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Savannah Scott Romcom Author

Chapter One of Winning the Single Mom’s Heart

January 19, 2021 By Patty Leave a Comment

19 Jan

Chapter One

Madison

Valentine’s Day always reminds me of Jake. Thoughts of him flit across my mind like a slide show as I stand at our kitchen island helping my six-year-old, Olivia, assemble cards and candy for all the kids in her kindergarten class. Scissors, glue, markers, heart confetti and scraps of red, pink, and white construction paper cover the countertop.

“I don’t even want to give one of these to Brock. He pulled my hair last week at recess and he called Ellie, Ellie-belly-you’re-so-smelly,” Olivia tells me as she stuffs a glittery card and a roll of smarties into an envelope and turns it over.

“And before you tell me,” she continues, “I know we have to be nice to our enemies. But you should see him. He’s pushing it, Mommy.”

I hide my grin. My girl has an indomitable spirit.

“Well, you’re right,” I tell her. “Some people can be mean, but we need to be the bigger person. I’m glad you’re still giving him a card.”

“Even if he is a Brock-head,” she answers, looking at me from under her long lashes with that spunky gaze.

I give her the mom eye that says watch it, missy as I smile at her.

“I know. I know. No name-calling,” she relents. “I didn’t say it to him. Just you, Mommy.”

My sister, Savannah, walks in the kitchen carrying two bags of groceries.

“Looks like Cupid had a full-blown party in here, y’all,” she says.

“We’re just finishing up and then we’re heading to bed, right Princess Bug?” I remind Olivia.

She puts on a slightly pouty face, but only for a moment.

“Want me to help you get groceries from the car?” I ask Savannah.

“No, darlin’. I’ve got ’em.” Even though she relocated to California five years ago, Savannah’s southern accent remains strong. I guess mine does too, but I don’t hear it like I hear hers.

Olivia and I finish assembling her cards and put them all in a bag in the front hallway near her backpack to take to school tomorrow. Once she’s tucked in bed, I tidy the kitchen, gathering the scraps of paper and wiping all the random confetti and glitter from the counter and floors. I head into the living room to collapse on the couch. Savannah’s got some home improvement show on. I pick up my phone and see a text from my best friend, Danae.

Danae: How are you holding up?

Madison: I’m fine.

Danae: I know this week can be hard on you.

Madison: I miss him more on days when I’m forced to think about all he is missing out on, but I’m pressing through it.

Danae: Want to talk?

Madison: Thanks, but I’m pretty wiped out. I’ll just see you Thursday.

Danae: K, love you

Madison: Love you too.

I set my phone back down, convincing myself I don’t need to scroll social media to see post after post of happy couples. I turn my eyes to the TV as I grab the throw blanket off the back of the couch and wrap it around my legs. My mind drifts to the first Valentine’s when Jake and I were in high school.

The door to our tenth grade World History class opens as five students enter announcing, “We’ve got a singing telegram for Madison Reeves.” I sense the blush rising in my cheeks. My heart hopes it’s from Jake, but so far, he seems oblivious to how I feel about him. He’s comfortable in the friendship we’ve had since third grade when he moved into our neighborhood.

I’m pretty sure he thinks of me as just one of the guys. The group of students walk toward me as all my classmates point to me. They gather around my desk and start singing Truly, Madly, Deeply by Savage Garden. I dare to look around during the song and catch Jake staring at me. I force myself not to look away from him and he gives me the slightest nod as a small grin travels across his face.

My whole life shifts in that moment. He sent this telegram. He wants more with me.

“Hey, are you okay?” I hear Savannah’s question as I wipe a stray tear off my cheek.

“Yeah. Just thinking,” I answer her as she gets up from the love seat and comes over to me.

She sits next to me and pulls me into her arms. “It’s not always going to hurt like this, Maddy.”

“I know. I just wish he could be here. Olivia’s getting so big. He’s missing all of it.”

Savannah pulls me into her arms, and I rest my head on her shoulder as I tuck my legs up under me. We sit there quietly as she wordlessly comforts the empty places in my heart. I allow steady tears to flow, even though I’m afraid the reservoir of grief won’t drain regardless of how often or hard I cry. It’s been over six years and the pain sometimes feels as acute as if it’s only been six days.

