Sue Perkins's Blog, page 18

Christmas Story - Part 6

Welcome. Each episode of the Christmas Story has been written by a different author adding to what has been written by previously. Part Six is brought to us by Lynette Endicott.



Website:  http://www.lynetteendicott.com



Blog:  http://www.lynetteendicott.blogspot.com








That adorable granddaughter was rattling the jar at Gibb.

"Gibb, you owe the jar a dollar. You are not being a very good influence on me." 

The elf's feet, in green curly toed shoes, extended -- although not very far -- from beneath a red contraption. He scooted out from under it and sat up. He dug into a pocket and pulled out some shiny coins, flinging them into the jar as he climbed up into the contraption.

Madison stared at the coins. "These aren't quarters, Gibb. They look like gold or something."

Gibb frowned. "We don't use quarters at the North Pole." 

He was fiddling with what might be controls on what looked suspiciously like a sleigh. Santa's sleigh. The sleigh that had coughed and sputtered as it slid into the garage, in spite of the best efforts of the reindeer to keep it steady. Madison's magical journey, where she could travel without getting cold, had been more than a little shaky. She was getting cold now. She stomped her slipper-clad feet and rubbed her hands together to get warm.

"What's wrong with it, anyway?"

"I wish I knew, kid. Everything has been out of balance, all year long. The big guys says you will fix it but I can't see how. We thought just having you in the sleigh would get it going again."

Madison stared at him. She didn't understand the whole Agent of Christmas thing, but surely it was something more than fixing Santa's sleigh.

Gibb rubbed his own hands together.

"Is it cold in here?" 

Madison nodded and blew on her hands, and her breath puffed out in a little cloud of cold.

"Then the heat's not working either. We'd better tell Santa…"

"Tell me what, Gibb?"

Eyes wide with wonder, Madison spun around to see a bearded man in coveralls -- brown coveralls -- stroking his beard with a gloved hand.

"Are…you really Santa," she asked, her voice squeaky with excitement.

The man didn't answer with words, but as he strode closer she could see the twinkling in his eyes and the sparkle of glitter in his long white beard. He smelled of gingerbread and snickerdoodles.

He dropped down on one knee next to her and put out a hand.

"Nick Clause at your service, Madison. You don't know how glad I am to see you. You are the only one who can help me this Christmas."

Was there a tear in Santa's eye?

Madison threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. He felt warm and the warmth spread to her figures and toes. She wasn't cold anymore.

She leaned back and looked at him.

"See," he said, giving a little chuckle. "You are already bringing the magic back."

"Gibb, try the sleigh again. With Madison and me here together it will be flying in no time, and speaking of time, we need to get this show on the road. We don't want any children waking up before we've delivered their gifts, do we Madison?"

Christmas Story - Part 5

Welcome. Each episode of the Christmas Story has been written by a different author adding to what has been written by previously. Part Five is brought to us by Jackie Leigh Allen.



Website: http://jackieleighallen.com






Heather went outside with the crime scene investigator and the sheriff. The sheriff halted on the porch looking first at his polished leather boots and then at the snowy yard where the investigator stood. Darting past him, Heather stepped into the snow in her red knitted slippers and shivered. She looked down where the investigator pointed. Deer tracks. Not unusual in the winter since she lived at the edge of the pine forest.

"Deer tracks. You brought me out in the cold for that?" asked the sheriff and started back inside.

"Not just a single set," the investigator said. "I count eight sets of deer prints."

Eight? Like Santa's reindeer?




*****




Sean leaned back and rubbed his neck. "Do you think we could take a break, Dad? I need to check up on Heather and Madison."

Santa took another sip of spiced cider. "We really need to get some more done, but we can take a moment to look at your house." He hit a switch and a plasma screen on the wall lit up with a picture of Sean's house. Heather stood in the snow in her slippers.

"She'll freeze. What is she doing out in the cold? Where's Madison?"

"Take it easy, boy, everything's under control though I should have sent some wind down to wipe out the reindeer tracks. Too late now." He clicked off the picture.

"Wait. I want to know what's going on."

"The police are investigating your disappearance and they found the reindeer tracks."

"And Madison? Why wasn't she out in the snow with Heather? It isn't like Madison to stay in the house when there's anything going on outside. That child loves the snow as if she'd been born at the North Pole like me."

"Probably inherited it." Santa took another sip and lifted the pitcher. "Would you like a refill?"

"No, I'm fine." Sean took a swallow then frowned. "You've ignored my question. Where's Madison?"

