TUESDAY TALES - CANDY

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   Welcome to Tuesday Tales!  The word prompt this week is "candy". This week we have another snippet from "Someone Like You."  When you're done reading, check out the other Tuesday Tales stories HERE. 

At one break during rock music, Charlotte excused herself, found Kitty and retreated to the ladies’ room.

“Oh my God, Char. The professor is hot for you,” Kitty said.

Charlotte dug in her purse for a comb and lipstick. “He’s wonderful.”

“Seems like the feeling is mutual.”

“We’re going out to dinner next Saturday,.” Charlotte said, studying her image in the mirror.

“He’s asked you out already?

“Yes,” she said, wondering why she seemed to have a glow.    

That’s fast,” Kitty said. “Hard for him to find a pretty girl who isn’t a student.”

“I guess.”

“He’s sure seems smitten.” Kitty said. “Like taking candy from a babu. Let’s go.”

Charlotte put her hand on Kitty's arm and stopped  her from leaving the lady's room. 

“Thank you for everything. Without you and Callie, I’d be a wallflower hiding in a corner.” Charlotte gave her future sister-in-law a hug. Then the women returned to the dance.

Corey and the Professor stood drinking punch. The women joined them. Mark handed Charlotte a cup. He and Corey talked shop for a few minutes. Charlotte listened, feeling all tingly that the professor stayed by her side as if he had been her date for the dance.

After the last song played, the lights went up and broke the spell. Charlotte frowned slightly to see the harsh lights and the end of the sweet music.

“May I walk you home?” Mark asked.

“Yes. I’d like that.”

After asking where she lived, he opened the door. They went into the cool night air. Mark took her arm and threaded it through his. They strolled slowly in the direction of her apartment, neither appearing to wish to rush the end of the lovely evening. 

That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by.

TUESDAY TALES - GRUMPY

 

Howdy do! Welcome back to another episode of Tuesday Tales and the continuing story of "Someone Like You." Once you finish my snippet, be sure to read the works of the other authors. You'll find them HERE. 

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“I didn’t go to a regular school,” she said, avoiding his gaze. 

He smiled. “Let’s not discuss school. I get that five days a week. Do you like to read?”

Relieved he didn't get grumpy, she smiled. “Yes.”

“Who’s your favorite author?”

Charlotte smiled. “I just finished ‘Main Street’. I’m thinking Sinclair Lewis might be my favorite.”

“Excellent choice. ‘Main Street’ is one of my favorites by Lewis.”

“Do you have any recommendations?”

Mark laughed. “Don’t get me started or I’ll keep you here all night talking about books.”

Charlotte blushed at the thought of being there all night with this magical man.

“Not that I’d keep you out all night,” he said, his words coming out in a rush and his cheeks coloring.

She reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. “I know,” she said, her voice soft.

He slid his hand over hers and kept it there. “You might try ‘Arrowsmith’, also by Sinclair Lewis or “Age of Innocence’ by Edith Wharton, if you want to read only American literature.”

“I don’t have my phone to make notes,” she said. “I left my purse with Kitty.”

“I’ll get your email from Corey. if you don’t mind.”

“No, I don’t mind at all,” she said, smiling.

“Or we could continue this discussion over dinner next Saturday.”

“I’d like that.”

“Good. It’s a date then.”

Before she could reply, the band struck up another slow song.

“Shall we dance?” he asked.

She didn’t reply, but simply stood up and offered him her hand. He took it and led her back to the dance floor.

Please leave a comment. That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by. 

TUESDAY TALES - DISCOVER

 

 Good day! Welcome to Tuesday Tales, where authors write to word prompts. The prompt this week is "Discover." We have another snippet from "Someone Like You."

When you finish my story, hop on over and read the stories by the other authors. You'll find them here. 

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The music stopped. Charlotte took a breath and slowly disentangled herself. Glancing up, her gaze met the professor’s. His eyes glowed. She was close enough to kiss him, but pulled back instead. She needed to slow it down, didn’t she?

The band did a complete turnaround and blasted loud rock music. The professor cringed. Overwhelmed by the decibels, Charlotte instinctively covered her ears.

