Sandra Cox's Blog, page 294
February 27, 2012
Painted Jezebel
With us today is Jolie Pethtel. Jolie, tell us about your current project. At the moment I'm working on the sequel to Painted Jezebel titled Poison Pens. It's nearly finished.Are you a plotter or a pantster? I've always been a total pantser. I had my basic plot points in mind, but the stories pretty much write themselves. Painted Jezebel is a prime example. I thought I knew who the killer was, but my characters knew different and so far no one has seen it coming, so I'm not complaining. However, for the first time with the sequel I've had to do a lot of plotting. The story is more intricate and there was considerable research involved. Now that I've done both, I can honestly say if you can pull it off pantsing is the more fun way to go, though it isn't always feasible. Everyone has their own writing style and each book is different.Do you have critique partners or work alone? I used to have critique partners and it works for a lot of people, but I kept finding myself changing my story to suit what other people thought it should be, then it would be critiqued by someone else and their opinion would send me off in a different direction. The trick is to find someone in tune with your particular writing style. I do have a few close writer friends I'd trust with my work, but critique groups with people I don't know just don't work for me.What is your zodiac sign and what characteristic of your sign aids you as a writer? I'm a Scorpio and fit the profile exactly. I'm fairly intense and determined. I don't let things go easily and that keeps me from giving up on a project no matter how difficult it gets.What books of yours are currently for sale and where can a reader buy them? Currently only Painted Jezebel is available, but keep your eye out for Poison Pens. Right now you can find Painted Jezebel several places online. Museitup Publishing, Amazon and Smashwords to name a few.--
Title: Painted Jezebel (A Jezebel Jinx Mystery, Book 1)
Author: Jolie Pethtel
Publisher: Museitup Publishing
Length: 65,000 Words
Sub-Genres: Comedy, Contemporary, Mystery/Thriller
AVAILABLE AT:
Museitup Buy link:
https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypa ge.tpl&product_id=212&category_id=44&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
Amazon Buy link:
EXCERPT
"Someone was just murdered and I'm the prime suspect. Detective Tyler has gone around smearin
g my good name with everyone at the conference and here I am strutting around in a bikini. Don't you think a one piece might have been more—I dunno—respectful?" Jezebel hovered uncertainly in front of the door marked heated pool. "Maybe a black one piece to show I'm in mourning."
"You can't flirt with lifeguards in a one piece. It just isn't sexy enough. Besides, you aren't in mourning. No one is. Did you see the celebrating going on in the bar? 'Ding dong! The witch is dead' is pretty much the attitude in there. If they could give you an award for killing her, they would."
"I didn't kill her," Jezebel hissed.
"No, you didn't, but if you want to prove your innocence you need to seduce some information out of that lifeguard."
"My boobs are too small to seduce anyone. My legs are really my best asset, which I could display just as well in a one piece."
"Rick might be a boob man. That is why you are wearing a size too small and we bought a bikini that lifts." He mimicked cupping and lifting with his hands, without actually touching her breasts.
"I'm going in." Jezebel stated as she rolled her eyes, and then stepped toward the pool area entrance. "Think sex goddess," she ordered herself, adding some strut to her walk.
Finn insisted on the fire engine red bikini and matching strappy high heeled sandals. Who wore high heels to the swimming pool? This was wrong on so many levels.
"You look smokin' hot, babe," Finn called out. His idea of encouragement. Well, that was nice to know. Jezebel added a little roll to her hips just for his benefit, before pushing open the door and disappearing from sight.
She spotted Rick right away. He sat on his chair like a Greek Adonis, wearing nothing but snug bathing trunks, a whistle and a smile. The pool was filled with women vying for his attention. Her self-confidence slipped a notch.
Jezebel hesitated a fraction of a second too long as she neared his chair, and then kept on walking. No way was she going to humiliate herself like this. They would just have to find another way to acquire the information.
"Hello gorgeous," the lifeguard drawled following it up with a whistle and not the 'behave in the pool' kind.
Jezebel froze and then slowly smiled. Ah, an ass man. She attempted to spin around gracefully, but grace and spiked heels did not go hand in hand. Just as she was face to face with her target, she slipped and tottered drunkenly on the tiles. In her defense, they were black and the wet spots weren't particularly visible. She had a brief unpleasant flash of déjà vu, and then the life guard was on his feet, catching her in proper heroic fashion.
