TUESDAY TALES - FAMILY

 

Welcome! This week we're writing to the word prompt "family." I have an excerpt from "Someone Like You" that a bit different. It's a scene between Callie Caldwell and her husband Mac. They are having lunch. Kitty and Corey confided in Callie that they think Charlotte should audit Professor Garrett's lit class. 

Callie has taken it on herself to convince her husband, Mac, who is the president of Kensington State University, to let Charlotte audit the class. When Callie makes up her mind to convince her husband, she pulls out all the stops. 

When you're done visit the wonderful Tuesday Tales authors HERE. 

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Callie looked down at her food. “I know how you feel about people sneaking around, not paying for classes…”

“Who’s sneaking around?” Mac asked, raising his eyebrows.

“No one,” she said, quickly. “Corey suggested to me that Charlotte should audit Professor Garrett’s American Lit class.”

“Audit? Does the girl even have a bachelor’s degree?”  Mac finished the shrimp salad.

“Well, no, but…”

“So what’s your point?”

“Would you approve Charlotte Anderson auditing just that one class?”

“I’ll think about it,” he said, moving to the living room. He picked up the newspaper.

Callie had to do something. It was time for summer class registration. If she didn’t get Charlotte approved quickly, the young woman might be shut out. Callie unbuttoned the top button of her blouse. She moseyed over to the sofa and eased down next to Mac. Then she inched closer until they were touching.

“You know, Mac, I don’t ask for much,” she started.

Mac put down his newspaper.

“No?”

“No. And we’re family,” she watched his gaze move over her shirt and stop to rest on her exposed cleavage. She pushed up crushing her breasts against his chest and slid her hand underneath his T-shirt. “You’re still the sexiest man on campus,” she said in a low voice.

“Yeah? Prove it,” he said, grinning.

She swung a leg over his middle, leaned down, then kissed him hard, and swiped her tongue over his lips. Mac reacted immediately. He cupped her behind, holding her against him, and pushed to his feet. He picked up Callie in his arms.

“Shall we take this upstairs?” he asked in a husky voice.

“Will you let Charlotte audit Mark Garrett’s class?” she asked.

He laughed. “Yes. Of course. I already said so this morning when Kitty asked me.”

Callie’s eyes flew open. “Why you! You didn’t tell me!”

“Nope.”

“You’ve been stringing me along?” She said, wearing a mock frown. 

“I haven’t been seduced by you in a long time. Couldn’t resist,” he said, heading for the stairs.

Callie laughed. “You’re still the best.”

“And who am I to stand in the way of Garrett finding true love?”

“Cupid’s got nothing on you,” Callie said, grinning.  

Mac entered their bedroom and nudged the door closed with his heel.

 

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by. If you're so inclined, a comment woudl make my day

TUESDAY TALES - FUSSY

 

Welcome! It's time for Tuesday Tales. This week we're writing to the word prompt "fussy". We have another peek into the mind and heart of Professor Mark Garrett. When you're done, don't forget to visit the other Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE. 

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As beautiful as she was, she wasn’t some delicate flower weak enough to blow away in a strong wind. He noticed how toned her forearms were. And when they danced, he felt muscle, not flab at her waist. She was strong. Maybe she worked out, or maybe she was a physical trainer? He didn’t care. He found her physical strength sexy.

As he came to the end of his drink, he dropped off the glass in the kitchen sink, then retired to his bedroom and got undressed. He got into bed and turned out the light. The dark cloud that had enveloped his heart faded into mist and dissolved. Perhaps being fussy about women had paid off?

When he closed his eyes, all he could see were Charlotte’s, and her dazzling dress. The second their eyes connected, he’d been hit by a bolt of lightning, shooting electricity through his body. Surprise had mixed with delight.

He’d already written off ever falling in love again. Maybe he’d been wrong? Her lilting laughter echoed in his head, and his hand, once again, felt the soft strength of hers. He smiled at the memories, especially her resting her head on his shoulder at their third or was it their fourth dance? He felt alive when she beamed her warm smile his way.