"She's fine, just taking care of a little family business. That's why she wasn't outside with Heather. There are some things your wife doesn't know about Christmas, aren't there?"

"Are you still harping on that old idea I should have married the Snow Fairy? Wouldn't that have been a mixed marriage, too? I'm surprised you don't understand about love."

Santa tipped forward in his chair, outrage reddening his cheeks more than usual. "Don't take that tone with me, young man. Your mother and I have been happy and in love for many, many years."

"Then why don't you understand I had to marry Heather? She was the one for me."

Christmas Story - Part 4

Part Four

Welcome. Each episode of the Christmas Story has been written by a different author adding to what has been written by previously. Part Four is brought to us by Barbara Ehrentreu




 Blog: http://barbaraehrentreu.blogspot.com/








Madison held tight to Gibb’s hand as they whirlpooled through space. They were definitely not outside, because she didn’t need her coat. It was more like an elevator out of control. She still thought she might be dreaming as suddenly the movement stopped and she felt a thud. 

“Open the door, we’re here,” Gibb said.

Madison put out her hand and felt a knob. She twisted it and pushed open the door that  looked just like her closet door. “Where are we? What will I find outside this door?”

Gibb didn’t answer, but he followed behind her as the door opened onto a Christmas wonderland. Every kind of evergreen decorated the walls and colored lights were everywhere. Toys spilled out of big boxes and lined shelves. Every space was filled with toys and Madison heard a faint hum coming from the same direction as the toys.

“They’re here!” The cry rose up in the huge space and suddenly hundreds of tiny people came rushing toward her. 

“Oh my, she is here at last! We are saved!” 

Madison turned to Gibb. “They think I’m here to save them. Help me please. All I want is to go home and go to sleep so Christmas will come. I promise to go to sleep right away.”

“Oh little one. They speak the truth. That is why I was sent to fetch you. You are the only one who can save Christmas this year.” 

“What has happened? Where’s Santa Claus? Nothing has happened to him, I hope!”

“Well not exactly, but it could at any minute.” 

“And why me? I’m only a child and I can’t do anything .”

“No that isn’t true. You have a power you never knew about yourself.”

Madison looked around her. She was in a circle of little people wearing red and green felt and cute floppy hats. The crowd of men and women looked up at her with such love she felt as if she were being hugged by their eyes. “I don’t know what you want me to do for you, but whatever it is I will try to do it.”

“YAY.” they all yelled and rushed toward her. Madison jumped into Gibb’s arms. He ran back to the door from where they came and Madison let out her breath. 

“Oh, my. Does that happen often around here?”

Gibb pushed a button and the crazy room in which they were began to twirl and move upward. “We’re going to see the big guy now. So hold onto your hat.” He looked over at her. “Oh, sorry no hat, but still hold on somewhere. We’re zooming over to see Santa right now.”

She closed her eyes as the contraption took off again and once more they were whirling in space. This time it was faster and she thought she might disappear through the air as it moved farther and farther toward the one person she thought she would never meet. “I wish my Daddy was here so I could tell him how cool this is.” Then she thought about her mother sitting alone waiting for Santa Claus. Would Santa get there tonight? Why was she here? Her brain reeled.

Christmas Story - Part 3

Part Three




Welcome. Each episode of the Christmas Story has been written by a different author adding to what has been written by previously. Part Three is brought to us by Kelly Whitley




 Webpage:  http://www.kellywhitley.com/









Red and white lights lasered through the living room windows and bounced off the glass balls decorating the tree in a parody of Christmas cheer. Shadowy men and women with “Police” on the backs of their jackets tracked in snow and walked through her house, talking in low voices.

“Mrs. Nielsen?”

Heather jerked her attention to the overweight detective on her couch. Detective…Carson, that was it. The man assigned to find Madison. Watery eyes, balding head, broken blood vessels on his cheeks. He had the look of a man who saw too much and drank too much to forget. No wedding ring and no sympathy. 

The scent of coffee and stale cigarette smoke drifted over. “When’s the last time you saw your daughter?”

“I…tucked her in an hour ago. In her room.” Right before I put on this damned necklace. Heather rubbed her temples with her forefingers. She should’ve let Madi stay up, camp out in the living room like she’d wanted to. Kept an eye on her. Christmas Eve, and she’d been so excited.

“Has she run away before?” Carson tapped his notebook with the tip of his pen.

“Before? Before what?” 

“Before tonight.”

