Let Me Tell You About is a series of blog posts introducing you to some of my favorite, and staple, characters in my books.
Nate Jenkins is the very first hero of the Sunnydale Days series. I told his story in All That's Unspoken and he's appeared (though sometimes briefly) in every book since. He felt like the perfect character to start this series with. So...
Let me tell you about Nate Jenkins:
He is a resilient, multi-talented man whose life is defined by his deep devotion to his young daughter, Lori. A former high school basketball standout and gifted artist, Nate chose to set aside his "grandiose plans" for a life of quiet responsibility in his hometown of Caseville, Michigan.
• Multifaceted Talent: While he works as a cook and business owner, Nate is also a skilled artist who uses sketching and glassblowing as a way to bleed his emotions or dissolve his stress. He was also a talented athlete, though he quit his college basketball team to provide for Lori.
• Compassionate: Despite his past hurt, he remains a good guy who is well-liked in the community. He is quick to help Hailey when her father, Bill, suffers a medical emergency, proving he is reliable in a crisis.
His Greatest Desires:
• Providing a "Sanctuary" for Lori: Nate’s primary goal is to provide Lori with a home of their own where she can have a horse. He specifically wants to lease the Lambert farm because the space would allow Lori to ride daily, which helps improve her speech through hippotherapy.
• Connection and Truth: Hidden beneath his defensive exterior is a desire to understand why Hailey Lambert—his high school crush—fled town eight years ago without a goodbye. He eventually discovers a desire for a "do-over" with her, hoping to see if they can build a future together.
• Personal Peace: Nate uses his art to find inspiration and peace, seeking to rediscover the passion that used to exist in his work.
His Greatest Fears:
• Abandonment: Nate carries a deep-seated belief that he is the kind of guy women easily leave, a fear forged by Hailey's sudden departure years ago and reinforced when Lori’s mother abandoned them.
• Hurt for His Daughter: He fear Lori will experience the same pain of abandonment that he has. This makes him extremely cautious about letting Hailey back into their lives. He worries about Lori becoming attached to her only for Hailey to return to her "big-city" life.
• Financial Inadequacy: Nate constantly worries about his ability to afford the life he wants for Lori. He frequently refigures the budget and worries he won't be able to squeeze enough money out of his earnings to pay for the farm lease and a horse.
• Vulnerability: He uses his defensive walls to protect himself and Lori from the rest of the world. He fears that jumping in headfirst with his feelings for Hailey will lead to another shattered heart.
Nate is one of my favorite characters because of his unwavering self-sacrifice and devotion to his daughter, his friends, and the community as a whole. (In later books, it becomes clear that many in Caseville look to Nate as a friend and a sage who can help them.) He has a vulnerable emotional core and while he hides behind his defenses in All That's Unspoken, Through the rest of the Sunnydale Days series and the To Protect and Serve series, we see he is not afraid to express those feelings and stand up for others when they are getting a tough-break by the small town.
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