Jean C. Joachim's Blog: Stories of Love and Passion, page 22

TUESDAY TALES - PROMPT "KEY" MAGGIE'S STORY CONTINUES

Welcome! We're back this week with more of Maggie's story. The word prompt is "key". Thanks for coming. Don't forget to read the other stories by fine writers. Click on the link below to return to Tuesday Tales.  ********“Mr. Roberts isn’t feeling well, Maggie. I’m not going to join you at the farmer’s market. Could you make him some chicken soup?”“Of course Missus. Do I have to drive?” “John will drive you.” Anne Roberts smiled then went to attend her husband and son.Maggie made a face. Have to ride with that bloke?John opened the back door of the Mercedes for her, then slid behind the wheel. “I feel stupid riding back here,” Maggie shifted in her seat.“You want to sit next to me?”“Pfft! I’d rather walk.”“Six miles there and back?”“Anything to get away from you.”“I’m not all that bad, am I?”“You…you took liberties.”“Can I help it if I was overcome by the lure of a pretty woman.”“Bosh! Think you’re such a charmer, don’t you?”John chuckled. “Not with you, I’d guess.”“I’m on to your wily ways.”He pulled into the parking lot of the farmer’s market, and opened the car door before Maggie could. “Don’t be doin’ that. People’ll be starin’.”“It’s my job.”“Just quit it, okay?” Maggie slapped his arm lightly. “Wait in the car. I won’t be long.”
The booth with fresh flowers was bursting with blooms in bright pink, deep red and pure white. Maggie plucked a bouquet of summer flowers in an array of colors for Anne.Next was the cheese booth, a very white counter with a few cheeses on display. Maggie moved easily from booth to booth, picking up fresh carrots, celery and onions for chicken soup. After buying two loaves of fresh rye bread and a Pullman white for Mr. Roberts, her arms were full. On her way to the car, she tripped. The bags of vegetables popped up from her arms and landed on the grass, spilling onions everywhere. The breads bounced. An attractive, middle-aged man bent down.“Let me help you.”“I’ve got it,” she said, giving him a suspicious glance, while she gathered up vegetables. “A pretty girl like you? Your keys.” Maggie frowned. Masher. Before she could utter a word, someone else spoke. “Back off.” She turned to see John standing behind her with the loaves of bread in one hand.“I saw her first.”“That’s what you think. I’m adept at fisticuffs. Run along.”“Fisticuffs?” The man laughed.John fisted his free hand and swung it into the man’s belly. He bent over, gasping for air.“I warned you. Come along Maggie,” he said. She gathered up the last few carrots and let John lead her away.“Never fear, my dear. When you’re with me, you’re safe.”She looked at him with raised eyebrows. “Maybe, but who’ll keep me safe from you?” RETURN TO TUESDAY TALES MY WEBSITE
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TUESDAY TALES, PICTURE PROMPT

Welcome! This week we have this picture prompt. We're only allowed 300 words! It's a challenge. I'm returning the Maggie's story for a short interlude. Thank you for coming. Click on the link below to return to Tuesday Tales and read the fine stories there.
********Maggie walked down the road that abutted the Roberts one hundred acre estate in Sumner, New York. Though only an hour and a half north of the City, Maggie found peace walking the rural paths and streets. It reminded her of home. She missed the fresh air and unhurried attitude.    They had been encamped there since the first of July. The rambling Victorian house was quite comfortable. The kitchen was well equipped, the garden bursting with ripe vegetables and the market stocked with fresh local eggs and meat. Cooking there had been a joy.     John drove Mr. Roberts up every evening and back again in the morning.  He was devoted to his wife and son and refused to spend a night without them. Watching the couple hold hands, take long walks and get lost in conversation over cocktails made Maggie sigh. They were the love story she had always dreamed of.     The only sour note was that pesky driver, John. She sensed that he was always watching her. One lazy afternoon, she stole outside for a stroll down Bear Camp Road. When she heard footsteps behind her, she stopped.      “You walk this road often,” John said, coming up behind her.      “What’s it to you where I walk?” Maggie turned a hard eye on him.     “It’s not safe alone.”      “One minute you think I’m nippin’ the silver, now you’re worried about my safety?”      Before she could go on, the tall man leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.  Maggie jumped back and slapped him hard across the face.       “You’ve some nerve! Get away from me.”      She headed back to the house with John beside her. He rubbed his cheek.       “You had it coming. Hope it was worth it,” she mumbled, eyes straight ahead.      “It certainly was,” he chuckled.
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SWEET LOVE REMEMBERED - EMOTIONAL STORY - $.99

This story is special to me. It grabbed me as I took a long walk. When I returned, the story poured out of me in just two days. It's been a favorite of mine ever since. When it was released, I saw I was not alone. Whammo! 11 five star reviews right out of the box.
It's a novelette, a new term for a short book.