“No.” Heather glared. “She’s a little girl, and tonight’s Christmas Eve. She didn’t run away.”

The detective’s eyebrows lifted. 

“She didn’t,” Heather snapped. “I know my daughter.”

“Your husband disappeared a month ago.” He flipped through a couple of pages. “Sean Nielsen, age thirty-four. Left home for work and never arrived. No contact, no trace of his whereabouts.”

Something squeezed inside Heather’s chest, stealing her breath. In the span of a month she’d lost them both. Twisting her hands together in her lap, she forced her gaze to meet the detective’s.

“Have you heard from your husband?”

Heather swallowed hard. “No,” she whispered.

Springs squeaked as the detective rearranged his bulk on the couch. “Two missing persons from the same household within a month is a big coincidence.”

What was she supposed to say? Of course it didn’t make sense. Nothing about this situation did.

“Something happen between you and your daughter tonight?”

“No. We’re very close.”

“Maybe an argument got out of hand, you overreacted, and—”

Heather jumped off the couch. “No. I didn’t hurt my daughter. She’s gone, and you’re wasting time here with these idiotic questions.”

Detective Carson pursed his pudgy lips. “Look. There’s no evidence that the kid ever left the house. The windows in her room are locked. The snow around the outside of the house is undisturbed. None of your neighbors have seen her. You’re telling me she was safe in bed, and then in the space of an hour she was gone.”

“I can’t explain it, and I need you to find her.”

“I think we’d better take this downtown, Mrs. Nielsen.”

The front door opened, bringing with it an icy blast. The tinsel fluttered on the Christmas tree and Heather shivered. They didn’t believe her. Madi was gone, and instead of searching, they’d decided Heather had committed some sort of crime. 

“No. I can’t leave. She might come back, and I need to be here. Or there could be a call if someone took her.” A strangled cry forced its way past the lump in her throat and she slumped into the recliner.

One of the crime scene investigators stepped into the room. “Detective, there’s something you need to see.”

Christmas Story - Part 2

Part Two



Welcome. Each episode of the Christmas Story has been written by a different author adding to what has been written by previously. Part Two is brought to us by Nicole Zoltack.
























Webpage:

http://www.nicolezoltack.com

Blog:

http://nicolezoltack.blogspot.co.nz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.zoltack








Heather closed the door behind her and leaned against it. A night had not passed since Sean had left a month ago that Madison didn’t ask about him. Each time her daughter asked, Heather’s chest became a little tighter. She had no idea where Sean was; no one did. No letter, no phone call, no good bye, nothing. One day, she picked Madison up from school and texted Sean to know when he was leaving work so she could start dinner. No answer. He never came home. Hadn’t even gone into work that day. He had just… disappeared.

With a long sigh, Heather dragged herself to her room. She had a few more presents to wrap, then she’d wait another hour or so to make certain Madison was asleep before placing them beneath the tree. The artificial tree. She hated it, missed the smell of pine filling the house. But Sean insisted last year they buy it.

Pushing thoughts of him aside, she rummaged through the items covering the bottom of her closet and pulled out the doll Madison had begged for. Then she hurried up to the attic to retrieve the gift wrap. Normally wrapping presents had been Sean’s job. He liked order and perfection. Heather had too much to worry about to make sure the lines were crisp and even.

She grabbed the blue roll with snowflakes on it, and turned to go back downstairs when a small box caught her eye. Careful not to step an anything--it was surprising how messy the attic was considering Sean was the only one who normally came up here--she made her way to the box and opened it.

A necklace with a blue and purple studded butterfly.

She caressed it. The back wasn’t smooth so she flipped the butterfly over.

“H Love always. S”

Tears prickled her eyes.

Sean wasn’t one for picking out jewelry. He had forced her to pick out her engagement ring, and then their wedding bands.

This gift meant so much to her.

And if he had left this here, did that mean he would one day come back? Or that he hadn’t left them by choice?

Maybe it was time to ask the police to resume their search.

Heather gingerly put on the necklace, then made her way downstairs. Once the last presents were wrapped, she placed them beneath the covers on her bed. Making like a mouse, she sneaked down the hall to Madison’s room. She heard nothing. Normally Madison was a heavy breather.

Perplexed, Heather inched the door open before flinging it open wide. “Madison? Madison! Where are you?”

Madison was nowhere to be found.

This could not be happening again…

Christmas Story - Part 1

PART ONE

Welcome. Each episode of the Christmas Story has been written by a different author adding to what has been written by previously. First off the block is Stuart West.



