Happy Valentine’s Day! Snuggle up with your tea or coffee! Get ready for Tuesday Tales, February 14, 2023, where authors write excerpts incorporating word and picture prompts. I am working on a cozy mystery. My picture depicts an antique shop. One of my characters in the town of Glisten, Georgia just happens to own such a shop. When you finish reading my snippet, make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
I slipped the silver ring case into my pocket. There was a person nearby who might be able to date it. Opening the kitchen door, I leaned in to say, “Luella, the swarm has thinned out, and Nita is staying until closing. I need to run an errand. Will you be all right here for an hour or so?”
Her large, nearly transparent gray eyes met mine for a split second. “I imagine Tea Thyme will survive,” she answered sourly and continued placing cookies onto a large tray.
Yes, but will you? I tried not to take her attitude personally. I knew how discombobulated she was by her unexpected starring role as the Sheriff’s number one murder suspect. Still, I shook my head to prevent an eye roll as I grabbed a jacket off the pecan wood rack. With a nod to Nita, I stepped out into a cold autumn gust.
Bracing myself, I headed the few blocks toward Dulcy Tolliver’s Treasured Past. It wasn’t a dusty, depressing shop crowded with discarded mid-century furniture. Nor was it a deceptive space crammed with faux trinkets and ill-made replicas. In fact, despite its eclectic inventory of fine furniture and fancy bric-a-brac, it was neither crammed nor crowded. As befitting the Square’s upscale ambience, shoppers at Treasured Past could breathe easily amid roomy aisles and clever display contraptions. A curio or two sparkled and caught the eye from each direction and vantage point.
I remembered Nita telling me how daily dusting composed a large part of the morning routine. When working here one summer, she had been scolded more than once for not getting in the crevices and curly cues with her rag. The furniture and other wood products gleamed from the manly elbow grease provided by Dulcy’s husband, George.
I hope you enjoyed the snippet inspired by the picture of an antique shop. Thanks for stopping by. 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
Wonderful snippet!!
Love the description of the antique shop. Makes me want to go there, certain I’ll find something I can’t live without. Still wanting to know more about that crafty sheriff. Great piece!
Right?! A great place to find treasures.
Love the word- discombobulated.
Me, too!
Sounds like a place I’d love to shop in! I love a good antique store with a mix of things as you describe. Jillian
Those stores are entertaining.