Tuesday Tales: From the Word ANNOYING

Welcome to this week’s edition of Tuesday Tales. Wow! November’s over and done and we’re moving on to December. We got our first snowfall last Friday. It was only a couple of inches, but it’s sticking around. Are you ready for Christmas? My tree is up and the house is decorated, but I’m far from ready.

This week’ word prompt is ANNOYING. I’m continuing with my holiday romance, Forever in my Heart.

After Cal left, Mike stood, not sure how to continue what was a sensitive subject. He wanted to convince her to stay here, get to know him and the girls, give them a chance to be the family Luke and Cassie had wanted them to be, but how hard could he push? “More wine?” he asked, picking up the bottle. “Molly won’t be serving dinner for another couple of hours. That’s why Liz Faraday brought out the appetizers.”

“Sure.” She held out her glass. “Alcohol makes everything brighter, right? I don’t have much of an appetite right now anyway, but the Merlot is good.”

Mike frowned. Small talk? Polite strangers discussing the quality of the wine? This wasn’t what he wanted, but maybe it was what she needed, and he had to back off. The last thing he wanted was to be annoying, but damn it, they really didn’t have all that much time.

Callie sat once more, placing the manila envelope on the table and extending her wine glass. “Besides, once I open that,” she indicated the envelope, “I doubt I’ll be in the mood for food or company.”

He nodded and refilled her glass, wishing Cal had waited to give her that. Hadn’t she been through enough today?

Liz Faraday returned carrying a portable phone. “Excuse me for interrupting, Mike, but Clint’s on the line. It looks as though Snowdrop is in active labor, and he’s worried about her.” She extended the phone to him.

His responsibility to the animal kicked in, and he was all business. “I’m sorry. I need to take this. Snowdrop was Cassie’s mare. She isn’t due for another three weeks, but she’s carrying twins. We’ve been monitoring her closely, but things change quickly in a case like this.” He grabbed the phone. “Yeah, Clint … You’re sure? … I’m on my way.” He ended the call, handed the phone to the housekeeper, before turning to Callie once more. “I’m afraid you’ll be on your own for dinner. Liz can show you around the family quarters and then take you up to your room. Len should’ve brought up your suitcase by now.” He turned to his housekeeper. “Liz, can you make sure Callie gets dinner? Tell Molly I’ll get something to eat up at the bunkhouse? It’s going to be a long night.”

He hated leaving her like this. Cassie was gone, but he would be damned if anyone or anything else died.

That’s it. Stay safe and don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales