It’s time for Tuesday Tales, May 23, 2023, where we use word and picture prompts in the stories we’re writing. I am working on a cozy mystery. This week’s word prompt is mirror. Events occur at the August Crow Hotel, Peri’s former childhood home, in Glisten, Georgia. When you finish reading my snippet, make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
For several moments Dovie stood as still as a statue, before bursting forth. “Why, of course not! But I saw sudden fear in her eyes at the thought.
Robin’s startled expression reflected my own feelings. “Why on earth would anyone harm Jack?” she asked, hands flailing.
“They wouldn’t,” Kitty rushed to say. “I heard the boys talking, that’s all. Set your mind at ease, Mrs. Douglas. No one would hurt him. Well, I’m through in here. Let me see what else needs doing.” She lugged the vacuum out the door with her.
“That girl,” Dovie huffed. “Don’t pay her any mind.”
“Do you think there’s a chance Jack was assaulted?” I asked.
“Of course not! It’s just a stupid girl talking.” She waved it away.
“I’m going to find Leo to help with the luggage.” Robin’s lips were tight, as she headed toward the door.
Dovie’s palm stretched over her abdomen. “Peri, I hope the room is satisfactory for you.”
“It is. It was always a beautiful room, especially with the morning sun or a rising moon.”
“Oh, I forgot for a moment.” She seemed taken aback. “You are more familiar with the hotel than I am.” She laughed, a nervous twitter. “Is it truly to your liking, or would you rather be downstairs?”
The sunlight dappling through the window caught my eye. One sheer panel of the white dotted Swiss curtains gave a definite flutter, as if someone were saying hello. It made me smile. “It’s very much to my liking,” I answered, peeking out the window at the gazebo and shriveled garden. Below in the yard, Kitty barreled into view and pulled Brady Pryce aside for a quick, whispered conversation. She rushed away, leaving him rubbing his chin. “From here I feel I’m right in the hub of things.”
“Take a look around. Make sure you are comfortable. I need to check on something.” She went.
Catching my reflection in the trio of antique mirrors, I turned and ran my hand over the silky, pale green bedspread and caressed one of the slender, ornate bedposts. This had been not my room nor my parent’s room, but the preferred “Suite A” and, later, the “special room,” the locked and off limits one.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the snippet inspired by mirror. If you haven’t done so already, check out the other excerpts at Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Spirited Stories
All rights reserved, copyright @ 2023 Flossie Benton Rogers
Great scene. I need to know why the room was locked and off-limits!
Hopefully we’ll find out:) Thanks for stopping by, Susanne.
Locked and off-limits is a great curisoity builder!
Thanks for stopping by, Mae. I hope all is going well for you!
💕🤗
Love your descriptions, especially the dotted
Swiss curtain. I remember dotted Swiss material, a favorite of mine when I was younger. Haven’t seen much of it lately. And the satiny bedspread. I could feel that against my palm as I read. Now, about this locked room?? I need to know why. Great excerpt, as always.
Yes, the dotted swiss and satiny spread hopefully added to the vintage feel of Peri’s new bedroom. Maybe she’ll tell us more about the locked room as well. Thanks for the insights, Jean!
Great snippet. Why WAS that room locked off???
Thanks, Vicki!
Love me some dotted Swiss. Nice! I can see it! And the special room that was locked, Oh yeah!! Love it. Jillian
I love how the curtain gave a brief flutter, as if someone was saying hello.
Great job in using the prompt too, it fit right into this scene.
Hmm. Something seems up with those two outside. I love the imagery. Great job!