Here's what people have been saying about this story:

"This was the most incredible book I have ever read. I have never cried while reading a book and I did with this one. I read it in one night and just didn't want it to end..." Brandi

"I couldn't believe such a short story could make me feel so much..." Deb

"This was a sweet and powerfully emotional read. It may be short in length, but it definitely doesn't lack in content..." Sara

 "Sweet Love Remembered is phenomenal story. Matt and Perri's story is heartbreaking, and one that happens all too much in real life..."   sferguson

"OMG!! What a powerful short story. I was ugly crying big time. Jean did an outstanding job telling so much in such a short story packed with emotion." Amy
"Powerful short story..." Crystal
"This was a powerful story about loss and second chances..." cx3ane

"Very powerful read. loved this story...." Amy O'Neal
"WOW!!! So much emotion in such a short read. I had heart twinges and tears for this. I can never imaging going through what these two went through and my heart breaks for them..." Sassy Beta Reading and Review.
"What a lovely story of loss and finding your true love for the second time... I had tears in my eyes at the end. Very well written." Claire
"What a fabulous tear jerker!!! This short read had it all: love, loss, grief, and reconnections..."
It's only $.99. Blown apart by a heart-rending tragedy, Matt and Perri Jessup went their separate ways; he to Afghanistan and she to New York City. With loss, acrimony and heartbreak coming between them, was there any reason to stay together? Would a chance meeting five years later bring back old recriminations and accusations? Could they build a bridge between them or was the gulf to wide to cross?   Buy links: AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE iTUNES/APPLE KOBO AMAZON U.K.

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "NAIL"

Welcome! Thanks for coming. This week I continue Maggie's story incorporating the word prompt "nail" at the end. Here we meet the other important person in her story. ************Maggie's days were spent in hard labor making beds, and cleaning toilets. Every day at two she would stop by the Roberts' suite. Anne would prop her baby, Penn, on the maid’s lap and open a book. The lovely scent of the freshly-washed baby made her smile. He gurgled and trained his blue eyes on her, studying her face as she read. His mother would steal into the master bedroom for an afternoon rendezvous with her handsome husband.Maggie would sigh, wondering if she’d ever feel that kind of passion again. At three, she’d put the sleeping baby down, pick up the twenty dollars left on the dresser for her and tiptoe out of the room. Maggie smiled more days than she didn’t, even under the burden of the heavy, physical work. As the thirtieth of the month drew near, Aggie took her aside.“Burt’s been telling me about you and the Roberts family. It’s not a good idea, girl. They’ll be leavin’ and you’ll be sad.”“Too late,” Maggie brushed her off. On the thirty-first, Maggie dragged herself to work. Her heart was heavy. This would be her last day with Anne and baby Penn. As she pushed her cart down the hall, tears threatened. The Roberts’ door was open and she heard laughter. The squeak of the wheels on the old cart announced Maggie’s arrival. Anne popped her head out. “Oh, good! You’re here,” she said, pulling the young woman into the room.Penn bounced in his baby seat and shrieked with joy. The sight of his smile and the sound of his laughter chased the sadness out of her heart. “We have a surprise for you,” Anne said, barely able to stand still.“You do?” Maggie’s eyebrows rose. Mr. Roberts joined them. He slipped his arm around his wife’s waist. They glanced at each other, grinning. Anne got up on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek.Maggie’s gaze bounced from one to the other and back again.“What’s up?”“We have an offer for you,” the husband said. “Oh?” “Tell her, tell her!”“Why don’t you?” He gazed at his wife with a loving twinkle in his eye.“Maggie, we want you to come work for us.”“You’re not in love with this job at the hotel, are you?” “In love with it? I hate it with a passion. Mrs. Roberts and little Penn are the highlight of my day.”“Come with us, Maggie. We have a big apartment. You’d have your own room.”“And bath, too. And I’ll double whatever you’re making here.”Maggie pinched her arm. This is a dream. It isn’t real.“Maybe  you’d better sit down,” Anne said, ushering the maid over to a chair. “Are you serious?”“Damn serious.”“Penn adores you and so do I,” Anne said, warmth visible in her eyes.“We have a penthouse on Park Avenue. I own the building. We’ll see that you're comfortable.”“Are you kidding?”“Never been more serious in my life. My wife says you’re the best nanny. How soon can you pack?”“In an hour.”“Done.” Mr. Roberts shook her hand. Anne hugged her and Penn clapped his hands. “Darling, would you send John over to pick her up?”“Of course. Our chauffeur will be there at…”he glanced at his watch. “Six. How’s that?”“Perfect. Thank you so much. I don’t know what to say.”“Just be ready.” After another look at his watch, he left the room.
Maggie paced in front of the decrepit building she’d called home. A shiny, black limousine stopped. A tall, handsome man got out, opened the back door and tipped his cap.He took her suitcase and placed it in the trunk while she settled into the backseat. The ride was smooth as a magic carpet. “I’m Maggie.”“John here,” he said in a perfect English accent. “Nice to meet you.”“Don’t be thinking you’re going to take the Roberts’ for a ride, young woman. They are the most decent sort. I’ve got my eye on you. I’ll be watching. Better not find any of the silver or jewelry missing or you’ll answer to me. I nailed the last nanny. She's doing five years in jail for theft.”Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to read the tales by the most talented authors. 
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TUESDAY TALES - "SPEAK" IS WORD PROMPT

