I am participating in a really fun blog hop with all sorts of fun date night ideas! Here is a date night idea from my newest small town romance, Love Lights the Way.
My main characters, Ben (the town's new policeman) and Karissa (a high school teacher) are going to go snowshoeing and then come back to Karissa's house for her specially-made hot chocolate. Sounds so cozy, right? But there's an unexpected visitor and Ben makes a little confession so everything doesn't quite go as planned. Sometimes the road to love isn't smooth, but it's always worth it. I hope you enjoy it!
Here's a little excerpt from the book:
She
glanced over at Ben. “You sure you’re ready for this?”
For
the first time since he’d gotten out to talk to his visitor, he smiled. “Ready
or not.”
They
got out of the car and Karissa showed him how to put the snowshoes on. It had been
years since anyone had used her dad’s snowshoes, but she’d been careful to take
good care of them. A tiny part of her had worried that it would hurt to see Ben
use them, but when they fit perfectly on his foot it felt like her dad was
giving his approval in a way. Yet, there was still the issue of Ben’s past. Was
he stuck there? She didn’t know, but she
wasn’t going to allow any of that to ruin the afternoon she had planned.
With
the pack firmly on her back, the snowshoes on their feet, and poles in hand,
they started forward. Ben was stepping gingerly, getting used to the feeling.
They walked for about fifty feet until the snow got a little deeper. “You doing
okay?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
He looked over at her. “It’s not as weird as I thought.”
“You
thought it would be weird?” She laughed. “Like how?”
“Like
walking on water or something. I just wasn’t sure how it all worked.” He looked
up at the sky. “It’s magical in a way. Like we’re supposed to be sinking into
this snow, but we’re on top of it all.”
“Isn’t
it great?” There was no feeling like it. “Nothing but the snow, the sky, and
hearing your own self think.”
They
walked side by side until they got to some trees where the path narrowed. Ben
dropped back to let Karissa lead the way. The conditions were perfect---not too
hot or cold, the snow not too soft or packed. She led them to her favorite
viewpoint, undid her snowshoes, then sat down on the large rock that overlooked
the valley. “Ready for a break?” She put her pack down and opened it. “I
brought you a protein bar.”
He
undid his snowshoes as well, then sat down next to her and took the offered
snack. “Thanks. I had packed a few things, but forgot to grab it again after my
unexpected visitor.”
“It’s
fine.” She gave him a sympathetic smile and offered him a water bottle. “Got to
stay hydrated.”
“Okay,
I’m feeling woefully unprepared,” he said with a frown. “My CO would have put
me on KP duty for a week or something.”
“Well,
you could make me dinner again if that would make you feel better.” She laughed
and nudged his shoulder. “Besides, I invited you, so it’s only fair that I make
sure you’re taken care of.”
“Thanks.
I just wasn’t expecting you to do that. I’ll figure out a way to return the
favor.” He unwrapped his protein bar.
“If
you want, we can just count the shwarma. That stuff was amazing.” Unless he
meant he wanted to return the favor by taking her out on a date. That would be
different. Maybe she shouldn’t have said anything.
He didn’t comment and
they sat there finishing up the protein bars while watching the view and
sipping their water. “It’s so peaceful up here,” he commented. “It’s perfect.”
She
agreed. “If you ever need to come up here without me, feel free. I’m sure Mr.
Green won’t mind.” She could feel a frustration in him, an anxiety that hadn’t
been there before. Maybe being up here could soothe that.
He
shoved a hand through his hair. “I’m probably really bad company right now.”
“Hey,
it’s okay. Everyone has rough days.” She took another sip of her water. “I was
serious yesterday, though. If you ever want to talk to me about something, it
won’t go any further.”
He leaned his arms on
his knees and bent his head to look at her.
Have you ever been snowshoeing? Did you love it?
If you want to read Ben and Karissa's story (and see how their date ends!) you can get your copy HERE
Click HERE to go to tomorrow's stop on the blog tour.
Here is the full schedule of date night ideas if you want to take a peek. Happy Romance Month!
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 Aminata Coote
aminatacoote.comFB Page: @aminatacoote
https://www.facebook.com/AminataCooteClick
HERE for Aminata's Dating Excerpt Blog Post
Thursday, February 6, 2025 R. F. Whong
ruthforchrist.comhttps://www.facebook.com/ruth.wuwong?_rdrSaturday, February 8, 2025 Corilyn Holloway
https://corilynholloway.substack.com/FB Page: @corilynholloway
https://www.facebook.com/corilynhollowayMonday, February 10, 2025 Julie Coulter Bellon
http://www.ldswritermom.blogspot.com/FB Page: @authorjuliecoulterbellon
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieCoulterBellonTuesday, February 11, 2025 Angela Ruth Strong
angelaruthstrong.comFB Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/strongreadersFriday, February 14, 2025 Heather Wood
https://heatherwoodauthor.wordpress.com/FB Page:
heather.wood.author https://www.facebook.com/heather.wood.authorSaturday, February 15, 2025 Amy Walsh
https://walshmountainpublishing.comFB Page:
https://www.facebook.com/walshmountainpublishingTuesday, February 18, 2025 Mishael Austin Witty
https://www.mishael.siteFB Page:
https://www.facebook.com/share/19urSTQFyo/?mibextid=wwXIfrWednesday, February 19, 2025 Maria T. Henriksen
https://www.mariathenriksen.comFB Page:
@mariathenriksenhttps://www.facebook.com/PurpleNchocolateThursday, February 20, 2025 April Kidwell
www.aprilkidwellauthor.comFB Page: @aprilkidwellauthor
https://www.facebook.com/aprilkidwellauthorFriday, February 21, 2025 Temperance Johnson
https://www.temperancejohnson.com/FB Page: @temperancejohnson
https://www.facebook.com/temperance.johnson.3
