Welcome to Tuesday Tales, a weekly blog featuring diverse authors posting excerpts from their works in progress based on word and picture prompts. We’re a book hungry bunch that enjoys reading as much as you do. This week we work from a selection of picture prompts. I chose the one above. My excerpt is from a paranormal fantasy in which a goddess occasionally inhabits the body of an archaeological assistant. Enjoy the excerpts of the other authors at Tuesday Tales.
Sudden exhaustion settled over her, as she climbed the stairs to her second floor apartment. Unpacking the Valentine’s Day display items had taken until well after dark. Why hadn’t she hopped in the elevator instead?
At the landing her neighbor, Esther Eastwick, cracked open the door. “Thought that might be you, Prudence. Care to stop in for a cup of tea?”
Not tonight. She just wanted a hot shower and the comfy cuddles of bed. But her mouth watered, and hot tea sounded irresistible. She turned toward the open door. “How kind of you, Ms. Eastwick.”
“Call me Esther. I’ve been here nigh on a month now. It’s about time we get to know one another, isn’t it?”
Nodding, Prue took the offered seat and settled into a rather springy, plum colored chair. Esther made her way to the mantle, where a red metal teapot and enchanting spotted cups were displayed. With gnarled fingers, she poured water from a jug into the pot and bent over to set it on a grate above the fire.
“Wait, you have a real working fireplace?”
“Oh, yes. Can’t do without my hearth, you see.”
“B-but I thought the manager had them all replaced with faux units–for safety’s sake.”
The old woman’s eyes gleamed. “I prefer the old ways. Don’t you like a crackling flame when you are tired of a night?”
“Oh, yes, if I had a choice, certainly.”
“The choice is always yours, my girl.”
The endearment didn’t seem at all out of place, and the pops and sizzles of the fire proved soothing.
Using a folded dishcloth, Esther dragged the pot to the far edge of the grate. Lifting the lid, she added a large size infuser.
A fragrant aroma drifted from the red kettle, tickling Prue’s nose with its swirling deliciousness.
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the picture prompt. Thanks for stopping by. Return to Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance
Oohh, so how come she has a working fireplace, huh? Methinks she might be a witch, eh? Great snippet. Love the description and I swear I could smell the tea.
She could be something or other, very astute, Jean! I’m so glad you could smell the tea.
We’ve refused to get rid of our working fireplace. Love the sound of it and the heat on a cold day. Great tease.
With all the snow you write about, Susanne, I’m glad to hear you have a real fireplace to keep you toasty. Thanks so much for the comments!
It makes me happy you used this picture. It’s such a cheery one! AND I love that she has a real fireplace. Magical or not, they are wonderful to have- cozy! Jillian
I want that set featured in the picture we chose. You are so right about the wonderfulness of real fireplaces.
I could feel the warmth of the fire and smell the tea. And I think Esther is more than she seems (I hope she is!). Great job!
I hope she is, too, Tricia! I’m glad the fire and tea came across. Thank you.
Great job! I could feel the heat of the fire.
I’m glad you could feel the fire. Thanks, Vicki.
Oh darn those 300 word limits when a girl wants to keep reading! Great job. I felt like I were there by the fire with them.