By Reservation Only | Peggy Jaeger, Author

Here’s another little sumthin’ sumthin’ from the upcoming 11.5.18 release of HOPE’S DREAM (A Deerbourne Inn Novella) This little snippet is a very telling one about the relationship between Hope and her mother, Casey.

Hope had had every intention of telling Tyler she was busy again tonight when he’d asked her to dinner, and if weren’t for her mother’s quick butt-in response, she would have. Instead she’d been forced to agree because she couldn’t come up with a legitimate excuse not to fast enough.

Okay, that wasn’t true either, because she’d been torn between wanting to have dinner with him and afraid of what might happen if she did. It had been so long since Hope went on anything resembling a date she wasn’t prepared for the anxiety pouring through her.

That unease had grown when she considered what she should wear. Her choices were limited since most of her clothes were ski related or T-shirts and jeans for working at the tavern. It had been Casey’s idea to tug the long forgotten sweater set from the back of the closet, bought when Hope was in college, and wear it with a pair of dress trousers she’d purchased ages ago.

Since she hardly ever wore makeup, she’d thought to leave her face clean and clear, her hair pulled back in a casual ponytail. Casey nixed both those ideas, insisting her daughter style her beautiful tresses and at least wave some mascara across her pale eyelashes.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t like to reconsider and go instead of me?” Hope asked, hands fisted on her hips. “You’re more excited about this dinner than I am.”

Casey’s smile was animated and bright—two things Hope hadn’t seen for quite some time. If for no other reason than the look on her mother’s face, she was glad she’d acquiesced to dinner.

“I’m excited for you.” Casey rummaged through Hope’s bag of slim makeup choices. “He’s handsome, pleasant, and it’s no secret he’s into you.”

“Mom.” Hope shook her head and tossed a puzzled glare at her mother. “How do you even know what that means?”

From her seat in the wheelchair, Casey straightened her spine and regarded her daughter with a haughty glare. “What do you think I do all day while you’re at work? I watch enough celebrity news shows and daytime talk shows to be up on millennial-speak. I know who’s hooking up with whom in Hollywood, and what housewife is currently under investigation. I’m a treasure trove of up-to-the minute gossip and hot topics of the day.”

Hope pulled the mascara wand away from her face, stared down at her mother with her mouth open, and then blinked. “Millennial-speak?”

Casey’s superior look turned regal. “You know what I mean. And it’s been way too long, Hope, since you did something other than work and take care of me.”

“I like doing those things.”

“Well, you deserve to have some fun, too. Be spoiled. Be treated like you’re special. This man obviously likes you.”

“He liked the way I skied. And I can’t believe you’re okay with me going out with him when I don’t know anything about him.”

Not necessarily true, her head countered. You know he kisses like a dream, makes your insides feel like they’re free-falling off a mountain ledge, and when he looks at you with such focus and concentration, a sensation of being the only girl on the planet washes through you.

“The definition of what dating is,” Casey said. “To find out about the other person you’re attracted to.”

“I’m not attracted to Tyler.”

Liar .

“I’m not going to even dignify that with a response.” Casey rolled her wheelchair to Hope’s closet. “Now. What are you going to wear on your feet?”

With her outfit decided, Hope kissed her mother’s cheek and promised she’d be back early.

“Don’t cut the date short on my account,” Casey had told her, practically shoving her out the door.