Released November 30th, 2022!
I am so excited to introduce you to the gruff-but-lovable Doctor Rafe Reynolds!
The fourth book in the A Year in Cherrybrook series explores the inner-workings of love upon a more seasoned pair. They are both rich characters, with excellent senses of humour, so I’ve really enjoyed listening to “their” story as it came to me.
About the Story
The clock is ticking! Widowed Dr. Rafe Reynolds will soon be left alone when Ellen, his daughter and favourite backgammon opponent, weds.
Shortly before the Christmas holidays, Ellen and his meddling sister Mary, convince Rafe to let them find him a suitable wife. Rafe reluctantly agrees, but produces a list of requirements and a short deadline. He also insists that love doesn't matter at his age, and ladies who are loud and demanding need not apply.
Mrs. Lavinia Fitzroy, exuberant widow and old friend, is bold, well-connected and entirely uninterested in marriage for herself. She is just the woman to help find the gruff doctor a wife, but finding the perfect match for Rafe proves to be as thorny as winter holly.
One minute everything is going as smoothly as clockwork, and the next, it's gone to the dogs!
Will Lavinia discover the perfect bride...one who ticks all the boxes for the doctor? Only time will tell!
Mood Board + Pictures
ABOVE: This is my Mood Board for "Time Will Tell". Some of you may recognize the swoony "Duke" Wellington (actor Stuart Martin), who kept insisting that he have a hand in shaping Rafe. I couldn't say no! Could you?
Book Excerpt
When they were finished at the drapers, Ellen bounced in and out of a second shop whilst her father had the carriage brought about. Whether out of anxiety that her father would bring up the subject, or out of sheer joyful forgetfulness, she kept up a non-stop stream of wedding chatter from the moment they entered the carriage until they pulled up in front of their house.
Rafe might have chosen to broach the subject and give his daughter a deserved set down for her wildness in the shop, but one step out of the carriage showed that they had unexpected company. Their arrival had been preceded by another’s. A travelling carriage stood in the drive, with horses stomping and snorting. Its door was open and Rafe could see the backside and boots of a maid rummaging about in the carriage box. The driver turned around and lifted his hat to Rafe and Ellen who stood in surprised silence.
Before Rafe could ask who it was that they had the pleasure of receiving, a familiar figure, still dressed in her travelling clothes, appeared on the doorstep of his house and called out to them. Behind her, Rafe could hear his own dogs barking excitedly, and one second later the pair of young pointers shot past the lady and ran helter skelter.
“Rafe! Ellen!” shouted the woman. “This storm is dreadful! I cannot believe that at home there was not a snowflake in sight, yet here you are with a veritable blizzard!”
Rafe wryly considered the skiff of snow that barely covered the toe of his boot. His sister had always been prone to exaggeration. While he was happy enough to see her (despite her deplorable habit of coming unannounced), Rafe took a deep breath, exhaling slowly in an effort to restore his tranquillity.
“Aunt Mary!” cried Ellen, rushing forward.
“Come in, come in!” shouted Mary from the open door. “And Rafe, will you do something about these dogs! Why you persist in keeping hunting dogs in the house is beyond me.You have indulged them far too much! Whoever would have thought you would be the sort to allow such wildness. I am sure I never did.”
“Boys! Williver! Oswald! inside!” commanded Rafe, and the pointers barrelled past him and into the house, nearly upsetting Mary.
He followed Ellen and Mary’s maid into the warmth of his front hall.
Once inside, Martin (the Reynold’s young footman-in-training) and Mary’s maid, Lucy, darted about, pulling bags and boxes out of the way of the incoming people, waggling dogs, and tracked-in snow. After a few more moments of chaotic jostling, Rafe and Ellen unwound their mufflers and removed their winter hats, coats and boots. Rafe called for Belinda, their housemaid, to prepare his sister’s room. Belinda bobbed a curtsy, and after recruiting the help of the reluctant Martin, withdrew to attend her duties. Finally, the hall was clear, and Rafe was about to plant a brotherly peck upon his sister’s cheek when she drew back, staring critically at his face.
“You’ve gone all to whiskers, little brother! You ought to take better care of yourself. Why, you look like a conker! And Ellen,” said Mary, lovingly drawing Ellen to her generous bosom, “for Heaven’s sake, you must speak to Mrs. Thomas about baking more; you both could use some fattening up!”
“Yes, dearest of aunts,” smiled Ellen with a wickedly smug look at her father.
Rafe lifted his eyebrows and waved his hand dismissively. He suggested they all take some time to recover from the weather and their travels in front of the fireplace in his study.
“Not the study, Father.” Turning to her aunt, Ellen said, “Do not mind him. We shall sit in the sitting room. There is a fire lit in it as well, just as warm as the one in the study.”
“As you like,” submitted Rafe reluctantly. “Call Martin for refreshments, Ellen.”
She did as she was asked, calling upstairs to a grateful-looking Martin. He was obviously happy to escape Belinda’s orders, for he looked delighted to be asked for warm brandy, three cups and a piping hot pot of tea.