He couldn’t mistake her reaction to his kisses. He chuckled to himself. Yes, being forty-two gave him the experience to know something about a woman, and the confidence to know it had to do with him. Charlotte Anderson was an amazing young woman, and this had been a night to remember.

Thanks all for this week. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment, if you're so inclined. Have a great day!

TUESDAY TALES - PARADE

 

Howdy do! Welcome! This week out word prompt is "parade". We have another snippet from "Someone Like You." But our piece is from the professor's voint of view today. When you're done stop by and read the pieces by all the talented Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE. 

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When he returned to his cozy home, Mark Garrett was anything but sleepy, He paced, hoping to work off his excess energy. Then he made a gin and tonic and flopped down on the leather loveseat in his home office.

Charlotte Anderson. Damn. Heat he hadn’t felt since Nancy died flooded his veins. One passionate kiss and he’d been aroused enough to have taken her right there on her doorstep. Fortunately, he’d regained control.

Beauty and a gentleness he hadn’t seen in a woman since Nancy. Yes, that was it, exactly. Nancy had beauty and a kindness about her. It’s what drew him to her like a moth to a flame. And now he’d seen it again. After the parade of women who didn’t meet his standard had petered out, he’d almost given up hope.

Mark sipped his drink, hoping the alcohol would calm him down. There was simply something magical about that young woman. She drew him in so fast he’d almost lost his head. If he continued to see her, he’d surely lose his heart. They had a date for the weekend. That gave him an entire week to pull himself together and act like an adult, not a lovesick teenager.

He was forty-two years old and had better damn well act like it! She was much younger. Instead of feeling old, her presence made him feel young. Maybe, just maybe, he’d have the chance to become a father? Wasn’t that rushing things a bit?

When Nancy got ovarian cancer, their hopes of being parents went up in smoke. Her illness took front and center. He kept his sadness about not becoming a parent to himself. All her energy and most of his went to keeping her alive for as long as possible. 

When she died, the fact that they didn’t have children tore at his heart. If they had, at least he’d have a piece of her around until his time came. Instead, he had nothing, and no one to grieve her passing with him. It had been the loneliest time of his life. Did Miss Charlotte Anderson represent a chance at a new life for Mark?  

That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by. Please let a comment and make my day!

TUESDAY TALES - PIE

 

Welcome to another edtion of Tuesday Tales and another snippet from "Someone Like You." And yes, he's walking her home and things heat up. 

Don't forget to read the other stories of the great Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE: 

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When they reached the front door of the gracious old house. Charlotte pulled out her keys.

“Well…” she said, slipping her arm out of his and stepping back. “This has been a wonderful evening.”

Mark grabbed her waist with both hands. He stepped back into the shadow of an old oak tree and pulled her right up against him. When she looked up into his eyes, he brought his mouth down on hers for a sweet, gentle kiss. When she didn’t resist, he came back with more passion. He swiped his tongue against the seam of her lips and she opened. The heat his kiss generated almost knocked her off her feet. She leaned against him for support as her knees threatened to give out.  

Then as quickly as it began, it was over. Mark raised his head and stepped back into the light of the moon. He drew a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her lipstick from his mouth.

“I’m sorry if that was over the line,” he said. “But I couldn’t help it.”

“Oh no. No. Not at all. It was… it was…”

He laughed. “Yes, it was. Exactly.”

She regained her footing, and leaned against the building for a moment while the tingling in her body calmed down. She’d never had a kiss like that before. Derek? Well, Derek simply couldn’t compete with Professor Mark Garrett. She had never been that aroused that quickly in her life. Derek was as bland as apple pie -- but Mark Garrett was as tart and provacative as raspberry rhubarb!

Mark took the key from her unsteady hand and opened the front door. He accompanied her up the stairs to her apartment.

“A gentleman always sees a lady to her door,” he said with a slight bow.

Charlotte inserted the key. “Thank you…”

“No, no. I should thank you. You turned an evening I was dreading into a beautiful night.”

“For me, too,” She said. Why couldn’t she find more eloquent words like he did?

That's it for this week! If you like this story and want it to continue, please leave a comment. Thanks for stopping by. 

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.