"Feel free to drop in anytime."
Ugh! Did he just say that? The man was so much hotter when he didn't speak. All brawn, no brain. How disappointing. So what did she say now? Jezebel wasn't particularly good at suggestive small talk with half naked strangers. She tended to fluster easily. The hidden agenda only increased her nervousness. Where were the cue cards when you needed them?
"You saved my life! How can I ever thank you?" she gushed, fluttering her lashes.
"Do you have something in your eye?" He frowned down at Jezebel, before setting her on her feet.
"I was just a little—um—disoriented for a second."
"Are you sure? It looked like you were having a seizure there or something."
"I'm sure." Jezebel was absolutely mortified. Thank God Finn wasn't witnessing this. She would never live it down. Just then she caught a glimpse of him pulling off his T-shirt and diving into the deep end in nothing but a pair of modest swim shorts. Not fair. Not only had he overheard every embarrassing word, his smug grin left no doubt, but he was holding himself to a different standard. He should be demeaning himself for the greater good by wearing a pair of revealing swim trunks.
The women swarmed around Finn splashing playfully and damned if he didn't love every second of it. Jezebel wanted to strangle him. So he wanted to play it that way, then fine. She could play too.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR :
Jolie Pethtel was born in Ohio, but raised in Arizona, where she met her husband Jim. Jolie has since moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where she lives with her husband and their six rambunctious children. Jolie is a Domestic Goddess by day and Writer by night.
Author Website: http://www.jezebeljinx.com
Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/joliepethtel
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002016243117
Twitter: @joliepethtel
February 26, 2012
Louisa And The Crystal Gazer
Anna will be giving away a gift basket to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour .
With us today is Anna Maclean. I asked Anna, how do you begin a murder investigation when dealing with a spiritualist?
What a great question, and thanks so much for inviting me to visit.
Well, you don't ask the ouija board! Seriously, dealing with a spiritualist was an interesting experience and a little more difficult than dealing with the other murders in which amateur sleuth Louisa May Alcott gets involved. Forensics and the other elements of scientific investigation weren't available yet in mid-nineteenth century Boston. They didn't even yet know about the use of fingerprints. Guilt was established largely on circumstantial evidence, flimsy or not, and character assessment.
The challenge for Louisa in Louisa and the Crystal Gazer is to discover who the spiritualist really was, so that she could then discover what the motives for her murder. And crystal gazers and other characters tended to have a great many secrets. Getting to the truth of their lives and identities would have been particularly challenging. The character of the murdered spiritualist, Mrs. Agatha D. Percy, is based on my readings of many journals, diaries and biographies of actual nineteenth spiritualists. They tended to be women of low or middle class who might have experience with some of the darker, even seamier side of life. They were often down on their luck, either single or perhaps abandoned by their husbands, and needed a way to make money. They wouldn't have minded playing a few tricks on their paying customers, and that in itself could be a motive for murder!
Louisa solves the mystery, thanks largely to what I think was her greatest inspiration: the practical intelligence and humanity of her mother, Abba Alcott. Abba, in the novels and in real life, was a woman who knew a thing or two about hardship and in particular how hard the lives of women could be. From her, Louisa would have learned a certain skepticism combined with a generosity of spirit – to hate the crime, but forgive the criminal.
By the time Louisa finally gets to the truth of this mystery, she has been led through cemeteries, locked in a cellar, and learned some very sad and dark secrets of the past.
One of her partners in this mystery is P.T. Barnum, himself a man of great secrets and mystery. So many people in the nineteenth century simply invented who they wanted to be, and became that person. Barnum was no exception, and his ability to manipulate truth as well as people forces Louisa to consider him as possible murderer. But there are other suspects as well. Just about the only thing Louisa can't count on is that the murdered woman will speak the truth.
Research for this mystery was fascinating, learning all the tricks and acts (and there were very many) that nineteenth century spiritualists could use, from trumpets falling from the ceiling to ghosts appearing outside the window. Louisa has to keep her wits about her to keep herself and her family and friends safe, while discovering who might have hated, or feared, Agatha D. Percy enough to send her permanently to the other side!
