Hi, readers. It’s rare that I precede a fiction episode with a personal note, wanting your reading experience of the story to flow with few interruptions. But I’ve reached a critical point—in story and life—where a bit of commentary will be beneficial for both of us.
This novel was not complete when I started sharing it here and still isn’t (as of July 2026). Or at least, it feels that way. Getting eyes on chapters has been/is a way to hold myself accountable for getting the writing done, and that’s helped me in magical and unexpected ways. Still does!
And it’s brought about a major milestone. While working on this story, my vision—not only for my Kent Creek characters, but for my writing practice as a whole—is finally more fully formed; it feels harmonious, solid. My approach to writing, the direction I’m going as an author, both are much clearer, and that feels so satisfying!
I share this now to thank you for your patience, for sticking with me, and also to give you a heads-up about some upcoming changes to Gina’s Quill, so you aren’t surprised or confused. Everything here will remain and I’ll continue to share fiction and nonfiction, just as before. But there’ll be some reorganizing, new graphics, and a different name.
This will happen gradually and it will be messy for a bit. It’s all toward the greater aim of giving my characters more space in which to live right alongside my research diary and my explorations into the magic of creativity.
This also means an overhaul of my website, a major time-suck and the cause of my recent delay in posting. But here is the next episode for you! (I’ve already decided that another scene must happen between the previous episode and this one—IYKYK—but that will come in the rewrites before the book is published!)
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading and commenting. Your presence here keeps me going.
Big hugs,
Welcome to Episode 28 of DANCING AT THE ROYAL JADE, a 1960s serialized historical novel. Just getting started? Jump to: Episode 1 | Full Story Directory | Companion articles in THE MAILBAG and RETRACING ASHEVILLE
Recap: Episode 27, An Invitation. Monday, April 15, 1968. The morning after a restless night, Gwen drags herself to work nursing a pounding headache—and a growing dread of Grant's predictable Monday visit. But an unexpected appearance at the Chamber changes everything, leaving her caught between plans she never should have made and an invitation she's not sure she can accept.
Episode 28: Between Yes and No
Tuesday, April 16, 1968
Gwen stifled a yawn as she sorted the Chamber’s morning mail. Nate had gotten to her apartment last night late, just as he’d warned—morning, really, after 2 a.m. She smiled recalling his handsome image at her door, leaning on the jamb, another single yellow rose in his hand.
Those green eyes melted her. Visibly exhausted from dealing with the chaos caused by the break-in, he didn’t stay long. She evaded the question of the Wednesday dinner invitation, never giving him a yes or no. Damn, she was a coward.
He hadn’t pressed her about it though, just reminded her it was there if she wanted to go. Why was he being so patient with her? She didn’t understand why or what his attraction was to her, but his persistence was flattering.
Sitting side-by-side on her couch, they had both enjoyed the relaxed conversation. Recalling his visit now, though, an uneasiness surfaced that she hadn’t felt before. Seeing him in the middle of the night like that—it felt . . . deceptive. Like they were hiding.
Not on purpose, though. No. His work schedule was unusual, sure. And the incidents of the last few days—the break-in, the mess—he’d had to deal with it all. So late like that, after his work, had been their only chance to spend time together. At least so far.
Now, how to decline his invitation to The Green Tree? She wish she didn’t have to. But there were so many reasons she couldn’t accept.
She ripped the letter opener through the top of another envelope. Dammit. Why hadn’t she dealt with Grant once and for all? Carter and her family had inflicted this relationship with Grant on her. She hadn’t chosen him. But she hadn’t pushed him away either. Would they stand by and let her do that? Doubtful.
She kept twisting up like this . . . her thoughts bouncing from pleasant daydreams of Nate to chiding herself for not getting Grant out of her life and then panicking about her family’s reaction once she finally did.
Around 11 a.m., the Chamber door swung wide. Think of the devil and he appears. She dropped the letter opener into her top drawer and stood.
Grant removed his cap as he strode toward her. “Frank’s wife is in labor again.”
For real this time?” she asked.
“Seems so.” He dropped into her side chair. “Sheriff tagged me to cover his shifts the next few nights.”
Her ears perked. “Tomorrow too?” She turned to straighten random items on her desk so he couldn’t see her face.
“Yeah.” He sat up tall. “Sorry. But this isn’t optional. If I don’t do it, it might affect my chances.”
