Tueday Tales - Word Prompt - "Road" - More of Maggie's Story

Welcome! This week our word prompt is "road." We have more of "Maggie's Story" this week. This time, from John's point-of-view. Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales and the excellent stories there. Thanks for stopping by. 

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“I don’t dislike you, Miss Chadwick,” John said, swallowing.

“You mean you treat your friends like this? Maybe I’m best off not being one of them,” Maggie said, making her way to the bed, and opening her suitcase.

“Pardon me, Miss. I have things to do before dinner. If you’re hungry, cook will make you a snack,” he said, stopping in the doorway.

“Cook? We have a cook?” she asked.

“Of course. Mr. Roberts is a very well to do man.”

“I thought the Missus wanted me to cook. That’s a relief.”

“If cook leaves, it might become your job.”

“Oh. Fine. Please excuse me. I need to unpack,” she said, her hand on the doorknob.

John straightened his shoulders and headed for the kitchen.

“Hmpf. She threw me out! The nerve,” he muttered. He raised his chin. Dislike her? Not exactly. His reaction to her was strong, indeed, but of another sort. Her beauty took him off guard. But he’d been taken for a ride by a pretty face and figure before. No way was he going down that road again.

Still, she had a nice way about her, warm, friendly, with a contagious laugh. He sighed. His job just got harder. Running the Roberts’ home was a fulltime job, without the challenge of keeping his heart safe, and his private parts private. He’d already had his heart and Mrs. Roberts’ ruby ring stolen by the treacherous maid before Maggie.

“Never again,” he said. No way would John Whitfield be taken by a flirtatious look and a pretty face again. This job was strictly business.

But bumping into Maggie in a nightgown and robe at midnight in the kitchen might test his will. John cleared his throat and grabbed a small jar of silver polish. He sat at the dining table, making the silver shine. Cook poked her head in.

“She’s a looker, that new one, isn’t she?”  

“Bite your tongue, Maisie.”  

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TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT - MORE OF MAGGIE'S STORY!

Welcome! This week is picture prompt week. We continue with "Maggie's Story" this week. Thank you for coming. Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. 

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“John will give you a tour and show you to your room. Penn and I have a baby shower to go to and Mr. Roberts has a business meeting. I’m so sorry we’re running out on you.”

“I’ll be fine, Missus. Don’t worry.”

“Get settled in. When I get back, we’ll work out a schedule. If you’re hungry, help yourself to anything in the fridge,” Anne Roberts said. Mr. Roberts held the door open and she wheeled the baby into the hall.

“Come along,” John said, his voice icy. He picked up her suitcase and led her to the back of the apartment, then opened the door to a small, sunny room. “This is your room. You’re expected to keep it clean and tidy. The housekeeper will not do it for you.”

Maggie’s mouth hung open. The charming, soft white room had a bed, small dresser, a wing chair and tiny wood side table. Lovely decorative items perched on the dresser. Maggie wandered over to touch the dried flowers.  

“This is all for me? I don’t have to share?”

“Of course.”

“Oh my. Thanks be to God.”

“Did you hear me about cleaning it?”

“Oh, I did. Indeed. It will be a pleasure to keep such a beautiful place spic and span.”

John put the suitcase on the bed. “Dinner is at six, sharp. We dine in the kitchen.” He turned to leave. Maggie touched his arm.

“A question?” she asked. 

“Yes?” he replied, frowning.

She faced him. “Why did you give me that money?”

“You looked pathetic.”

“Oh.” She bit her lip.

“Is that all?” A tall man, John towered over her. Maggie fidgeted.

“Out with it! I have other things to do today than have a chat with you.”

“Have I done something to make you dislike me?”

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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT IS "STEADY" Another episode of "Maggie's Story".

Howdy do! Welcome. This week our word prompt is "steady." More from Maggie's Story. Don't forget to scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. Thanks for stopping by.

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Maggie threw her meager belongings in the cardboard suitcase she’d brought from home. After stopping to say farewell to her roommates and cousin, she hurried out the door. Worry furrowed her brow. A chauffeur to pick me up. What if they don’t like me? Where will I go if they turn me out? Mum would say, make sure you do a good job. I will, Mum, I will.

  Ten minutes early, Maggie waited in front of the decrepit tenement she’d called home. A shiny, black limousine stopped, and a tall handsome man in a uniform got out, opened the back door and gave a slight bow.