Blog: Stuart R West; Facebook page





Part 1














White feathers of snow
blanketed the ground. Madison pulled back the curtain. Awesome. Everything
outside seemed so quiet, she imagined she could hear the flakes landing with a
soft sigh. Christmas was never going to get here.

Her mother pushed open
the bedroom door. “Madison, you need to get to sleep.” 

“I’m sleeping!” Parents
never understand about the longest night of the year. Every year, Madison
played the same endless game with her parents. They’d tell her to go to sleep,
she said she would, but never did. This year was different. Her father wasn’t
there for the first time.

Her mom stepped into the
room. “Santa’s not going to come if you’re awake.”

“OK, OK, Mom. I’m going
to sleep.”

“Doesn’t look that way
to me, honey.”

“I’m trying!” Madison
ran across the room and jumped into bed. Pulling the bedspread to her chin, she
grinned. “See?”

Madison's mom sat
on the edge of the bed and smiled. She looked tired. The way
she's looked for a while now. “Madison, as soon as you get to sleep, the
sooner your Christmas wishes will come true.”

“I know! I’m not a
baby!”

“Maybe Santa will bring
you that special doll you asked for.”

Madison thought the doll
would be nice. But it really wasn’t what she wished for. “I wish…I wish Daddy
was here.”

The smile fell from her
mother’s face. “I know, honey.” She swept her hand across Madison’s forehead
and kissed her. “I know. Now, get to sleep.”

“Good night, Mom. Love
you.”

“Love you, too, honey.”
She closed the door behind her.

Listening for her mom’s
receding footsteps, she hopped out of bed and ran back to the window. She
breathed onto the window-pane and wrote Dad in the condensation with her
fingertip.

Something thumped in her
closet, followed by a muffled voice. Words drifted out. The bad kind of words
that meant a quarter into the kitchen jar whenever her mom used them. The
closet door opened with a squeak. Madison flipped on her bedside lamp. Before
her stood a short man wearing a flannel shirt and a black felt hat. Toys
spilled out at his feet while he untangled Madison’s pink feather boa from
around his face and arms.

Madison laughed at the
sight. “Who are you?”

He tossed the boa to the
ground and glared at her. “Well, what’s it look like, Madison? I’m Gibb, I’m an
elf, and you need to come with me!” His face was as red as Santa’s suit.
Snowflakes lined the rim of his hat.

“You’re an elf? Where’s
your green suit? Prove you’re an elf!”

Gibb sputtered before
whipping off his hat. “Hello!” He waved his hand beside his head. “Pointed
ears! And we only wear those suits at the shop. You think we wear those suits
when we’re not working? Profiling much? I mean, what do you expect? That elf on
the shelf crap?”

Madison squealed and ran toward him. She giggled as she touched his ears.

“Cut it out, kid!” Gibb
backed away, shooing her with his hat.

“You are an elf! But
why’re you here?”

Gibb sighed. “Thought I
already made that clear! The big guy up there said he needs your help.” He
hitched a thumb upward.

“You mean…Heaven?”

“What? No! I’m talking
the North Pole! You’re breaking my…um…back here, kid! Look, the big man said it
was your time. So, he sent me to get you.”

“Time for what?”

“You’ve been contacted
as an agent of Christmas. There’s trouble brewing.” He narrowed his eyes and
studied Madison. “For whatever reason, the Claus said only you can help. Now,
get your slippers on! Time’s wasting!”

“But…it’s cold out
there!”

“Kid, the way we travel,
it ain’t no big deal. Let’s go!”

Madison couldn’t control
her delight. As she slipped into her slippers, her excitement grew. When Gibb
rolled his eyes, she let out a peal of laughter. This was much better than
waiting for Christmas to come to her.

Gibb impatiently looked
at his wrist, even though he had no watch. “Come on, kid!”

Madison’s eyes lit up.
“Wait!” She raced toward her dresser and emptied a glass jar of crayons. She
held the empty jar toward Gibb. “Got it! Now, I’m ready!”

“Kid, why in the world
do you need a jar?”

Madison pursed her lips.
“’Cause, Gibb, you really shouldn’t swear! Put a quarter in every time!”

“Oh, for…this is gonna
be a long night. Whatever.” He shrugged. “Let’s go.” He gestured toward the
closet.
As soon as they entered the closet, Madison felt the floor slip away
beneath her feet.







Join us tomorrow for Part 2 by Nicole Zoltack

COMING SOON!!!

