TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "BLACK" - ANOTHER EPISODE OF "THE HOUSE-SITTER'S COUNTRY CHRISTMAS."

Howdy! Welcome. This week we have another episode of "The House-Sitter's Country Christmas." Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. Thanks for stopping by.

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Pine Grove, two weeks before Christmas

A week had passed with no word from either Craig or George. Laura carried her mug of coffee to the picture window in the dining room to watch the birds at the feeder. A titmouse tried to muscle out a chickadee, but the little black-and-white bird stood his ground.

She took a pen from behind her ear and pulled a list from her purse. When Craig balked at spending the holiday at her house, she’d taken stock of the place and found it wanting. What she’d seen as cozy now appeared shabby and in need of repair. Of course, he couldn’t be happy in such a rundown house. He was used to perfection and her farmhouse was way wide of the mark.

With only two weeks until Christmas, could they finish the project? Since Craig refused to join her, did it matter what her house looked like? George had given her hope. She had to at least try to fix up the place. When she returned from New York, she’d contacted her friend, Jess Lennox and her brother, Will, who was a carpenter. The young man could fix or build anything.  

“I need to spruce up my house. Can you do it, Will?”

“What do you mean spruce up?”

“Make it perfect.”

He’d laughed.

“Old farmhouses aren’t meant to be perfect.”

“But that’s what Craig’s used to. How close can we get?”

“In three weeks? I’m not a miracle worker.”

Together they’d made a plan.  

Laura took a sip of coffee as her eyes perused the list. She spoke aloud, though she was alone. She ticked off the completed projects.

“Paint the kitchen. Check. New toilet in both bathrooms. Check. New tile on the kitchen floor, check.”

Chewing on the end of the pen, she looked over the projects yet to be finished. “Fix the front steps. Paint my room. George won’t mind if his room isn’t freshly painted. Oh, dear. I must add, paint the living and dining rooms.” She scribbled the additions.

She sighed. Would there be time? Even with the house looking its best, she still couldn’t fix the fact that it would be drafty and maybe chilly, depending on the weather. Craig wouldn’t be comfortable. Was it worth it to do all this, if he refused to come anyway?

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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT IS "PROMPT"! ANOTHER EPISODE OF THE HOUSE-SITTER'S COUNTRY CHRISTMAS.

Welcome! This week we have another episode of "The House-Sitter's Country Christmas." Thanks for stopping by. Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. 

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Once she hit the street, Laura paused, sucking her lower lip between her teeth. What had she done? She’d blown off Christmas with the man she loved. Damn! 

She never considered herself bad-tempered. Her mother had reassured her she had the sweetest temperament of any of her five children. But since she’d been seeing Craig Banley, Jr., she flared up at the smallest slight.

Her conscience pricked. She’d always criticized him for his short temper, and here she was, stomping around like a regular spoiled brat. She chuckled. Craig had cornered the market on spoiled brats. She’d been working on him nearly a year and he’d improved. What could have prompted her to take on his bad habits?

As she ambled toward Broadway to catch the subway, she recalled his silly concern about how the temperature of her house. He’d put off visiting, taking her to beautiful hotels on pristine North Shore beaches all summer. Or to the mountains. He’d rented a glorious mountain retreat where they had total privacy –at least for ten days, while George took his vacation.

But Christmas was coming, and the holiday in Pine Grove was glorious. She sighed as she pushed through the turnstile. She’d done it. Faced off with him. And now the most stubborn man on the planet had planted his feet firmly and wouldn’t budge. And she’d have to spend the holiday alone.

Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. How could she love such a man? Craig could be sweet and generous to a fault. But he was set in his ways. At the bus station, she found a quiet corner and called George, Craig’s right-hand man.

After fumbling around for words, emotion stole her breath.

“Don’t worry, Miss Laura. I’ll take care of it.”

“Can you, George? You know how he is.”

A chuckle on the other end of the wire gave her hope.

“Indeed I do. And I thought you were wiser.”

“So did I. I don’t know what happened.”

“Don’t worry. Go ahead with your preparations. Craig will be there, if I have to tie him up in a straitjacket.”

“Oh, good. Thank you. Oh! I don’t mean about the straitjacket.”

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TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT - First episode of "The House-Sitter's Country Christmas."

