Susanne Matthews's Blog, page 4

Tuesday Tales: From a Picture.

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Welcome to this week’s edition of Tuesday Tales. Tuesday Tales is a weekly blog where a small group of select authors share their works in progress with you. Some weeks we write to a word prompt; on others, we use a picture and limit our scenes to 300 words.  This week, I’ve chosen this picture for my post.

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While I have quite a few irons in the fire at the moments, new works yet to be completed, I decided  to start a new novella, which I hope will be published along with three or four others, each named after a specific cocktail.

The first book, Tequila Sunrise, is part of a box set and will be available soon from Amazon. Writing in the first person is somewhat new to me. The story is titled, Buck’s Fizz. Here is the recipe for that drink! Although similar to a Mimosa, the fact that a Buck’s Fizz requires quality champagne and no extras makes it a classy drink.  Like my heroine Jewel Wellington, it’s the last thing you would expect to fins in a honky tonk bar.

DIRECTIONS

Chill your Champagne & Orange Juice.

Select tall and elegant shaped wine glasses!

Pour about one third of orange juice into the glass first and then top up with champagne.

Serve as a toast or as a celebration cocktail.

Enjoy!

Here’s your first sip of Buck’s Fizz.

Tired and irritated, feeling like a fish out of water, I stepped into The Squawking Tomcat.

I inhaled—and choked. The air was rife with the aroma of stale beer, even staler bodies, and a scent I recognized as eau de horse. I removed my prescription sunglasses and looked around. Sure it was lighter, but everything was fuzzy.

“Fat lot of good that did,” I grumbled.

What the hell was I doing here? I was a soprano, not a honky tonk singer. I was also on the run from parents who couldn’t imagine their thirty-year-old daughter without a hand-picked husband, Montgomery Reginald Harris, to be exact. “Monte this, and Monte that.” It was enough to make me vomit.

Sure Monte’s pockets were lined with gold, but he had this sickening sense of entitlement to go with it. He never asked for anything—he demanded it—and rudely. The last time we’d been matched up by Mommy Dearest had been at my cousin Tara’s wedding two months ago. He’d made a scene because the poor little server had dared to allow the condensation on the outside of the water jug to drip onto the sleeve of his shiny new jacket.

That was it. If the only way I could have my inheritance from Grandmother Mitchell was to marry that slug, than the rest of the eligible girls in the family were welcome to the money. I’d had enough.

Desperate to get away, I’d packed my bags and run off. No, I hadn’t joined the circus, but after the last four weeks, I wasn’t sure what I’d done was that far off. I’d agreed to fill in for an old college friend with Suzy and the Silvertones, a country and western cover band who toured the Southwest each summer. It wasn’t The Met, but I needed a change.

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Something Different for Me! Summer Shorts, Featuring Tequila Sunrise Available for Pre-order!

[image error]Well, I did it. I stepped out of the box and have tried my hand at something new! Well, two something news actually. My son is an artist and I asked him to create a logo for me. I rather like the simplicity of this, and the fact that it doesn’t place me squarely into one writing genre or another.  There’s also an eternal quality to it that I just love.

But that isn’t my biggest something new. This is! Tequila Sunrise is a novella, my first attempt at Chick-lit, contemporary romantic comedy, if you will, written in the first person. The nice thing about it is that I drew on my own experience last January when I went on vacation to Mexico. Tequila Sunrise is part of a new 99 cent box set from the Authors’ Billboard

Don’t you just love a good story that you can read in a couple of hours? If so, you’ll enjoy this special collection of short tales.

From sweet to spicy, and contemporary to suspenseful, these sixteen Summer Short Stories will be sure to heat up your heart and help you escape reality in a blaze of fun, drama, and romance.

Sixteen NY Times & USA Today popular authors have put together these delightful novellas to give you that spurt of entertainment you can often finish in one sitting. These Summertime stories will delight the romance lover until the sun sets in a blaze of glory.

NEW! Mimi Barbour – Her Hero – Her puppy will drown if the stranger can’t save her! USA Today and NY Times Best Selling Author

NEW! Melinda De Ross – Summer Neighbors– A summer vacation, an inherited house, a sexy neighbor. Should be the formula for the perfect summer…Right? USA Today Bestselling Author

Jennifer St. Giles writing as J. L. Saint – What Didn’t Happen in Vegas – What didn’t happen in Vegas could cost Eric and Holly everything. USA Today Bestselling Author

NEW! Cynthia Cooke – All I Want Is You – He will not lose – the deal or his heart.