Watch this spot! From the 10th December a Christmas story will appear in 14 different episodes, one each day, each written by a different author. You won't want to miss this!

Who is the Gentleman and the Rogue?

SUE: I'd like to welcome Lady Keira Russell from "A Gentleman and a Rogue" (Book 2 in the steampunk Windsor Diaries Series) to the blog today. Keira, I'm curious, what's a lady doing working in a quarry in England in 1855?




KEIRA: I'm up to my elbows in compressed natural gas! It all started when my father, Sir John Russell, left his post as prime minister. He feels very passionately about finding alternate fuel sources. Sadly, London is full of coal dust and that's not good for the lungs. We settled in Lincoln and Papa decided to explore wind power. I share his passion for the greater good and I work with compressed natural gas. 




SUE: Gosh, you sound so busy. Don't you have a social life?



KEIRA: I have to admit, I didn't have one for along time, but things are picking up.




SUE: Picking up? How so?




KEIRA: Edmund Windsor is back. That scoundrel! That rogue! He's a liar and a cheat and a mischief-maker. 




SUE: That's harsh.




KEIRA: He told me he loved me and then poof! He took the time traveling machine back to 2011. 





Keira Knightly


SUE: So, what's he doing back in 1855? Trying to win your heart again?



KEIRA: Him and his cousin, Alice, are up to their elbows in rivets, brass, iron, mischief, and steam.




SUE: I noticed you avoided that last question.




KEIRA: I'm sorry, what was it?




SUE: Is he trying to win your heart again?



KEIRA: One kiss does not mean I forgive him.




SUE: Do I detect a little too much protest in your voice?



KEIRA: None at all. Just because Edmund resembles Adonis, has a keen sense of wit, and a dimple to die for doesn’t mean I'm going to give my heart to him again.




SUE: So did Edmund come back to "woo" you, or does he have another agenda?




KEIRA: Another agenda, of course! He's trying to convince Queen Victoria to pick an alternate fuel source so his future time will right itself. It's all complicated – there's alternate futures, parallel universes, and time machines.




SUE: What's the alternate fuel source he wants Queen Victoria to select?



KEIRA: Compressed natural gas of all things!






SUE: I suspect he wants a second chance.




KEIRA: I’m highly skeptical. He's got to prove to me he's more than a good-looking man in a neck cloth.




SUE: Is Edmund a gentleman or a rogue?




KEIRA: Ladies never tell. 




SHORT BLURB: When Edmund travels back in time to set the future straight, will his love for Keira derail his efforts?




ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:

The song ended and Edmund grabbed her hand, tugging her toward the nearest hallway. At first, she wanted to protest; call out for her father and defy Edmund's wishes, but then reason kicked in. She wanted -- no, needed -- answers. And, she had plenty of questions. 




They entered the main wing, and passed two rooms before Edmund opened a door and dragged her inside. Books littered the shelves. The library. A beam of light from a full moon shined through the window, casting Edmund's features in sharp, contrasting shadows. He leaned against the door and crossed his arms. His eyes narrowed, giving his expression a dark, hard edge. He looked like a devil in this moment. She steeled her shoulders, ready to do battle with him. 




Silence grew between them as they both set their postures. Damn Edmund. She wanted to kiss the devil senseless. Thankfully, she still had her wits. 




"What are you doing with Jonas Byron?" Edmund's voice was cold and exact. 




"Dancing." She surprised herself with the ease of her retort. 




"Looked more like flirting to me." 




"Jealous?" 




A muscle twitched in his jaw. "No." 




"You are a horrible liar." 




"Keira, you can't trust him." 




She placed her hands on her hips. "Curious, you're the second man tonight to tell me that." 




"Grayson has your best interests at heart. You need to listen to him." 




"He's been missing for four years." She paused, glaring at him. "Like you have. And I thought you weren't coming back." 




"I'm here now, and I'm not leaving you again." 




She tilted her head and laughed. Oh, yes, he'd leave her again, and she had no intention of letting her heart get broken. 




Edmund lunged forward, placed his hands on her waist, and pulled her against the length of his hard, muscled body, trapping her arms between them so her hands rested on his chest. His emerald eyes flamed with desire. Her heart turned over in response. His unique scent, spice and currants, weakened her resolve. As her memories flooded through her mind, her lips ached for his. 




"God, Keira, don't test me like this." 


Stephanie Burkhart











AUTHOR BIO: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Victorian Scoundrel, Book 1 in The Windsor Diaries won BRONZE in the 2012 Reader's Favorite Contest in Romance: Historical. 







