The Word is Love
Lucky in life but unlucky in love, Lucy Greenfield owns a successful carriage business along with her best friend Max, and they have never been busier since their shire horses gained fame from their roles in the hit movie A Little in Love.
Too busy for romance, Lucy is surprisingly swept off her feet when Spencer arrives seeking help with his horse, and something more from Lucy. As quickly as Lucy falls, she wonders if all is not as it seems. Max can prove it, but that means he will have to express his true feelings for Lucy.
Relationships are strained as secrets unravel, and Lucy needs to solve the riddle of words to best describe how she feels… For her best friend.
Together, they must overcome what’s keeping them apart before it’s too late, if they are going to realise that the word they are searching for is love.
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Author Bio –
I was born in Coventry but now live in Nuneaton. I married the love of my life over 20 years ago and we have two almost grown up children. We share our lives with two mad dogs as well.
Writing is a great passion of mine, that one day I hope to be able to turn into a career but until that day comes, I will continue working in accounts and payroll.
Social Media Links – @KeelingFlorence
EXTRACT
The main trope for this book is friends to lovers. This extract is from the first chapter where Lucy and Max have returned from a wedding with their horses Topsy and Tim. I love how this extract gives a glimpse into their friendship.
Max arrived in the stable yard with Tim just after Lucy. She shut the bottom half of the door and headed back to the trailer to lead Topsy out and into her stable next door. At seventeen hands high, her withers were the same height as Lucy’s five-foot eight frame, but Topsy was the gentlest of souls and allowed Lucy to back her out of the trailer and trot her into the stable without the least bit of fuss.
On dry days, Topsy and Tim would usually be let out into their field but with a summer storm on its way, all but the hardiest of the yard’s inhabitants had been brought in to stable. All except Oscar. Oscar was sixteen hands of pure Welsh Cob, black as night and with a temper to match.
‘Time for tea, I think.’ Max popped his head through the top of the stable door. ‘Tim’s all settled. Johnny got the others in at lunchtime like we told him to, and he’s got himself off home. I’m bloody starving.’
‘Do you think she needs a light rug on?’ Lucy was always unsure of whether the horses and ponies needed rugs to keep the chill off.
‘She is a Shire who lives out most of the time. It’s August, not January.’ He ran a hand through his wet hair, his brown eyes sparkling with laughter.
‘I know.’ Lucy agreed. ‘But I’ll be getting my fleecy onesie on when I get in, regardless of the bloody season. It’s freezing.’ She gave Topsy a gentle tap on her rump before stepping back outside through the door that Max was holding open for her, pulling her hood up against the rain as Max bolted both parts of the door.
‘Race you,’ he challenged. Max set off, full sprint, with Parker barking and running excitedly just in front of him.
‘The trailer!’ Lucy called after Max, reaching for his outstretched hand. He assured her it was closed and he’d check once the rain died down.
They ran together up the path towards the house. The grey stone walls looked gloomy against the dark sky, but warm lights shone from the windows. Max and Lucy almost fell into the room at the back of the house that served as a dumping ground for riding boots, coats, hats, and the odd bit of tack.
‘I’m so glad to be out of that rain.’ Lucy shrugged off her coat, hanging it up on one of the metal hooks before sitting down on the wooden bench and pulling off her boots. ‘Oh, that feels good.’ She wriggled her toes.
‘Well, you’d have been home before the rain even started, if you’d have listened to me in the first place.’ Max teased her, doing the exact same thing with his coat and boots.
‘You can’t resist, can you?’ She joked, for she knew he was just trying to goad her. ‘Always know best.’
‘I haven’t been wrong yet.’ He smiled.
‘One day.’ She threw her boot at him.
‘Oi.’ He swerved out of its way. ‘That could have hit me, you know.’
‘That was the intention.’ Lucy laughed, reaching to unclip the blonde ponytail that was attached before ruffling out various pins and clips. Her natural, short blonde hair was left in a scruffy, spikey style. ‘I can’t believe I left that on for so long.’
‘Why do you wear it?’ Max asked. ‘Your hair suits you perfectly well short.’
‘It’s what’s expected, isn’t it? In the film, the groom had long blonde hair, so me turning up with short spikes gets a few looks.’ She stood up and stretched, arching her back. ‘That was a long drive.’ She shot Max a warning look.
‘I wasn’t going to say a word.’ He held his hands up in mock surrender.
‘Come on, you two.’ A female voice called from the kitchen. ‘Tea is on the table and it’s getting cold. I expected you home hours ago.’
‘Evening, June.’ Max called as he walked through the door and into the kitchen. ‘I’ve been back a far while, but Lucy here chose a different route.’
‘Hi, Mum.’ Lucy said, ignoring Max’s jibe. ‘What are you doing here?’
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