Welcome to Tuesday Tales. The word prompt is "speak." I am continuing Maggie's story this week. Thank you for stopping by. Don't forget to return and read the wonderful stories by other writers.
*******
After her encounter with Anne Roberts, Maggie bounced out of bed each day, hoping to run into the woman and her baby. She’d meet Burt in the kitchen.“Say, Burt, can you find out how long someone’s going to be in the hotel?”
“Why? What for?” He narrowed his eyes.
“Nothing. Just there’s this woman with her baby. And, well, she asked me to help. The lad was crying and I…”
“You’re not supposed to mix with the guests, Maggie. I thought I made that clear.”
“Mr. Wiggins said if a guest needs something, we should provide it,” she said, sticking out her chin. “The woman’s child wouldn’t stop crying. She asked me for help.”
That’s the way, girl. Speak up for yourself.
“So, what did you do?” He raised an eyebrow.
“I patted the laddie on my shoulder a bit and he burped. Tears stopped.”
“Bet she was grateful.”
“She was. So I was wondering if you could find out how long she’s stayin’?”
“Maybe I can and maybe I can’t.” He leaned over a little closer to her. “But a little kiss might be just the ticket to get you what you want.”
Maggie shoved him away. “Burt McFarland! Shame on you! Get away from me.”
“Pretty high and mighty for a maid, Missy.”
“Leave me alone. I don’t need your help.”
“Fine, then. Get your own arse to work.” He huffed out the door.
Maggie picked up her sweater and purse, then headed for the subway. When she arrived at the hotel, she stopped at the front desk.
“Alex. Can you tell me how long Mrs. Anne Roberts is staying?”
The young man smiled at her. “For you,
Maggie, anything.” He flipped through a large book on the counter.
“Hmm. Seems she’s here for two months.
Not leaving until the fifteenth of July.”Maggie grinned at him, her heart lifted. “Thanks, Alex.”
“You have dealings with her?” He knitted his brows.
“Just helped her with her baby for a moment. She’s a nice lady.
Thought I might look in on her when I have time and see if she needs anything.”
“That’s the spirit, Maggie,” Mr. Wiggins said, as he came around the corner. “Wish we had more employees like you.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Maggie went to her locker and changed into her uniform. As she pushed her cart down the hall, she heard a soft voice calling.
“Maggie?” Turning her head, the maid spied Anne Roberts in the doorway of her suite, motioning for Maggie to join her.
“He’s sleeping,” she whispered. “Thought you might like to see him when he’s calm.”
Maggie peeked in at the infant. “He’s beautiful. What's his name?”

“Penn. After his grandfather.”
“Perfect. Unusual name for an unusual boy.”
“His father is off closing a deal this morning, so Penn and I are alone.”
“I’m around if you need me, Missus.”
Anne patted her shoulder. “Thank you. That’s very comforting. You’re much more help than Mr. Roberts.”
She smiled.
“My pleasure, Missus. My pleasure.”
Maggie couldn’t take her eyes off the little boy. He’d won her heart in an instant. And he’d be here for another month and a half. Happiness flowed through the young woman as she leaned against the door jamb. 
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TUESDAY TALES - MUG

Welcome! Today's word prompt is "mug". I'm continuing with Maggie's Story today. Don't forget to return to Tuesday Tales and read the other amazing authors' work there. Thank you for stopping by.