~*~
From Louisa and T
he Crystal Gazer
"I miss Father," Sylvia signed one morning as we took our walk along the harbor. It was a misty cold day, and the harbor waves were tipped with frosty white.
"Unfortunately, your father passed away when you were a child," I answered gently. "You barely knew that long-enduring man, so how do you now claim to miss him?"…
"My point exactly," my companion responded…"I feel the need for a masculine presence in my life, and would like to converse with my father. I will, with the assistance of Mrs. Agatha Percy. Please come with me to one of her sittings!"
I groaned and jammed my hands deeper into my pocket, despite the stares of several passersby; a lady did not put her hands in her pockets. She did if they were cold, I thought. Ship rigging creaked in the wind and bells chimed the start of a new watch, and I pondered Sylvia's statement.
Mrs. Agatha D. Percy was the newest fad in Boston, one of the recently risen members of that questionable group of individuals known as 'spiritists,' or mediums…
"I can think of better ways to spend time and money than sitting in the dark and watching parlor tricks. I would much rather, for instance, attend one of Signor Massimo's musical evening." The signor, a famous pianist, was touring the United States from his home in Rome and had decided to winter in Boston. He was giving a series of performances – performances I could not afford, since the tickets were as much as three dollars apiece, even when they were available.
"Mother tried to get tickets and could not. She was furious," Sylvia said. I could understand; women with Mrs. Shattuck's family name and wealth were not accustomed to hearing no.
"Look, there is ice in the harbor," I said, putting my hand over my eyes to shield them from the glare.
"I will have your answer," Sylvia persisted.
I introduced several new topics of conversation, hoping to distract Sylvia from her mission – Jenny Lind, the Wild West, a newly published travel book about France that was flying off the shelves – but each topic she cleverly rejoined and detoured back to Mrs. Percy…
"Don't you see?" Sylvia sighed in exasperation, pulling at my hand to prevent me from taking another step. "The spirits themselves wish you to visit her. They put those very suggestions in your mind!"
"Then they should put a plot or two in my mind," I said, remembering the still-blank sheet of paper before which I had sat that morning at my desk. Being between stories was an unpleasant state for me, when no plot or story threaded the random thoughts of every imagination.
"I am unconvinced that 'fun' is the correct word to describe an hour of sitting in the dark, pretending to speak with the dead," I said.
"Spirits," corrected Sylvia. "The dead don't like to be called dead. Such a harsh word."
Neither of us was yet aware of exactly how harsh that séance would become.
~*~
Jeanne Mackin is the author of several novels: The Sweet By and By (St. Martin's Press), Dreams of Empire (Kensington Books), The Queen's War (St. Martin's Press), and The 
Frenchwoman (St. Martin's Press). She has published short fiction and creative nonfiction in several journals and periodicals including American Letters and Commentary and SNReview. She is also the author of the Cornell Book of Herbs and Edible Flowers (Cornell University publications) and co-editor of The Norton Book of Love (W.W. Norton), and wrote art columns for newspapers as well as feature articles for several arts magazines. She was the recipient of a creative writing fellowship from the American Antiquarian Society and her journalism has won awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, in Washington, D.C. She teaches creative writing at Goddard College in Vermont, has taught or conducted workshops in Pennsylvania, Hawaii and New York and has traveled extensively in Europe. She lives with her husband, Steve Poleskie, in upstate New York.
Website: http://www.annamaclean.net/
Book Link: http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781101506141,00.html?Louisa_and_the_Missing_Heiress_Anna_Maclean
www.facebook.authorannamaclean.com
Tour dates link:: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/01/virtual-book-tour-louisa-and-crystal.html.
February 25, 2012
Reckless: A War Horse Hero
Did any of you see War Horse? It was a good movie, but it seriously depressed me. Enough that I almost didn't open a forwarded email from a friend that had War Horse in the title. I'm so glad I did. I loved the video and if you love horses I believe you will too. It's at: Night Writers.
If you have a moment, pop on over. I believe you'll find it worth your time.
Creativity
A hunch is creativity trying to tell you something~*~Frank Capra
~*~
Blogs of interest:
Amarinda Jones
Anny Cook
Julia Barrett
February 23, 2012
The Second Son Blog Barrage
Free download to one random commenterTitle: The Second Son (Kings of Cardenas, Book 2)
Author: Elise Marion
Publisher: Self
Length: 105,000 words
Sub-Genres: Historical, Mystery/Thriller
VBT Dates: Feb 23-Mar 3 (immediately following Book 1)
AVAILABLE AT: BLURB:
Princess Isabelle has spent her entire life bending to the will of those who have planned her life out for her. Sent into hiding when she was just an infant to protect her from the rebellion in her own homeland, Barony, she was betrothed to Prince Lionus from the neighboring province Cardenas when she was just an infant. Despite the forced engagement, Isabelle has loved Lionus all of her life. When a devious plot against the royal family results in her husband's death, Isabelle is left with a broken heart and an uncertain future. Only one year after his brutal murder, she has no choice but to choose a new husband and return to her homeland to take her place as queen and repair the war-torn land.
Prince Serge has secretly loved Princess Isabelle his entire life. The fact that she was promised to his brother has brought him no end of pain and suffering. The second born son of the king, he has resigned himself to a life of living in his brother's shadow. After a deadly plot against the royal family leaves Serge hovering on the edge of death, he awakens from a coma one year later to find that his older brother has died and his youngest brother has taken the throne in his stead. His future is now uncertain, but Serge is determined to find his own way in the world now that he has been given the gift of new life. When it is suggested that Princess Isabelle take him as her husband, Serge begins to hope that all of his most secret dreams will now come true.
Despite unexpected spark of desire between them, Isabelle resists the new path her heart is taking as she clings desperately to Lionus' memory. Can Isabelle let go of her past and learn to Serge return, or is she destined to a life tied to one man as she still mourns the other?
Once united as king and queen, Isabelle and Serge face the monumental task of rebuilding her broken homeland and rescuing it from the clutches of those seeking to destroy it. Can the pampered princess find the strength to stand beside her husband and fight for her people? Will the second son of a king finally get the chance to prove his worth? Can either of them learn to let go of the ghosts of the past and find love?
Set in a world of kings and queens, palaces and royal courts, warriors and battlefields, book two of Elise Marion's 'Kings of Cardenas' family saga continues with a story of love, passion, and destiny.
EXCERPT:
Isabelle dipped her hands in the cool water of the stream, grateful to be out of the carriage after a long day of riding. They were only a few more days from Barony and she would be ecstatic when they finally reached their destination. For the first three days there had been nothing but dirt, rocks, and the occasional tree to look at through the carriage window. Today, the bordering mountains between Cardenas and Barony finally came into view, signaling the half-way point of their journey. Isabelle splashed some cold water on her face and turned back toward camp which was only a few feet away through a line of trees.
As she made her way up the embankment, she saw Primus coming toward her.
"I trust that the journey was not overly hard on you, my lady," he said as he approached.
Isabelle smiled. "I found myself a bit restless being stuck inside the carriage all day. Do you think it would be all right for me ride a bit tomorrow?"
Primus frowned. "I do not think that would be a very good idea, Princess. We could encounter danger at any moment and I believe that His Grace will agree with me in saying that it will be much safer for you inside the carriage."
Isabelle nodded reluctantly. "I suppose you're right."
Primus glanced pointedly at Francis, who stood guard a few feet away. "A few moments alone, my lady?"
Isabelle turned to Francis and waved him off. "I'll be perfectly safe here with Lord Primus, Francis," she assured him.
Once he was gone, Primus turned back toward her with a smile. "I was hoping we could discuss the subject of husband hunting while we have a few minutes alone. Have you given any more thought to your possible candidates?"
"I can assure you I've been considering the matter very carefully. I hope to have made a decision by the time we reach Barony."
"If I may be so bold I'd like to offer a suggestion."
"It certainly couldn't hurt."
He paused for a moment. "Me," he said quickly, as if trying to get the words out before he changed his mind. Isabelle felt as if the ground had fallen out from under her. He held a hand up to silence her before she could respond. "Allow me to plead my case before you say no."
Isabelle forced a smile despite the uneasy feeling at the pit of her stomach. She wasn't sure how she felt about Primus proposing to her. "I wasn't going to say no," she assured him. "Please continue."
