If you're a writer, you know how hard it is to cut scenes from your novel. For those who aren't writers, there are lots of reasons why scenes need to be cut. One reason is they slow down the action. The scene I'm going to share, I liked very much, but for some reason it didn't fit with the way that section of the book was going. I thought it was giving away too much information about Seth's character too soon. When I read it now, I think I may want to put it back.

Let me set the scene. In "The Space Between Time," there is a timeline in the present, with Jenna. Her life is shattered all in one day. When she goes home to Roseburg, Oregon to recuperate and clean up the house she inherited from her mother, she finds journals written by her 3 times Great-grandmother, Morgan. When she sits down to read them, she enters her Great-grandmother's life for long periods of time, then she reenters her life in the present. This scene takes place in the past. I hope you enjoy it.

The next day Seth and Aris helped Morgan move into the hotel. Not that there was much to move, but they helped with the boxes of books and school supplies the Women’s Auxiliary had gathered. After everyone was gone, but the three of them, Seth gave Morgan his volume of Ivanhoe along with a slim volume of poetry. “I hope you can use these,” he said as he pressed the books into her hand.
“Oh, Ivanhoe. How lovely.” tears came to her eyes again. “I wonder if I’ll ever stop crying.” She looked at the other book, “And poems by Spencer Edward Enderley. I’ve heard of him but never read his work. I’ll take good care of them.”
“Keep them as long as you need them.”
“You’re very kind, both of you. I hope I can repay you one day.”
“There’s no need. We’re your friends and friends stand by each other,” said Aris. “Now don’t push yourself too quickly. It will take a few more days until the drug is completely out of your system.”
“I promise I’ll rest.”
“Good. I’ve got to go now. Send for me if you need anything.”
“I will. Thank you.” Morgan hugged Aris. Then turned to Seth
“I’d best be going too,” he said. “I’m just across the street.” They hugged each other for the first time.
“I’m glad I have you two.”
At that moment, Seth envied the openness with which the Americans expressed themselves. He wanted to say so many things to Morgan. Yet, they were stuck in his throat.