* * *

Our morning routine basically runs itself during the school year. The smell of coffee drifts upstairs from the pot that automatically turned on fifteen minutes ago. Savannah’s long gone by now to the news station. She’s on the morning show and has to be out of the house by 3:45 a.m. every day to get to work by 4:15 a.m.

Olivia jumps into my bed like clockwork. “Gooood morning!” she says in her dramatic way. She has two settings: asleep and fully awake. I’m more of the give me an hour and I promise I’ll be nice after coffee type of person, but for my daughter’s sake I force myself into premature cheeriness.

“Are you excited for Valentine’s Day?” I ask.

“Duh,” she answers.

“Duh? … Since when do you say duh to your mom?” I tease as I roll over and tickle her sides while she giggles and twists all over my bed.

“Okay! Okay!” she laughs. “Yes, ma’am.”

“That’s more like it,” I tell her with a smile and a little wink. “Now let me get up so we can shower and get dressed.”

Even though we don’t live in Georgia anymore, I’m partial to the manners I learned growing up. California tends to be way more casual, so it’s a bit like I’m swimming upstream having Olivia say yes ma’am and no sir and insisting she call adults Miss or Mister, but I’m sticking with it anyway.

We climb out of my bed and I follow her to her bathroom to shower. When we moved into this house, we put Olivia in the master bedroom at the opposite end of the upstairs, so she has room to play and later to study in there. She basically showers herself these days in the master bathroom only needing my help to shampoo her hair. It blows my mind how quickly she’s gaining independence.

We eat breakfast and I pour my second cup of coffee into a travel mug. Olivia grabs her backpack and bag of valentines and we leave for school.

I’m finishing my credential to be an elementary school teacher. In the meantime, I work mornings at Olivia’s school as a teacher’s aide in one of the fourth-grade classrooms. Three afternoons a week I stay after lunch to work in the front office. 

Olivia and I park in the employee lot at the side of the building and walk in together. She leads the way to her classroom, pausing occasionally to say either, “Hurry up, Mommy,” or “You are slower than molasses in winter.”

Once she’s at the door to her classroom, she turns to me. “Have a great day!” Then she gives me a quick hug and bounds into the room without seeming to give me another thought.

I watch as she hangs her backpack and joins a group of children sitting around a table. I hear their bubbly conversation floating out into the hallway as the door shuts behind me.

The morning at school flows like usual, with the exception of the giddy energy the kids have anticipating their end-of-the-day Valentine’s party. Normally on Wednesdays I go to the office right after lunch, and Savannah picks Olivia up for me. Today, I’m in the classroom all day.

At the sound of the last bell all the students line up to either get on their busses or wait for parent pick-up in the carpool lane. I walk them out and leave them with the yard duty in charge and then return to help Mrs. Gibbons clean up from our class party. The janitors will be in later, but we still want to get the decorations torn down and tidy up a bit.

“Do you have any plans this evening?” Mrs. Gibbons asks me as she pulls down the last red heart off the wall.

“Just a quiet dinner with Olivia and my sister.”

“Hmmmm.” She hums thoughtfully.

“You?”

“No. Ever since George passed away, I’ve spent Valentine’s Day evening going through old photos, thanking God for what we had, remembering the good times, and … well … that’s what I do.”

I get the sense she sheds tears during her solitary Valentine’s nights, but I don’t press.

“You’d be welcome to join us for dinner,” I offer.

“Oh, thank you, dear. No. Honestly, I’m looking forward to reminiscing.”

I take the stack of decorations from her desk and place them in the Rubbermaid tub on the chair.

“May I be a nosy old schoolteacher?” she asks.

I nod.

“Have you considered dating yet? I know it’s complicated, and our situations are so different, but you’re so young.”

I don’t know what to say. Lately I have been noticing men again. She’s not wrong. At twenty-eight years old, I am still young. But I always experience a little pang of betrayal when I am attracted to someone else. In my head I know I should consider the option at some point. Maybe.

“I haven’t met anyone worth changing the status quo,” I tell her.

“Well, I won’t press you. Just don’t shut the door to the option.”