"I hope you know how much I admire you," he said, grabbing one of her hands in both of his. "I hope that you at least feel the same for me." She nodded, which only encouraged him to continue. His thumb was drawing slow circles against her hand and he was moving closer with every word. Isabelle held her breath and waited. "I know I could make you happy, my lady, and I know that I could rule Barony well."
"I have no doubt of that," she said, finding her voice finally. "You have been doing so these last twenty years."
"Please do not think that this is an attempt on my behalf to gain the crown. I really feel that we could be good together, Isabelle," he said, using her given name for the first time. "I care for you very much, and in time I hope you could come to care for me too."
Before she knew what was happening, he was tugging her hand until she was in his arms and kissing her gently. Rather than fight him, Isabelle allowed him to kiss her and attempted to participate in the kiss as well. If she was going to consider him for marriage, she might as well see whether or not she could even be attracted to him.
The kiss was nice enough. His lips were soft and gentle, and while she had been worried that his mustache and beard would tickle her, they did not. His hands rested respectfully on her shoulders and his mouth opened only slightly. When it was over Isabelle felt fine. Not good, not bad. Just fine. She couldn't help but compare the experience to another kiss and hated herself for it.
"Primus," she began, "I am very flattered but I-"
"What the devil is going on here?"
Isabelle turned in Primus' arms to find Serge standing a few feet away, his hands balled into fists at his sides, his expression murderous. Isabelle stepped away guiltily.
"The princess and I were having a private conversation," Primus said, grabbing her hand possessively.
"I did not hear very much talking," Serge countered, stepping closer.
"I hardly see how it is any of your concern."
Isabelle looked back and forth between the two of them, certain she had been all but forgotten in this little drama.
"As Isabelle's brother-in-law, I would have to say that it is my concern. I hardly think your advances are appropriate considering that she is to be choosing a husband soon. Have you no care for her reputation?"
"How dare you insinuate that I would sully my lady's character?"
Isabelle, who at this point was quite annoyed at having been accosted by both these men in the last few days and then having to watch them fight over her like two rutting stags, growled in irritation. "For God's sake, both of you shut up!"
They both grew silent and Isabelle inwardly smiled in satisfaction.
"Primus, I will most certainly consider all that you have said. I hope you will excuse me for a moment so that I can have a word with my brother-in-law."
Primus, still glaring at Serge venomously, left reluctantly. Isabelle turned on Serge the moment he was out of sight.
"What on earth is the matter with you?" she practically screamed, poking him in the chest with her index finger.
"Me?" he shouted back. "What about you letting that fool kiss you? How long has that been going on?"
"Why should it matter to you?"
"You know why!"
"I never agreed to marry you!"
"You damn well will, mark my words," he said, taking a step closer and lowering his voice.
"Your arrogance is astounding. You certainly are sure of yourself."
"Does he make you tremble the way I do, Isabelle?" he said softly, reaching up to stroke her cheek. "Did you kiss him like you kiss me?" His fingertips traveled down to her throat and he lowered his head until his lips hovered inches from hers. "Do you want him like you want me?"
Isabelle swayed and fought to keep her balance. Her lips were tingling, and she was but a breath away from leaning into him. His scent enveloped her and his towering presence weakened her. Her lips parted. "I don't want you," she said hoarsely against his mouth.
His lips brushed her lightly. She trembled. "Liar," he whispered.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
As a child I always had my nose in a book. From R.L. Stine to Chronicles of Narnia to The Babysitter's Club and Sweet Valley High, I read it all. When I started Junior High and found out that th
e school library had over 400,000 books, my goal was to read every single one! Of course I didn't achieve that particular goal, but I sure had fun trying!
In high school I developed a talent for writing and discovered romance. Needless to say I combined my love for both and am now a published Indie author. After almost a year of peddling my book from agent to agent with no success I decided that my work was good enough despite the constant rejection. That's when I discovered the world of indie publishing through e-books. I couldn't have made a better decision than stepping out on faith and doing something for myself instead of waiting around for someone else to do it for me.