*****Maggie made a face when Burt shoved a mug of steaming hot coffee at her at 5 a.m.   “Tea drinker, Burt,” she managed to mumble.
   “Coffee’s the drink here, girl. Get used to it. It’ll jump start your day.”
   Maggie and Burt traveled to the hotel together every morning.
After three weeks, she still wasn’t used to getting up at five. They walked to the subway together in silence, Maggie not awake enough to talk or listen. 
The work at the hotel was hard. She lifted heavy bundles and carted piles and piles of sheets and towels. And sometimes disgusting, too. Shocked at what people did to hotel rooms or what they left behind, she'd shake her head and mutter to herself. Emptying waste baskets with used condoms in them made her sigh.
   Her workday finished at three thirty. She’d return home and flop in bed for a nap. At five, Maggie was alone in the house. Bored and broke, she'd cook. When her roommates returned at six, they were grateful to have a hot meal waiting for them. And Maggie never had to do the washing up afterward.  
   She’d mastered the art of cleaning up while remaining invisible. One day, while she was returning with her load of dirty linens, she heard a baby crying. The door to the hotel room was cracked open.
   Peeking inside, she saw a beautiful blonde woman, holding an infant and walking to and fro with him while he wailed. 
   Her eyes, full with tears threatening to spill over, connected with Maggie’s. Crap! Am I going to get in trouble for peeping?   A shiver of fear shot up her spine as she returned to her cart. The door opened.    “Wait,” said a trembling, female voice. “Do you know anything about children?” By now, a few tears had escaped and were running down her cheeks.
   “Six younger brothers and sisters, so I guess you could say I do.”
   “Please help me. I don’t know what he wants.”
   Fearful she was overstepping her boundaries, Maggie crossed the threshold of the suite anyway. She reminded herself what her boss had said. The guest comes first. Whatever they want, we provide.
  The woman handed the baby to Maggie. He had a bit of dark hair and beautiful blue eyes, bathed in tears. His little face was red from crying. She spoke to him in a soft voice and rubbed his back with one hand while she chested him with the other. The child gave forth with a loud burb, then quieted down.
   “I’ll take him now. And thank you.” The woman pulled a twenty dollar bill from her pocket and pressed it into Maggie’s hand.
   “No need…”
   “Please. I insist.”
   Maggie nodded, grateful for the extra cash.
   “My name’s Anne Roberts,” she said, holding out her free hand.
   “Maggie. How old is he?”
   “About eight months. Thank you, again.” She smiled and closed the door.
    Maggie stopped to lean against the wall and close her eyes. He’s about the age mine woulda been.  
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SNEAK PEEK AT SWEET LOVE REMEMBERED

This is my latest work, a military romance short story. It's only $.99. Here's a bit about it:

Blown apart by a heart-rending tragedy, Matt and Perri Jessup went their separate ways; he to Afghanistan and she to New York City. With loss, acrimony and heartbreak coming between them, was there any reason to stay together? Would a chance meeting five years later bring back old recriminations and accusations? Could they build a bridge between them or was the gulf to wide to cross?

Here's a sneak peek at the first chapter.



