Today’s Wednesday Waypoints features a moment from ...

Welcome to Wednesday Waypoints, a weekly pause to step into a brief moment from my stories. Each post shares a carefully chosen excerpt paired with a few cozy touches that reflect its mood or meaning. It’s a chance to slow down midweek and find a little encouragement rooted in the 1930s world I write.

A fake relationship might keep her safe, but will it break their hearts?

Wisconsin, 1931—Mindy Zahn can’t understand why her parents deserted the family farm, leaving her mute younger sister in her care. Until her mother’s cryptic warning to keep her sister safe becomes a life-threatening task.

Searching for that elusive something to ease his weary heart, Dr. Nick Matrone is drawn to the cheery Mindy. He would never presume to bring such a sweet woman into his beleaguered past, so friendship is all he can offer. Except, he doesn’t expect needing to save her life.

As the danger grows, they both must battle through physical and emotional wounds to have a hope of their counterfeit relationship becoming true.

Welcome to Crow’s Nest, where danger and romance meet at the water’s edge.

Within minutes, she was wrapped up in nursing care. She’d never seen so many people succumb to the heat as they had today. The old timers couldn’t remember the temperature ever getting over 100 degrees. Ever. They all commented on it.

“There was that June in 1910.” One of the older fishermen said later that afternoon as Mindy counted his pulse and Nick used his stethoscope to listen to the man’s labored breathing. “And 1911. Got close to one hundred that year. What Martins said, that the official temperature was 101 … That true?”

“According to both the Weather Bureau and the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries.” Mindy handed the older man a cup of water. “Adaleigh filled me in.”

“Smart girl, that one.” The fisherman coughed, ending on a wheeze. “She’d know.”

Nick wiped his forehead with his cuff. “Never been this hot before? It’s not even July or August yet. No wonder so many cannot handle this type of heat. Doesn’t bode well.”

He said that last bit as a mutter under his breath, but Mindy caught it?. Agreed.

“Seems you are having an asthmatic attack.” Nick looked at Mindy. “Have a waitress make him a cup of strong black tea.”

“Hate that stuff,” the fisherman groused.

“But it will help you.” Mindy tucked her arm around the older man to help him to his feet.

If you’d like to dive deeper into this story, you can find it available now through these retailers and my author shop. Thank you for inviting these characters and their stories into your reading journey.

To complement this excerpt, I’ve chosen a few cozy items that match its mood and theme. I hope this post inspires a moment of peaceful rest in your day and invites a sense of home to carry you through the remainder of your week.

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