NEW! Angela Stevens – Catching Robert – When the adorable Maggie orders a chocolate sundae from Robert Chase, the ice cream is not the only thing to melt. Amazon International Bestselling Author.

NEW! Susanne Matthews – Tequila Sunrise – The peppers in Mexico aren’t the only things too hot to handle. Award winning author

NEW! Josie Riviera – A Chocolate-Box Summer Breeze – Will Emily and Joe be able to find their happily-ever-after in a forgotten summer breeze? USA Today Bestselling Author

NEW! Katy Walters – The Billionaire and the Librarian – Would this unreasonable match be spectacular or a dud? USA Today Bestselling Author

Nancy Radke – The Stubbornest Girl in the Valley – Stubborn ladies hang onto the men they love. USA Today Bestselling Author

NEW! Susan Jean Ricci – Row with Me – Learning a new sport isn’t easy when the couple involved have questionable skills in kayaking and relationships. USA Today Bestselling Author

NEW! Dani Haviland – Kidnapped! He’d get her back…at any cost. USA Today Bestselling Author

Rebecca York – Hot and Dangerous – Summer Idyll turns to terror. USA Today Bestselling Author

NEW! Rachelle Ayala – Bad Boys for Hire: Roni – Roni ordered hits for the cartel, but can she kill the disabled firefighter whose ex hires her? USA Today Bestselling Author

Aileen Fish – Marni – Can a cowboy and a librarian turn a week’s vacation into the love of a lifetime? USA Today Bestselling Author

Stacy Eaton – Finding Love on the Summer Surf – Will a magical weekend of memories drift away with the ocean waves? USA Today Bestselling Author

NEW! Taylor Lee – Heatstroke – Would the Native American doctor allow any man to make her believe she deserved love? Especially him? USA Today Bestselling Author

All of these books will entertain you whether you have to stay home or not.

But to add a bit to your day, Here’s the opening scene from Tequila Sunrise. FYI, I took the picture used as a backdrop for the cover!

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“You want me to go to Mexico?” I stared at my boss, Cassandra Nevins, the CEO of Dreamscape, the design firm specializing in restoring and revamping hotels.

Following the recent increase in destructive hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean as well as in the Atlantic, many hotel chains were looking at upgrading their damaged resorts, making them hurricane resistant, and adding attractions and services to draw the tourist dollar back to them.

“I do, Kelly.” She tapped a perfectly manicured red fingernail on the folder on her desk. “I think you’ll be an asset to the Think Tank Conway Enterprises has put together. The new man in charge has very definite ideas about what he does and does not want, so it may require some quick thinking on your part to adapt the design. So far, he’s given it the green light, but he did mention he had some questions. Louise speaks very highly of you. As far as she’s concerned, you’re the only choice for the job.”

I relaxed, forcing myself to breathe again before I passed out.

“You mean you want me to accompany Ms. Simpson.”

I twisted my hands together hard enough to rub off a layer of skin, wishing I’d taken the time to remove the peeling polish flaking on my new navy slacks.

Going with Louise made more sense. The woman was my immediate supervisor and had relied heavily on me for some of the more unusual aspects of the entertainment complex in the proposal.

“I’m afraid not. You’ll be on your own. Louise’s mother fell and broke her hip. At the moment, Lou’s on her way to New Smyrna Beach, Florida.”

I swallowed, the acid in my stomach roiling.

Cassandra smiled. “Kelly, you’re one of this firm’s up and coming designers. Louise says you can think on your feet. If she has faith in you, that’s good enough for me.” She paused and picked up a folder on her desk. “The necessary files have all been sent to your laptop. This folder contains your plane tickets and everything you could ever want to know about the Baja Peninsula, the Sea of Cortez, and Conway Enterprises. Sophia had the name on the reservation changed, so you’re good to go. Your plane leaves from Trudeau International at 10:45 tomorrow night. You’ll land in Mexico City with an hour and a half layover until you board a second smaller plane to San José Del Cabo, arriving shortly after eight in the morning. I know a night flight isn’t ideal, but it will give you an extra day to get the feel of the place before you meet the rest of the Think Tank. She’s arranged for a car to take you to the airport and pick you up in seven days, so you can leave the bulky winter coat at home. Someone will be waiting for you in Mexico, and they’ll get you to Viva, a condominium development where they plan to house you for the week. The information’s all in there.”