I change the subject to tomorrow’s history project about Abraham Lincoln. I need space from thinking about the potential of opening my heart and life to another man.

We finish the last bit of cleanup and Mrs. Gibbons locks the classroom door. In the parking lot we go our separate ways.

The whole drive home I think about what it would be like to date. How would it even work with Olivia in the picture? Jake was my first boyfriend—my first everything. I can’t imagine someone taking his place.


Want your copy of Winning the Single Mom’s Heart to read the rest of Madison and Michael’s Story? You can. Click here to get your copy for 99c. 


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About Patty

I write to encourage your heart, feed your soul, and give you wisdom for your life. Motherhood is my passion. I've been married to my surfer/skater husband for over 20 years.  We have two boys and a home full of neighbor kids most days.

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Yep. You heard that right. I have a reader group Yep. You heard that right. 

I have a reader group on FB. And I pop in there a few times a week. And the readers love one another and even pop in there when I’m not there. ❤️

We share books, humor, and encouragement. ❤️

And, today I read for six minutes on a “come as I am” LIVE VIDEO (in my ball cap and flannel shirt with no makeup … because that’s what I’m looking like today). 🤪❤️

I read a section from Brooks’ prologue which is from when he and Gabriela first met (three years ago) at the engagement of Aiden & Em (from Townshipped). ❤️

It’s a scene that sets the tone for the insane chemistry between Brooks and Gabriela in Cruiseshipped. There’s banter and humor. And it’s me, reading. ❤️

Wanna hear it? 

Hop over to Savannah (Patty) Scott’s Sweet Reader Group on Facebook. Ask to join. I’ll let you in. You’ll love this sweet group of readers. ❤️ 

And then find a cozy spot and curl up for a little story time. With heart. And heat. 😉😂❤️ But clean. Always closed door. Always. 

All my links, including the link to my FB group, are in my bio! ❤️

#savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #cruiseshipped #cruiseshippedbook #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #readaloud #authorreading #bookexcerpt #romcomreadersofinstagram #bookstagram #sweetromance #sweetromcom #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom #authorlive #bordeauxohio #bordeauxohioforever #cruiseshipromance #shipboardromance #smalltownromancebooks
Welllll …. Here it is!! One month. The shortes Welllll …. Here it is!! 

One month. The shortest month of the year (you’re welcome), until this sweet baby is in Amazon and KU. 

I’m smitten with the cover, and I hope you are too!

We’ve got … 
🐄 the small town of Bordeaux Ohio
💍 Memaw and Bill’s wedding 👵🏼 👴🏻 
🛳️ a cruise
🌴 the Caribbean
🎉 shenanigans
💃🏻a sassy, bold, Puerto Rican MFC 
🔥 a hot fireman
💋 hotter kisses

Mark your calendars … or go preorder. 
March 1st — CruiseShipped. 
Put the Bon in your Voyage! 

And, meanwhile feel feee to catch up on the series with any of the other books. All stand-alone reads. All on KU … and the first three are out in audio. 🌊❤️🛳️🥰

#coverreveal #bookcoverreveal #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #closeddoorromance #romancereadersofinstagram #romcomreadersofinstagram #romcomreaders #bookstagram #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio #bordeauxohioforever #forcedproximityromance #cruiseshipped #cruiseshippedbook #newrelease #authorreel #amwritingromcom #firemanromance #firemanromancereads #vacationromancebooks
#wipwednesday Can I tell you how excited I am to #wipwednesday

Can I tell you how excited I am to show you the rest of this cover? 

My sister outdid herself on this couple. And between @gigiblume and my sister and me, we got the background and fonts just the way I wanted them. 

Trust me. This cover is EXACTLY how I pictured Brooks and Gabriela. It has the vibes of their relationship, and the characters look exactly like I imagined them. 

So many hours go into designing a cover. My sister and I spend hours “fishing together,” as we call it. That’s the time we hunt the internet for a couple in a pose we want to use as a template for the couple’s stance. 

Then she or I (or both of us) will look for images of models online who look like I imagine the characters looking. 
This part is harder than it sounds. I have a very specific idea of each character.