Chapter One

“Get out of the car.”
“What’d I say?”
“Get out.” Perri shifted the car into drive.
“Look, Perri, the kid’s been gone for five years already. When are you gonna let go?” Ike closed the door but leaned on the open window, in no hurry to leave.
“Mike. The kid’s name was Mike,” Perri said as she peeled out, depressing the gas pedal almost to the floor. “Asshole.”
Perri slowed down when she crossed the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey. She forked right onto the Palisades Parkway, then leaned back against the rich leather seat of her BMW. The drive to Pine Grove was so familiar she could do it in her sleep.
You’d be five today, Mikey. If you had lived. It’s five years since we scattered your ashes in Cedar Lake.
June twenty-second, the day before Mikey’s birthday, was the day of Perri’s annual trip to Pine Grove. She took a shaky breath. SIDS took four-month-old Michael Jessup. The son of Perri and Sergeant Matthew Jessup…once her husband, now her ex.
Perri pulled into the driveway of the Pine Grove Guesthouse facing Cedar Lake. She had a standing reservation for the same week every year. Lacy Ryan, gray-haired owner of the guesthouse, had Perri’s room ready. She took a freshly baked cookie off the plate Lacy was holding.
“Room’s ready, Perri.” Lacy hugged the pretty brunette.
“What’s all that lumber in old Doc Branford’s yard?” Perri munched on her cookie.
“Doc moved to Florida. Somebody bought the place. Fixin’ it up too.” Lacy took the plate into the kitchen. “Coffee’s still hot.”
Perri felt a twinge in her gut. Doc Branford’s house was the house she and Matt stayed in on their brief honeymoon. He was on leave from the Marines when they met. Every year Perri peered at the old place from next door, watching it get more dilapidated and seedy. She couldn’t bear to stay there. Too many memories…it’s where Mike was conceived. They stayed there again when they brought his ashes up…when they had that brutal fight. Perri shook her head to get rid of the memory.
“He wouldn’t have died if you’d been here instead of Afghanistan!” she screamed at him.
“You…you let my son die!” he hollered back.
The shouting match echoed in her brain as if she was hearing it for the first time. Her stomach knotted as the horrible words they exchanged knifed through her gut.
“You all right? Ya look kinda pale,” Lacy asked. She put her hand on Perri’s forearm as she guided her into the kitchen.
“Do you know who bought Doc’s place?” Perri took a sip of her coffee.
“Nope. Haven’t seen him yet.” Lacy fumbled with her cup, nearly dropping it.
“Think I’ll take a look after I unpack.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t do that. Trespassing. It’s somebody’s property…he probably don’t like people snooping around.”
Perri shot Lacy a quizzical look, but the older woman avoided her glance.
To read the rest, you can buy it here:  AMAZON AMAZON, U.K. KOBO

TUESDAY TALES

Welcome! This week's prompt is "catch". This is a continuation of Maggie's Story, which begins about thirty years go. Don't forget to go back and read the amazing Tuesday Tales authors.

 ******************30 years ago “Aggie, it’s been two weeks and this pip ain’t got a job. Rent’s due in another week,” Burt said. “Maggie, any leads?” Agnes turned to face her roommate.
The brunette shook her head. She’d worn out a pair of shoes, walking the pavement, looking for a job, with no luck.
“Burt, take her in with you. They’re always looking for people at the hotel?”
 “Yeah, yeah. Just fired a chambermaid yesterday. Everyone’s complainin’ they’ll have to do twice the work.” “Burt works at the Gold Crown Hotel.” “You do?” Maggie’s eyes got wide.
“In the laundry,” he snorted.“Oh.”
“They’ll be needin’ a new maid. You game?” He looked at Maggie.
“Sure. Thanks.” She twisted a napkin in her hands, dropping her gaze to avoid Burt’s piercing stare.
“It’s hard work, girl.”
“I’m not afraid of hard work.” She raised her chin.“Be ready at five thirty.”
“In the morning?”“Hell yes. Laundry, maid’s work is done in the morning. But you’ll get out around three.”
She nodded. “Don’t fuss about clothes. They give you a uniform. Just keep your knickers on, your mouth shut and your eyes to yourself and you’ll do fine.” He looked her up and down, then gave his head a slight shake.
“Thanks.” Maggie knew that her skinny form wouldn’t tempt anyone and for the first time, she was relieved. The next morning, she threw together a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, grabbed a carrot and stuffed it into a small bag. She met Burt at the door.
“Come on, lassie. Don’t look so glum. A smile might get you the job. No one likes to work around a sad sack.” She missed her own room, her quiet life in England, taking care of children and reading. She sighed and kept her mouth shut. Good practice.
Burt introduced her to Mr. Vane, the man who did the hiring. He looked her up and down in the most demeaning manner. “Awful skinny. Gotta lift sacks of wet towels.” He leaned over to squeeze her biceps. She jumped.
“Don’t get ‘em in a twist, girl. Just seeing if you got any muscle on those bones.”“Yessir.” Maggie tried to keep the tremble out of her voice.
“I suppose beggars can’t be choosers. You’re hired. But you better keep up!” Mr. Vane fished through a pile of uniforms. “This looks like it might fit your scrawny frame. Catch!” He tossed the white cloth dress at her.Burt winked and gave her the thumbs up.
“Be here at six. Not one minute after.”“Yessir.” Maggie nodded, tucked the uniform under her arm, did a half curtsy and left with Burt.
“Ya done good, lassie.”Maggie let out a breath. Now my life begins. 
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TUESDAY TALES - RANDOM

Welcome! Today's word prompt is "random". For those who have read, TO LOVE OR NOT TO LOVE, I am starting Maggie & John's story here in Tuesday Tales and will be bringing it out as a book when it's completed. Here's the first installment.