“Miss Chadwick?” He cocked an eyebrow, his gray eyes hard and inquisitive.

She nodded and looked up. “You!” Shock zinged through her. He was the man who had given her the money when she was flat broke. He took her suitcase and placed it in the trunk. She settled into the backseat. The ride was as smooth as a magic carpet.

“I’m Maggie.”

“John,” he said in a perfect English accent.

Staring at the back of his head, she noticed that his light brown hair, worn not too short or too long was expertly trimmed.

“Nice to meet you,” she said.

“Don’t be thinking you’re going to take the Roberts’ for a ride, young woman. They are the most decent sort. I’ve got my eye on you. I’ll be watching. I’d better not find any of the silver or jewelry missing or you’ll answer to me. I nailed the last nanny. She's doing five years for theft.” His sharp tone frightened her. 

She guessed him to be around thirty-five, yet he spoke as if he were older and a member of the family. She laced her fingers and looked out the window. The traffic was heavy, but John seemed to glide through it nice and steady.

Glancing around the backseat at all the unoccupied space, she mumbled, “Size of my bedroom.”  

“What?” John flashed a look in the rearview mirror.

“Nothing. Never been in a limo before.”

“Country girl? How long have you been in the city?” He returned his gaze to the street.

“Long enough.” She pursed her lips into a thin line. I’m not some fool you can seduce and abandon.

Five minutes later, they pulled up in front of an imposing building on pristine Park Avenue. He parked and opened the door for her, all cold efficieny. Then he retrieved her valise and handed it to the doorman. While he tipped his hat to her, his eyes were unfriendly, his handsome face a mask. 

Thanks for coming.  

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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "BOAT" - MAGGIE'S STORY CONTINUES

Welcome! This week we're writing to the word prompt "boat." We have another episode of Maggie's Story. Don't forget to scroll down and return to the wonderful stories on Tuesday Tales. Thanks for stopping by.

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With a heavy heart, Maggie dragged herself into work. It was her last day with Anne and baby Penn. She sighed. As she pushed her cart, weighed down with a boatload of clean towels, down the hall, tears threatened. The Roberts’ door was open. The squeaky cart wheels announced Maggie’s arrival. Anne popped her head out.

“Oh, good! You’re here,” she said, pulling the young woman into the room.

Penn shrieked with joy. The sound of his laughter chased sadness from her heart. 

“We have a surprise for you,” Anne said.

“You do?” Maggie’s eyebrows rose.

Mr. Roberts joined them. He slipped his arm around his wife’s waist.

Maggie’s gaze bounced from one to the other. “What’s up?”

“We have an offer for you,” the husband said.

“Oh?”

“He’s taking too long. Tell her, tell her!” She bounced on tiptoes.

“Why don’t you?” He gazed at his wife with a loving twinkle in his eye.

“Maggie, we want you to come work for us.”

“You’re not in love with this job, are you?”

 “I hate it with a passion. Mrs. Roberts and little Penn are the highlight of my day.”

“Come with us, Maggie. We have a huge apartment. You’d have your own room.”

“And bath. And I’ll double whatever you’re making here.”

Maggie mouth fell open.  “Are you serious?”

“Damn serious,” he said.

“Penn adores you and so do I,” Anne said.

“We have a penthouse on Park Avenue. I own the building. You'll be comfortable.”

“Are you kidding?”

“My wife says you’re the best. How soon can you pack?”

“I can be ready to leave in an hour.”

“Done.” Mr. Roberts shook her hand. Anne hugged her and little Penn clapped his hands.

“Darling, would you send John to pick her up?”

“Of course. Give Anne your address. He’ll be there at six?”

“Thank you so much. I don’t know what to say.”

“Just be ready.” After another look at his watch, he left the room.

Maggie ran from the subway, anxious to be ready on time. She ran into Burt.

“Hey, hey. Where you headed in such a fury?”

“I’ve got me a new job.”

He raised his brows.

“I do. Workin’ for the Roberts family. You know, the lady and the baby?”

“Really? And what exactly are they hiring you to do?”

“Take care of the baby? Clean house? Cook? Whatever it is, I’m damn glad to be doin’ it”

 “I be wishin’ ya luck,” Burt said.

“I owe it to you for gettin’ me in the hotel, Burt,” she said.

“Never mind. It’s your own doin’. You deserve a break, girl.”

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