In the meantime, I figure out what element of the story should be the background. Gigi and I hunt for line-drawing images that seem like what we’re looking for. Then we draw out our concept from there. Sometimes I do a rough draft. Sometimes Gigi does. Then we build on that initial concept. 

When my sister finishes her illustration of the couple (after hours of work on her part, and multiple passes by me for input), she sends me the illustration of the couple. 

Gigi places the couple over the background, adds the title and my author name, and then we tweak placement until we’re all happy. 

And, today, we’re all happy with this cover for CruiseShipped! 

I’ll be doing a full reveal tomorrow or Friday!!! 

#coverreveal #romcombooks #sweetromance #sweetromcom #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom #amwritingromance #amwritingromcom #savannahscott #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio #bordeauxohioforever #bookcoverdesign #newrelease #ilovemyreaders #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries
Ahhhh! These two!! The chemistry between Brooks + Ahhhh! These two!! 
The chemistry between Brooks + Gabriela made it hard for me to keep them apart at all. Whew! ❤️🔥

And even though this is #WIPWednesday , this is not actually still a WIP … sort of. 

The last words were written on Jan 23. CruiseShipped is with my story editor … soon to come back to me. 

And … this week … you’ll get: 

✅ a cover reveal! 
✅ ARC Team Sign-Ups
✅ Bookstagrammer Sign-Ups

I always love the current WIP most. It’s just a thing with me. But, honestly, this book has heart, chemistry, banter, deep friendships, culture, travel, and forced proximity, all with a happily ever after that will leave you smiling. 

#cruiseshipped #cruiseshippedbook #gettingshipped #hettingshippedseries #newrelease #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #romcombooks #sweetromcom #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom #romcomauthor #amwritingromance #amwritingromcom #bordeauxohio #smalltownromance #beachromancebooks #travelromance #forcedproximityromance #puertoricanstories
This is a meet not-so-cute. Of course, Grumpy Gr This is a meet not-so-cute. 

Of course, Grumpy Grant couldn’t have a meet-cute. If there’s such a thing as a meet-crabby, this is it. 

I never knew I liked writing grumps. Grant was so much fun to write. The contrast between him and Jayme—with her optimism and spunk was delightful. 

And Grant’s daughter Fiona added so much to the story. Jayme takes Fiona on as a tutor. Of course, this means she has to see Grant many times each week. 

And it means she gets to know the man behind the broody exterior. 

Do you love grumpy/sunshine trope? 

#teasertuesday #tuesdayteaser  #doctorshipped #doctorshippedbook #gettingshipped #gettingahippedseries #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio #smalltownromance #ohiolove #singledadromance #grumpysunshine #grumpysunshineromance #romcom #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom #sweetromcom #bookstagram #bookishcommunity #newrelease #romancereadersofinstagram #romcomreadersofinstagram #ilovemyreaders #singledadromance
#romcomauthor #amwritingromance
#amwritingromcom
This is not how it’s done. You don’t share a This is not how it’s done. 

You don’t share a book that won’t be out til summer in late January. 

But… I finished writing CruiseShipped on the 23rd. And I’ve had a week to recuperate from that massive project. I’ve plotted (loosely) the next series that will come after Getting Shipped. 

And I’m ready to step forward. This book was NOT in my plans. But, enough of you asked for Chris’ story that I gave it some thought. 

And Chris, in his chill, reserved, alpha way, asked for his story to be told. And the gal who falls for him (reluctantly) asked for her story to be told. 

So … here we go. I’m starting work on this book—the last book in the series that literally changed the trajectory of my career as an author, built a town so many of us wish were real, and brought us laughs and tears and HEAs. 

Ripped & Shipped … the story of an ex-military man and the woman who helps him move forward … hopefully coming in June. 

But, yessssss! CruiseShipped comes first. March first. And if my story editor is right, you are going to LOVE Brooks & Gabriela’s story. 

ARC signups open this week. Squuueeeeee! ❤️

#rippedandshipped #workinprogress #amwriting #authorlife #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #mysterymfc #militaryromancebooks #smalltownromancebooks #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #closeddoorromance #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio #bordeauxohioforever #romanceloversofinstagram #romcomloversofinstagram
80s night 💜💕 80s night 💜💕
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