“How about some punch?” Mark asked, fairly yelling to be heard.

Charlotte nodded. He took her hand and led her to the punch bowl. After filling two cups, he handed one to her and pointed toward the lawn. When they were far enough away from the music to be heard, he spoke first.

“There a bench down here, just over that hill. It’s in the poet’s garden. Okay?”

“Perfect,” she said, following him.

The bench had a back, but was not very long. When they sat down, their thighs touched. Charlotte tried to move away a bit, but could put only an inch of space between them.

They drank.

“So, tell me, did you graduate from Kensington State?” he asked.

Fear froze Charlotte’s blood. Did she dare to tell him the truth that she had not gone to regular college but had taken some carpentry courses and apprenticed with her father? Professor Mark Garrett was a highly educated man. Would he be interested in a woman with virtually no higher education? Probably not, she figured.

“Uh, no.”

“Where did you go to school?” 

She knew he was making conversation, but her bubble was about to burst. Suddenly she got how Cinderella felt when the clock struck midnight at the ball. Charlotte was about to be discovered for her real self.

That;s it for this week. Thanks for stopping by. 

Tuesday Tales - Fall

 

Welcome! This week our talented authors are writing to the word prompt "fall." We have another snippet from "Someone Like You" again this week. We're still at the dance and still in Professor Garrett's POV . 

When you're finished with my story, go on over and read the stories by the other Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE. 

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When the music stopped, he reluctantly dropped her hand. His arm slowly fell from her waist. It had been so long since he’d dated, his mind drew a blank on what to talk about. Fortunately, the band struck up another slow song. When he motioned to her to continue, she smiled and nodded.

This time, as he danced, he searched his brain for discussion topics. Eventually the band would return to fast tunes, which Mark hated, and he’d have to draw her away and into conversation. He settled on one topic and turned his mind back to dancing.

Charlotte was graceful, light as a feather in his arms. She had no trouble following his lead. At one point, she leaned her head on his shoulder. He picked up on her increased intimacy and folded her hand against his chest. For a moment, he shut his eyes. Then there was no one else in the room but the two of them. Heaven.

That's all this week. Thanks for stopping by. 

TUESDAY TALES - CEILING

 

Welcome! This week's word prompt is "ceiling". We have another snippet from "Someone Like You." And we're still at the dance. But this week, we see things from Professor Mark Garrett's point-of-view. When you're done, please stop by and read the other author's posts. You'll find them HERE. 

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A few minutes earlier.

Mark put down his empty punch glass. When the music started, he sighed and gazed at the ceiling. Though it had been sseveral years, he still hadn’t adjusted to being at a dance without his beloved wife.

He went to the school events because he felt it was expected. As head of the department, he had to keep a high profile and participate in the school activities. He had no problem attending sporting events, but social events depressed him. He felt awkward without Nancy at his side.

As the song faded, he turned his head. There, right before his eyes, was a vision. A beautiful girl dressed in a fluid silk dress that clung to her slim figure in all the right places. The colored lights caught reddish strands in her dark hair that fell in loose curls about her shoulders.

Her face was shadowed, but streaks of light revealed even features. Eyes darkened by shadows, invisible from so far away, held mystery. The neckline of her dress was tasteful but still exposed some delicious cleavage. She took his breath away.

She stood next to Corey Anderson. Was she one of his students? His guard went up immediately. He could never date a student. It would be the end of his career. But maybe she wasn’t a student. After all, he hadn’t noticed her around campus, and he would have noticed a woman who looked like her. Corey leaned over and spoke to her. He had to find out who she was, because if she wasn’t a student, she might be the answer to his prayers.

He picked his way through the crowd and stopped in front of Corey, who made the introductions. When they shook hands, he was struck by the softness of hers. He didn’t want to let go, but did so when he realized he'd held it a bit too long.  

His first question was about her status. When he heard that she was thirty years old and not a student, his heart almost leapt out of his chest.

Then the band played a romantic, slow tune. He asked the lovely Charlotte to dance and she accepted. Her perfume teased him. He couldn’t believe his luck. Corey’s sister! 