I leaned forward and took the folder from Cassandra’s outstretched hand.

“I don’t need to tell you what landing this contract would mean to us—to you.”

“I understand,” I said, hoping my abject terror didn’t show. The last pitch I’d handled alone had been for an addition to a gym that had included an outdoor pool and spa—hardly the same thing as a multi-million dollar entertainment center at a luxury hotel.

“My private number is in the file as well. Feel free to call me at any point if you have concerns; otherwise, I’m counting on you—we all are.”

Landing this contract could mean millions for the Canadian company fighting tooth and nail to make it big on the international scene. For me, it would mean a huge promotion and a raise—one big enough to let me move out of my postage stamp-sized apartment and get a place where I could breathe. But did I really have it together enough to handle something this big by myself?

I wouldn’t dwell on the flight right now. There would be plenty of time to panic about that once I was alone.

Smiling, I stood. Time to get out of here before I turned into a mass of quivering gelatin.

“I’ll do my best not to let you down,” I vowed, extending my hand across the desk to take hers.

“I knew I could count on you. Have a pleasant flight.”

You can read the rest of Tequila Sunrise and all of the other great stories in Summer Shorts. Pre-order your copy today!

Next Book in The Golden Legacy up for pre-sale! Releases Friday, June 5, 2020

The Golden Legacy

[image error]In the early 1700s, a pirate brigantine attacked a merchant ship, The Golden Fleece, in the Caribbean. Although smaller, the merchant ship bested the pirate craft that contained a treasure trove of gold and jewels. A dying pirate claimed the Incas had cursed anyone who misused the treasure, hence the reason the merchant crew was victorious. The treasure would also bless anyone who used it for good. The greedy merchant captain, James Carlson, was killed during the battle, but his eighteen-year-old daughter, Sarah, survived in her cabin. Mindful of the curse and to thank God for their salvation, she asked the crew members to split the treasure equally, but to make a binding pledge that they would keep only twenty percent for their own use, and give ten percent to help others. With the rest, each was to buy something of great value that could be passed down to their descendants, with the curse passing onto anyone who broke the line and used it selfishly. If used selfishly, the treasure would be lost, but reappear in some form after skipping a generation. Every three weeks a new book will tell you what happens to other Golden Legacy descendants.

If you’ll recall, a few weeks ago, I introduced you to The Golden Legacy with my book, Twist of  Fate.  I chose to start the series with a historical romance, one that might give me the chance to follow the family through the years, perhaps adding other stories to The Golden Legacy.

[image error]Can a cursed treasure unite two lonely outcasts?

Overton Stafford, shunned by his family because of a birthmark on his face, made a life for himself as Second Mate on The Golden Fleece. In a battle with pirates, Overton loses his left arm, ending his career. Knowing he will be a wealthy man makes the pain easier to bear, especially when he discovers he can repay a moral debt and help an old friend. When he meets Anna, Overton realizes he wants more from her than a financial partnership.

Anneliese Van Stubel lost her sight at nine as a result of Smallpox. Now eighteen, a ward of the crown because of the Danish Age of Majority law, she lives in limbo, uncertain what will happen to her. When Overton approaches her with the proposition to help her rebuild the plantation, she’s excited with the idea of returning to her home. But her joy fades when her caregiver makes it plain that he has a different future in mind for her, one that will profit him.

Set in a time when brutality against women and slaves was the norm, Overton seeks to change things as he falls in love with the girl who has lost so much.

My book was released three weeks ago and is available from Amazon and free to read In Kindle Unlimited. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087QJWMSM

This Friday, the second book in the series will be released. The Prisoner Returns, by USA Today bestselling author, Nancy Radke,  is modern day, sweet romance/thriller featuring Keely Thatcher, a descendant of one of the original crewmen.  Greed can do strange things to people.

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The Golden Legacy inheritance is expected to make Keely a very rich woman.

Hired by her father as a bodyguard, Tripp Richards finds himself the new target as he tries to keep her alive. To complicate matters, an old man appears who claims to be her real father.

Which man is really Keely’s father and who is trying to kill her?

Pre-order your copy today.!

Watch for the third book in the series, Race for the Gold by Rebecca York, to be released June 26, 2020, and now available for pre-order!