PUBLISHER'S BUY LINK:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-366/The-Windsor-Diaries-Book/Detail.bok




ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thewindsordiariesbookthreeagentlemanandarogue-996194-141.html




BARNES & NOBLE (NOOK)

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-windsor-diaries-book-two-stephanie-burkhart/1113777499?ean=2940015869538




AMAZON (KINDLE:)

http://amzn.com/B00A5CF24C




FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:




WEBSITE:

http://www.stephanieburkhart.com




TWITTER:

http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart




FACEBOOK: 

https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor




GOOD READS:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...




YOU TUBE CHANNEL:

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PINTEREST:

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Plans for 2013

2012 has not been a good year for me. Personal tragedies and stresses have made it difficult to concentrate on writing. I am determined 2013 will be better, although I know some things are not within my ability to change.



Next year I hope to concentrate on an epic novel between 200,000 and 300,000 words long. It will be a fantasy novel - if you've read my previous books you probably guessed that before I said it. First I must complete my obligations for existing contracts and tidy up a few submissions which need to be sent off.  Then it's full steam ahead for the "Big One".



Working name for this novel is "Eye from the Past" but this is open to change as the novel develops.



Why now? I have been planning the planet, people and storyline for about four years and I feel now is the time to write it. Recent events have shown me I should make time to work on this manuscript. Never leave the really important things too long. Time might be shorter than you think.



So roll on 2013, I'm clearing the decks so I can dive in and write, write, write.

Shani by Adelle Laudan

[image error]



A Woman of Strength is one who influences and inspires others to face their own
demons. 


I have launched my series with three previously published stories; Juliana - Rosa - Shani



Today we will look into Shani's story. It was rewarding
to write a story from a woman of color's perspective. It is my hope her story inspires
someone to rise to the challenge and conquer their own fears.







[image error]
Blurb:

Shani is a woman of color, adopted by loving parents. After her mother's untimely
death, she learns a deep, dark secret that makes her question everything about her life
and those who loved her.
How often do we search for answers and find they are not necessarily what we want to
hear? Is time a great healer, or are some things unforgivable?

Here's a short excerpt.






Frigid
rain pelted her face mercilessly. The last thing on her mind when she’d run from her
mother’s house was the weather. Her body shivered uncontrollably, and she flexed her

numb fingers in a futile attempt to coax the circulation back. She knew better than to
ride in this kind of weather. One wrong move and she’d be sliding down the asphalt.

Like
a beacon in the night, the sign for Belona Falls flashed at the side of the road.

Mitch.

Shani hadn't visited her dear friends in over two years. Not
since her mother’s funeral. Carefully, she turned onto the exit ramp that led to one
of the few places she knew the door would always be open to her. Maybe Mitch could
answer her questions. She couldn't ask her mother, and her father
left some time ago for an extended road trip for parts unknown.

Shani
hunched over her gas tank. Finally, the familiar drive came into view. She geared
down and struggled to manoeuvre her bike along the pothole-riddled lane. Darkness
blanketed the house, and her heart sank.

Please don’t tell me they’re not home.

Shani
parked in front of the house just as light flooded the porch. The curtain in the window
moved aside to reveal her dear friend Mitch’s eyes, which lit up with recognition.

She lifted her leg over her bike and lumbered up the steps.

“Shani? Is that you, girl?” Mitch stood in the open doorway. “Have you lost your
mind? Get in here before you catch your death.”

Her
teeth chattered, her body a mass of shivers as she stood in the growing puddle at her
feet.

“Wait
right there. I’ll get some towels.” He shook his head and scurried across the room.

Not
long after, she traded her wet clothes for comfy, oversized pyjamas. The fire crackled
and popped, a welcome reprieve from the rain. Shani tucked her feet under her and
pulled the fuzzy blanket up under her arms.

“Nice
and sweet, just the way you like it.” Mitch handed her a mug of steaming tea and sat in
the armchair next to her. “Now, tell me why you were out riding in a storm. You know
better than that.”








Thank you Sue, for having me here on the 4th day of my Women of Strength
Blog Tour.

Each month I will add a new story of another Woman of
Strength. 


I hope you will enjoy this ongoing series.













[image error] [image error] Please leave a comment
and I will randomly pick one winner to receive  this calendar magnet for 2013 and
this lovely steampunk pewter, symbol for woman charm. All names will go in a draw to
win your choice of one of these three stories.

Please feel free to visit me on the next stop of my blog tour. You will find the
schedule HERE



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