As he took her in his arms to dance, his pulse kicked up. His fingers pressed against the smooth silk of her dress. His arm encircled her small waist with ease. Unable to resist, he drew her closer, hoping she couldn’t feel his heart racing. This would be a night to remember!

That's it for this week. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "STUBBORN"

 

Howdy-do! Welcome to Tuesday Tales. We have another snippet from "Someone Like You." And, yes, it's more of the scene at the dance. I hope you enjoy it. When  you're done, please visit the other Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE. 

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The music stopped. Feeling a touch wobbly, Charlotte reached for her brother’s hand. Unable to tear her gaze from the professor’s, she watched him thread his way through the crowd and head in her direction. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She flashed hot, then cold, then hot again. She squeezed Corey’s hand hard.

“Ouch!” he said, ripping his hand from hers.

“He’s coming this way,” she whispered.

“Hi, Dr. Garrett,” Corey called out in a confident voice.

Staring directly at her, Professor Garrett got close enough for her to smell his aftershave. “Hi, Corey. Who’s this?” he asked.

“This is my sister, Charlotte. Char, Dr. Mark Garrett, head of the English Department.” Corey made the introductions.

Dr. Garrett offered a strong hand with long, slender fingers. Barely able to breathe, Charlotte took it. His grip was warm, dry, and firm but not punishing. When he held her hand a second or two longer than required, she tingled all over. She almost lost it when he ran his thumb along the back of her hand. Charlotte silently thanked Callie for stubbornly insisting she slather lotion on her hands every night until the leathery woodworker skin became soft and feminine again.

“So nice to meet you,” Mark Garrett said.

Grateful to be able to speak at all, she uttered, “Yes, Same,” in a breathy voice.  She watched the professor’s gaze travel up and down her length, stopping a moment longer here and there. She sensed a blush stealing up her neck into her cheeks and prayed it simply made her look healthy.

“I haven’t seen you around campus. Are you a student here?” he asked.

Charlotte laughed. “Oh no. I’m thirty. I have a job. Corey and Kitty invited me.”

“Oh, I see,” he said, his smile growing wider.

The music started up again with a slow dance number.

“Would you care to dance?” the professor asked, offering her his hand.

“I’d love to,” she replied, allowing a full smile to light up her face. As she moved onto the dance floor, she noticed Kitty shoot a quick look at Corey and grin. 

Mark slid his arm around her waist and folded his hand around hers. Charlotte felt weightless, as if she were floating. Were her feet really touching the floor? She couldn’t feel it. 

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment if you have a minute. Thank you. 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "LEAFY"

 

Welcome! It's time for Tuesday Tales again. After taking a break for a week or two due to other oblidations, I'm back. And we have another episode of "Someone Like You." This week we actually make it too the dance...yes, I know, the part everyone has been waiting for! Once you finish my snippet, mosey on over to the other writers and read their terrific stories. Find them HERE. 

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It was a warm night in June. The school dance took place on the back patio and lawn near the cafeteria. Charlotte parked her car, opened the door and got out carefully. Still a bit wobbly on the high heels Kitty had insisted she buy, she picked up her linen jacket and smoothed down the skirt of her dark teal silk dress. The skirt was full, but hung softly about her body, perfect for dancing, Callie had pointed out.

She grabbed the small white satin purse, locked her car and proceeded slowly to the venue. Music greeted her as she picked her way up the uneven path. A gentle breeze swayed the leafy trees shading the path. She inhaled the scents of spring.

“Spring might be my favorite season,” she mumbled to herself.

“Charlotte! There you are!” It was her brother, Corey, and his fiancee, Kitty. He grabbed her elbow and ushered her onto the dance floor. After pushing her brother away, she took a step back and gazed across the room.

Soft colored lights gave off a romantic glow. The music was soft and slow. Most of the dancing figures appeared in shadows. She raised her gaze to the other side of the dance floor and caught her breath. Standing alone by the punch bowl was Professor Mark Garrett. He looked tall, lean, and cool wearing a dark suit and a striped tie.

Her hands trembled and a zing shot through her body. Was he not the most handsome man in the room? Charlotte didn’t know because when he turned his head and made eye contact with her, the rest of the people in the room seemed to disappear.  

 

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by.