Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. Our word prompt is SWEAT. Things are heating up in Listen to the Stones. Enjoy!
Jerome watched Marina leave the room. She’d only asked the one question, but she’d watched him so intently that it had felt as if she were looking into his soul.
He swiped at the beads of sweat on his forehead. If she didn’t believe what he’d told her, she would never accept the rest.
When Marina returned with the plates, the television announcer informed them that the game had been called on account of the rain and that the teams would play tomorrow. The canceled game would be rescheduled if needed.
“It looks like you can call it an early night if you want to.”
He stared at the roast beef she’d set before him, his mouth watering at the aroma.
“This looks absolutely incredible.”
She nodded and reached for her wine glass.
They ate in silence, if you could call the way Marina toyed with her food eating. She set down her fork and spoke, breaking the uncomfortable quietude.
“Thank you for explaining things to me. I’ve never known an author, so I can’t say whether I agree or disagree about your need to keep it to yourself, but I do respect your right to do so. I’ve heard of celebrity stalkings, and they would concern me as well. As to your desire to keep the stones safe, although I have only seen drawings of them, I too feel the need to protect them. James thinks it’s unnecessary, but … how can I go about getting them registered?”
“I can get the necessary documents for you tomorrow. I thought we might go to the stones in the morning,” he continued, confused by her placid demeanor. “Now that I’ve met you and have gotten to know you, I have no interest in seeing you leave here when your year is up.” He swallowed. “I won’t lie to you again, but I would like you to consider selling me the croft closest to the stones. I want to move back to the Isle of Lewis permanently and make writing my sole occupation. Will you think about it? I will study the stones as an archeologist because they fascinate me, but I will need quiet time with them to sit and listen to their stories and a place where I can work undisturbed.”
She shook her head and met his gaze. “Understand this. None of Fraser land is for sale, at least not as long as I live.”
That’s it. Come back next week for more. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.
Living the Dream 
Rut-roh! The as long as I live doesn’t bode well when he so much wants her land. Better sleep with one eye open! Jillian
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Way to go! I love that she stood up to him. There is something sneaky with his request. Great job!
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That is intriguing. I can see holing up in a natural environ to write.
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I know I need my privacy to do it, especially when I’m working on a complex paranormal like this book.
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