Tuesday Tales: From the Word JAR

[image error]Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales, the recurring blog where a select group of authors share a scene from their current works in progress each week. Those scenes may be based on a word or picture prompt. This week, you 400 word scenes are based on the word JAR. This will also be my last post from The Blue Dragon. I hope you’ve enjoyed these snippets.

“That has to be it,” she whispered. “It looks like it could be a hope chest. Is it locked?”

“No.”Phil undid the brass buckles and lifted the top. The box was cedar lined. “Come have a look,” he said, convinced they’d found the dress.

Sam walked over. Whatever was in the chest was wrapped in tissue paper. Kneeling, she carefully unwrapped the top layers, revealing the most exquisite ivory satin wedding gown she’d ever seen. She stood and lifted it out of the chest.

“It’s gorgeous,” she breathed the words as the satin slithered to the floor. “Here, hold it,” she ordered, handing it to him and turning back to the chest. Under the dress was its slip, a long veil that appeared to be years older than the dress, a tiara with tiny blue stones that could well have been fit for a queen, satin slippers, and a small glass jar containing not only the blue dragon brooch, but matching sapphire earrings.

He watched as tears trickled down Sam’s cheeks, not immune to the emotions filling him.

[image error]“She would’ve made a beautiful bride,” Sam choked out the words. She looked up at him, her face a mixture of wonder and sorrow. “Something old, the veil, something new, the dress, something blue, the tiara,  brooch, and  earrings. The only thing missing is her something borrowed.” She swiped at her eyes. “I don’t know why I’m crying. I should be happy that we’ve found it, but all I can think of is what a lovely bride she would’ve been, and what a shame she never got the chance to wear the dress. Look here.” She indicated the neckline. “It was handmade. By her or her mother, we’ll never know. “I’m going to keep the dressmaker’s dummy we found and display the dress on it. We’ll put it in the living room near the fireplace and their engagement photo. Such an exquisite gown needs to be displayed for everyone to admire.”

Phil nodded, but as far as he was concerned, the dress needed to be worn, and he knew exactly who should wear it.

“Let me carry this downstairs. We’ll have it pressed before we display it, but I think your idea’s a great one.”

For now, but he had plans of his own in the works. He just needed the perfect time and place to spring them–and she had to agree.

That’s it. I truly hope you enjoyed the story. Writing it was a cathartic experience for me as I went through my mother’s house now that it had to be sold. With my Dad’s death last fall, she is no longer able to cope. While that isn’t my mother’s dress, she was married in the dead of winter in white velvet, it’s definitely something Esther would’ve worn. A mind is a fragile thing and sorrow can do a great deal of harm. Stay home. Stay safe. Life is far too precious to waste.

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Contest with a grand prize!!

We may be in the midst of summer’s first heatwave, but here’s something to cool you down!

The Authors’ Billboard’s 2020 Christmas Box Collection, “Dear Santa”, is going to be filled with stories about characters who all have special wishes for Christmas.

On your entry, please send us a special wish you’ve made in the past. We will choose the same number of winners as the number of authors in the set (20) and we will pair you together.

The author you’re paired with will dedicate her new Christmas story to you… or whoever you choose. She will also send you a free e-copy of whichever Christmas collection you wish from our website page.

Those of you who know our authors will understand us striving to be the best and reaching for the stars. We challenge ourselves with every book we write, giving you the best entertainment we can produce. Now it’s time for us to give you a treat.

All entries will have their name entered for a $50 Amazon Gift certificate prize.

ENTER HERE: https://gleam.io/0VajG/dear-santa-may

Tuesday Tales: From the Word GREAT

[image error]As May draws to a close, so does The Blue Dragon. Life is uneventful and that’s a good thing.

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. I hope you and your loved ones are still safe. This week, our word prompt is GREAT.

Enjoy!

Beef got up and jumped off the bed, revealing the paper he’d been sitting on. Sam reached for it, not sure which drawer it had come from, and turned it over. It was a newspaper clipping pasted to a sheet of paper. Someone had written December 1983 under it. In it, four older women stood in front of the walls of the Forbidden City, the Chinese imperial palace in Beijing.

“I don’t know who these people are, but this is definitely Aunt Esther. This must’ve been taken just after China reopened its borders to tourism. I didn’t realize she’d traveled at all after her heart attack thirty years ago, which would’ve been in 1976. But look at the pin on her jacket.”

Phil picked up the picture. “It’s shaped like a dragon. Do you think that’s what we’re searching for?”

