Welcome! This week's word prompt is "arch." We have another snippet from "Some Kind of Wonderful." I hope you enjoy it. Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales and the excellent stories there. Thanks for coming.
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“I have a proposition
for you. You find the right place, the right venue, and I’ll put up the money.”
“A loan?”
Cecil shook his head. “Nope. A gift. I’m well fixed.
Why should I wait to give you some of my money until I’m dead? Why not give you
some now?”
“Really?” Tears stung the backs of Jackie’s eyes. “You’d
do that for me?”
“Of course. You’re my daughter. Who do you think I did
all that hard work for –long hours, putting up with asshole clients? It was all
for you and your sister, Ellie.”
Jackie bowed her head and swallowed hard. “I don’t
know what to say.”
“You might start with thank you.”
“Thank you, Dad. From the bottom of my heart.” She
rose from her chair. Standing behind his, she bent down and hugged him. “You’re
the best.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Don’t get
carried away. You’ll have to convince me it’s the right place, at the right
price. You’ll have to submit a marketing plan to me. Treat me like you would a
bank. I’m tough. I’m not forking over large amounts of cash for some foolish,
fly-by-night scheme. It has to be solid.”
“It will. Oh, yes, it will.” She returned to her seat
and took another cookie.
“One more thing. We’re not gonna do this joint venture
in New York City.”
Jackie raised her eyebrows. “Not in the City? It’s
what I know.”
“The restaurant business is what you know. You can do
it anywhere. You need a break from the crummy people you’ve been involved
with.”
“You mean Chuck?”
“Bingo.” He
finished his tea. “How about a refill?”
Jackie turned on the stove. “Coming right up.” She
picked up another tea bag.
Cecil put his hand over the mug. “This one is just
fine.”
Jackie smiled. “Thrifty as the day is long.”
“Reusing tea bags is how I got to be a rich man.” His
dark eyes twinkled.
Jackie refilled both mugs, then sat down again.
“So where do you think I should go?”
“Now don’t get mad.”
“Uh oh.”
Cecil placed his hand on hers. “I’ve got a friend, an
investment counselor of mine. He lives in the City, but also has a country
house in a small town about two hours from here.”
“A small town?”
She poured two more mugs of tea.
I really love his tough love. I love how supportive he really is but is making her earn it. I can’t wait to see what happens in the small town!
ReplyDeleteHe is an admirable man, firm in inner strength and steady in his ways. It is endearing how he wants happiness and success for his daughter and is able to intuitively pinpoint what might engage her purpose and passion. Can't wait to see what happens!
ReplyDeleteHer father reminds me of mine. Sweet, kind, but tough in a good way. Loving this. I'm looking forward to the small town and his friend.
ReplyDelete"Reusing tea bags is how I got to be a rich man."
ReplyDeleteIs THAT what I've been doing wrong? LOL
Great snippet! I can't wait to read more and see this small town she ends up with. Along with the investment counselor. Now I'm really intrigued!