Written Fireside - Can't You See? Part 9

Welcome to Part 9 of the latest Written Fireside Story! If you regularly visit my new website (www.ZaraStoneley.com) you'll know that I'm animal mad, and so I'm delighted to be taking part in this special edition story - the individual parts can be read now for free, but once published all proceeds will be donated to Pets for Vets.

The story...

Noah Hale is an author suffering from PTSD related insomnia, needing peace and sleep. All he wants is to be left alone. A certain little dog has other ideas.

Amanda Bell, a teacher, is grieving the loss of her sister, Rachel. Caring for her sister’s dog is comforting until a new neighbor moves in the other half of her duplex. Suddenly, the dog starts escaping her yard, running off to the man on the other side of the fence.

And here is where to catch up on previous parts...

Part 1  by Lori Connelly

Part 2  by Elsa Winckler  

Part 3  by Angela Campbell

Part 4  by Jane Hunt   

Part 5  by Charlotte Phillips   

Part 6  by Mandy Baggot

Part 7  by Susan Horsnell

Part 8  by Paty Jager

Can't You See - Part 9

“I’m not sure...” He paused, not wanting to offend her. But it had been hard enough opening up to Mary, a whole room full of people sounded his idea of hell. “I don’t really do talking it over with strangers.”

Amanda smiled, seeing the look of barely disguised horror. “I didn’t think I did either. And here I am sat chatting to you and…” She spread her hands.

He got the message. Yeah, he’d just spilled the whole story out to her, but she didn’t feel like a stranger for some reason.

“I’m not saying it works for everybody, but it has helped me. What’s worked for you so far?”

There was no challenging note in her voice, no censure and for the first time he could remember Noah didn’t actually resent the intrusion. “I run.”

“Run? Maybe we could do a deal I go along with your plan, you try mine. If you want to that is?”

Noah laughed. “I run fast.”

She raised an eyebrow. “I’m no slouch.”

“Very fast, to outpace the demons.”

And even when he said the word demons there was something different to the earlier pain in his eyes. Devilment.

“Sounds like walking might be a better idea then.” Gertie tipped her head to one side as she heard one of her favourite words, and Noah grinned. “Not right now, pup. You might be one hell of a therapist, but I draw the line at walks in the middle of the night.”

“Well actually, the sun will be up soon.” Amanda had suddenly realised they’d been up talking nearly all night. “I’ve not been awake at this time for years.”

Noah had. There’d been too many sleepless nights. But it was a long time since he’d been smiling at this early hour in the morning. He made a sudden decision. “Let’s do it.” Amanda raised an eyebrow. “Let’s take her a walk, watch the sun come up together.”

‘Tomorrow can be the first day of the rest of your life.’ Wasn’t that one thing Mary had said to him? ‘Trust yourself.’ He pushed his chair back abruptly, spilling the little dog to the floor, where she started to spin excitedly in circles chasing her tail. His life wasn’t going to change overnight, there would be no miracles, but finding somebody who wasn’t going to run scared, who wasn’t going to scorn and make him feel like some freak or some useless shell of a man, was as good a place to start as any. He’d spent too much time trying to work this thing out on his own, and for the first time he actually wanted to share, to talk. And to listen.

“Will you come?” He held out a hand, suddenly nervous that he’d gone too far, but Amanda was smiling back at him.

“I don’t think I’ve got any choice, do you? Look at her!” She slipped her hand into his and it felt right. Like it belonged there. Like the type of anchor he wanted, even when he wasn’t having nightmares.

***

Amanda smiled as Gertie raced ahead up the path, turning every now and then to check they were following then putting her nose down again to follow the scents. She felt a bit like the little dog looked, happy, carefree.

She was out of breath by the time they reached the high point that she’d known would be the perfect spot to see the new day in. Noah had a long loping stride that had never faltered as they’d climbed the incline. But he’d taken her with him, his hand wrapped tightly around hers. “I’m glad I didn’t agree to run.”

He laughed, green eyes twinkling, and it somehow felt normal to let her head rest on his shoulder, to feel his arm around her waist, as they watched the sun edge its way over the horizon, filling the sky with colour.

Amanda sighed. “Isn’t it wonderful?”

“Like you.” His voice was a soft murmur, but she knew she hadn’t imagined it. She dared to glance up, and it must have been lack of sleep that gave her the mad urge to reach out and touch his face. His gaze met hers. Clear eyes, that seemed to be able to read every thought in her head.

“Amanda.” One firm finger traced along her jawbone and she held her breath. “Is it wrong if I—” She never found out what might have been wrong, as Gertie jumped up between the two of them, barking with excitement. Noah groaned, and Amanda couldn’t help but giggle

 “Gertie that is so naughty.” The dog sat down, the picture of innocence. “I think she wants her breakfast.” She wagged her tail. Not sure whether to be exasperated or pleased that the little dog had broken the spell, Amanda clipped the dogs leash back on.

“And so do I.” Noah linked his fingers through hers. “Come on, my treat.”

***

While Noah filled the kitchen with the wonderful aroma of bacon, Amanda looked through his books. She couldn’t help it, reading was an addiction. “Wow, have you written all of these, they’re all yours?”

He shrugged, green eyes wary, as she flicked through the pages of one.

“You never said you’d written this many. This looks amazing. Can I borrow a copy?”

“Sure, come on grubs up.”

As she went to put the book she’d been reading back on the pile, a photograph half slipped out. A young woman, pretty. Feeling guilty at rummaging through his private things, Amanda dropped the book and hurried over.

“I’m seeing Mary later, maybe you could come.”

“Ah.” Amanda put her knife and fork down, her food hardly touched. So that was her name, Mary. “Maybe I should go, I think, maybe…” She’d been such a fool, taken his concern for more than it was, thought she could help somebody who already had more than enough help.

“Amanda?” He was looking at her concerned, as she pushed her chair back. “You’ve not eaten.”

“Sorry, I’m not hungry.” She’d be fine with Gertie. They could stay on one side of the fence, and Noah and his Mary could stay on the other. So much for the little dog’s intelligence and perception.

“Hang on.” He was up out of his seat and stood in front of her before she had time to go anywhere.

“Mary understands, you don’t need me.”

“Well of course she understands, that’s her job, but you’re different. I thought…”

“Her job?”

“She’s my therapist.” He looked truly puzzled now, but was not shifting an inch. “Why, who did you think she was?”

“You keep a photograph of your therapist?”

“Sorry?”

Amanda couldn’t stand his play-acting a moment longer, pushing past him she marched over towards the book, and fished the picture out triumphantly. But whatever she’d expected, it wasn’t the look of shock on his face.

“That shouldn’t be there, I thought I’d got rid of them all.” His tone was flat. “That’s not Mary, that’s Jess.”

Don't miss the concluding part next week -

Part 10 by Summerita Rhayne

Written Fireside Blog Hop

It might only be August, but there's a reason Christmas has come early....

Fifteen HarperCollins authors have all been given the same opening paragraph and challenged to write a 'Christmas by the Fire' short story. That brilliant first paragraph was written by competition winner Georgia Beyers. To join in the fun follow the hop, read excerpts from all the stories and enter the giveaway and be in with a chance to win lots of books and a 70$ Amazon Gift Card!
To read the stories in full, look out for the Christmas e-book anthology which will be published later in the year. So, here's the opening paragraph, followed by a snippet from my story...


Charlotte sat at the bus stop wondering whether she would make the naughty or nice list this year. Last year she had rescued a stray kitten and therefore considered herself most definitely ‘nice’. This year she had broken Daniel’s heart into a million tiny pieces, so ‘naughty’ seemed to be the only answer. There’d be no Santa Claus coming down her chimney anytime soon. - Georgia Beyers

Threes…
 Charlotte sat at the bus stop wondering whether she would make the naughty or nice list this year. Last year she had rescued a stray kitten and therefore considered herself most definitely ‘nice’. This year she had broken Daniel’s heart into a million tiny pieces, so ‘naughty’ seemed to be the only answer. There’d be no Santa Claus coming down her chimney anytime soon.

Seriously though, naughty or nice, she seemed to be hurtling headlong towards the obligatory three bits of bad luck. Why did it have to come in threes? And why now, when she really could do with a bit of festive encouragement?

Actually, thinking about it, luck was a bit like buses, all or nothing, and right now her bad luck was piling up like a road block and the buses, well… there was a distinct lack of anything big, red and warm.
She glanced down at her watch, for the umpteenth time, if one didn’t come soon she’d be shattering (well shattering might be a bit on the strong side, severely denting more like) more than one little heart, and she’d actually BE blue, not just feeling it.
Although not as blue as Daniel. Poor, poor Daniel. No festive cheer for him. He was the first bit of bad luck, if you could call it that, some might call it clever engineering. And talking of engineering (or should that be mechanics?) black cloud two on her horizon was her car.
For the first time in like ever, their whole entire relationship, it had spluttered as though it had swallowed something down the wrong way, and then given up the ghost altogether. Which did just about sum up her past relationships (the human, not mechanical ones). The one with her car had probably been as good as it got.

