Fiction Fragment Fridays

I wanted to try something different with the blog (not just because I've run out of blog topics for the moment). I may alter this name a bit, but in the spirit of alliteration, let's go with Fiction Fragment Fridays! What I'd like to do is to encourage people to share a fragment/segment of their #WIP that they are particularly proud of. It can be a line or a couple of paragraphs. It's a chance to share something you're working on, potentially receive some feedback (constructive only, please!), and maybe make a connection with a beta reader or critique partner. The goal here is to connect and build a community. You can either post the fragment into a comment or link to a larger body of work, whatever you prefer! And don't feel like you're limited to fiction/stories. Feel free to share poems, essays, etc. This is a judgment free zone!

Below I've included a snippet from my second manuscript which is a second chance romance inspired by the legend that cardinals are visits from lost loved ones.

A familiar figure hopped across the deck, flitting through the snow as it came closer to the door. It flew up onto the glass table, and cocked its head at her. It seemed to be waiting for her to do something, though what, she couldn’t imagine. The cardinal looked so beautiful against the wintery backdrop, a warm red hue against the cold white, that Lanie felt compelled to take a photo. As she raised her phone to snap the picture, the bird looked directly at her. Just as she captured the moment, a text message appeared on her screen.
    Noon at Bea’s. See you then.
    Her eyes raised back to the cardinal, which had hopped off the table, its black eye fixed on her. The bird bowed its head in what Lanie could only describe as a nod before it flew off the deck and out of sight. She shook her head in bewilderment. 
    Birds don’t nod, Lanie, she admonished herself. Yet, even with that attempt at reassurance, she couldn’t help feeling unsettled. There was something about that cardinal, she couldn’t put her finger on it, but it felt familiar. A sudden image of her earlier dream flashed before her eyes, and Lanie had a sinking feeling the two were somehow connected, no matter how absurd that seemed.