“I don’t know.” she exhaled heavily. “It’s not a good copy and it isn’t in color, so I can’t tell if those stones are blue, but it’s the only dragon we’ve seen so far.”

“Finding a piece of jewelry that size is really going to be looking for a needle in a haystack. You packed up her clothes in here. Was there any jewelry?”

“On the clothes, no, and I did search all the pockets so I looked carefully. I did find some in the second drawer, but no dragon. If she had anything of value, like the money we keep finding, it could be anywhere. I found a hundred dollars in the first drawer, thirty-seven in the second, and another thirty in this one, along with that thing.” She pointed at the complete skins of six minks, attached head to tail to form a circle. Beef was sniffing at it, hitting it with his paw now and then as if he wanted to play. “It scared the daylights out of me. Not sure I could ever have hung dead animals around my neck, but—”

The rumble of the snowplow interrupted her.

“That should be Lou. Why don’t you finish in here, and then we’ll head into town? We can get lunch and then do what needs to be done. Tacos or burgers?”

“Burgers all the way, with onion rings and a vanilla shake.”

He closed his eyes in appreciation. “Great! You do realize this is a match made in heaven, don’t you?”

Sam laughed. “Fast food heaven, maybe.”

That’s it. Thanks for visiting. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Now Available for Pre-order! New book box from the Authors Billboard: Unforgettable Surrender: Desire and Deception

It’s a beautiful day in the neighbourhood as Mr. Rogers would say, but sadly not a day to go out and meet people. That being said, let me introduce you to several new people, just dying to meet you!

[image error] Desire and Deception – and Unforgettable Surrender

At times, we are deceived by desires that can override our common sense. If we’re lucky, a hero comes along who saves us not only from ourselves but from those who would hurt us or take away our freedom. These special folks should be honored…and written about. In this collection, we have done just that. Immerse yourself in the love and passion in these stories put together by eight NY Times and USA Today Bestsellers who’ve penned these EIGHT incredible romances about surrendering to our heroes.

Mimi Barbour – NEW! Special Agent Sophia by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. She can go to Greece and rescue the governor’s twins, but can she save a young girl from dangerous traffickers?

Patricia Rosemoor – Justice by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. Reine Kendrick convinces selfish Cash Abreu to help save his half-brother from a kidnapper only to learn that Cash has been living a heart-breaking deception.

Rebecca York – Trapped by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. Are his memories real–or fake news?

Susanne Matthews – In Plain Sight by Bestselling Author. In life you pay a price for everything you do, but can Misty afford to trust her life and her daughter’s to a blind man?

Jennifer Saints – Cocktail Cove by USA Today Bestselling Author. When life shakes you up and pours you over the rocks. A socialite hiding from the mob meets a man hiding from life.

Angela Stevens – NEW! See No Evil by USA Today Bestselling Author. When an ex-gang member, turned informant, falls in love with a missing woman’s sassy English roommate, Joel carpenter’s blurred moral code leads to the ultimate betrayal.

Taylor Lee – Diamond: Ladies of the Night by USA Today Bestselling Author. The Ladies are covert agents in a highly secret, off the grid security organization. Highly trained fighters, they’re as gorgeous as they are dangerous. The only thing these formidable women are NOT is “ladies.”

Katy Walters – The Lost Chord by USA Today Bestselling Author. A demented serial killer searching for the perfect voice. Horror awaits those young singers who fail to meet his demands

Order your copy today. Eight full-length novels for only  99 cents!

http://bookShow.me/B0891QYD5B

Tuesday Tales: From the Word STRING

[image error]Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Tales. How are things in your world? There’s nothing new in mine. Normally this weekend, the first long weekend of the Canadian summer, hubby and I would’ve gone some place special, and looking forward to watching the grandkids play softball,  but not this year. We are sheltering in place, enjoying the yard when the weather allows, missing the hugs, and praying none of our loved ones contracts COVID 19.

As I said last week, my muse is being particularly stubborn, and I haven’t quite finished The Blue Dragon, but I’m getting closer. This week’s word is STRING. 

Enjoy.

“As for finding somewhere else to stay, that’s a waste of money. Since I’m going to be helping you sort through all this, I don’t mind staying here until we’re done. There are five bedrooms upstairs. Lots of place for me to sleep, and if anything were to happen—which I’m confident it won’t—I would be right here to help. It’s a much nicer place than my brother’s old apartment with the residual smell of sweat socks, plus, I could get used to your omelets every now and then. You didn’t mind having me underfoot last night, and I’ve grown kind of fond of the orange blob. No strings attached. What do you say? For old time’s sake, will you lean on me? Will you let me help you?”

