TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "THANKS"

Welcome! The word prompt this week is "Thanks". How appropriate!  We have another episode of "The House-Sitter's Country Christmas." Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. 
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The next morning, Laura wandered around, frowning, and restless. Should she pack up and go to New York, like she always did? Or stand her ground with thankless C.W. and spend Christmas alone, if he didn’t relent? Neither prospect improved her mood. A sudden chirping outside her window drew her attention. The chickadees were standing on the empty feeder, scolding her.

Laura retrieved the bag of bird seed, and went out on the back porch. As she was filling the feeders, Mr. Gladstone appeared. Her elderly, widowed neighbor often stopped to chat “over the back fence” with Laura. Occasionally she’d invite him in for tea.

Poor old creature, alone after so many years of marriage. He had no one to talk to, just like her. That thought brought a frown to her face. She wasn’t any better off, was she? With Craig in the City and her in Pine Grove, she was as alone as Mr. Gladstone.

“Morning, Miss Fleming.”

“Morning, Mr. Gladstone.”

“I see the chickadees don’t approve of your falling down on the job.”

She laughed. “They certainly do not.”

“When are you heading to the big City?”

“New York?”

“You always go for Christmas, don’t you?”

“I have in the past. But not this year.”

“Broke it off with your young man?”

Laura shook her head. Would this mean the end for her and Craig?

“Then why aren’t you going.” The old man certainly was nosy, wasn’t he? None of his darn business, and she’d not tell the old geezer.

“Good reasons. Good reasons.” 

“Sorry. I don’t mean to be rude or nosy, but you always seem so happy about your Christmas trip. Can’t say you look happy today.”

“People aren’t happy all the time, you know.” Her tone was sharper than she expected.

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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "FUDGE"

Welcome! This week the word prompt is "fudge". 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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Laura attended the town meeting. One needed to be there to find out what was going on in town. Which decrepit old buildings were being torn down and which new zoning laws were going into effect? Besides, they always served refreshments afterward. 

That’s when the folks running the town socialized. 

“So, Laura, are you going to get involved in our Christmas Fest again this year?” Jess Lennox poured milk in her coffee.

“Well.” Eyeing the plate of homemade fudge, Laura hesitated.

“Isn’t your boyfriend coming this year? We want to put on a great show for him.”

“I don’t know.”

“What?” Jess cocked an eyebrow.

Laura bit into a square of fudge to stall for time. She sensed a blush in her cheeks. Damn, Craig! The last thing she wanted was to start gossip about her relationship.

“He may have to work.” She lied, taking another bite.

“On Christmas?” Jess stared at her.

“It’s not been decided yet. You go ahead with the plans. Don’t count on Craig being here.”

Yes, that’s right, don’t count on him. Don’t ever count on him, just count on yourself. She swallowed, then washed down her bitter thoughts with coffee. Jess put her hand on Laura’s arm.

“I’m so sorry. Maybe next year. Do you want to get involved? Or would you rather forget it?”

“I want to be involved. It’s my favorite time of the year.”

“Good. I was hoping you’d say that. We’re having a meeting in the library at the B and B tomorrow. Just a half dozen of us, so I’m serving dinner. Will you come?”

Relief flooded Laura. At least someone wanted her. “I’d be happy to.”

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

Welcome! This week we write to picture prompts. This is Craig Banley's townhouse in Manhattan. I continue with his story this week and more of "The House-Sitter's Country Christmas." Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. Thanks for stopping by. 

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“I took the liberty, Sir. The longjohns arrived yesterday.”

Anger heated Craig’s face. “What the hell? When I told you I wasn’t going?”

“I knew you’d come to your senses.”

“You’re trying to control me.”

“Love is controlling you, Sir. And it’s about time. You’re not getting any younger. You don’t want to be a bitter old man living alone.” George opened the package.

“Let me see.” Craig held them up. He laughed. “They’re like those stupid pajamas you put on kids.”

“You won’t think they’re stupid when the thermometer dips below zero.”

“Below zero?” Craig’s mouth hung open.

“Exactly.”

“Is that what it’s going to be in Pine Grove?”

“Could be. It’s happened before.”

“You’re just trying to scare me.”

“Is it working?” Craig caught the gleam in George’s eye.

Craig’s anger melted into a chuckle. “Yes.”

“Good. Forget about the weather, because we have these long johns, for both top and bottom.”

Craig cocked an eyebrow.

“Of course. We want you cozy and warm in Miss Laura’s abode.”

“You mean not freezing my balls off?”

“Precisely. Though I might have put it more delicately.”

“Of course you would. But it’s only us here.”

“I hope you’re going to watch your language in Pine Grove. Miss Laura doesn’t use profanity and I’m not sure her friends would appreciate your swearing a blue streak any time you don’t get your way.”

“You make me sound like a brat.”

“If the moniker fits…”

“George!”

“Kidding. Just kidding. You’re a man who knows what he wants.”

“And he wants Laura Fleming.” Craig examined the underwear.

“And he’s willing to do whatever she wants, right?”

Craig sighed.  “You’ve hit the nail on the head.”

“Come. Let’s decide what else you should be packing.”

“My usual?”

“I think not. I’ve purchased a few flannel shirts and new jeans, Sir. Seems those would be more fitting.”

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

Welcome to Tuesday Tales. This week the word prompt is "howl." Again we have more of "The House-Sitter's Country Christmas." 
Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. Thanks for stopping by.

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West 81^st Street, New York City

Craig stood at the front window, coffee cup in hand. George sat on the sofa behind him.

“We’re going to Pine Grove for Christmas,” George said.

“Nope. Don’t think so.” Craig shook his head once.

“Why?”

“Because it’s going to be freezing. I’ll have to wear long underwear. I’m not doing it.”

“Even for the woman you profess to love?” George cocked an eyebrow.

Craig turned to face him. “It’s not about her. But why can’t she come here?”

“You whine like a spoiled child.” George put down his tea cup.

“It’s a good thing I need you. People get fired for talking to their bosses like that.”

“Go ahead, fire me. Howl bloody murder. Whine, complain and throw a tantrum. It falls on deaf ears.” George pushed to his feet.

“Don’t go.” Craig reached out to grip George’s coat sleeve.

“Why should I stay and watch this, this disgrace. You have the loveliest woman in the world in love with you. And you don’t deserve her. Not for one second.” George ripped his sleeve away.

“You jealous?”

George puffed himself up. “I’ve already had the most wonderful woman in the world as my wife. You’re the one who should be jealous of me. Although she’s no longer here, I have the most exquisite memories.  You can’t imagine.”

“You’re right. I’ve always envied you.”

“Then get yourself together. Buy long johns and start packing.”

Craig sighed. “But…”

“I’m done here.” George left the room.

Craig sighed. George was right. He was always right. Craig knew he had to go, but could he put on a happy face when he was miserable, shaking with the cold, putting up with the hick town holiday routines as hokey as his uncle’s? This might be his biggest challenge.

“George!” Craig called to his assistant. “Where the hell do I find long johns?” 

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