Nita gives Ava a big hug. “I’m so glad you and your heroes could make it. They’re great!”

A commotion on the front porch delays Ava’s reply. Nita and Ava move to the open window to observe. A tall, dark cowboy towers over a petite woman in a velvet traveling gown circa 1860.

The cowboy’s deep voice carries to them. “You’re not going. It’s not safe.”

“I am going, and you can’t stop me.” The young woman is not at all intimidated.

“Damn it, woman. Why do you have to be so stubborn? There’s a werewolf in there!”

Nita glances over at Hector, a smile forming on her lips.

The stubborn woman scoffs. “Oh, for goodness sake, Reynolds. It’s a party, not an Indian camp. Surely you can protect me.”

A frustrated groan rumbled from him. “I told you, I ain’t goin’.”

The woman smoothes her hands over her skirt with a sigh. “Nita’s expecting us. If you want to stand out here on the porch, you do that. I’m going in.”

The door opens and Nita moves to greet the newcomers. She hugs the woman and smiles at the cowboy. “Ava! Everyone! This is Dr. Adelaide Jennings and Joshua Reynolds, the characters from my historical western, THE WAGONMASTER.”

The men in the room rake their gazes over Addie with an interest that agitates Reynolds. He steps closer to Addie and wraps his arm around her waist as he glowers at the men from beneath the rim of his hat. He seems completely unaware of the appreciate looks he’s receiving from the many women present.

Nita tries to break the tension. “Thank you for coming to my blog party, Reynolds. I was worried you might not show up.”

The handsome wagonmaster gives Nita a quick nod. “Addie insisted.”

Nita smiles and whispers to Ava. ”He’s always been a man of few words.” Returning her attention to the couple, she offers refreshments. “Why don’t you take Addie over and introduce her to some of the other guests. Adelle is here. And Julie, Renee, and Anne. Dozens of our friends want to meet you. Have some champagne.”

A frown darkens Reynolds already somber face. Nita quickly interprets his displeasure. “Champagne for Addie. There’s a bottle or two of that whiskey you’re so fond of on the bar. Maybe you can share it with Hector, Tristan, and Llaw.”

A sexy grin plays about Reynolds’ lips. “I knew I liked you, Nita.” He ushers Addie over to bar.

Before Nita can get a refill on her own champagne a commotion at the open door demands her attention. A tall, auburn-haired man enters holding the hand of a stunning platinum blonde woman. She’s petite with big blue eyes and puts you in the mind of a sprites and wood nymphs.

Nita smiles at her characters from HOW FAERIE DUST IS MADE. “Conall! Aisling! You’re late. I expected you sooner.”

“Aye, lass. ‘Tis quite a trip from 4th century Eire. Took a wee bit longer than expected.”

Aisling waves shyly. “Dia duit, Nita.”

Another very tall man enters behind them. He’s a golden blond, Irish decendent of Viking settlers, but he has the same startling blue eyes as Aisling. Nita smiles. “Breandan! It’s good to see you.”

He shakes his head. “Aye, I’m here.”

His less than pleasant demeanor baffles Nita. “Is something wrong?”

Two women follow him in. One has long, raven black hair with green eyes. The other is tall with red hair and warm brown eyes.

Nita nods at the darker female. “Brighid. I trust you had a safe trip.” 

She shakes her head. “‘Twas fine. But I wish she had stayed behind.” She glares at the redhead.

Nita sighes. “Hello, Fionna. I’m glad you came.”

Brighid moves to cling to Breandan’s arm, pressing herself to his side.

He frowns at her and takes a deep breath before his potent gaze finds Nita again. “Would ye finish me story, please?” He looks to his left at Fionna. His eyes tell everyone in the room how he feels about her.

Fionna offers him a small smile before speaking. “Aye, Nita. I want me happily-ever-after.”

Nita nods. “All right. I’m off next week. I promise to work on it then. In the meantime, why don’t all of you go over and introduce yourselves to the others. Have some champagne.”

Just as Nita reaches to close the door, she finds another couple standing on the front porch in a sizzling embrace. The young woman looks like the average southern girl in a pair of jeans, but the incredibly sexy man is wearing kilt.

Nita laughs at Aidan and Katie, her characters from THE DREAM, a short story from IN THE GLOAMING, An Anthology of Faerie Stories. “When you two get a minute, I’d like to introduce you to everyone.”

The tall Scotsman waves Nita off without breaking the kiss that’s obviously turning Katie to mush. Nita sighs and closes the door.

She turns back to Ava. “They’ll come in eventually. Come on. Let’s get some more champagne and mingle until Renee blogs tomorrow.”