He’d talked about the new position that would open up soon when an older detective retired. Grant had made it abundantly clear to everyone that he would do whatever it took to get the title and the raise.
“Better do it then.” Her words may have sounded a bit too eager.
He didn’t respond at first, just slumped in the chair and sighed. “I’ll do something special to make up for missing our supper tomorrow.”
She grabbed the stack of folders on the corner of her desk and swiveled her chair to stand. “Not necessary.”
He rose with her and, face-to-face, their eyes locked for a flash. Her shoulders tightened. When she turned away, he reached for her arm, stopping her. “Sure it is.” He grinned, but his voice had a hardness in it that both troubled and annoyed her.
She glanced at his hand just above her wrist. He released his hold immediately.
“No,” she said calmly. “It’s really not.”
His brow wrinkled. “What’s up with you?”
Dorothy eyed them from her position behind the visitor’s counter. This conversation had the potential to go sideways, and this wasn’t the place. “Nothing.” Gwen plopped the folders back on her desk and shrugged, attempting to lighten the air. “Goodness knows, we’ve missed plenty of planned meals over the years. You don’t have to make it up. ”
His expression relaxed, but suspicion still lingered in his eyes. “I guess I”—he cocked his head toward the door—“better get back.”
She lifted her chin in acknowledgment and gave him a weak smile. Once he left the building, she felt lighter and her thoughts zipped directly back to Nate. She could accept that invitation now. Or could she? Her breath caught as she considered the possibility. They’d just begun to know one another. What if he saw this as just a nice evening with a friend? No, his flirtations had been subtle, but obvious. What the hell was she thinking? This couldn’t happen. Not in Kent Creek. Her family wouldn’t tolerate it.
Minutes after Grant left, Nate appeared. Gwen’s heart raced as he crossed the big, open room toward her. Loud enough for Dorothy to hear, he said, “Jeff wanted me to check with you about something.” Dorothy muttered several words Gwen couldn’t make out. Maybe, “Good thing”?
Gwen reigned in her eagerness. She wanted to stop Nate right there in the middle of the room and scream, “I can go!” Instead, she followed his lead. “Come sit and I’ll pull your file.” She led him to her desk, feeling like a silly high schooler with a crush.
As they sat, he sighed heavily.
“You’re still tired?” she asked.
“Mm, yes.” He breathed deeply again. “Lots of broken bottles. They strewed my files all around the office. That’s been the worst of it.” She was about to ask if she could help when he leaned close and whispered, “We’re making reservations for tomorrow night. May we count you in?”
We?
He detected her confusion and added, “Jeff and Hugh Howell, one of the DJs. They’ll be joining us.”
Gwen remembered Nelson mentioning the disc jockey who did the afternoon show on WJAM. Her brother-in-law liked him.
Nate continued, “Hugh’s wife Sondra is coming too.”
That got her attention. With Nate’s boss and a few others coming along, she and Nate wouldn’t be alone. She ached to say yes.
“I’ll pick Jeff up first,” he continued. “Then we’ll come for you. Hugh and Sondra will meet us there.”
He’d thought this through. Intentionally or not, he was making it easier for her. The camouflage of the group would be safe. If anyone in her family called while she was out, they would assume she was with Cheryl. If they learned differently, well, it was just a bunch of friends having a meal together. Hopeful, she asked, “How will you get away from the club?”
His sister Renee was waitressing there, and she would open for him, he explained.
With Grant being called in to work Frank’s shift, he was no longer grounds for declining Nate’s invitation, but she and Nate both knew this town and her family gave her plenty of reasons for not going. She wondered if Nate was testing her somehow. He didn’t seem to be the kind of person to play those sorts of games, though.
“Well then.” She swallowed hard. “It’s a date.”
Was it really? By inviting others was he sending her a signal that this was just a casual, friendly get-together? She’d never know unless she went.
“Splendid. I’ll tell Jeff.” He stood and started to leave, paused, and turned back. “I’m looking forward to it.”
She didn’t care if Dorothy heard this time. “Me too.” She strode beside him to the door, aware of an impulse to slip her hand into the crook of his arm. She ached to see him alone again. With Libby still gone, perhaps he’d suggest another visit after the club closed tonight.
When they reached the door, he leaned in to whisper. She felt the rise of anticipation in her cheeks. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow then,” he said. “Six o’clock?”
She tried to hold her smile, mask her disappointment. “Sure. See you then.”
Next Episode —> Coming Soon!
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