TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "BARE"

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is "bare". Hmm, lends itself more to a spicy story, doesn' it? But it also fits into my sweet historical, "Sarah's Dilemma". So here's the excerpt. Don't forget to read the other stories by talented authors. Find them HERE.  

Comments are always welcome. Thank you for stopping by. 

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Sarah nodded. She rose from the bed and snatched her shawl off the chair. After wrapping it tightly around her, she took her brother’s arm. Quietly they tiptoed out the backdoor and toward the home of their half dozen chickens. The moon hid behind a cloud, making their path uncertain. They slowed down to keep their footing.  

“Sam? That you? Sam Chesney?”

Sarah and her brother stopped suddenly.

“Who’s there?” The darn moon refused to budge.

“It’s me, Josiah Quint.”

“Josiah! Well, well.” The moon finally popped out, shining on Josiah’s hair, turning it to black silk and shadowing his handsome face. Sarah’s heartbeat quickened.

“And Miss Chesney, too? I’m a lucky man.” He shot her a dazzling grin.

She did a little curtsy, then grimaced in pain.

“You were in the schoolhouse fire, weren’t you? Let me help you.” Josiah took her arm. She leaned into him, relaxing against his strength. Sam yanked her away. She stumbled along a few yards, then stopped.

“Watch it!” Sam growled.

“Ow! Sam!” Pain seared through her.

Josiah pushed his buddy away. “Leave her be.” He picked her up and hustled over to the garden bench. He laid her down gently.

Swept away by his gallantry, she clung to him, her mind confused her body awash in feelings so strong she barely had the strength to murmur, “Thank you.”

“She needs rest. What are y’all doing out here, anyway?”  Josiah took her hand in both of his. She met his gaze and raised her palm to cup his cheek.

“Lay off my sister, Quint!”

“Oh, shut up, Sam. Ain’t doin’ her no harm. She’s been hurt.”

Sam quieted, easing down on the bench next to Sarah. He slid his arm around her shoulders.

“Sorry, Sarah. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Josiah rested back on his heels. "Do I have to ask you again? What are you doing here?”

Sam picked up one of the goatskin pouches hanging from his belt. “Got us some grape wine. Enough to share. Want some?” He pulled out the stopper and handed it to Josiah.

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That's it for now. 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "SIMPLE"

 

    Welcome to Tuesday Tales! The word prompt is "simple." This week we have another episode of "Sarah's Dilemma." Don't forget to visit all the authors and read their great stories. Find them HERE. 

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 Lizzy set the table. Martha put out cold meat, peas, and carrots. Sarah sliced a loaf of bread made in the morning and the family sat down to dinner.

“Abigail, could you make one of your berry pies for supper?”

“Berry pie? Sure. Tell me again you’re not sweet on Sheriff Abiel Lee?” Abby put a forkful of meat in her mouth.

Martha laughed.  “A simple pie. That’s all.”

“Nothin’ simple about my pies,” Abby replied.

“Too good for this sheriff. Who is he anyway? What’s he doing in Fitch’s Eddy?”

Caleb wiped his chin. “I reckon old Mr. Fitch is responsible.”

“We don’t need a sheriff.” Sam took a large slice of bread from the plate.

“Yes, we do. Keep you and Josiah Quint law-abiding,” Sarah said.

“We ain’t done nothin’.” Sam slathered soft creamy butter on his bread.

“Mr. Lee said he’s retired. Maybe he’s not here to keep the peace,” Martha said.

“Then what’s he doin’ here? He’d better steer clear of you, Grandma. Or I might have to teach him a lesson.” Sam made a fist and punched it into his palm.

Martha raised her napkin to her lips hiding her grin. “Be careful, Sam. Mr. Abiel Lee is a mighty big man.”

“Not too big for me.”

Martha exchanged glances with Caleb and Abigail. She swallowed her laughter and forced herself to stop smiling. “Nice to know I can count on you, Sam.”

