Tuesday Tales is 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 word prompt is track. My snippet is from Hannah’s Haint, a vintage paranormal romance set in a small town in the 1950s. Please visit the other fabulous authors at Tuesday Tales.
He slid onto a stool at the counter. The lunch crowd had thinned out, leaving quite a few tables needing to be cleared. Meg, the waitress he had met before was busy taking care of it.
Her cheery manner settled him down a little. “Not in a big hurry are you?”
“Nah.”
She lumbered toward the back with an oversized tray of dirty dishes. “Be with you in two shakes.” Pleasant odors drifted through the swinging door as she disappeared into the kitchen.
Too restless to stay put, he rose and headed toward the front of the café. Maybe a tune would shake the cobwebs from his brain. Between the lakeside frogs, and the dark dreams that seemed hell bent on doing him in, he hadn’t slept more than an hour or two. One arm resting on the brightly lit machine, he ran a finger over dozens of titles. A smattering of familiar ones jumped out at him. He knocked a nickel in the juke box and punched E9.
Meg swiped at the already clean counter as he reclaimed his seat. “Now that puzzles me.”
“What does?”
“The song you played. Smoke Along the Track. You’re not getting wanderlust already, are you?”
A low laugh rumbled from his stomach. Amazing how good it felt, like something tight had been jostled loose. “Not at all. I’ve had enough traveling to do me for a while.”
“Glad to hear it. Now what can I get you?”
“Cheeseburger, all the way and extra onions.”
She scribbled on a pad. “Will do. Oh, here’s Hannah. Good timing, boy.” She gave him a sly wink.” Sure you want those onions?”
He turned to greet the newcomer with a nod and half smile. He would have known her anyway once she had come close enough. Her hair always seemed to smell of sugared lemons. This day was definitely looking up.
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word prompt track. Thanks for stopping by. Please visit the other fabulous authors at Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance
Loving this. I remember jukeboxes. The new ones just aren’t the same.
Agreed, Susanne. I also liked the little stations on individual tables.
I Iike the setting. I’m a little to young to remember the 50’s, but your bringing it alive.
Thanks, Karen. I love writing in vintage eras.
You put me in a diner kind of mood! love this!
Hahaha, thanks, Davee.
It amazes me how you always use the word in an unusual context. Great job!
I’m glad you liked my take on it, Cathy.
I love your descriptions. “Her hair smelled of sugared lemons” — brilliant! Conjures up an image right away. I can smell what you’re describing. I love your writing.
I’m so happy you like the descriptions, Jean. That means a lot to me.
Oh, well done, Flossie!
Thank you, Vicki!
Very sly, slipping the word prompt in in the song title! Great job. But the hair smelling of sugared lemons was my favorite part!
Hahaha, that’s a real song, too, Trisha. I’m glad you liked the sugared lemons image.