MAGGIE'S STORY


“It’s not like I’m going to take up with some random stranger, Mum,” Maggie said, twisting a handkerchief in her hand.
“Just be a good girl. Do what they tell you.” Her mother patted her hand.
“I’m not a girl. I’m twenty,” the young woman mumbled.
“Just don’t get preggers again.Okay?”
Maggie glared at her mother. A loud whistle startled the two women.
“Time for me to go.” With a quick wave, Maggie’s mother exited down the gangway as the ship prepared to depart Southampton for New York.
Maggie Chadwick spotted the woman making her way to the underground. Glad to have this bad seed off her hands, I bet. Sure she’d gotten knocked up. When Nigel bugged off to Wales, her mum had maneuvered her into having an abortion she didn't want.
Now Maggie was headed to New York City, to bunk in with a cousin she’d met once. Embarrassing daughter problem eliminated. The ship pulled out of the dock and headed East.  It took every penny her mum and dad had put away for holiday to pay for her passage. She assuaged her feelings of guilt with the fact that this was the last dime they'd ever spend on her. Her passage was one way. People milled around everywhere, but loneliness surrounded her lie a cloak. She shivered. She’d be cleaning up her own messes from now on.
When they docked in Manhattan, Maggie a woman in a loud dress accosted her.
“There you are, dearie! Good to see you, Mags.” The woman slapped her on the back.
“Gladys?”
“Come on, lovey. This way.”
After days of being alone, Maggie was happy to see a friendly face. She took a deep breath, then descended into the hot subway, half scared, half curious.  
The two bedroom apartment was small. Gladys led her to a narrow twin bed in a room jammed with two other beds the same size. There was barely space to move.
“This is yours, love. Here’s the paper. Look for a job. If you can’t find anything. Burt might be able to get you some work as a chambermaid at the hotel where he works. Do ya know how to make a bed?”  Maggie nodded. Gladys handed her a set of keys, kissed her on the cheek and headed for the front door. When her cousin was gone, Maggie sank down on her bed and cried. BACK TO TUESDAY TALES My website My newsletter

5 FAST, FUN FACTS FOOTBALL - 3

It's fast facts time again! Then there's a taste of GRIFF MONTGOMERY, QUARTERBACK. Who says football has an off season?  Here are some more fun and some surprising facts. 


Football Facts
1. Just two years after finishing their careers, approximately 78% of NFL players go bankrupt.
2.  Though football games usually last around 3 hours, the ball is typically in play for only 11 minutes. Around 56% of the game on TV is devoted to replays.
3.  In 1892, former Yale star William “Pudge” Heffelfinger became the first recognized pro player when he accepted $500 to play for the Allegheny Athletic Association.
4.  In an NFL game, as many as 75 minutes, or about 60% of total TV air time (excluding commercials), is spent on shots of players standing on the line of scrimmage, huddling, or just walking around between snaps.
5.  Injured football players in televised NFL games get six more seconds of camera time than celebrating players.(Thanks to randomhistory.com)
******** 
A glimpse at Griff Montgomery: Griff crouched down to scratch the dog behind the ears then straightened. “Time for bed.”
“I thought you already did that?” The unfiltered words flew out of her before she could stop them. Lauren clamped her hand over her mouth, but it was too late.
He threw a stern look her way.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry. It’s none of my business,” she prattled on.
“Damn right, it’s none of your business.”
“I’m sorry. Really. It’s just that you said…indicated…implied you wouldn’t be home ’til morning and I…well, I mean, here you are. And I wondered…okay. I’m shutting up now.”
“Good night.” He turned his back to her and headed toward his room, stopping in the doorway. “And ‘no,’ I’m not going to tell you about my date.”
Embarrassment choked her. She scrambled up the stairs, wishing she could disappear.
 ********
Summary  He wanted a wife. She didn’t want to get married – ever.  Not exactly a match made in heaven. Ten years ago, Griff Montgomery, star quarterback of the Kings and womanizer, became a stand-in father for his widowed sister’s kids. After they moved away, Griff wanted his own family. But where does a “player” go to find his ideal mate?
Having sworn off marriage forever, Lauren Farraday barely kept her life together after her divorce. With her career shaky and depression closing in, the last thing she needed was a courtroom battle with a sexy athlete.
Wary of Griff’s reputation with women, and hiding a secret, Lauren holds on to her heart.  Can the quarterback handle the truth or will he walk away, like he has in the past?      Buy links:
SECRET CRAVINGS PUBLISHING
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS
ITUNES/APPLE
AMAZON U.K.

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