 Maybe it was enough that her car had broken down just when she needed it most, leaving her waiting for a bus in the freezing cold. Maybe Santa could strike the Daniel thing off the list and call it quits – which left her in the good camp didn’t it? Well evens, because apparently the kitten wasn’t actually a stray. Long story, but hey she’d tried. And didn’t they say it was the trying that mattered? And it had been attempted rescue, she had climbed up the tree even if she’d missed the fact that the darn thing had decided a suicidal scramble down the other side was a better bet than being saved by her. Okay, so that left it about evens. Clean slate, hello Santa. Or maybe the third bit of bad luck would be no bus, and a lot of un-festive bad temper and maybe even tears.
 And the whole Daniel thing wasn’t really her fault anyway. Oh, why wasn’t life ever simple?

 ***

“Have you got any idea what you look like dressed like that?”
Charlotte instinctively jumped back as the car pulled in at the kerb, determined not to get her tights sprayed by yet another wave of slushy snow, then thoughts of Daniel, ungrateful kittens and naughty lists took a hike as she registered who it was.
“Like Santa’s little helper I was hoping.” She grinned at the girl inside the car, who had wound the window down and seemed to find the whole thing quite entertaining. Amy.
“And there was I just thinking green tights were the in thing this Christmas. Come on, get in, I’m freezing my bits off here.”
Charlotte pulled opened the car door and stepped as carefully as she could in, studying her by now drooping boots. Well, the perky points were drooping. Getting changed before setting off had been a good idea when she’d thought she had a car. Not so good when you have to trudge the streets.
“Crumbs it’s hot in here.” The tips of her fingers were already tingling seconds after she’d shut the door. “Don’t complain, if you’d stood out there much longer you would have either got picked up or arrested.”
“I wouldn’t say no to a nice policeman.”
“As in picked up, or arrested by?”
She shrugged and Amy laughed and steered her way back into the traffic. “I thought you were off men.” “Only other peoples.” Charlotte sighed and closed her eyes for a second, although surely the fact that Amy had turned up was a good sign. A sign that she may be forgiven? “And my look not touch policy is working just fine.”
“That so wasn’t your fault. And I can’t believe he actually cried. I mean cried. Real tears.” Her best friend glanced at her briefly, with a look of mock horror then turned her concentration back to the road.
“Real man tears.” She looked glumly out at the garishly decorated shop windows that were whizzing past in glorious Technicolor. “That, apparently, was one of the things Holly liked about him. His sensitive side.” “Until she decided to swap him for a fireman.”
“He has a big pole apparently.”
 Amy giggled, then beeped the car horn angrily as a man, half hidden behind a large conifer stepped out in front of the car. Charlotte made a grab for the door handle as the car shimmied on the ice, but Amy didn’t seem to notice. She was warming up to the subject. Holly assassination. “She is such a cow though, expecting you to do the dirty for her. Sorry, but she is.”
Diversionary tactics seemed in order. Much as Charlotte didn’t like the way her sister took advantage of her good nature, she was prepared to forgive and forget. The festive season and all that. “A lucky cow, you should see the fireman. And she probably knew Dan would cry, she only does soft sides when it works for her. I mean she just wouldn’t know what to do, would she? She’s not exactly the type to hand out tissues.” 

