Welcome to Tuesday Tales, where we use word and picture prompts in the stories we’re writing. My current work in progress is a cozy mystery. This week’s word prompt is plug. 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.
Robin’s gaze followed mine to the fluttering curtain. She closed her eyes and huffed away. “You and your ghost hunting! You even made it your business.”
“I guide historical cemetery tours, Robin.”
“Right.” She smiled crookedly and gave my shoulder a friendly shove.
Movement in the mirror caught my attention. I whirled around on the seat.
Luella stood in the half-open door. Patches of flour mottled her apron. Her face portrayed the usual bland expression I was becoming accustomed to. “Can’t find Dovie. Naomi Upshaw phoned, demanding the latest news on Jack. I told her naught. She’ll call again.” She took a further step into the room. “Is Dovie planning to pull the plug on my cousin?”
Robin jerked beside me. “Luella!”
I stood. “Don’t be absurd,” I answered. “Jack has barely been in the hospital one day and is receiving the best care possible.”
Her thick brows furrowed together. “How the Yosemite Sam do you know? You’ve been here five minutes.”
I blinked and strove to keep my blood pressure from spiking. “I visited him in the hospital, saw the care the staff was taking. You can rest assured Dovie will see the excellent level of care continues.”
“Pah! She lives in la la land. I told her to look for a rock or a board. I told the law the same thing. I’m telling you, too.” She wheeled and went.
Robin stood up beside me. “That woman in a menace. Unbelievable! If anyone lives in la la land, it’s her.”
“She gets my dander up, too, but apparently Jack has a soft spot for her.” I sucked in a deep breath and slowly exhaled it. “I have to respect that.”
“What did she mean look for a rock or a board?”
“She meant look for the object that hit Jack.”
Robin had opened her mouth, evidently to protest, when Leo barreled in, loaded with suitcases. She clamped her lips shut.
I smiled my appreciation and took a case from the overworked handyman. “Thanks, Leo.” He left, and I moved the cases to the back wall near the closet. There would be time enough later to open everything.
A look of concern replaced the indignation that Luella’s onslaught had put on Robin’s face.
“What?” I asked.
“It’s just that you didn’t bring a lot of luggage with you.”
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the snippet inspired by plug. 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
Uh oh. What does that mean, the remark about luggage?? Love the line about Yosemite Sam!! Perfect! Tempers are flaring. Can’t wait to see what’s going on and you still haven’t answered the bit about the flutter curtain!
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.
Glad you are looking forward to more.
Great snippet!!
Thank you!
Great snippet, Flossie! So much here, layers we haven’t gotten to yet. You’re sprinkling the bits about like confetti keeping us intrigued. I’m loving this story! (Of course, I have a soft spot for ghosts and spirits, but don’t tell anyone!)
Thanks so much, Trisha. As I was writing today, I realized I needed to draw out the town and where the businesses and people are.
Oh that last line. It seemed she wasn’t planning to stick around. Love this! Great job!