“Darn right you can.” He scooped up peas with his spoon and shoveled them into his mouth.

“Maybe you’d better steer clear of his daughter, Violet, Sam.”

“I ain’t afraid of no Mr. Abiel Lee.”

“Maybe not. But you’d best be afraid of Becky Rhodes if she sees you makin’ eyes at Miss Violet Lee.”

Caleb and Abigail burst out laughing.

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That's it for now. Thanks for stopping by. 

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TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT

 

Welcome! This week we write to a picture prompt and limit our stories to only 300 words. We have another episode of "Sarah's Dilemma", a historical romance set in the Colonial period. Don't forget to read all the stories on TUESDAY TALES. Comments are much appreciated. 

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The kitchen door opened, and Sam Chesney, Abigail's teenaged son, entered. “Where do you want these, Grandma.” He toted several dead skinned rabbits.

“Those look mighty fine. Good job. Throw them in. We’re going to have them tonight in a stew. We got company coming.”

“Company?” Sam asked, adding the meat to a pot on the stove.

“Yep. New sheriff and his daughter and granddaughter.”

“Ain’t he got a wife?” Sam picked an apple from a bowl on the table and took a bite.

“Nope. Widowed. Like me.” She cut up carrots and added them to the stew.

Sam grinned. “Now Grandma, don’t you get your head all turned by this newcomer.” He chuckled.

“Why Sam Chesney! You’ ain’t too old for me to tan your hide.” Martha said with a twinkle in her eye. She laughed as she brandished a wooden spoon as her weapon. “His granddaughter is mighty handsome.” She took a bowl down from the blue shelf.

“Yeah?” 

“Becky Rhodes oughta be forewarned.”  Martha chopped the onion and added it.

“Aw, Grandma.” Blushing, Sam turned away and finished munching on the apple.

“What’s sauce for the goose, Mister,” she said, patting his back.  

"Make sure that sheriff minds his manners. Or I'll have to give him a lickin'." 

"Why Sam Chesney! I believe you would." 

"Darn right. No one gets fresh with my grandma. What's the girl's name?"

"Violet, I think. Already fixing to step out on Becky?" 

"I didn't say that. But a man's gotta take account of all the opportunities he can."

"Becky's a fine girl."

"I know. But I can't get tied down yet." 

"I see. Wash up and change your shirt." Martha stirred the stew. 

"She that pretty? Then I best do as you say." He took the stairs two at a time. 

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That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by. 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "CREAM"

 

Welcome! It's time for Tuesday Tales, and another excerpt of "Sarah's Dilemma." This week, we're still with Martha as she makes plans to get closer to Abiel Lee. Don't forget to check out the fabulous authors on Tuesday Tales. Thanks for stopping by.

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“All the way from Pennsylvania! Goodness. I’ll say you’re hungry. Tired, too, I bet. Will you join us for supper tonight as our guests?”

Hope colored and glanced at her father. A grin spread across Abiel’s face. “We’d be honored. Mighty neighborly of you, Mrs. Chesney.”

“We sit for supper at six.” Martha curtsied, Abiel bowed, and she left, taking her time, moseying on home.

“Sarah and Lizzy, set three more places for supper tonight.”

“You invited them, Martha?”

“I did, Abby. They seem nice enough and they’ve had a very long trip. Probably haven’t had time to stock in any provisions yet.”

“And he’s very good looking,” Abby added.

Martha sensed heat in her face. “Nonsense. Just being good neighbors is all.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” Abby muttered.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Martha huffed to the staircase and hauled herself up the stairs. Going up and down those stairs a dozen or more times a day kept her trim. She had the figure of a much younger woman.

So what if Abby knows I find Abiel Lee attractive? I’m a grown woman. Been alone long enough. Not that I’d ever marry again. And certainly not a Sheriff! But a little male company once in a while would be welcome.

She changed into her work clothes and returned to the kitchen.