“More the type to give him the money so he can go buy a packet. I can’t believe you two are sisters. Here we go, grotty grotto time.” Amy pulled the handbrake on with a flourish and stared at the entrance door. “I suppose we should be thankful we’re not reindeers. The little horrors kept pinching Becky’s bum last year, they said they just wanted to see if her tail was real. One of them tugged it so hard she thought the elastic in her knickers was going to pop.”
“Knickers?”
“It was attached. Safety reasons. Elf and safety.” Amy giggled at her own joke.
“Very funny.” Charlotte passed Amy her elf hat. “Nor can I, believe we’re sisters I mean.” And sometimes she couldn’t. Holly was tall, slim, had perfect nails and breathtakingly outrageous dress sense. Charlotte stopped at outrageous. She was small, on the verge of a donut-too-many and generally wore the first thing that fell out of the wardrobe. Or, as in tonight, an elf costume. Holly would never be seen dead in green (despite her name), it clashed with her skin colouring apparently. And as for the curly toed shoes and the perky hat… “Hang on.” Somewhere from the depths of the elf tunic a merry Christmas tune announced an incoming text. “Oh.” She re-read the text just to be sure. “Apparently she’s moved on to the fireman’s mate now.”
 “So he didn’t light her fire exactly?”
Charlotte shook her head and tried to look disapproving. “You’re on form tonight.”
“It’s my mental preparation for coping with two hundred hyper kids. Shall we go find Santa?”
“I think my boots are running.”
“Sorry?”
 “The colour,” she swung her feet out of the car and watched the snow turn emerald. “It’s running. My feet are in a bit of a green puddle. Oh, shit.” Charlotte paused, half in and half out of the car. Which wasn’t a good idea as her feet nearly shot from under her on the ice. She straightened up reluctantly, which meant she couldn’t hide behind the car door any longer.
“What? Oh.” Amy walked round and stood at the side of Charlotte, and stared at Santa Claus, standing stock in the centre of the doorway. His white beard tucked under his chin. A bashful grin on his face. Amy wasn’t bothered about displaying herself in full elf costume to Santa. “Er, I mean oo.” She dropped her voice a notch, but it still seemed far too loud to Charlotte. She leant in closer, dropped to a stage whisper. “Well, I mean wow, but what is with the ‘oh shit’, girl? That is one hell of a Santa, Christmas has come early. I’m a believer.”

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Written Fireside - 'Changes' Part 5

Welcome to Part 5 of the latest Written Fireside story, Changes. If you've not read any of the previous parts, catch up with them here -

Part 1 – Lori Connelly

Part 2 – Teresa Morgan

Part 3 – Lynn Marie Hulsman

Part 4 - Sue Fortin

Part 5 ...

“You dare me?” She could feel the smile playing over her lips as she dared herself to do what she’d been wanting to do since he’d walked into that art class. Reach out and touch him. The sizzle of heat burned through his shirt, set her fingertips tingling.

Zach had always been able to set her all-a-tremble with the lightest touch, she’d let him do what he wanted, let him take control. But that had been then.

He nodded, his dark eyes alive and dancing with a mix of fun and confidence. “I dare you, Marie. Take a risk.” The unspoken ‘for once’ hung between them.

“Okay.” She drew the word out long as she let her fingers trace a path down his chest. If she had changed, this was the test. She’d faced the future, decided it was time to do things differently. And now she had to face the past. She finally had a chance to draw a line under what had happened between them, rather than bury it under the carpet. End it properly, with her eyes wide open rather than letting the fantasy man come between her and every other man she’d tried to date. She stood up on her tip toes, so that her lips were level with his. Resisted the temptation to kiss him. “I will if you will.”

Zach slammed the passenger car door shut a little harder than he’d meant to. He’d wanted Marie to accept his offer, but if he was honest he hadn’t thought she would. He didn’t really deserve even an acknowledgment from her, let alone the time of day. But there was still something between them, he could tell she was still as drawn to him as he was to her. Which was why he’d dared to stop and talk to her. Why he’d offered to help.

He got in the car, started the engine up and risked a glance in her direction. And although he had a thousand and one questions he wanted to ask, he was tongue tied. Which wasn’t something he was used to.

She grinned back, raised an eyebrow. She’d changed. He’d loved the old Marie, but he had a horrible feeling he’d love the new one even more. Except she would never forgive him. He’d blown his chance long ago, even if he’d had no choice.

“Whenever you’re ready.” Her tone was teasing, something else that was new.

He pushed the car into gear. “What did you mean, I will if you will?”

The sexy chuckle sent him straight back to that summer. Made it all worse. “Dare. Take a risk.”

“Risk, what risk?” He was confused now.

“Explain to me why you did it.”

Don't miss the rest of the story! 

Next up, on the 6th May, is part 6 by Jane Lark. While you're waiting why not discover a bit more about her, and her books
Contact - Website Facebook Twitter Blog History

Her books - I Found You Just You The Illicit Love of a Courtesan The Passionate Love of a Rake The Scandalous Love of a Duke

Part 7 by Mandy Baggot
Part 8 by Linn B Halton
Part 9 by Erin Lawless

Written Fireside November: His Way Home, Part 3

If you've not read the previous parts yet, catch up with Part 1 and Part 2 before reading on!

Part 3...

