A #BookHook Delete Scene from Summer's Growth by @AuthorTinaGayle #MFRWauthor

I love doing the Book Hooks with #MFRWauthor.

I spent a lot of time with this book.

In some ways, it is a book of recovery. I started writing it after my mom died and some how talking to the spirits in the book made me feel better.

Remember this is not perfect because it is not in the final book.

“I’ve decided I need to move on, get out, travel, meet new people, do something different.” Mattie thought the reason sounded plausible, even if it wasn’t true. Saying the family council kicked her out wouldn’t do much for her ego so she swallowed her own lie.

“Are you going to start dating?” Henry peered over his glasses. He’d spent a full hour trying to talk her into staying as lead trustee.

Surprised by the question, Mattie wondered where it came from, “I might.” Not that she’d seriously considered it.

Henry grinned and pushed his glasses farther up on his nose. “Well, I know a number of men who’d be happy to hear you’re joining the singles scene.”

“Who?” Mattie couldn’t believe there were any men in this town that would be interested in dating her, much less marrying her.

“Bob Busby, for one, he asks about you every time I see him.” Henry offered, pulling a notepad forward.

“The man has been married three times.”  Mattie pictured Bob in her mind. The image of the short, round, balding man didn’t please her.

“What about Judge Spears?  He’s been asking you out at every trustee meeting for the last five years,” Henry suggested.

“No way, the man is old enough to be my father.” Mattie patted the tight bun at the back of her head. “I think the likelihood of a man being interested in me at this stage of the game is slim.”

“Well, there’s always Quincy Miller. You know I always thought you two made a great couple back in high school. I bet if you went back to the gypsy style of your youth. He’d be tempted.”

Mattie’s heart skipped a beat. Just the thought of Quincy’s brown eyes made her want to melt. “I think he has enough other women vying for his attention.  He won’t have time for me.”

“Well, I think, you’d better be prepared for a few propositions. You’d be a nice looking woman, Mattie if you let down your hair. Sandy’s always saying that with your trim body and fat bank account, you should be married. And she's right, you should…”

Mattie interrupted, thinking about Henry’s wife. “How is Sandy? I don’t think I’ve seen her in a few years.”

“She’s fine.”  He returned to his prior subject.  “You know, lots of men out there see you as a great catch.”

“You make me sound like a big mouth bass.” Mattie laughed, “but as a clever fish, I don’t plan on being hooked.”

“All right, but be warned.”  He picked up his pen. “I looked at your file.  It shows that initially you had Brent Masterson named as your replacement, then Josh Clarkston. Who have you decided on?”

“Neither,” Mattie stated.

Henry glanced at her. His eyes narrowed, his face turned serious, and he leaned back in his chair. “Okay, tell me who.”

Taking a deep breath, Mattie moved to the end of her chair and began.

Hope you enjoy and are looking forward to the release this Friday.

Tina