A litle bit more about me: My husband Kevin and I have been married for 4 years and have two beautiful children, Haley (4) and Gavin (4 months). We are a military family, which means I spend a lot of my time alone with two children. People often ask me how I deal with the military life. I simply say, someone's got to do it, right? I am proud of my husband for serving his country.
When I'm not reading (which is almost always) or writing (I try to every day), I am watching movies (which I love), cooking (which I love even more) or watching someone else cook on TV (love me some Paula Deen). I have been singing my entire life and enjoy being my church's choir every Sunday. My large, extended family is close and means the world to me.
Schedule link: http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/01/vbt-kings-of-cardenas-books-one-and-two.html.
Website: www.elisemarion.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/elisemarion86
Twitter: @elise_marion
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/elise_marion
Email: elisemarionwrites@yahoo.com
Happy Birthday, Meghan.
Apologies and Good News
~*~
On the upside, Ghost For Sale made it through the first round of the Amazon Breakthrough Contest.
~*~
Blogs of interest:
Amarinda Jones
Anny Cook
Helen Woodall
Julia Barrett
February 21, 2012
Where's The Cat?
You'll need to double click on the picture to see the larger version. Even then it still takes some looking.
February 20, 2012
Blog Barrage: Back To You
From Book Lover To Book Author
By Natalie-Nicole Bates
I have always been a voracious reader ever since I was a child. I was the twelve year old kid in the corner reading Harold Robbins and Sidney Sheldon. I remember being swept away in Sheldon's Master of the Game and Robbins' Goodbye, Janette. Influenced by these masters, I knew I wanted to write someday.
A few years ago, I spent a week in the hospital after an ill-fated skateboard stunt. I sent my partner to the bookstore to get as many Harlequin and Silhouette books as he could find. That week I reached my all time record for the number of books read—24 books in one week!
More than a year ago, I decided to try making the big leap from reader to writer. I knew it couldn't be accomplished by simply sitting down at the computer and pounding out a 350-page story. There were building blocks to creating a novel—idea, setting, plot, scene, point of view—to name a few.
I enrolled in an intensive six-month course in the art of novel writing. I was paired with a mentor, and was ready to write this sweeping mainstream saga involving two people who had wills that left them a piece of property. My mentor said, "You belong in the romance genre." This was best advice I could get.
This past summer, I finished my first novel, a contemporary romance called Change of Address. To my delight, I sold it to Secret Cravings Publishing in just a week.
After I signed the contract, I was hit by an idea for a paranormal story. I knew that I wanted it to be short, just a small bite for a reader to enjoy, and hopefully if I could sell it, it would be my introduction to all of the readers in this world. During a particularly frenzied episode of writing, I finished the story in a day. After editing, I sold the story to Books To Go Now.
This is my introduction to the world of publishing. I hope you will enjoy Change of Address as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Title: Back to You
Author: Natalie-Nicole Bates
Publisher: Bradley Publishing
Length: 26,000 words
Sub-Genre: Contemporary
AVAILABLE AT:
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Back-to-You-ebook/dp/B007384GOS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328794975&sr=8-1
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/back-to-you-natalie-nicole-bates/1108479743
Bradley Publishing - http://shop.bradleypublishings.com/Back-to-You_c4.htm
BLURB:On the surface, Lynsey Reznor seems to have it all. She is beautiful, brilliant, and a successful true-crime writer who has been living the past decade in Miami. But what Lynsey lacks is what she needs the most—a family.
After the death of her mother, and yet another failed relationship, Lynsey makes an impulsive decision to return to her hometown of Unity. But Unity will present its own bittersweet memories, most notably, her first love, Nick Lincoln.
Twenty years ago, Nick broke teenager Lynsey's heart when he decided to marry another. He had his own private reasons—reasons he never explained to Lynsey. Now she is back, along with a chance to reclaim her love. But Lynsey wants answers from him that he may never be able to give out of duty and guilt.
EXCERPT:When he heard her, he came to her, took her into his arms, and kissed her. It was a comfort that he wasn
't regretting their lovemaking. She didn't think she could handle being rejected by him twice in her lifetime.
"Do you have to leave soon?" she asked.
"I'm sorry. I don't want to, but I have to." He went to the stove and prepared her a cup of coffee. "I think we should start planning our wedding. We could be married at Christmas."