Walter ran a leathery finger down the edge of the wallet, then tried to pull the photograph free, frustration flickering across his face as his arthritic fingers struggled with the task.

“Here, can I help?” Beth put a hand out hesitantly, not wanting to interfere, but Walter nodded instantly.

“Thank you, dear.”

She teased the worn picture out from the sleeve in the wallet, laid it carefully on the table between them. It was a moment before Walter touched it, lifted it up with an age mottled hand that shook, slowly turned it over.

“Alice Rose Dolvin.” He read the words that were traced out in a spidery script on the back.

“Do you know who she is?”

“I’m not sure. I should, but….” He took a sip of the cocoa that had sat untouched next to him, his gaze never leaving the picture of the woman. “It’s in her eyes, those eyes are so like Rose’s you know. And she’s even got that same dimple.” One finger rested lightly on the photograph, traced the outline of the face. “Who’d have known?” His voice had drifted and Beth instinctively reached out to touch him. He shook his head, gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m okay, my dear. I remember now.”

Relief surged through Beth as she smiled back. Matthew had often spoken to her of the confusion concussion patients could suffer from, and although Walter seemed far from frail he was elderly and who knows how long he had been out in the cold.

“Alice.” His voice seemed stronger, conviction in it now, “Alice Rose Dolvin is our daughter.”

“But, but she’s the same age as you, she can’t be your daughter...” The relief she’d felt had been chased away by panic. He needed help. Oh, why wasn’t Matthew here now?

Walter’s tone was soft, but firm. “Oh yes, my dear, she is. It’s our little Alice.  I was sent back to help her.” He looked up at Beth, but the clear blue eyes were focussed on some place far away, “I need to get back, I really do need to get home now. They need me.”

To be continued Tuesday December 3rd by

Lynn Marie Hulsman 

on her blog

While you are waiting, why not check out her book?

Christmas at Thornton Hall

Coming next...

Part 4 by Lynn Marie Hulsman on Tuesday December 3rd

Part 5 by Romy Sommer on Tuesday December 10th

Part 6 by Jane Lark on Tuesday December 17th

Part 7 by Teresa F Morgan on Tuesday December 24th

Part 8 by Carmel Harrington on Tuesday January 7th

Part 9 by Sue Fortin on Tuesday January 14th

Part 10 by Erin Lawless on Tuesday January 21st

Part 11 by Mandy Baggot on Tuesday January 28th

Written Fireside October: A Witch By Chance, Part 3

If you've not read the previous parts yet, catch up with Part 1 and Part 2 before reading on!

Part 3...

Ivy moved to touch her wrist, to grab the bangle that was tightening around it, but the strangers hand was there first. His palm covered the confining band, firm fingers brushed over her skin. Warm, a caress that seemed to drift through her body, seep into her bloodstream, make her forget. She drew in a sharp breath, glanced up, straight into that mesmerising amber gaze.

“Let me help.” And he had both her wrists and had eased her to her feet before she could object.

She shook her head, suddenly angry at herself. “Hey, how do you know my name? I don’t know you, do I?” She tried to pull free, but his hold, though gentle, seemed to have a strange force that she instinctively knew it was useless to resist. “Who the hell are you? And where did that damned cat disappear to?” Ivy glanced round, suddenly remembering Karma, and why she was there in the first place.

“I’m a friend, and Karma knows how to take care of himself.” A finger of dread traced down Ivy’s spine. He knew her name, he knew her cat. She knew she shouldn’t have come here. Being an investigative reporter came with one massive drawback, it meant she was so nosy that when an anonymous note was dropped on her desk she had to follow it up. And the fact that the house was practically at the end of her road had made it even more irresistible.

“Your time has come, Ivy.” She didn’t like the sound of that. But he didn’t look evil, or at least he was very sexy evil.

He looked upwards and she followed the line of his sight, up over the dark shadows of trees to the black ink of the sky, higher to the full moon that seemed to shimmer behind its misty veil.

“Accept the destiny you have chosen, don’t fight it. You have a job to do.”

He softened his hold on her wrists, lifted her hands and she glanced down. The bracelet shone with an eerie glow, reflecting the silvery moonlight which picked out the strange markings etched deep into its surface. But the one that stood out was a crescent, a small crescent that matched the one on the strangers arm.

And then she remembered where she had seen it.

To be continued Saturday October 12th by

Kari Lemor 

on her blog

While you are waiting, why not check out her SYTYCW 2013 entry?

Protecting His Son

If you want to see the full schedule for the story please see my previous post, here.