TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "BLUE" - TOO LATE FOR GOODBYE

 

Welcome! This week we have another snippet from "Too Late for Goodbye", but it's from Jen's point-of-view. I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment! Thank you for stopping by.  Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. 

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Jen hated cleaning up after the kids were in bed, but tonight there had been no other choice. Marty helped with most of the dishes, but had to leave to catch the last bus. She turned on the hot water and scrubbed barbecue utensils and the few pots and pans she’d used for their meal.

A small smile came to her lips as she recalled his dark brown hair and serious eyes. Not terribly tall, not like her husband, but well built. When he took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves to toss a ball with Ethan, she had sucked in air. The garment hugged his chest, which appeared to be impressive. And strong forearms gave her a thrill. Strong arms on a man turned her on.

Two years without sex has rolled by almost unnoticed. Her life thrown through a meat grinder by her husband’s death had been about putting out fires. She still felt Bill’s presence every day and figured she always would.

Friends encouraged her to date, but Jen had no interest –or time or energy. Then Marty came along. Meeting him in Pine Grove took her off guard. She didn’t expect to meet anyone, just hang with The Dailey’s her cousins, and breathe in some fresh country air.

He’d been watching her from the refreshment table, but appeared reluctant to approach her for a dance. Shy men rang her chimes. When Laura Dailey took the children to get brownies, a man who resembled Marty poked him in the ribs and whispered in his ear. When the band struck up a new tune, he ambled over and asked her to dance.

It was a slow bluesy number, with the singer wailing about a broken heart. After the first refrain, she didn’t hear the words. Marty gripped her around the waist and took her hand in his. He smelled so damn good – a combination of a freshly laundered shirt and piney aftershave. Resting her hand on his shoulder, she felt his muscles work. Maybe he had been shy, but he knew how close to hold her without being aggressive.

One dance had become four by the time the children returned. Then he danced with Sophie, which simply melted Jen’s heart.

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