A Sneeze to Die For

by Teresa Trent

  Nora kissed Wiley on the cheek and hugged him. “Thank you.”

  “For what? Not being a screw-up? Now I’m serious, I think you need to spend some time with your fella.” He gazed over at Tuck who grinned.

  “Now that’s what I like to see,” Rosalyn said as she came upon them in her walker. Lucy and Arnette walked on either side of Nora’s grandmother. “My son and my granddaughter getting along. Your mama would be so proud.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Your mama was always proud of you. From the moment you were born, when you went through that awkward stage and wanted a tattoo to the first kiss you had on that class trip. I don’t know if you ever knew that.”

  Nora felt a surge of something she hadn’t been feeling the last few days, and she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Was this acceptance? Confidence? Self Esteem? It was amazing how just a few little words can make a world of difference. She looked over to Tuck who was now gathering dishes into stacks. He caught her glance and gave a low smoldering smile that made the back of Nora’s neck heat up. Not only were things better with Wiley, it seemed.

  “I’m glad to know that, Grandma Rosalyn.”

  “Stow that in your heart baby girl. The love you find will always be there. I didn’t get to have your mama here for so many years, but I always put a little piece of memory deep in my heart and pulled it out on those days I missed her the most.”

  Nora hugged her grandmother and then Lucy’s phone made a beeping sound. “Hate to rush you ladies, but I have a date.”

  Nora pulled away. “A date? You just got back into town. Who could you be dating?”

  “My little secret.” Lucy said. Since she and her mother had returned from New York, Lucy had barely been around. What was she doing that was taking up all her time? Had she brought back some sexy Manhattan mogul?

  “Uh huh.” Arnette said rolling her eyes.

  Once Nora’s family left, she went to retrieve her purse thinking about all her grandmother had said to her. It was like a warm blanket going around her shoulders thinking about her mother’s love and then she stopped. If her mother wasn’t around Rosalyn all those years, how could she had known about the kiss? Or the tattoo?

  “About ready?” Tuck said coming up behind her and slipping his hands around her waist.

  “Wait.” Nora said, pulling away. “I would just like to say thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For hiding in my lobby and saving …”

  “Your precious behind,” Tuck smiled. “My pleasure. I know we both had some stuff going on but no matter who comes sauntering in to your lobby, I’d like you to know, I’m happy with you. That and I’ve come to really like that behind.”

  Nora looked lovingly around the Tunie Hotel, her hotel. “It’ll be quiet around here tonight, thank goodness.” Nora sighed feeling the weariness of the last week flooding through her.

  Tuck nibbled on her ear. “Maybe, maybe not.”

  Nora laughed as Tuck’s kiss tickled her neck. It was a feeling she wanted to have for years to come.

  Photo by Jim Richard, www.jimrichard.com

  Teresa Trent lives in Houston, Texas, where she writes lighthearted cozy mysteries filled with small-town wisdom and plenty of quirky characters. She has won an award for her short stories with a Texas writers groups and is always in search of that next unusual character or plot. When she is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, singing, doing crafts, shopping with her daughter, and watching old mystery movies on television.

  For more information, go to www.teresatrent.com.