Sam gasped, momentarily at a loss for words. She opened her mouth, but it took two tries before her brain connected the dots and the words she wanted came out.

“You’re really serious?” She swiped at a stray tear trickling down her cheek. “You would be willing to move in here with me? That’s crazy. You have your own life, your job, friends … I can’t let you do that. Besides, what would people say? As I recall, small towns have the fastest gossip lines in the world.”

“What people? You just said this place was isolated. And as far as gossip goes, I haven’t been back long enough for someone to even bother talking about me. There’ll be talk about Esther and this place, especially if we put it out there that we’re turning it into an inn. But if anyone has a problem with me staying out here, we’ll tell them the truth. I’m a friend helping another friend,” he said, cupping her cheek. “What have you got to lose?”

Oh how she wanted to accept his offer! Let people talk. So what if they made sly innuendos about her and what might be happening at night? She would be leaving soon anyway. But until she did, it would be wonderful to have someone to lean on, someone to assume part of the heavy load she carried if only for a little while.

“Besides, Madam Pessimist, I’m an optimist.” He grinned, his eyes softening. “I don’t believe the neighbors will think anything of it. They’ll see two people working together to honor a wonderful old woman’s memory. And those shards will stay put. In fact, I predict you’ll be up and dancing in no time.”

That’s it. Thanks for visiting. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

 

Happy Mother’s Day! Last Week to Pre-order Twist for Fate for only 99 cents!

Today is the official release day! Now available in paperback, ebook, or free to read in Kindle Unlimited.

Living the Dream

Happy Mother’s Day. It’s different this year with no family gatherings, no hugs and kisses to share, but that’s okay. Staying away is another way to say I love you these days.  I’ll see my own mother through a galls window and speak to her over a speaker phone, and while that is hard, all I can do is pray she stays safe.

So, with another week of Coronavirus isolation behind us, we need to look forward to better times, knowing they’ll be a long time in coming. For that reason, it’s easier to look back–way back to 1734! This is the last week to purchase Twist of Fate, on pre-order now, for only 99 cents. After that, the price quadruples!

Can a cursed treasure unite two lonely outcasts?

Overton Stafford, shunned by his family because of a birthmark on his face, made a life for himself as Second Mate…

View original post 2,424 more words

Tuesday Tales: From a Picture.

[image error]Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. I’d intended to have this book finished by now, but the muse is as erratic as the weather. I’m still in lock down although some things like hardware stores and garden centers have been allowed to open. Considering we’re on the tail end of a polar vortex, I’ll wait a few more weeks before buying my annuals.

This week, the authors at Tuesday Tales are working with a picture prompt, and are limited to only 300 words.  There were many to choose from but I decided to go with one that defines my life these days as I’m sure it does yours.

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From The Blue Dragon:

“Thank you. I’m short on extras. When I did my groceries yesterday, I didn’t foresee serving breakfast to someone intent on convincing me to turn my sow’s ear into a silk purse.”

So it was about his plans for the house. It could’ve been worse. The constriction in his chest eased.

“Is that what you think I’m doing? Trying to railroad you into doing something you don’t want to do? I’ll admit, I may have come on strongly, Sam, but the final say is yours. As I told you, we can move on this as slowly as you want.”

“Yes, no, I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Honestly, Phil, it all sounded so wonderful yesterday. I got caught up in your fervor, but this morning I realized that I’d bitten off way more than I could chew. Let’s eat first, then we have to talk.”

He didn’t like the finality in that.

“Let me wash up. I’ll be right back.”

The four-slice toaster popped to punctuate his words.

He hurried to the sink, relieved Sam had herself under control again, but from what she’d just said, his plans to keep her here might not work out after all. And if they failed, how could he persuade her to stay?

“This smells great,” he said, sitting across from her once more, fighting not to let his anxiety show. He raised his glass of orange juice in a toast. “My compliments to the chef.”

“Shouldn’t you taste it first?”

He grinned. “Nope. I have taste bud memory. I know exactly how this will taste.” He cut into the omelet with his fork and raised it to his mouth, closing his eyes as he savored the first bite. “I was wrong. It’s even better than I remember, so my compliments stand.”

That’s it. Thanks for visiting. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.