Tuesday Tales: From the Word KICK

Welcome to March and this week’s Tuesday Tales post. Weather here has been crazy. Can’t wait to see what Mother nature tosses our way next.

This week’s word prompt is KICK. I’m continuing with my Contemporary Paranormal Romanace Suspense, Listen to the Stones. Enjoy.

A loud knocking at the door interrupted Marina’s explanation.

James stood. “Stay here. I’ll see who it is. It’s possible that one of the crofters saw the smoke.”

After a few minutes of lively arguing, James was back with an older woman whose fierce scowl was enough to scare anyone. She carried her umbrella like a weapon, quite prepared to kick James out into the cold and rain along with whoever was with him. Marina stood, ready to defend him if needed. This was her new home, and she had every right to be here.

The woman stopped abruptly, staring at her as if she were looking at a ghost.

“I told you. I’m James MacNish and I work with Ewen MacDonald.” The frustration in his voice was unmistakable. He led the woman over to the sofa. “Lady Fraser arrived early. I picked her up at the airport in Stornoway. See for yourself.”

He stepped aside giving Marina her first good look at her visitor. The woman, not much taller than her, had white hair pulled into a tight bun at the back of her head. Her many wrinkles testified to the fact that her life hadn’t been an easy one. Her gray eyes were large in her face as she examined her, and heat crept into Marina’s cheeks.

Determined not to be intimidated, she held out her hand.

“Hello, I’m Marina Fraser. There was some confusion about my arrival date, but I’m here now—here to stay,” she added.

The woman covered her mouth with both hands and shook her head. Putting her hands down, she smiled, completely changing her demeanor and curtsied.

“My lady, I’m so sorry that I wasn’t here to greet you. Donald will be beside himself, but we were told to expect you tomorrow. He and Brian have gone to Harris to get a new ram for the ewes. The old one has outlived his usefulness. The last crop of lambs was of poor quality and sickly, and he’s hoping a new young stud will improve matters.”

Marina smiled, not sure how to comment on a poorly performing ram.

The woman scowled once more. “Why are you sitting in the dark?”

“The power’s out,” she explained, confused as to why the woman would even ask. “James found this lantern and lit a fire.”

That’s it. Come back next week for more. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.