She was taken aback. Is this his proposal ? This was supposed to be so romantic and memorable, not talk about planning a Christmas wedding while he stirred a cup of coffee.
"Do you even want to get married?" She took the coffee mug he offered. "I mean, it wasn't that long ago that you told me you weren't sure you ever wanted to be married again. You said you didn't see fatherhood in your future, and Nick, I want a baby…more than one. I grew up as an only child and I was so alone. I don't want my child to have to experience that."
"Well, I didn't use a condom last night. You could be pregnant right now," was his reply.
Heaviness descended upon her heart. This was so not how she wanted this morning to be, and certainly not the marriage proposal she had dreamed of. "I'm on the Pill—I won't get pregnant if that's all you're worried about."
"I'm sorry, that's not the only reason we should get married."
"Then why?" she asked suspiciously.
He let out an exaggerated sigh. "Lynsey, I don't have time to get into this with you right now. What do you want me to say in the five minutes I have before I leave for work?"
She couldn't believe his glib attitude. "How about saying something to me like…'I love you, Lynsey, and I made a tremendous mistake by not marrying you twenty years ago?' That would take you less than thirty seconds to say, and you could have easily gotten to your precious job on time."
Suddenly his jaw set and his eyes narrowed. "I didn't make a mistake by not marrying you twenty years ago! I let you go to become a success in life—and you did. I can't regret that!"
"So, what I thought all these years was correct. I was nothing to you but a quick and easy way to shed your virginity." Just saying the words was devastating.
"That's not it at all," he vehemently insisted. "You were always so intelligent. I mean, you were a sixteen-year-old senior in high school! Just how many grades did you skip over, anyway?"
"Two," she answered in a low voice.
"Do you know what would have happened if I hadn't married Kelly?" He didn't wait for her reply. "I'll tell you what. You and I would have been ostracized by everyone in this town! We would have had to be married right away, and we would have had to live with your mother, because I had no money."
"My mother loved you. She would have been happy to have us live with her," she interjected.
"And we were so naïve, Lynsey. You would have graduated high school with either a big belly, or a baby in your arms…if you had graduated at all."
She crossed her arms over her breasts and looked at the floor. She was too afraid that if she looked at him she would break down. "Some of the girls in school were married. A few of them had babies."
He lifted her chin and forced her to make eye contact with him. "And you were too smart to be stuck in this town, and just another housewife. You would have become bored and resentful."
"I wouldn't have known the difference," she countered.
"I had serious doubts then. I still have doubts now," he admitted.
Her dark lashes flew upward. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"I believe that you will become bored and restless in Unity and will want to go back to Florida or maybe California. I have a job and a family here, Lynsey. I don't ever want to give that up. I'm afraid that we'll have a child, and you'll take my baby and leave. I can not allow that to happen."
She couldn't believe what he was saying. Nothing was further from the truth. "Do you think I would have sunk so much of my savings into that house just to abandon it? I would never, ever do what you're saying. But if circumstances changed, I would expect you to support what was best for our family. Couples who are committed make sacrifices for each other!"
It was becoming clearer and clearer that things were rapidly falling apart between them.
"Lynsey, didn't what happened between us last night mean anything to you?" he asked.
She chuckled unpleasantly. "I suppose that with us living in such close proximity, last night was inevitable. But don't worry about it happening again, Nick. When you get home this evening, I won't be here."
"Where are you going to be?"
She wanted to hurt Nick like she was now hurting. "I'm sure that Caleb wouldn't mind me bunking down at his house for a week or two."
"Over my dead body," he seethed. "I will drag you away from him kicking and screaming if it comes to it. I'll handcuff you to my bed if need be. Believe me, Lynsey, I'll do it!" He flopped down into a kitchen chair and buried his face in his hands.
"I have to go now, Nick. I'm meeting your sister for breakfast. Listen to me. You need to pull yourself together. In your line of work, bad things happen when you lose your concentration."
When he didn't reply, she let out a sigh of resignation and headed for the door. At the last minute she turned to him. "Thanks for almost making it happen between us.
February 19, 2012
For Your Viewing Pleasure
~*~
The hubby's upper respiratory turned out to be a sinus infection and double pneumonia.