“Making something special for tonight, Martha?” Abby had returned to peeling potatoes.

“Adding some food for the company is all.”

“Sam got some rabbits today out hunting with Benjamin Fitch.” Sarah punched down her bread dough.

“Oh? Perfect. I think I see a nice rabbit stew for dinner. Lizzy, go down to the root cellar and fetch me some carrots and onions. While  you’re down there, bring up a jar of cream, too.”

“Cream?” Abby’s eyebrows rose.

“I’m fixin’ to make something special out of those potatoes, if it’s any concern of yours.” Martha turned her face away, hiding a blush she sensed stealing into her cheeks.

Abby patted her mother-in-law on the shoulder. “Nothing like a good meal to set a man’s mind to finer things.”

Catching the twinkle in Abby’s eye, Martha chuckled.

That's all for this week. Thanks for coming by. Don't forget to leave a comment. Love to read your feedback. 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "CUSHION"

 

Welcome! This week the word prompt is "cushion". We have another episode of "Sarah's Dilemma", my historical romance this week. But Sarah's grandmother is front and center. Don't forget to return to Tuesday Tales and read the terrific stories there. Thanks for stopping by. 

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Sarah laid down the basket of flowers on the kitchen table. The sound of wagon wheels bumping along the rutted road drew the attention of the family. Sarah's grandmother, Martha, hurried to the front window in time to see a wagon stopping in front of a small home. An older man of mid-height, dressed in black alit. He helped two women down. Martha rubbed the wavy glass with her sleeve and peered out. Sarah and Abby joined them.

“Looks like a new family,” Martha said.

The gentleman had silver hair brushing on his collar. The first woman he helped down didn’t look old enough to be his wife. The second woman looked even younger.

“A widower, I reckon,” Martha mumbled.

“I think you’re right,” Abby said.

“A new family in town? Seems like we ought to be neighborly. Sarah, wipe out that basket and fill with a loaf of your fresh bread, some muffins and one of our small jars of blueberry jam. I’ll be right back.” Martha hiked her skirt an inch or two and trudged up the stairs.

Sarah hustled into the kitchen to prepare the basket. Not ten minutes later, Martha Chesney sashayed down the stairs, dressed in a dark purple skirt, white blouse with lace trim and a wide-brimmed hat adorned with lavender feathers.

“Oh, my!” Sarah’s mouth hung open.

"Sarah, get my hat pin from the pin cushion would you, dear?" 

“Grandma! You look beautiful!” Lizzy hugged her grandmother’s legs.

“Thank you, child.”

Abigail simply smiled and nodded.

“Basket ready?” Martha cocked an eyebrow at Sarah, who ran into the kitchen to fetch it. She handed the elegantly dressed basket with a napkin draped over it to Martha. “Perfect.” The older woman threaded the pin through the hat and her hair and smiled.

She took the basket and flounced out the door, the gentle spring breeze ruffled the feathers. The gentleman lifted a trunk from the wagon and hauled it inside the house. Martha approached as he returned to the wagon.

“Well, hello, Madam. I’m Abiel Lee, the new Sheriff,” he said, taking off his hat and bowing.

“I’m Martha Chesney, Innkeeper.” She did a little curtsy.

“Oh? I see. You own that lovely establishment?”

“I’m a widow, it belongs to my grandson, but I run the place.”

“I’m impressed. I, too, am widowed. I travel with my daughter and granddaughter.”

When Martha made eye contact with him, she swore she spied a smidge of flirty mischief. She smiled warmly. Noting his slightly square jaw, bright blue eyes, and full head of silver hair. What a handsome man!

Two women joined them.

“Allow me to present my daughter, Hope, and my granddaughter, Violet.”

“Nice to meet you.” The women curtsied. Martha offered the basket. “Here’s a little something for you, our new neighbors.”

“Thank you.” Hope took the basket and pulled back the cloth. “How nice. We’re mighty hungry. It was a long trip.”

That's all for now. 

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