Just not for you?”

“I honestly don’t know yet. I think guys like my dad and Jason act the way that they do because of the women they married. I mean what man in his right mind would coordinate with a dozen different florists, a flash mob, and have an entire street shut down for his wife’s twenty-ninth birthday. That’s not even a major birthday.”

“Yes, it is. It’s the end of the twenties. I thought it was sweet and inventive, and I know Angie loved every second of it.”

“Yeah, but what makes a guy think of something like that?”

“Knowing his spouse,” Nina said. “Jason does those elaborate things for Angie because he knows that she’ll love it. I’m sure in your relationships you did things to make your girlfriends smile or just to show her you loved her.”

“Yeah, but never to that level.”

“Maybe not yet, but someday you’ll meet someone who will change you.”

“You think so?” Jack asked as they circled the lot for a second time.

“I’m certain of it.”

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Scene #1: Nina's favorite Song

Author Note: There were many awesome songs referenced in JINGLE MY WAY, but this one is hands down my favorite. I had so much fun writing this scene , I think I played this song about a thousand times in the process.

Once they were out of decorations, Nina and Jack followed a few of the downtown carolers as they stopped to perform at all of the local shops. They were so festive in their ugly holiday sweaters and reindeer antlers. Nina loved the three little boys singing off-key and turning every song into a boy band performance.

Jack had been clicking away on his phone still searching for her favorite Christmas song. He was down to his last ten minutes.

“You should just give up. You’re never going to guess.”

“Jackson Spears is no quitter,” He hadn’t even noticed he was headed straight for the Salvation Army Santa ringing his bell on the corner.

“Ho, ho, whoa there, Jack,” Santa said.

Jack looked up just short of colliding with the donation bucket. “Hey Bill, you’re just the guy I was looking for.”

“What can I do for you?”

Jack whispered something in his ear. A second later Santa Bill peeked around his arm and waved at Nina.

“I think I could manage that,” Santa Bill said.

“Thanks.” Jack deposited a couple of twenties into the donation bucket, and Santa Bill rang his bell.

“Merry Christmas,” Nina said, pulling some cash out of her pocket. After she placed her donation in the bucket, Jack grabbed her hand with a smug grin.

“What was that about?” she asked.

“You’ll see soon enough.”

They rounded a corner and stopped at a large gazebo, which looked to be closed for the night.

“Aw man, looks like we’re too late. They only turn it on for a couple of hours a night, but when it’s all lit up, this place is packed.” Just then the lights on the gazebo turned on and lit up the entire square. Nina’s eyes widened to take it all in. There were thousands of twinkling white lights covering every inch of it and the largest mistletoe she’d ever seen hanging in the center.

Her favorite song, That’s What I Want for Christmas by Nancy Wilson blaring out of the gazebo speakers rendered her speechless.

“I told you, I never quit.”

She looked up at him in shock. “How…”

“Angie’s a lot nicer in text messages than she is in person.”

Nina smiled until her cheeks hurt. She couldn’t even be upset that he technically cheated. She just kept staring at him. He wasn’t even acting smug about it.

“Shall we?” Jack pulled her toward the gazebo.

“Wait, hold on.” Nina jerked her hand free. “I can’t.”

“Sure, you can.” He reached for zipper of her coat, but Nina stepped back.

“No, I mean, I can’t dance. I don’t know how.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

It was embarrassing, but true. Nina had never danced with a man. Even on her wedding day, Michael said there was no need for a first dance when there was no one but the two of them to witness it. She didn’t want to go down the list of memories and experiences she felt cheated out of because of her husband.

“Then let me teach you.” Jack winked.

“I don’t know.” What if she was a horrible dance partner? She didn’t want Jack to witness that. Her little crush was quickly morphing into something more. She should not have been having this much fun.

Jack approached her. “In that case, I’m amending my prize. Now you owe me a dance.”

“You can’t do that.” Nina smiled as he unzipped her jacket and the sides of her pants.

“Who’s gonna stop me?”

Nina sure as hell wasn’t.

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A Scene A Day :)



In honor of my and Nina's Favorite holiday I'll be posting a new scene or fact from JINGLE MY WAY, which is on sale now.
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