Sunday Snippets from Time Tantrums by Ginger Simpson #sunday snips

Time Tantrums ws originally released as "Sisters in Time," but when my rights expired, I wanted to share the story with so many more, so I tried to remove many of the amateur mistakes we authors tend to make and re-release the novel through Books We Love.

I still believe this is one of the most creative feats I've undertaken.  It's not easy to jump from one hero to another, so I'm happy to share a sample with you of how I accomplished my goal.  Join Mariah, my pioneer wife, and Taylor, my modern day attorney, as they struggle to acclimate to new eras and new husbands:





Prologue

Mariah - Colorado Territory—1872
Mariah Cassidysat on the front porch and watched her husband,Frank, ride through the gate. The large Rocking C, the ranch’s emblem, cast a shadow across his face as he rode beneathit. His muscled thighs gripped the flanks of his huffing,black stallion, and his hat rested in that familiarrakish tilt. He certainly knew how to sit a horse.
Frank dismounted and gave the horse’s reins to a hired hand. He dusted himself off then turned andstrode to the porch. “Good morning, sleepyhead.”
She smiled. “You were upbright and early. Would youlike some breakfast?”
“No thanks.I already ate with the ranch hands,but... I might be interested in somethin’

else.” Even after seventeen years of marriage,Frank’s innuendoembarrassed Mariah. Just awink of one of his heavy-lashed, blue eyes made her heart flutter, but her desire for lovemakingnever equaled his. She fretted about him leaving her to find satisfaction in the arms of another. Her mother had planted such deep-seeded inhibitions within Mariah that nudity made her uncomfortable. She loved being in his arms, but beyond that, her embarrassment got in the way of feelingfree.


The same old thoughtsniggled at her as she gazed into his face. Why didn’t she feel the same comfortwith her body as Frank did with his? Would he be happier with someoneelse? He deserveda wife with passion to match his own.  She massaged the creasesin herbrow.
“Mariah, did you hear me? Would you like to join me upstairs?”  He nodded toward the house.

She held up a silencing finger while guilt niggledher. “Hush. The children will hear you."

* * * *
TaylorDenver, Colorado—2002
Lost in thought,Taylor Morgan sat and stared at the stacks of files piled on her large mahoganydesk. The sun barely peeked throughthe office window of the high-risebuilding and the dim lighting matched her somber mood. Had she remembered to kiss David before she left home? It seemed she was always in a hurry these days. Rushing to put on make-up, darting off withoutgoodbyes, workinglate, and barelyfinding time for her husband—something had to change. She didn’t want a repeatof the argument she’d hadwith David last night.
The thud of his fist on the dining room table echoedin her head. When he expressed frustration, her body trembled, much the same as the silverware had. She’d neverseen him so angry.
His words had cut through her like a knife. “We’re like ships passing in the night. All we do is work, eat and sleep. You’re so busy with your job that that’s all you think about. You don’t cook, you don’t clean...Good God, we only make love on your schedule,never mine. What if I don’t want to wait five yearsto have children?”
The thought of having a child made Taylorshudder. She’d labored hard to achievethe status she enjoyedat the law firm. Givingup now wasn’t an option.Still, what about David? Didn’t he have a right to the family he wanted? She felt so conflicted. What if her husband wasn’twilling to hang around until she determined the time feltright?
If only there was a way to compromise. She nodded. Making David a priority seemed a good start if she wanted to save her marriage.Tonight, she’d leavework early, go home, and make dinner. Afew candles, a bottle of wine—David would be pleasantly surprised.
She picked the most pressing files from her desk and threw them into her briefcase, planning to peruse them while she cooked.Grabbing her jacket from the chair, she slung it over her shoulderand reached the door when the urgent buzzing of her intercom summoned her back. Sheleaned over the desk and masheda button with her fingertips.“Yes?”
“Ms. Morgan,”her secretary responded, “Mr. Abernathy requests that you join him in the conference room right away. The senior partners have called an emergency meeting.”
“I’ll be right there.” Taylor ploppedher briefcase back on the desk. She straightened her collarand smoothed her skirt thentook a deep breath.

Maybe tomorrow, David, maybe tomorrow.



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Please visit the sites of my friends and see what goodies they offer today:

http://authorjamiehill.blogspot.com/  (Jamie Hill)
http://triciamg.blogspot.com (Tricia McGill)
http://medievalnovels.blogspot.com (Vijaya Schartz)
http://connievines.blogspot.com (Connie Vines)
http://yesterrdayrevisitedhere.blogspot.com/ (Juliet Waldron)

By the way....all of my books are available on my Amazon page.  See you next week.