Welcome to Tuesday Tales, a weekly blog featuring authors posting excerpts from works in progress based on word and picture prompts. I’m pleased you stopped by today. This week’s word prompt is dirt. Enjoy the other talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
She settled him into a chair against the wall, placing a bottle of water on a side table. Her solicitations amused him and also touched him more than a little. “Don’t move. I’ll be back in a flash.” She went out the side door, and he relaxed, easing his aching leg out in front. He gazed around at the many pots on the long work table and hanging from hooks above. So this was where she worked her green thumb magic. The room smelled like fresh mown grass with subtle, more exotic aromas blending in.
She returned with a cup of coffee, splashed with cream the way he preferred to drink it. Her fingers brushed his as she handed it over.
“I’m impressed.”
She put a hand on her hip. “That I remembered the cream?”
“That you have coffee around. I’ve only ever seen you with tea.”
A slight flush pinkened her cheeks. “I keep it for guests and have been known to enjoy a cup of morning joe myself.”
He filed away that information for later. A warming sip took the edge off. “Mmm, good. Thank you.”
She nodded. “You worked like a bear today, and I still wish you’d let me look at that knee.”
He pulled in his leg. “It’s an old injury and will keep until a hot shower tonight.”
‘Well, then shall I forget this—“ she flung a hand about—“and drive you on home?”
He shook his head. “No. I’m content to shore myself up with caffeine while you finish the transplanting or whatever it is you have to do.”
“Okay. If you’re sure, I won’t be long.” Her hands flew about the work with familiarity. She poured a bag of potting soil into a bucket and added scoops of the black dirt they’d collected earlier from the riverbank, stirring and aerating it with a short-handled rake.
He became mesmerized watching her hands, strong and capable and soft all at the same time, with fingers slightly splayed at the tips. At one point she exclaimed with delight, “You were right!” A fat earthworm wiggled between a thumb and forefinger.
He laughed. “Good earth.”
She nodded, her honey-colored eyes gleaming. “Better than can be bought.”
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word prompt dirt. Thanks for stopping by. Read the other amazing excerpts at Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance
All rights reserved, copyright @ 2020 Flossie Benton Rogers
I have spring fever and this fit right in. I have been potting and arranging in my office lol.
You are always busy and productive making things better!
Great post. My green thumb tends to be more black than green, but the smell of new mown grass was a lovely touch.
My mother had a beautiful green thumb. Yes, I love the smell of mown grass as well.
As always, so visual, with vibrant descriptions!
I’m glad the descriptions are vibrant. Thanks for stopping by!
Great excerpt!
Thanks!
I love this slice of life and banter back and forth. Great use of the word prompt, too. I love mystery. Looking forward to more.
I am so excited to be working on a mystery, thank you, Jean!
I love the banter between them as she works. I hope his knee is going to be okay. Great job!
I hope he’s not too hurt. Thanks, Tricia!
Wonderful scene! I wanted to jump in there and help her in the midst of the soil and the plants. You have such a great way of capturing the moments and sharing it with us in your delightful, descriptive voice.
You gave my spirits a big boost. Thanks, Trisha!
I love the way he is mesmerized by her. Sweet. AND I’m with her on the tea over coofee, but sometimes indulging in the other. Jillian
I’m glad you like his reaction to her. Thanks, Jillian!