Because I was nearing the end of my urban fantasy tale, I have decided to stop posting that. Watch for news of the story coming out as an ebook, complete with an unexpected ending. 

I'm turning my mind toward the holidays now and writing that much anticipated and late-as-heck story, "The House-Sitter's Country Christmas." I hope you'll stick with me and enjoy this new story. Yes, I started it once before, but there have been changes made. 

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New York City, three weeks before Christmas

“Craig, darling, do you have longjohns?”

“What?” He looked up from his coffee to meet Laura’s gaze. A shiver stole through her at his warm stare. Craig’s handsome looks gave her goosebumps. Every morning she said a prayer of thanks to be in a relationship with the millionaire. It wasn’t his money, rather his gruff, but loving way. Though he’d never admit it, he needed her.  

“It gets bone-chilling cold in Pine Grove.”

“Don’t you have heat?”

“The house is old. I heat it with a wood stove and fireplaces in every room.”

“Really? That’s inefficient.”

“I know. But I love the house. I hope you will, too.”

He’d avoided going home with her for months. Craig Banley was used to luxury and an old farmhouse in Pine Grove wouldn’t provide the kind of lifestyle he enjoyed. But it offered the cozy comfort of a fire, the sights and sounds of nature, and Laura’s companionship.

“Why don’t we have Christmas here?” He sliced a piece of brie.

“Because Christmas is a magical time in Pine Grove. Many things you’ve never seen or done.”

“Yeah, like freezing my privates off.”

“Are you serious?”

“I am. I hate being cold. And heating by fireplace doesn’t cut it.”

Anger stirred in her breast. “I’m going to Pine Grove for Christmas. You’re welcome to join me.” Her tone as frosty as an icicle.

“I’ll see you in the New Year, then.” His expression grew stony.

Laura rose to her feet and flounced out of the room. Always has to have his own way. Stubborn. Refuses to change. She threw her clothes in her weekend bag and zipped it up.

“I’ll catch the noon bus.”

“George’ll drive you.”

“I’ll take the subway. Goodbye.”

“But, Laura…”

She slammed the door in his face.

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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "FUSSY" ANOTHER EPISODE OF "MIDNIGHT IN CENTRAL PARK."

Welcome! This week the word prompt is "fussy." I have another episode of my urban fantasy, "Midnight in Central Park." Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. Thanks for stopping by. 

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Okay, so I screwed up. It’s only a black eye. You should see the other guy. They called the Golds. Jesus Christ, both of them came to school.

“Are you hurt? The nurse said you seem to be okay.” Mrs. G fussed about.

“I’m fine.” I pushed her hand away.

“What the Hell, Jamie. What happened?” Mr. G. always got to the point.

“Nothing. I didn’t like what Robert said. So I punched him.”

That’s me being honest and direct. No good will come of it. The principal gave me a glassy stare, chilled me to my bones. He never liked me or other kids like me, with no homes, or problem parents. I just gave him a great excuse to transfer my ass outta her to some school two hours away. Or send me to some cheap-ass boarding school with convicts. I stared back at him, looking as tough as I could muster with a bloody nose and a black eye.

I would be surprised if the Golds shipped me out for this. If they only knew. Mr. Carter, the gym teacher, poked his head in.

“I saw the whole thing.”

“And what did this boy, Robert say? Did you hear, Mr. Carter?” Ole tight-ass Principal Goodwell asked.

He nodded. I cringed. I didn’t want anyone to know. “He said something like Jamie wasn’t fussy, moving in with a couple of Jews. Pardon me. I’m just quoting as best as I remember.”

The silence got so heavy you could have sliced it with a knife. Principal Dumb-Ass stood up.

“I see. Well, I think we can excuse this this time. Just don’t let it happen again, Jamie. I expect you back in school tomorrow. On time and prepared. That’s all.”

The Golds and I stood up. They shook hands with Dumb-ass and headed for the door. Outside, Mr. G. faced me and stuck out his hand.

“Thanks, Jamie. That was a brave thing to do.”

“Yeah? Well nobody rags on my friends.”

Mrs. G. hugged me. I felt my face heat up. Geez, why did she have to keep doing that? I knew how she felt.

“I made brisket last night. Let’s go home and have dinner.”

“Dinner? One of my favorite words.” I tried to smile at her, but my swollen lip hurt.  

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