#i LOVE their friendship group so much!!! zeke taking the group pic

[aurorangen]

Satisfying our pregnancy cravings by going to the Spice Festival after work! Also, say hi to Zeke who was in the area too!

In the end, Renee made it through the spicy dishes and won the challenge! Everyone else suffered from the spiciness though. Renee bragged to Zeke about being the champion and then brought up Robbie because she knew they were friends through Connie.

Honestly, she wanted to hear how her brother was doing; both hadn't kept in touch now or initiated any conversations. "Well," Zeke chuckled, "Robbie is just Robbie, isn't he? He's been busy with work, but he's cool." They then leaned in to share a secret, "I promise things will get better between you two. Y'know, since dating he's not as cold as before," Renee did not expect that answer.

Complete the spicy curry challenge ✅

[jrob64]

Sowing Seeds of Trust (Sneak Peek)

Here’s a sneak peek from the first chapter of my new story. I have six chapters ready to post, which I plan to start doing by the end of January. 

Story Summary: Emma Swan is a young woman without a family, friends, a home, and now a boyfriend after he tries to pin his crime on her. When she goes looking for help from a local charity at a church, she ends up meeting a group of people, including a handsome blue-eyed man, who offer her friendship...and a whole lot more. 

Thank you to the moderators of CSJJ. I look forward to this event every year, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it for the first time!

Thanks also to my wonderful beta @hookedmom​; @xsajx​, who has been a second reader to make sure everything is consistent; @kmomof4​, for her feedback on the pic set; & the ladies on Discord for all the helpful work sprints. 

And here’s a sneak peek for the pic set I created for this story (which includes a picture of my own dog, Zeke!) You’ll see it at the top of every chapter.

*********

Emma Swan stuck her thumbs under the worn straps of her backpack and heaved a sigh, then murmured, “They’re not gonna help you, Emma. Why would they?” She had a habit of talking to herself, since she had no one else to whom she could talk. At nineteen years of age, she had no family, no home, no real friends and now, no boyfriend. 

When the possession of stolen property charges against her were dropped due to lack of evidence, the officer who had originally arrested her recommended a charity organization run by the church which was across the street from where she was currently standing. He had realized that she would be on her own since Neal was incarcerated for stealing a car, and told her that she’d be able to get a little food and some warmer clothing here. She couldn’t really risk shoplifting so soon after being released from jail, so she decided to take his advice. 

She was glad that witnesses had come forward to say she hadn’t been the one to actually break into the car and hot-wire it, which contradicted the statement Neal had made. The look on his face when he accused her of being the thief to try to clear himself, told her that he’d been lying when he said he loved her. She’d been stupid enough to believe him, and to fall in love with him too, and now she’d gotten her heart broken. 

She should have known better than to put her trust in him. All her life, she’d paid the price for trusting the wrong people. Now, as she rubbed her fingers over the swan key fob she wore on a chain around her neck - the one Neal had stolen for her - she strengthened her resolve to build the walls higher around her heart. 

She stood on the sidewalk for a few more minutes, watching the people outside the church bustling about. They were all dressed simply in jeans and hoodies, but she could still tell that she didn’t have much in common with any of them. 

She shivered and yanked the cuffs of her own worn and faded sweatshirt down over her knuckles. Even in North Carolina, it was chilly in early November. 

“Are you here to help?” a voice asked, causing Emma to jump. The person who had spoken was standing right beside her and took her by surprise. She was usually very aware of her surroundings and other people who happened to be in them.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you!”

She turned to look at the owner of the deep, accented voice and found herself face-to-face with a very good-looking man who appeared to be just a few years older than herself.

He smiled kindly and offered his hand. “Killian Jones, at your service. I assume you’re here to volunteer?”

She eyed his hand warily, then finally reached forward to briefly shake it, barely touching it as she did. “I...I was just...w-watching,” she stuttered. Then an idea crossed her mind - maybe if I volunteer, they’d be more likely to help me. “Um, would it be okay if I did?”

His grin got wider. “Of course, we can always use more help! Let me show you around, Miss…”

Emma hesitated for a moment. She didn’t usually like people to know her name, but if she was going to be working with him, she’d have to give it sooner or later. “Uh, Emma. Emma...Swan.”

“Okay, Swan. Come with me.” He walked on ahead of her, and she fell into step behind him.

Killian strode up to a petite woman with short dark hair. “Hey, M’s! This is Emma Swan. She’s here to volunteer today.” He turned to Emma. “This is Mary Margaret Blanchard. She’s the organizer here and she’ll give you your assignment.”

“Hi Emma, it’s nice to meet you! I’m so happy you’re here!” Her smile was wide and genuine. 

“Uh, thanks,” she said uncertainly. 

“Where’s Dave?” Killian asked. 

“He’s on the other side of the building, helping set up the pet adoption area. I’m sure he could use some help.” 

“Right, then. I’d better go show him how to do it!” he chuckled. “See you at lunch, M's. You too, Swan.” He turned and headed around the side of the church. 

“Um, lunch?” Emma asked. “We get lunch?”

“Of course! We can’t let you work here all day without feeding you!” Mary Margaret assured her.

Emma subconsciously licked her lips. She hadn’t had much to eat since she was released from jail two days ago. Actually, she hadn’t really minded being incarcerated for eleven days. At least she’d had a cot to sleep on and three meals a day. 

“What made you decide to volunteer today?” Mary Margaret asked, tapping Emma’s name into an iPad. 

“Oh, uh, someone told me that you do good charity work here, and I just...I thought it would be nice to help,” Emma lied, not wanting them to know that she was the one who needed help.

*********

Please let me know your thoughts, and if you’d like to be tagged or taken off the tag list when I start posting. 

Tagging: @csjanuaryjoy​ @katie-dub​ @ohmightydevviepuu​ @lassluna​ @pirateherokillian​ @hookedmom​ @xsajx​ @kymbersmith-90​ @kmomof4​ @teamhook​ @stahlop​ @elizabeethan​ @whimsicallyenchantedrose​ @resident-of-storybrooke​ @therooksshiningknight​ @jennjenn615​ @lfh1226-linda​ @ilovemesomekillianjones​ @killianswannn​ @stories-enchanted​ @eleveneitherway​ @girl-in-a-tiny-box​ @withheartfulloflove​ @kday426​ @lyssapup27​ @swanlovato​ @kaoslikesstuff @djlbg​ @kristi555​ @laschatzi​ @xarandomdreamx​ @lkles08​ @wyntereyez​ @bubblegum1425​ @xhookswenchx​ @yasbio2015​ @tiganasummertree​ @winterbaby89​ @winterbythesea​ @wefoundloveunderthelight​ @hollyethecurious​ @let-it-raines​ @jonesfandomfanatic​ @searchingwardrobes​ @dreamingdreamsalways​ @oncechicagolove​ @andiirivera​ @vvbooklady1256​ @gingerchangeling​ @everything-person​ @klynn-stormz​ @qualitycoffeethings​ @vampcoffeegyrl23​ @enchanted-swans​ @cassy1511 @ohmakemeahercules​ @donteattheappleshook​ @bluewildcatfanatic​ @the-darkdragonfly​ @demisexualemmaswan​ @lavenderbudd​ @grimmswan​ @spartanguard​ @flslp87​ @ultraluckycatnd​ @sarahpaq08​