Welcome to Tuesday Tales, a weekly blog featuring diverse authors who post excerpts from their works in progress based on word and picture prompts. We’re a book hungry troop that enjoys reading as much as you do. Today our picture prompt is cry. My excerpt is from one of my books in progress, Hannah’s Haint, a vintage paranormal romance set in a small town in the 1950s. Please visit the other fabulous authors at Tuesday Tales.
The cry of a distressed blue jay pierced the dawn, and then another. Her gaze followed a flash of color. Probably babies were involved. She searched the tree line. There was no glimpse of any further confrontation, and no more outbursts. Just the pleasant muted hum of waking fauna. Cradling her cup, she enjoyed the last few sips in peace. How relaxing it would be to prolong these moments. She’d like to suspend early morning to an all-day languish of drinking coffee and musing around.
That was no longer possible. She wasn’t the girl with oodles of cash or even the dosh for a lazy day. Sighing, she returned inside. Thank goodness for the screen door. Lizards and bugs were Florida staples she could do without.
Her stack of laundry was back from Miss Sarah. Slipping a freshly starched apron over her head, she made her way to the big drawing room lugging a pail of soapy water and another of supplies. With a wry glance at her once lovely nails, she got busy. First using the feather duster on the wood furniture, she then delved into the bottle of polish. The oily aroma overpowered her breathing but gave the satisfaction it was working. By the time she had finished the major pieces, the outside crew was well underway with hammering noises. She began on the smaller tables. The wall clock chimed, and she craned her neck to see it was already nine o’clock. Nita was supposed to be here to scour the floor. Oh, good, there was the screen door now. She scrunched back down to the table legs. “In here, Nita.”
“Not Nita. Good morning.” Nate came in, his dark eyes seeking her out.
“Here.” He offered a hand to help her rise, and that one dimple deepened. “What’s Cinderella doing on the floor?”
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the picture prompt cry. Thanks for stopping by. Please visit the other fabulous authors at Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance
What a contrast between the two places she begins her day. I almost envied the view in the first paragraphs. Then comes the cold shower. her chores. Perfectly balanced!
Typical of our days sometimes eh, Carmen? I sure feel that way about chores. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting.
Great scene. I’ve awakened with pillow wrinkles. lol They take all day to fade. Love the Cinderella reference. Good job.
Right??!!! And things that look strange on a woman sometimes seem endearing on a man–go figure. Thanks for the comment, Susanne!
As always, the descriptions drew me right in. From the sublime to the mundane, you do quite well. Jillian
Thanks so much, Jillian!
I love the descriptions. I can’t wait to read this
I’m so glad you like the descriptions Cathy.
If she’s Cinderella, then he must be her prince. I love the contrast between the quiet, pastoral scene vs. the scene where she was working hard, cleaning. Well done! I want to see more of these two.
Oh, I hope he is, Jean! I’m glad you like the contrast of her two locations and want to see more of the couple.
What a great scene!
Thanks, Vicki!
Excellent imagery! I could smell the soap and polish and feel the warm air. Great job!
I’m glad you liked the imagery. Thanks, Tricia.